Community


  Forum Tools
Forums  | Register | Login

Photo Gallery |  Member List |  Search |  Calendars |  FAQ |  TOS |  Disclaimer |  Ticket List | 

Define Christianity?

 
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >> [Faith] >> General Faith >> FaithWalk - Protestants Only >> Define Christianity?
Jump to post #:
Page: [1] 2   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 4:02:48 AM   
Little_1


Posts: 320
Status: offline 		Please define Christianity in one short sentence?

< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/1/2008 4:22:40 AM >

_____________________________

I was lost but Jesus found me.
Post #: 1
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 4:50:53 AM   
oldmethuselah


Posts: 665
Joined: 7/5/2005
Status: offline 		Well Christianity is SUPPOSED to be simple enough for a child to understand, and profound enough to engage the wonder of our best minds, so the purpose of the OP should determine whether the restriction "one short sentence" is genuine or not.

For example, on a much SIMPLER plane, it's rather like saying

QUESTION

"define the volume of revolution of the trumpet-like solid formed when the profile curve y = 1/x is rotated around the x axis between the limits 1 and infinity"

ANSWER

pi

Now, although the above answer is true, some of my calculus students would prefer a bit more explanation, and not feel satisfied unless I provided it.


So...

ASSUMING for a moment, that the enquiry in the OP is genuine, the following three "short sentences" are offered as three examples...

SHORTEST

One twentieth century theologian (Karl Barth I think) was asked by the press,

"Professor, after a lifetime of study, what is the most profound truth you have found"

Barth's answer:

"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!"

MOST CONTEMPORARY

ANOTHER song, used in our kids program, (many readers will be quite aware of it):

"He came from Heaven to Earth to show the Way, from the Earth to the cross OUR debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord we lift your name on High"

OLDEST

The following poem is attributed to ancient church writers:

"That Thou shouldst love me as Thou do, and be the God Thou Art, is Mystery to my Intellect, and Music to my Heart!"

< Message edited by oldmethuselah -- 4/1/2008 5:05:18 AM >
Post #: 2
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 4:59:52 AM   
Little_1


Posts: 320
Status: offline 		Although a vast subject - the OP of this question is to sum Christianity up briefly and precisely as best as one can in a single sentence. It is not to explain the path of salvation, etc to non believers - just for Christians to give a little thought to how they would define their faith in a single sentence - Nothing more and nothing less, e.g.

quote:

Jesus loves me this I know for Bible tells me so.

< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/1/2008 5:06:09 AM >

_____________________________

I was lost but Jesus found me.
Post #: 3
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 5:04:55 AM   
oldmethuselah


Posts: 665
Joined: 7/5/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1

Although a vast subject - the OP of this question is to sum Christianity up briefly and precisely as best as one can in a single sentence. It is not to explain the path of salvation, etc to non believers - just for Christians to give a little thought to how they would define their faith in a single sentence - Nothing more and nothing less, e.g.

quote:

Jesus loves me this I know for Bible tells me so.


Both Barth's and the Ancients answer fall into this category, and actually, I just noticed the one provided at the bottom of YOUR very own post ALSO does a pretty fair job (I was lost but Jesus found me)
Post #: 4
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 5:07:37 AM   
Little_1


Posts: 320
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: oldmethuselah

quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1

Although a vast subject - the OP of this question is to sum Christianity up briefly and precisely as best as one can in a single sentence. It is not to explain the path of salvation, etc to non believers - just for Christians to give a little thought to how they would define their faith in a single sentence - Nothing more and nothing less, e.g.

quote:

Jesus loves me this I know for Bible tells me so.


Both Barth's and the Ancients answer fall into this category, and actually, I just noticed the one provided at the bottom of YOUR very own post ALSO does a pretty fair job (I was lost but Jesus found me)



You know oldmethuselah - I didn't even think about that. Thank you for pointing this out to me.

_____________________________

I was lost but Jesus found me.
Post #: 5
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 7:07:42 AM   
granolagirl


Posts: 125
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: The Windy City 'burbs
Status: offline 		I would say Christianity is believing what Jesus said to be The Truth and following His teachings/commands as best as you can.
This statement would definitely need a lot of further explaining to those who are not yet in the church family though.
Post #: 6
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 7:41:52 AM   
Little_1


Posts: 320
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: granolagirl

I would say Christianity is believing what Jesus said to be The Truth and following His teachings/commands as best as you can.......



Not sure what you mean by 'following Jesus' teachings as best as you can' granolagirl. Sadly, this was the trap the Galatian church fell into, i.e. they tried to live good lives in their own strength and not by the power of the Holy Spirit and the results were defeat and disolusionment:

Galatians 3:2-4

2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

So I'm sorry - but I cannot support the statement you have made granolagirl but please check out the link below and hopefully this may be of help:

http://forums.crosswalk.com/Are_Christians_denying_the_power_of_the_Holy_Spirit%3f/m_3264594/mpage_1/tm.htm#3264594

< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/1/2008 9:01:46 AM >

_____________________________

I was lost but Jesus found me.
Post #: 7
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 7:42:14 AM   
Kornelyus


Posts: 12
Joined: 4/1/2008
From: Istanbul, Turkey
Status: offline 		The Holy Bible defines what is christianity:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

You have to begin from that point. It's not what you did or what you do;
It's just about what you believe and accept. And it has to be Jesus Christ.

God bless you.
Post #: 8
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 7:44:26 AM   
SonInMe1

 

Posts: 3536
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline 		The commandments are summed upo in these two...to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.

That...is my one sentence.

_____________________________

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4:4
Post #: 9
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 9:55:44 AM   
jfaye


Posts: 702
Joined: 12/18/2007
Status: offline
quote:

Please define Christianity in one short sentence?


Christianity is the deeply intimate and personal relationship,
with the God of the Universe, evidenced by the indwelling of
His Holy Spirit and accomplished by the sacrifice of His Son,
Jesus Christ and our trust in the sufficiency of it for our salvation!,


Not short, but not complete without all aspects of it explained, I think!

_____________________________

Thankfully His,
Janice

"We cannot appreciate God's mercy until we realize He is first the God of justice!"

"O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!"
Psalm 34:8
Post #: 10
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 10:15:52 AM   
Liveloved

 

Posts: 607
Joined: 1/22/2008
Status: offline 		JESUS
Post #: 11
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 10:18:32 AM   
real58

 

Posts: 63
Joined: 8/6/2005
Status: offline 		Followers of Jesus
Post #: 12
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 3:15:16 PM   
WesSavedByGrace


Posts: 1493
Joined: 11/28/2005
From: Where God needs me to be
Status: offline
quote:

Christianity is the deeply intimate and personal relationship,
with the God of the Universe, evidenced by the indwelling of
His Holy Spirit and accomplished by the sacrifice of His Son,
Jesus Christ and our trust in the sufficiency of it for our salvation!


Janice,

That is exactly what I was thinking, but you stated it much more eloquently than I would have!

_____________________________

Peace,

Wes

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Post #: 13
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 4:32:46 PM   
frankman


Posts: 220
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline 		One short sentence, so here does. Christianity is having a personal relationship with God through faith in a crucified, yet resurrected Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

_____________________________

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8 Greetings- Frankman
Post #: 14
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 6:44:29 PM   
alishamommyof5


Posts: 79
Joined: 11/21/2007
Status: offline 		A follower of Jesus Christ.

_____________________________

educational system is the


Homeschoolers Will Change the World!
Post #: 15
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 9:15:55 PM   
RJR_fan

 

Posts: 592
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: offline
quote:

Please define Christianity in one short sentence?


Read the Apostle's, Nicene, and Chalcedonian creeds for starters.

_____________________________

Tutto posso in colui che me da la forza! (Fil. 4:13)
Post #: 16
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 9:40:45 PM   
URForgiven


Posts: 346
Joined: 3/22/2008
Status: offline 		Christianity is the restoration of the Spirit of God within man.
Post #: 17
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/1/2008 11:06:12 PM   
Walker311


Posts: 1953
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline 		Losing self completely in Him.
Post #: 18
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/2/2008 12:52:02 AM   
PaladinWithGun2

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 3/28/2008
Status: offline 		The acceptance that we cannot find happiness in life until we realize our lives do not belong to us; we have been bought out our slavery by the priceless coin of Christ's blood.
Post #: 19
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/2/2008 12:55:15 AM   
1love1God1way


Posts: 1731
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline 		A Christian is one who emanates Christ is all they do.

_____________________________

-Ben-
Post #: 20
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/2/2008 3:36:29 AM   
Little_1


Posts: 320
Status: offline 		Surrender to the Lord Jesus

< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/2/2008 6:07:17 AM >

_____________________________

I was lost but Jesus found me.
Post #: 21
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/2/2008 6:57:07 AM   
small_creation


Posts: 178
Joined: 10/30/2007
From: midwest
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: granolagirl

I would say Christianity is believing what Jesus said to be The Truth and following His teachings/commands as best as you can.
This statement would definitely need a lot of further explaining to those who are not yet in the church family though.

GranolaGirl, I think your personal definition was fine and that you wrote it "as best as one can," which was what the OP originallly asked for.

j
Post #: 22
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/2/2008 8:03:28 AM   
Little_1


Posts: 320
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

Losing self completely in Him.



Walker - just noticed your post is along the same lines as mine, i.e.

quote:

Surrender to the Lord Jesus -- Little_1


_____________________________

I was lost but Jesus found me.
Post #: 23
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/2/2008 9:14:24 AM   
granolagirl


Posts: 125
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: The Windy City 'burbs
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1

quote:

ORIGINAL: granolagirl

I would say Christianity is believing what Jesus said to be The Truth and following His teachings/commands as best as you can.......



Not sure what you mean by 'following Jesus' teachings as best as you can' granolagirl. Sadly, this was the trap the Galatian church fell into, i.e. they tried to live good lives in their own strength and not by the power of the Holy Spirit and the results were defeat and disolusionment:

Galatians 3:2-4

2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

So I'm sorry - but I cannot support the statement you have made granolagirl but please check out the link below and hopefully this may be of help:

http://forums.crosswalk.com/Are_Christians_denying_the_power_of_the_Holy_Spirit%3f/m_3264594/mpage_1/tm.htm#3264594


What I meant by that (which is why I ended my post with the statement that I did) is that since we are sinners, we will always fall short of perfect obedience (only Jesus can achieve that). Therefore we are to try our best to obey Him in all we do.


quote:

ORIGINAL: small_creation

quote:

ORIGINAL: granolagirl

I would say Christianity is believing what Jesus said to be The Truth and following His teachings/commands as best as you can.
This statement would definitely need a lot of further explaining to those who are not yet in the church family though.

GranolaGirl, I think your personal definition was fine and that you wrote it "as best as one can," which was what the OP originallly asked for.

j


Thank you, small_creation!
Post #: 24
RE: Define Christianity? - 4/2/2008 9:18:38 AM   
Little_1


Posts: 320
Status: offline 		I realise what you mean now granolagirl - thank you.

< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/2/2008 9:28:41 AM >

_____________________________

I was lost but Jesus found me.