Do you think Christian bloggers represent well the actual beliefs of the Christian population overall?
Or do you think that there seems to be a majority of one extreme over another? Or just extremes in general?
Do you think that most of the bloggers who identify themselves as Christians are doctrinally sound? Mature in their walk with Christ?
And if you answer, give me your definition of “Christian” first.
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I think that individual Christians portray their own beliefs accurately, but "Christians" are so "all over the board" (shoot, in my own family they're all over the board) that it's hard for any one person (or small group of people) to accurately portray the body of Christ.
;-)
I guess I find myself frustrated often with the weak doctrinal stance of so many online that I worry about how that relates to the body at large.
My definition of Christ: I can not add, will not add to Christ's sacrifice on the cross for me. He died for me -- for past, present and future sins. I can not 'work' myself into heaven, but He has set me on a path to do the work He has predestined for me. Do His plans change for me? - No - His plan for me is constant - I might get there through detours though, because I don't listen. Do I still sin? Yes!!!! Do I believe that the Bible is God's Word? Yes!!! He, in His time and by the power of His Spirit will reveal certain Scripture to me that I might not understand today. I am nothing without the gift of the Spirit and can not come to Him without His calling...
Does my Blog reflect that I am a sinner, but forgiven through the blood of Christ? I sure hope so. If not, please do let me know...I might sound simple on my Blog, but that is because my English is not the greatest :)...
About the Christian community as a whole - do we have it all together? Some really do and some water the message down or make it more than it is. The Gospel message is simple (in my eyes)...but some add works to it. Christ Himself said in John 19:30 "It is finished"....
Oops - this comment got long... You can not publish it if you think it is too long...
Grace & peace,
<>< Iris
Do you think Christian bloggers represent well the actual beliefs of the Christian population overall?
No. Impossible. We are way too fragmented right now for any one voice to represent all beliefs.
Do you think that most of the bloggers who identify themselves as Christians are doctrinally sound? Mature in their walk with Christ?
Doctrinally sound? No. Mature in their walk? For the most part. Folks who have marginalized their faith tend not to mention it.
Christian? Well my dictionary deffinition would be one who has undergone a Trinitarian baptism while holding some basic tenants of one God and God the Son being eternal with the Father or something like a Father. A more universal, contemperary deffinition would be someone who holds a Trinitarian profession of faith where Jesus is God and has existed since the beginning.
Iris: I have never thought of you as simple. You are very kind and encouraging and yet get fired up about God and his Word. I like that!
I think my question could have been better worded. I wasn’t wondering if Christian bloggers accurately represent the faith (as it should be) but if they represent the practical faith of most Christians you would meet on the street.
Obviously everyone is imperfect and no one gets it 100% right, I was just wondering if blogging attracted certain types of people that tend to fall on one end of the spectrum or the other.
Jswranch: Would you consider a “Christian” to be a child of God? In other words, only those who are actually God’s children are Christian and all others are not?
If so, from God’s perspective, who are his children?
My Definition of a Christian: one who follows Christ which means: caring about the doctrines of scriptures, reading his word, acting out what the bible teaches etc.
What seems many others definiton: I know that Christ existed, my parents went to church so... I'm a Christian. (or some other variation of that theme)
Do you think Christian bloggers represent well the actual beliefs of the Christian population overall? - depends. I find that people who are truly believers tend to act as well as they are taught...either by God's word itself, or by the fellowship they belong to. Different preachers and congregations do better jobs at teaching than others do.
Or do you think that there seems to be a majority of one extreme over another? Or just extremes in general? - there are extremes both ways. Do I find that they are overall kind? In the blogs that I read...yes. In the blogs that my hubbie reads....they can be real stinkers at times. (but he reads more pointed blogs than I do)
Do you think that most of the bloggers who identify themselves as Christians are doctrinally sound? Mature in their walk with Christ? - no. well, let me qualify that. Those that i think are real believers tend to be doctrinally sound and mature. Those that I think label themselves as christian well....they are sometimes lacking. I do take into account some denominational differences. For instance, I am a Calvinist, attend a conservative church. I read blogs of baptists, mennonites (modern), and so forth...there will be differences in how one bases their approach to scripture. I don't always agree with the approach, but I do respect that they are consistent and that they are doing their best to follow God.
I'm on a blogging sabbatical right now :)...I am in the process of cleaning up my computer files and I found you in my favorites.....I am going to put you on my sidebar so I don't miss out in case you decide (I hope) to continue blogging...I do have more to say about this because I know exactly what you are talking about...but today is my "fall cleaning" day and already I am off track :)
Would you consider a “Christian” to be a child of God?
Yes. Multiple scriptures such as Rm 9:8 profess we become children of God after being born again.
In other words, only those who are actually God’s children are Christian and all others are not?
Only Christians are Children of God? I am not certain. I tend to say yes, but there are some concepts that make me question. This will be the first time I have dabbled in the subject.
Here are my stubling blocks:
-God the Father is the Father. He created all humans Himself with the participation (at some level) with our earthly parents. Hence, if we exist, we are children (a creation) of the Father. I feel there are a few scriptures that support this idea.
JN 11:52 A prophecy is made of Jesus and the Children of God scattered around the globe. From this we see they are not Christians, yet they are Children.
Mk 3:35 Those who do the will of God the Father are the brothers of Jesus, hence the children of God. Is it possible to do the will of the Father, thus making one a Child of God, without being a Christian? Great question for another day.
-I am yet to find anywhere in scripture where it say absolutely one has to be a Christian in order to be a child of God. I suppose the the term can have multiple meanings.
If so, from God’s perspective, who are his children?
Depends on the meaning. I hesitantly say all those who have been created are his children. However, we are children who have been banished from the fullness of his embrace. Some of us, not all, will enter into heaven by means of his mercy and redemption brought by the free gift of Jesus, thus sharing in his eternal inheritence. Hence, though we are children of God, only some of us will inherit the birth rite to join Him eternally. We (our parents, Adam and Eve) were in the saving grace of God, but departed from it. Now we have to be re-adopted and ransomed back into life. If you want to define the Childern of God as those who are partakers in his plan for salvtion, then Christians are the only ones who can call themselves His children.
I guess I find myself frustrated often with the weak doctrinal stance of so many online that I worry about how that relates to the body at large.
If you can define what the correct doctrinal stance is for the body at large, you might be able to answer that question.
I don't believe you'll have much luck, though.
Now if you apply your definition of Christian, I'd say that only you would be qualified to answer that question.
Tony,
The correct doctrinal stance would be the biblical stance.
I definitely do not agree with your sweeping definition of Christian and I do not believe God would either based on the scriptures.
Carrie,
But there is so much disagreement on what the Biblical stance is? We've had it ourselves just between our two denominations.
But how does God define Christians based on the scriptures? Does He allow any definition of doctrine a Christian likes as long as they believe they have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Despite any disagreements, there is only one stance and that is God's as revealed in his Word. I want to be right in God's eyes.
And despite disagreements I would think that the definition of CHRIST-ian is quite obvious. A Christian is a follower of Christ.
I guess you have to ask yourself the definition of "follower of Christ".
I gave my viewpoints on this in the newest post.
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