Christianity in General

Reading other people's thoughts (not just the commenter on my post, but others as well) on Obama's Christianity leads me to decide that I should have a post that clearly defines what I do and don't view as being Christian.

I'm pretty inclusive and exclusive at the same time. I do believe that every denomination except for the very fringe has Christians in it. Sometimes you have Protestants who believe that Catholics are not Christian, or Catholics who believe the same of Protestants. I do not make that distinction. You can be a recognized member of the Catholic church, or any other denomination, or none, and that may or may not mean that you are an actual Christian.

What I define as Christian is what some call 'born-again', though I don't like that terminology because I don't believe that you have to be able to look back at a specific time when you Made Your Decision For Christ. I don't believe that you have to read off a Sinner's Prayer script. I don't believe that you have to have spoken in tongues.

However, a Christian has come to a knowledge of his own sin and his need for Christ's sacrifice on the cross in order to pay for that sin. Furthermore, as a follower of Christ, this Christian can be seen to change for the better over time, becoming more like what God would have him to be. Christianity starts where most religions end. Most religions end with the success or failure to obtain eternity/paradise. Christianity deals with what happens once you've acquired it.

Christianity necessitates growth. Whether you attend a "high" church or a "low" church, whether you have an altar or a podium, statues everywhere or no decoration, whether your Communion has real wine or grape juice, a real Christian will be changing every day. He will be becoming less selfish, more compassionate, wiser with his words, and stronger in God's truth. The process may be slow at times and fast at others. God may be leaving some faults until later, or even strengthening weaknesses that are not visible to others' observations. Still, over all, over time, you will see a certain humility and honesty in the behavior of the committed Christian.

Simply attending a church doesn't make you a Christian. Even being able to spout out the theology of a particular denomination doesn't make you a Christian. I know atheists and self-described witches who have more theological knowledge than the average Christian. What makes you a Christian is living it, having accepted Jesus's gift on the cross and been declared righteous in God's eyes. What makes you a Christian is having your name written in the Book of Life.