Would I be classed as an Post-evangelical christian?
Question by Girl: Would I be classed as an Post-evangelical christian?
I’m not looking for preaching by extremists of any belief system on this post so (Christian OR Atheist etc) so please don’t waste your time.
I’m living away from my church at the moment, otherwise I would be seeking advice from somebody at my church.
I go to an Acts community church. I value religion on social and moral grounds and my views of the afterlife are more agnostic more than anything (well, logical positivism if I am going to get technical).
However, I class myself as a Christian. When it comes to sanctity of life issues such as abortion etc. I believe in the kindest thing and believe the approach should be choice in today’s society (I would never get one myself and there would have to be good reason for me to condone it.)
I do not abstain myself from alcohol, sex etc. as I think these views are outdated in today’s society (this is just my opinion) but, on the other hand, I do have personal limits. It’s probably worth mentioning that I am bisexual.
I believe my Christian acts are those of kindness, love and charity, not abstinence, preaching or prayer. That doesn’t mean I don’t pray or go to church; it just means that I do not believe that these rank higher than virtuous behaviour such as charity and acceptance.
I think, as a Christian, it is important to study the bible. I study mythology and have previously studied biblical criticism and believe both have illuminated my faith. I regard criticism of the bible highly as the key to understanding faith and rely strongly on reasoning in my faith. Being a studier of myth it is unreasonable to take every single word in the bible as the exact truth (a massive part of my studies and future career is the analysis of translations and I study myths younger than the bible that have been mis-translated to the point where the original word has been completely lost.)
I take the bible as the possible word of god that, in the hands of man, has been blurred to the point where nothing can be taken for granted and reasoning must be used in it’s reading. I do not discriminate against anybody, because I believe that goes against the core message of the NT, and I believe there is no clear right and wrong when it comes to religion. In my faith, I would say I focus more on the teachings of Jesus, as they make the most sense to me.
I believe the best I can do is work with what I have (the bible and my reasoning) to do what is right as no one can truly know the truth until they die.
I don’t know if I’ve rightly expressed my beliefs in the above, but I don’t know much about the various denominations of Christianity since I grew up in a place where Baptism, Catholicism and Atheism was the only option and it is hard to relate to a factual (wikipedia) account of a faith.
I was just wondering if these beliefs that I have correspond to any of Post-evangelicalism, Progressive-Christianity or the Emerging Church.
Thank you for your time.
Probably forgot to mention an important detail; the reason why I’m asking is that, like I’ve said, I am currently far away from my church. It has taken me a long time to find a church where my beliefs are accepted. I do not want to spend another number of years going to various churches trying to find one that I can relate to because I believe church isn’t just about worship but about community and charity and these are hard to get involved in if I don’t have a regular church. I would like to find a church (with the help of a label under the massive umbrella of Christianity) where I can settle and continue to grow as a Christian.
Feel free to answer in the comment section below
5 Responses to Would I be classed as an Post-evangelical christian?
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You are not Christian (Christlike) by biblical standards – and thats the only standard there is
We are judged by God’s word the Holy Bible
Mat 7:16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.
Mat 7:19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Mat 7:21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
Aaryah
December 27, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Bee, If you believe in Jesus Christ, and if you believe that God, His Father, raised Him from the dead, and if you believe His death on the cross was for your sin and the sin of the world, then you are a Christian.
Why would you want to be classified as any thing else? If you need more than Jesus Christ, crucified for your sin on the cross, and Him resurrected, then you are something other than a Christian.
Why is “Christian” not good enough for you? I don’t understand. God Bless.
loufedalis
December 27, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Actually, according to the Bible, you would not be classed as a Christian at all.
The Bible teaches these things. True Christians believe and practice them.
1. The true religion worships the only true God, Jehovah.—Deuteronomy 6:4, 5; Psalm 146:5-10; Matthew 22:37, 38.
2. The true religion offers access to God by means of Christ Jesus.—John 17:3, 6-8; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6; 1 John 4:15.
3. The true religion teaches and practices unselfish love.—John 13:34, 35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; 1 John 3:10-12.
4. The true religion remains untainted by worldly politics and conflicts. It is neutral in time of war.—John 18:36; James 1:27.
5. The true religion lets God be true by accepting the Bible as God’s Word.—Romans 3:3, 4; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
6. The true religion does not condone war or personal violence.—Micah 4:2-4; Romans 12:17-21; Colossians 3:12-14.
7. The true religion successfully unites people of every race, language, and tribe. It does not preach nationalism or hatred, but love.—Isaiah 2:2-4; Colossians 3:10, 11; Revelation 7:9, 10.
8. The true religion advocates serving God, not for selfish gain or a salary, but out of love. It does not glorify men. It glorifies God.—1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Corinthians 9:18; Matthew 23:5-12.
9. The true religion proclaims the Kingdom of God as man’s sure hope, not some political or social philosophy.—Mark 13:10; Acts 8:12; 28:23, 30, 31.
10. The true religion teaches the truth regarding God’s purpose for man and the earth. It does not teach the religious lies of immortal soul and eternal torment in hell. It teaches that God is love.—Judges 16:30; Isaiah 45:12, 18; Matthew 5:5; 1 John 4:7-11; Revelation 20:13, 14.
TONI101
December 27, 2013 at 3:34 pm
So, did Jesus teach that any belief system that made sense to you was correct? NO.
Did Jesus teach against sexual immorality? YES
Did Jesus preach that all are hell-bound but though Him? YES.
Why don’t you go buy yourself a “Coexist” sticker and stick it on your forehead. It is as close to the mark of the beast as you need, the thoughts and works of the devil.
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46
Being a Christian involves TRUSTING Christ. He has revealed Himself in the Holy Bible. He is the same TODAY, YESTERDAY and FOREVER. Moral relativism is sin.
You have a serious authority issue.
T68
December 27, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Some would class you a a Liberal Christian which is not the path of life and faith that Jesus himself mapped out, he said that very few find The Way, for both the ‘entrance’ and the Way is narrow. Sacrifice of personal inclinations and wishes by completely submitting one’s will to God is the ‘Jesus Way’. Faith and trust in God’s mercy and forgiveness are essential foundations to being a true Christian, with the acceptance that a relationship with God is only possible because of the suffering and death endured by Jesus Christ in our place (that is why it is called a ransom sacrifice for with his blood he bought us back from a lost state – that is estranged from God)
You cannot come to Christ with a part commitment – it just does not work, it is impossible to choose a modified christian life-style and come into a covenanted relationship with God! this is what becoming and living as a Christian entails is for it is only by full repentance and submission that a person receives the Holy Spirit who guides and empower him, without His help one cannot live the higher spiritual life.
Yorkshire Lass
December 27, 2013 at 4:31 pm