What is the boundary of "Christian?"

[R.J.]

This is one of those questions I often ask but has come back up in recent days due to a popular rapper suddenly declaring that he is a "Christian" and-lo!-he's already written, recorded, produced, distributed a "Christian" rap album for other "Christians" to buy. Needless to say, I'm a little skeptical.

A few days ago I watched a performance of one of his songs in which he claims he's all about "turning atheists into believers". Instead of cheering him on (like the person who was showing me the video) I saw a vision of Constantine baptizing his soldiers and then declaring their brand of militant conquest "Christianity". How much damage, I ask myself, did this kind of "Christian" do to both his current and future populations of potential Christians by claiming to be something he then proceeded to completely redefine?

So, backing up a bit, I'm currently working on two projects that are relevant to this issue. In one, I have created a fictional cult from the 3rd Century that was being persecuted by the increasingly Romanized breed of Christianity that was systematically silencing earlier variations of the faith. At the same time, I am finishing up a Christian adventure-romance that blends 19th-Century Judeo-Christian teachings with a science-backed perspective of the supernatural world. I've been trying to market this to agents and publishers in the Christian market, but so far they have not seemed interested in something that challenges the status quo. At least--they don't want the status quo challenged by somebody who is not already a successful rap star.

Needless to say, I am reluctant to cast stones. However, I do have some questions:
1) How far out does one go with their differences in belief before they are no longer "Christian"... and

2) How do Christians tell when they are being led beyond that boundary simply because they are trusting somebody who claims to be "Christian" ...but isn't?

[Bess]

Regarding what is “Christian “, l would say, ask a room full of people who refer to themselves as such and you will get a room full of answers.

[Robert]

Below are my responses and the Scriptures to back them up:

1. How far should one go with their differences in belief?

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (Titus 3:10).

How do Christians tell when they are being led beyond the boundary simply because they are trusting somebody who claims to be a Christian but is not? Below are three Scriptural references from the Apostle John:

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (I John 1:6).

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I John 2:4).

The Apostle John also warned about those who were once believers and have departed from the truth:

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (I John 2:18-26).

I hope this helps. God Bless.

[Bren B]

First Praises to our Father and His Son. Yahushah (Jesus)!

Robert,

I love your response because it is all His Word. For the Truth sets us free!

Ladybogues

[R.J.]

I understand that quoting scripture may seem helpful, but the problem is that "even the Devil can quote scriptures to suit his purposes (Shakespeare in reference to Luke 4)". This is one of the reasons I stress the importance of understanding scriptures more than the ability to memorize and quote them, and when it comes to discerning the true message, I often use the illustration of a treasure map: if you do not interpret it correctly, you may find all sorts of valuable things, but you will never find what the "Author" of the map intended for you to find. (Another example I've often used: "If God writes down directions to His house, and you end up at the Circle-K, that doesn't mean God lives at the Circle-K. It means you read His directions wrong."

Consider that Jesus' teachings were delivered almost exclusively to the Jews, then Peter had a vision that caused him to share with a Roman. Soon Paul was sharing the Gospel with much of the civilized--but Gentile--world. Looking back, we can clearly see things added to modern Christianity (Halloween and Easter, for example) that had nothing to do with Jesus' teachings. Yet even Paul speaks of things being added in his time that he did not agree with--and yet, who was more right: his or the other teachings?

At what point did the teachings from Jesus meant for Jews change to suit the needs of the Gentiles? And more importantly, if this was what God intended, how far does God intend for His teachings to deviate from what Jesus taught the Jews?

[Robert]

R,

You mentioned discerning the truth and I agree. First we need the Word of the Holy God abiding in us. Then we need the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us in all truth. We need to walk in truth and love and the Holy Spirit is our teacher (I John 2:27).

I agree that men have added to the Christian culture with their own traditions and beliefs. I agree that Halloween and Easter are both Pagan holidays. The Jews celebrated Passover. The bunny and the egg from Easter originated from Babylon and has pagan roots. This is well documented in books such as "The Two Babylons".

Paul warned that in the last days men will depart from the truth and will add error alongside truth:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (II Timothy 3:1-5).

Paul also adds:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (II Timothy 4:3-4).

The Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth. We need to read and study to show ourselves approved unto God. The teachings from Jesus to the Jews did not change to suit the needs of the Gentiles. Remember that Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for being hypocrites. The Gentiles and Jews need to walk in truth and love.

God Bless

[Tyrone]

My adult daughter and I had a conversation about this rapper and his latest album. While she is more accepting of his claim, I am hesitant. My position is let's see what comes next. While only God can judge his heart, his next actions will affirm or cast doubt on his claims.

It's difficult for me to trust Christians I don't know, especially after seeing the more "prominent" Christians and ministers work their craft. Too many pastors have abandoned their calling to go into politics; led the public into a particular political persuasion; promised a blessing to those who buy their books; and/or told just about everybody else how much God wants them to prosper. Also, I've read comments in some of these message boards that make me shake my head. The cruelty, pejoratives, callousness, insensitivity and lack of basic biblical knowledge just astounds me sometimes.

Having said all that, my position now is not to dwell too much about what others do. My desire is simply be as obedient to the Word as I can be. That is a lesson I've learned from reading 2 Kings and the books of the major prophets. Lots of great lessons in those books. Understanding "what thus sayest the Lord", in context, is obviously very important. And I also agree, quoting Bible verses out of context can be done by anyone, including Satan. Without understanding intent and context, it can be damaging.

I don't believe the message of Christ was ever just meant for the Jews. It was always meant for everybody. Jesus spoke to the Jews first because it was through them that the kingdom of God was to be introduced to all nations. That's why they were a "holy nation" and "kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6). However, since they rejected Christ's teachings, the kingdom was taken from them and given to another nation (Matthew 21:42-43), which turned out to be the Gentiles.

[Robert]

Tyrone,

I totally agree with you. Excellent comments. I too, have been burned by those that called themselves Christians and their emphasis was on money and developing positions of influence and control over others. By their fruits we will know them.

God Bless you.

[Robert]

For me, the boundaries are between Genesis and Revelation... taken in context.

As for satan quoting Scripture...how many times is it recorded in the Bible that satan quotes God's Word?

Compare that to how many times Jesus and His disciples say, "It is written".

Don't let satan's misquoting of the Bible stop you from quoting it!

[Bess]

Satan's attempt to deceive by twisting God's Word is but one more reason it is critical to us learning it with our minds, hiding it in our hearts. The spiritual armor spoke over in Ephesians 16, lists God's Word as the only defensive weapon. We are in a spiritual battle everyday of our lives. The victory was taken on by Christ and won for us at the Cross. However, we will be in battle on earth and we are told to "take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We know this but do we realize this is the active, present tense? It is something we far too often negate to make the priority it must be in our lives.
Satan will and does deceive those whom he can by twisting The Truth. He is a liar, deceiver, these few adjectives alone (and there are numerous others) tell us what we need to know and do.

[Miguel]

Focus on the Gospel and the two conditions for the real convertion of a christian