What is Biblical Christianity and who is a Christian?
Biblical Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God through the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most think of Christians as people who seek to do good works for God in order to be saved; but this is wrong. Rather, a Christian is one for whom God has accomplished our salvation through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Is Christianity a religion or a relationship with God?
This is true of all religions (Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, etc.). Biblical Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God through the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most think of Christians as people who seek to do good works for God in order to be saved; but this is wrong.
What is the meaning of non-theistic religions?
Atheistic or non-theistic religions are a tradition of thought within the theistic context. There are several religions without gods and that should not be surprising because religion does not necessarily require God. Most of the non-theistic religions without gods have their source in the theistic tradition.
Is there a religion without a god?
There are several religions without gods and that should not be surprising because religion does not necessarily require God. Most of the non-theistic religions without gods have their source in the theistic tradition. In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, non-theism plays a significant role.
What is the Hindu tradition of no god?
The Hindu tradition accepts the notion of nirishvaravada, which means the theory of no god. In other words, atheism is a tradition within the mainstream theistic Hindu tradition. The notion of nirishwarvada further attests to the existence of religions without gods within the large body of Hinduism.
What is an atheistic religion?
Atheistic or non-theistic religions are a tradition of thought within the theistic context. There are several religions without gods and that should not be surprising because religion does not necessarily require God. Most of the non-theistic religions without gods have their source in the theistic tradition. …
What religions did Durkheim study?
Durkheim studied primitive religions. These religions are known as pagan religions, which are a variety of nature-oriented, pre-Christian religious traditions. They believed in soul worship, totem worship, or nature worship and were religions without gods.
What is the Buddhist school?
It is the Mahayana school that began believing in supernatural beings or gods. The practitioners of the Mahayana school can be said to be theists for their belief in supernatural beings with the status of gods.
What is the central element of religion?
It is evident from this definition that beliefs, practices, and symbols are central to religion. Religion is then a bounded system of beliefs and practices surrounding sacred things. There are certain common elements to religions with or religions without gods. These common elements are beliefs and practices, symbols, …
Which religions did not resemble the evolved gods of the monotheistic religions?
We may consider the pagan gods as the most elementary gods, which did not resemble the evolved gods of the monotheistic religions.
What can Bethany do?
If there is one thing that Bethany can do every day for the rest of her life, it would be to help other people. As a writer, she has always been intrigued by people and stories. It’s no wonder that she has traveled all over the country and the world, meeting new people, listening to their stories, and getting inspired to become a better version of herself. Her love for writing, travel, helping others, and self-improvement all come together to create someone who is always eager to learn and share what she has learned with other people, so that they too can become the best possible version of themselves.
What did Bonhoeffer say about Nazism?
In his letters to his dear friend Eberhard Bethge, Bonhoeffer decries the kind of Christianity in German Lutheranism that refused to confront, and in many ways aided, Nazism in prewar Germany. Martin Luther was also outspoken against religiosity in Roman Catholicism.
What is the gospel of grace?
The gospel of grace is the end of religion, the final posting of the CLOSED sign on the sweatshop of the human race’s perpetual struggle to think well of itself. For that…is what religion is: man’s well-meant but dim-witted attempt to approve of his unapprovable condition by doing odd jobs he thinks some important Something will thank him for. Religion therefore is a loser, a strictly fallen activity. It has a failed past and a bankrupt future. There was no religion in Eden and there will be no religion in heaven; and in the meantime Jesus has died and risen to persuade us to knock it all off right now.
What was the result of the era of Christian freedom?
This era of Christian freedom and attempted restoration of New Testament Christianity, without consideration of the benefits of nearly 2,000 years of theological debate and precision, brought into question traditional authorities and exalted the mind of the individual over any other authority. The result was a period of “Christian” history that produced such groups as the Universalists, Millerites, Mormons, and Methodists.
Is Christianity a religionless relationship?
The problem that persists in this formulation of Christianity as a religionless relationship is a fundamental misunderstanding of religion. For many, the word religion conjures images of priests, rites, liturgy, rules, legalism, dogma, and institutions—institutions that, according to secular Western history, are responsible for racial inequalities, wars, bigotry, hatred, and exploitation of the populace through superstition and fear. The word religion is arguably flawed even in its origin, a Latin word meaning to bind or tie up, which Christ didn’t come to do.
Is Capon against religion?
Capon’s assertion is against all religion, but is lacking in a working definition of religion. As mentioned earlier, sociologically speaking, religion is simply the outworking of a belief system held by more than one person. It would be fair to say that false religion without divine instruction is in fact a “dim-witted attempt to approve of our unapprovable condition.”
Who coined the phrase "religionless Christianity"?
1 “Religionless Christianity” was a phrase coined by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his prison letters, published posthumously. In his letters to his dear friend Eberhard Bethge, Bonhoeffer decries the kind of Christianity in German Lutheranism that refused to confront, and in many ways aided, Nazism in prewar Germany.
Who wrote between noon and three?
The American Episcopal priest Robert Capon, in his book Between Noon and Three: A Parable of Romance, Law, and the Outrage of Grace, explains the supposed difference between religion and Christianity in this way.
What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
Believing in Jesus means we look to Christ as our Savior and accept His atoning work on the cross as sufficient to make us acceptable in the sight of God. Once saved, the Christian is called to a life of good works (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:11-14), but such works are the fruit of salvation and never the cause of it.
What is a Christian?
Rather, a Christian is one for whom God has accomplished our salvation through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ.
What is Steven’s ministry?
Steven’s ministry activity is entirely voluntary (articles, blogs, podcasts, and video lessons), as he works a full time job as a Case Manager for a local nonprofit agency that helps the elderly and disabled in the community.
Is Christianity a religion?
Christianity is not a Religion. Religion is man, by his own efforts, seeking to win the approval of God. This is true of all religions (Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, etc.). Biblical Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God through the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is work necessary for salvation?
Work is necessary for our salvation; however, it is not the works we do for God that save us, but rather, it is ONLY the work of Christ that saves. Only Jesus lived a perfectly righteous life in the sight of God (Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5) and then died a penal substitutionary death on our behalf, bearing the punishment that rightfully belongs to us …
What is the second group of people to whom we minister?
The second group of people to whom we minister are attending a brick and mortar church. Some of these folks have already told us that they don’t intend on leaving their church, but want to consider themselves as “members” of CWR as well (we prefer to call those who choose CWR “friends”). Some of these folks who are attending a land-locked church are attending with us because they are curious, while others attend because they want and desire more teaching and worship than they receive in their geographically defined church.
What are the elements of worship?
We do make it convenient for people around the world to be able to worship God, in song, in prayer with communion and the spoken word of teaching. Prayer, praise and proclamation are key elements of worship — and they are always present, in a Christ-centered way, in our worship services.
What is grace based message?
Christ-centered, grace based messages. Messages that spring from the Bible — expository messages that start in the Bible, as opposed to sermons that are topical and then “find” biblical references to help prove a point. We “preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Is CWR closed?
CWR is convenient, our doors are never closed. People may worship anytime, 24/7. We will have a new, timely and relevant sermon every week. But while our worship services are convenient and easy to find, they are definitely not feel-good, sugar-coated, politically correct messages.
Is Christianity alive in America?
Barna believes, based on extensive surveys and studies, that Christianity is alive and well in North America, but it is morphing and changing. Many are dissatisfied with denominations and local churches and are looking for alternative ways to worship and be nourished with the Word of God.
Is it important to worship God in a building?
Getting in your car and driving to church, or taking the bus or train, to worship God in a building is not critically important to one’s Christianity. It may help or it may hinder your relationship with God.
Can you pray at Plain Truth?
A. Yes to both. We offer prayer, both in the worship service and for those who may request it, via our website and toll free phone number. We will encourage those to whom we minister to financially help us provide the gospel, via the many ministries and services of Plain Truth Ministries.
What is the litmus test for Christians?
Those who claim they are Christians should be measured against the ultimate test of Christian values – and that means comparing how their words and their actions hold up to the standard of Jesus’ words and actions (so far as we can know what they are) rather than whether they hold correct theology. If their claim is to be understood as more than a claim to believe particular propositions about Jesus that may or may not be true and that cannot in any case be verified, their claim is subject to the litmus test of their lives, their decisions and their actions.
What happened after Jesus was crucified?
They abandoned Jesus to his fate and ran. However sometime after his arrest and crucifixion, the crushing sense of disappointment, frustration and defeat the disciples experienced at the death of their leader suddenly gave way in the face of what is called “the Easter Event.”
What does it mean to be a Christian?
At its core, being a Christian today means exactly the same thing for us as it meant to his first disciples: consciously choosing to be an advocate of Jesus and his teachings. It involves what the medieval theologian Thomas A Kempis called Imitatio Christi, the imitation of Christ. It means to live as Jesus lived and to teach as he taught, to honor truth and show compassion, to stand with the victims of this world against their oppressors, to stand with the weak and the powerless against the abusers and the comfortably powerful, and to maintain one’s integrity no matter the cost. In short being a follower of Jesus meant then and now to be faithful to the spirit of Jesus and his teachings. That is both the meaning and the cost of Christian discipleship.
What happened after the crucifixion?
That “something” that “happened” after the crucifixion is described in the Gospels in mythological terms as Resurrection. We have learned to demythologize these accounts so that we can understand and interpret their significance to us without resorting to the mythological language in which the early history was transmitted to us.
What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
In short being a follower of Jesus meant then and now to be faithful to the spirit of Jesus and his teachings. That is both the meaning and the cost of Christian discipleship. It is that timeless challenge that continues to captivate and motivate us.
Was Jesus a real person?
Regardless of their religious faith there is no serious doubt among contemporary historians that Jesus was a real person who lived in Palestine in the First Century. Historians agree that Jesus was an itinerant Jewish teacher who traveled and taught throughout Palestine gathering disciples around him through the force of his personality and the compelling nature of his message. There is general agreement that Jesus was perceived by the Roman occupiers of Palestine as a dangerous religious radical and a disturber of the peace, in consequence of which he was arrested by the local authorities and summarily executed by the Romans in a public crucifixion, the standard method used by the Romans to deal with political troublemakers.
What is the first commandment?
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”. Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus said everything hinges on loving God and loving your neighbor. Nothing is more important.
What did Jesus say about love?
When Jesus was asked to describe the most important aspect of his teaching he said this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
What does it mean when someone tells you there is a list of Bible verses you need to know to be?
If someone is telling you there is a list of Bible verses you need to know to be a Christian, you are being misguided. If someone is telling you that anything other than love for God and love for your neighbor is required to be a Christian, you are being misguided.
What does it mean when someone tells you there is a certain set of rules you need to follow to be?
If someone is telling you there is a certain set of rules you need to follow to be a Christian, you are being misguided. If someone is telling you there is a certain place you need to go on a certain day of the week to be a Christian, you are being misguided.
What does God want us to acknowledge?
God wants us all to acknowledge Him as our Creator and the Creator of all things. How we make that proclamation is unimportant. The only thing of value is our sincere, heartfelt, love for God and the teachings of His Son Jesus Christ.
What does the Bible say about Christianity?
The Bible says Christianity is who you are not what you do . The Bible says that how you treat others is your Christian calling card. The Bible says there is nothing more important than your attitude. The Bible says there is no church that can make you a Christian.
What does God want?
What God Wants. God doesn’t want you to choose sides and pick a Christian denomination. God wants you to follow His Son Jesus. God doesn’t want you to pretend to be a Christian on Sunday. God wants you to love one another every minute of every day.
What Does The Bible Say about it?
The answers to life are always contained within the Scriptures. The Bible quotes what Jesus said about Christianity in John 15:1-8:
What does Jesus say about pruning?
On the contrary, “while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Here Jesus pointed out a difference between two kinds of pruning: (1) removing what doesn’t bear fruit, and (2) refining what does. Successful cultivators know that pruning, cutting back the branches, increases fruit-bearing. This can be painful for Christians, but the reward outweighs the pain ( 2 Cor. 4:17 ).
What does Paul say about the different gospel?
Paul warned the Corinthians about this: “different gospel.”. With this different gospel, Christ is left out of the equation, except within the word “ Christ ian” itself which, by the way, means “Christ-follower.”. This different gospel, this Christianity without Christ, has no power to actually change lives and hearts.
What is Christianity without Christ?
Christianity without Christ is a term that is part of the offspring of the postmodern movement that has crept into the church. It illuminates a lifestyle that professes Christianity yet lives a lifestyle more toward worldly beliefs than the teachings of Christ and the Scriptures. It is a progressive form of Christianity …
What does Jesus say about grapevines?
After all, the growing and care of grapevines have not changed over time. In verse 1, Jesus sets up the hierarchy. Nothing happens in terms of growth without a Gardner and God is the Gardner. God’s function in generating growth is clear throughout the Bible. Jesus is next in line as the vine.
What did the grapes symbolize in the Old Testament?
Grapes symbolized Israel’s fruitfulness in the Old Testament in performing God’s work on earth. However, Israel failed miserably in this area, and with the arrival of Christ; the new chosen people of God’s were Christians that originated from Christ and was joined to him like branches are to a vine.
What does "abide in me and I will remain in you" mean?
It additionally has a continuing emphasis; in that, the command to “abide” isn’t fulfilled in a one-time act. What abiding means for the disciples and all Christians presently is to make a perpetual, minute-by-minute determination to follow Christ. And we must not be passive. Instead, we Christians must be active because we have a lot to do.
What does it mean when a skeptic argues against the Bible?
When a skeptic argues against the Bible, he is usually not attacking the book but the ideas in the book. Skeptics are not really concerned about how many generations there are between Adam and Jesus or how many angels were at Jesus’ tomb. It is Christianity that concerns them (and hence the New Testament in particular).
What are liturgical instructions?
Liturgical instructions (e.g., Liturgy of St. James or St. Basil, fourth century) Authoritative pronouncements (e.g., ecumenical councils, canons, creeds, and definitions, fourth to fifth century). We can see, then, that the content of Christianity, and thus most of the issues skeptics have with it, would remain even if the Bible was taken out …
Did Christianity exist before the New Testament?
Before the New Testament was canonized, Christianity existed. Before it was completed, Christianity existed. Before its writing had even commenced, Christianity existed. It is, therefore, both a theoretical and a historical fact that Christianity can exist while no Bible exists.
Did Christianity precede the Bible?
First, Christianity preceded the Christian Bible. The New Testament writings did not begin until at least a decade after Christ started the Church, yet those who believed were Christians and therefore constituted the Church (1 Cor. 1:2 cf. 15:1-5). Second, Christianity continued to exist without most of its members possessing the New Testament.