Are you a "Christian"?

2014-12-23T07:48:45-05:00

I often wondered what that meant. It is on my dog tags - only because disciple wasn't an option. Seems to me that there are Christians on both sides of every issue - doesn't matter if it's politics, religion, government, bar fights, etc - in 2008, the census said 76% of the country was "Christian" - too bad that doesn't equate to disciple. I think Christian can mean anything you want it to mean, but if we are serious about saying "I'm a Christian", then we should define exactly what that means. If it means the same as disciple, I'm in - anything else, and I don't want to be a "Christian". If you want to know what a disciple is, it's VERY well defined - "Christian" is not - it's only used a few times in the bible and often to describe a group of people in a derogatory way.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 11:18 AM

2014-12-23T11:18:48-05:00

I know what you mean by the word "disciple," CMSgt Mark Schubert. I'm working on that aspect of my Christian walk. In fact, our church has small discipleship groups to help with just that.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Dec 23 at 2014 1:32 PM

2014-12-23T13:32:11-05:00

Not only am I a "Christian", but I don't hate other "Christians" who interpret "Christ's Message" differently than I do. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, anyone who attempts to live by "Christ's Message" is a "Christian" - even if they don't know it.

I do, however, have some difficulty with those tax-free corporations who call themselves "Churches" and attempt to force everyone to follow their version of "Christ's Message" by acting in strict accordance with the dictates of a closed group of "Spiritual Leaders" who believe that "The Rules" don't apply to them and who have the "Moral Obligation" to "enlighten" others - even if that means sending someone else's children off to foreign lands to fight "The War For Peace" and/or simply exterminating anyone who doesn't agree with them.

The Bible admonished people to "turn the other cheek" - it doesn't say "stand there and let the other guy beat the crap out of you".

It also doesn't tell you to "run around in a mindless panic just because you have suffered 0.00008% casualties" the way America's "Christian Leadership" seems to want you to do.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 1:59 PM

2014-12-23T13:59:41-05:00

Does Roman Catholicism fall within your definition of "Christian?"

I'm Roman Catholic which from my point of view are the original disciples of Christ. Peter was the first Pope. He fulfilled Christ's desire to have an Apostolic faith.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Dec 23 at 2014 4:44 PM

2014-12-23T16:44:08-05:00

I am Christian and proud. I choose to keep my faith personal and I don't tend to be one to stand up and attempt to 'convert' non-believers. I respect all individuals, regardless of a persons faith, as I would expect people to do for me.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 24 at 2014 12:35 PM

2014-12-24T12:35:38-05:00

For mean to be a Christian is a life style not just a religious designation. I have seen people who say they are Christian but do not act in that way and met no believers who act more Christian then believers. This year is when i found my way back to Christ and have worked to change the way deal with people and situation in my day to day life. I still have faults but at the same time i want people to see that there are ones that understand that there is a lifestyle to it not just going to church.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Dec 26 at 2014 9:11 PM

2014-12-26T21:11:44-05:00

During my triage session at the VA clinic the social worker asked if I was religious or spiritual based on some of my answers. I determined my best answer is that I'm born again. Not perfect but forgiven. Also she wanted to know what denomination, I said southern Baptist.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-01-20T16:19:04-05:00

Mine says Christian because I was raised that way, however I'm not sure of how I define faith in my life these days.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Jan 20 at 2015 4:35 PM

2015-01-20T16:35:28-05:00

Not as many options in that list as there should be to include other interested parties.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 20 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-01-20T17:03:48-05:00

Where is your other option???

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-01-20T17:11:07-05:00

Yes, I am a Christian. I don't have enough faith to be an atheist.

Response by MSgt William Lucas made Jan 20 at 2015 7:26 PM

2015-01-20T19:26:00-05:00

The term "Christian" was initially used in a derogatory sense that means "Little Christs". A great deal of the early first century church took on this term as a complement. After all, Christians are called to emulate Jesus. In this context, I am happy to be called a Christian. As for others, they will claim to be Christians just as Jesus said that many would claim, but He would never know them.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Jan 20 at 2015 9:08 PM

2015-01-20T21:08:04-05:00

I am. I don't trumpet it like some do, but I am. I believe that while what I hold dear is very important to me, not everyone agrees with me, and for that reason I should respect other people's beliefs. I am asked from time to time what I believe about ____ and I answer, but I don't push my opinion on other people. I know enough to realize that won't work.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Jan 21 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-01-21T12:33:43-05:00

Yes for I follow Jesus Christ, the One who died for all. Through believing in the heart & confessing with the lips that "Jesus is Lord" any person can assume the right to be a "child of God."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-01-24T22:57:47-05:00

I'm neither, but the most important question is what it means to you, CMSgt Mark Schubert. In the end, that's really all that matters :)

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jan 25 at 2015 4:49 PM

2015-01-25T16:49:36-05:00

To my lay definition a Christian is someone who is a follower of Christ/a disciple. But I am trying to be an apostle.
My dog tags said catholic, but when I retired they put me down on my records as unknown for some darn reason

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 9:27 AM

2015-01-27T09:27:36-05:00

To be honest, I struggled w/ the identity of my faith. I entered service as a protestant, but found myself drifting away. During my service I explored all sorts of different faiths if they seemed spiritually attractive to me...but nothing was.

I am now a member of the Catholic church & a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. I have found more spiritually this way. I have even been able to get the official youth group of the KofC started here in my hometown.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 28 at 2015 9:15 PM

2015-01-28T21:15:31-05:00

Why are there only two options in this poll?
Can you add
- Different Religion
- Anti-Theist
- Atheist

Also, the 'christian' term is far too vague. There are more than 35,000 different sects of christianity.
That means there are more than 35,000 different views of what a christian is.

To me, a true christian follows the bible as if it were the perfect word of a god. And in that sense, there are no true christians left on this planet.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Feb 10 at 2015 6:10 PM

2015-02-10T18:10:05-05:00

I'm not sure what I am, I was raised Catholic, I lived for over 20 years in the land of Billy Graham and CBN, But I identify more with Thomas Jefferson and being a Deist

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 6 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-03-06T15:22:51-05:00

CMSgt Mark Schubert Yes, I am a Christian. This means that I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ.

Response by PO2 David Hagwood made Mar 6 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-03-06T16:09:52-05:00

Yes, it's the same. It's understood that there are different denominations of Christianity, some that may even be questionable (but not my place to judge); but we're all Disciples, since it basically means that followers of Jesus and that we carry and spread the message. Disciple and Christian have the same meaning. Since Christ is basically Greek for the anointed one, the complete word Christian means follower of the anointed one, who we know as Jesus, Son of God. Jesus Christ = Jesus the Anointed One

With all that being said, there are very deceitful believes that claim to be the same as Christianity; and are dangerous due to the way they make the message sound so close to the same; but then there are additional scripture and practices that seem to contradict the most important aspects of Christianity and even put people in positions that have people call other people "Holy Father". This position is strictly for God and God alone. As Christians, we may refer to our biological parents as mother and father; but this does not elevate them to the level of God. Reference Exodus 20:12 and Mathew 23:1-12.

I hope this helps!

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Oct 22 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-10-22T16:21:13-04:00

I had "Christian" on my dogtags, because I couldn't really identify myself with any particular denomination. I'm definitely a Christian though. I know what I believe, and more importantly, why I believe it.

DOH! I responded before I realized it was a zombie thread! I hate that threads like this are listed on the side as "trending".

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Aug 30 at 2016 4:20 PM

2016-08-30T16:20:13-04:00

I actually don't like labels because labels kinda box things in and creates rules of what to do and not do...then it's not fun. I don't think even Jesus would cay or label the "movement" Christian. He is the son of the most high. He came to show us how to love...and then he died for our sins. I actually consider myself a "Christian Buddhist". I have read so many books on different religions and read the bible and I see that most religions have a basic theme. So I just try to love and have compassion...like most of the religions preach.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Jan 30 at 2017 12:17 PM

2017-01-30T12:17:25-05:00

Do you believe that Jesus Christ literally died four your sins, and by His own authority, rose from the dead and is now seated with the Father in Heaven?

If you believe these to be literal, simple truths, you are my brother in Christ Jesus.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 25 at 2018 10:51 AM

2018-04-25T10:51:07-04:00

I'm Presbyterian- that is cause I follow Christ using their tenets. People either get too wrapped up in using it or being hateful about it. Also we have too many so called Christians-, who by my Bible and learning are NOT following God nor Christ's teaching. Folks are using it as a label and not a way of life- which I could have sworn was the intent of our Savior.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Apr 25 at 2018 12:47 PM

2018-04-25T12:47:29-04:00

CMSgt Mark Schubert A disciple is a follower of Christ who will attempt to emulate the Savior's demeanor, action, practices, and in faith. That includes keeping His commandments and undergoing His ordinances given us.

Response by SSG Doug H made Apr 25 at 2018 4:48 PM

2018-04-25T16:48:07-04:00

I prefer the word "Follower".

Response by Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire made May 9 at 2018 7:58 AM

2018-05-09T07:58:46-04:00

Once you accept Jesus Christ as your savior, you are a child of God. Your live by three words; "to serve God"! You live by Gods word. Your Bible is your life. You never stop the study of "theology". Your actions show who you are, (Christian). You walk with God and work for God till the day you go home to the Lord.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2018 11:41 AM

2018-05-28T11:41:00-04:00

A "Christian", in the truest and purest sense, is literally a "Christ follower" or a "little Christ". So, there may be those who call themselves Christians. However, if they are not making a genuine attempt to follow Christ, as He commanded in the pages of Scripture, then that person is "Christian" in name only, but is doing Christ a great dis-service by claiming the name, but not living up to it.

For example, there are some who follow Joseph Smith. No offense to those who do, but can you really call yourself a "Christ-follower", a "Christian", if you are following a man, and not actually following Christ?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2019 10:39 PM

2019-07-03T22:39:47-04:00

A true "Christian" is literally a "Christ-ian", that is a "follower of Christ", or a "little Christ". If you are not truly and honestly seeking to humbly and genuinely follow Christ in the context of the Scriptures in God's Word, then you cannot truly claim to be a "Christian".

For example, not to pick on anyone, Mormons are often lumped into this category. But, since they follow Joseph Smith, and not Jesus, they can't legitimately be called "Christians".