Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
Like people in the current poll, I forget the President is a Christian because he spends most of his time trying to make me think he's anything but a Christian. Pro-abortion politics, needlessly mollifying Muslims, moving away from our allies in Israel: there's an absence of pro-active Christian activity.
According to everything I've been able to figure out (while sitting on this stool), he didn't profess any religion at all until the extremely political decision to join Rev. Wright's church at age 28. Then he went there for 20 years or so and didn't listen to what was being preached on the pulpit (according to him). Then he actually threw the guy under the bus, along with his grandmother, as soon as it was politically expediant.
He's the guy who was told "you have to go to church if you want to be president." So he looked for the most politically advantageous place to go, didn't go that much, and now that he's President, he doesn't even take his kids on Christmas.
I have 2 friends with upside down pentagram tattoos that are more Christian than this guy.
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Jun '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
Obama's Fascinating Interview [2004] with Cathleen Falsani [Chicago Sun Times]
http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/11/obamas-interview-with-cathleen.html
He looks at Christianity like he looks at America--no such thing as exceptionalism. If that's how he treats everything, I feel sorry for Michelle.
Edited on Aug 20, 2010 at 11:43amAug '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
Yes, there are things you must do; though it's not exactly the same for every Christian. It's exactly like taking sides in a war, but this spiritual war is far larger, older, and more important than earthly wars. The stakes are higher by far than anything we imagine on earth.
Also, the good guys are often members of other religions.
If someone professes to be on God's side, and fails to perform, the consequences are terrible.
Aug '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." - James 2: 14-17
Paul is clearly stating that Christians ought to bear the fruits of the Spirit if they are in fact redeemed and James says that the faith that saves is not "alone." So, "yes," to answer your question. However, how that plays out over one's life through the process of sanctification, may look different among different people and at different stages of life.
What bothers me most is the fact that President Obama's actions aren't all that much different from your average, self-proclaimed American Christian.
Aug '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
As the others said, yes.
But people disagree considerably in practice on what "acting like a Christian" constitutes. For example, some Christians (mostly leftist Christians) believe that appeasing untrustworthy Islamic leaders (like the PLO) is acting Christian because "it helps to spread Christ's peace". Obviously, a lot of us here would disagree with appeasement, not because we think spreading Christ's peace is wrong, but because we don't think appeasement actually spreads peace -- rather, it rewards bad behavior and thus destroys peace.
I've met Christians I'd consider overall very holy people that are nonetheless deep into appeasement. I think they're in error there -- a dangerous error, practically speaking -- but even the holy have weaknesses.
The good intentions of Christianity are not, however, a license to foolishness, because wisdom is a part of Christian virtue, or rather Christian wisdom and Christian virtue are ultimately the same thing. We worship God with the heart, but also with the mind, and in all our getting, we should get understanding.
God no doubt can appreciate our good intentions better than anyone, but good intentions alone aren't enough.
Jun '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
"I have 2 friends with upside down pentagram tattoos that are more Christian than this guy."
That was very funny Joe.
May '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
Ooooh, Etoile. Hadn't seen that. But it confirmed my belief that our Prez isn't much of anything, religiously. Which describes many people.
Aug '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
Midget Faded Rattlesnake:
But people disagree considerably in practice on what "acting like a Christian" constitutes. For example, some Christians (mostly leftist Christians) believe that appeasing untrustworthy Islamic leaders (like the PLO) is acting Christian because "it helps to spread Christ's peace". Obviously, a lot of us here would disagree with appeasement, not because we think spreading Christ's peace is wrong, but because we don't think appeasement actually spreads peace -- rather, it rewards bad behavior and thus destroys peace.
Peace only comes after one side prevails. That is what most appeasers fail to see. Christ, fortunately was not so foolishly inclined:
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law..." - Matt. 10:33-35
Thank God He came to prevail and not appease...
But that doesn't mean the Church is authorized to wield the sword. That is left to the state. Dietrich Bonhoeffer probably handled this the best of any contemporary theologian.
May '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
As much as I really, really dislike our president, I submit that none of us is qualified to assess the depth of his Christianity. He may have the heart of Mother Theresa -- I sincerely doubt it, and evidence suggests otherwise -- but that's really up to God to determine.
Edited on Aug 20, 2010 at 1:29pmJul '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
His protestations about it reminded me of a Margaret Thatcher quote. "Being powerful is a lot like being a lady: if you have to tell people you are...you aren't." Not only does it seem odd that they haven't yet figured out how his insistence on the issue is only driving up the number of people who don't believe it...but I really do think if you have to go out of your way to vehemently proclaim your Christianity, maybe it's not quite such a sure thing.
May '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
The difference between religion (or spirituality, or whatever) and Christianity is the difference between DO and DONE. Religion is what you DO to try to be reconciled with God. Christianity is what Christ has DONE by sacrificing himself on the cross to reconcile those who accept that sacrifice to God.
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a cookie jar makes a mouse a cookie.
This may start a long discussion of the place of works, religious observance, etc. etc., which I am not deprecating. But at the heart of the matter "if you will confess the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart he is risen from the dead, then you will be saved."
Jul '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
If Obama is a phony about everything else, why not religion? Actually, you almost have to stand back in admiration of the consistency.
Jun '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
etoiledunord: Obama's Fascinating Interview [2004] with Cathleen Falsani [Chicago Sun Times]
http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/11/obamas-interview-with-cathleen.html
He looks at Christianity like he looks at America--no such thing as exceptionalism. If that's how he treats everything, I feel sorry for Michelle. · Aug 20 at 11:39am
Fascinating indeed, thanks for the link! Here's the most revealing part:
FALSANI: Do you believe in sin?
OBAMA: Yes.
FALSANI: What is sin?
OBAMA: Being out of alignment with my values.
Aug '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
Amen, amen, and amen. Subjective navel gazing at my pathetic good works versus the objective incarnation, propitiation and resurrection.
Joseph Stanko
Fascinating indeed, thanks for the link! Here's the most revealing part:
FALSANI: Do you believe in sin?
OBAMA: Yes.
FALSANI: What is sin?
OBAMA: Being out of alignment with my values. · Aug 20 at 2:27pm
In that case, forgive me Mr. President, for I have sinned, a lot and will continue to do so...often.
Aug '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
While I'm not concerned about the choice of deity to whom Mr. Obama directs his prayers-- if, in fact, he prays at all-- I am deeply disturbed by his pattern of dishonesty; a dishonesty so pervasive as to have left him with virtually no credibility on any issue, not just this one.
Is he a Christian? He says he is-- but a twenty year association with the the bigotry-spewing, hate-filled "church" of Jeremiah Wright does little to establish his credentials.
He no doubt finds it politically useful to claim to be one-- he finds it politically useful to claim to be many things he isn't, just as he denies being a lot of things he actually is-- but an examination of his policies, actions, and statements over the past year and a half lead one to a different conclusion.
Given that his word carries no credence, it's best to keep in mind that if something looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...it's probably a duck.
Or, in this instance, a Muslim.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/the_president_is_obviously_christian_tSFRZ7dhljo7vMuoFkJ0oK?offset=16#comments#ixzz0xBkhte8Y
Jun '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
News Flash:
Obama, in response to a reporters question, "Are you, sir, a Muslim?" responds emphatically, "I'm no Muslim, I am a Nothing.".
There, the issue is resolved. Let's move on folks.
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
I'm fine with that.
Jul '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
I don't really care about a candidate's religion.
What I want to know is if he lets other people go ahead of him in traffic.
Jul '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
I care less whether President Obama is a "Christian" or a "Muslim" or a "Jew" or a "Zoroastion" (sp?) than whether he is religious/spiritual at all, And he is not. He is a stolid Materialist and a secular humanist who pays attention to religion only insofar as it advances his career. Nobody who cared about God would have made the "clinging to God and Guns" comment. You can see it in his walk, his talk and his priorities. I would very much to be wrong.
May '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
I might be wrong, but I believe the word "peace" in the New Testament is usually used in the context of one's soul, rather than a community. Most of Christ's talk of peace has nothing to do directly with avoidance of war.
Incidentally, Christ's apostles wore swords (see the scene of Jesus' arrest), which they likely used to defend against bandits.
Ottoman Umpire: As much as I really, really dislike our president, I submit that none of us is qualified to assess the depth of his Christianity. · Aug 20 at 1:28pm
Edited on Aug 20 at 01:29 pm
It's alright for people to judge someone's character for the purpose of figuring out how to interact or handle the person. But, I agree, beyond that, we should leave it to God. Our words should condemn actions, rather than persons. Some labels, like liar, are alright because they denote a habit of action.
Agreed.
Jul '10
Re: Must you act like a Christian to be a Christian?
One more note - to actually address the question raised by Joe. One need not "act" like a Christian to be a Christian. But it is almost impossible to be a meaningful Christian without leaving obvious residue behind. As much as I dislike the guy, and no matter how wrong he was on so many things, no one could doubt that President Carter was a Christian.
It is impossible to be a serious Christian and leave an absolute absence of evidence behind. I see no evidence.