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'No true Christian!?'

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jeetkunejimi:
Hi,
   I'm posting this question because I'm often, as I'm sure most of you are too, told that Christians believe in hell, the trinity, the age of accountability, freewill,tithing, etc,etc, and that that is what a Christian is. I would often in the past reply to such accusers (usually atheists) by saying these are not 'true Christians' upon which then they would have a good gloat at me by relating to me the 'No true Scotsman fallacy' by philosopher Anthony Flew. It goes like this,

Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
Antony Flew, Thinking About Thinking (1975).

A simpler more relevant example follows:

Preacher: All Christians believe in hell.
Bible truths member: My uncle is a Christian, and he doesn't believe in hell!
Preacher: Well, all true Christians believe in hell.


So how are we to answer such inquisitors when we say that Orthodox Christianity isn't even Christianity without having a 'no true Christian' argument thrown in our faces?  Well...No true Christian believes that God lies or contradicts, they may still at times disobey God's word but they are not deluded into thinking that they are doing God's word when they do so. Therefore those who do blindly teach that God lies and is contradictory cannot be true Christians, even though they think they are doing God's will, they can only be counterfeit and deluded people who think they are Christians. Not only are these deluded people not true Christians, they are not even Christians, but they are our brothers and sisters. You see the matter is not to do with a true 'this' or 'that' assumption but rather defining what a Christian is in the first place.

A Christian believes in and follows to the best of their ability the word of God, believing that God doesn't lie or contradict and that God's only begotten spirit Son Jesus The Christ is the Saviour of the world. If a person claiming to be a Christian cannot confirm their staunch belief in these prior mentioned statements then by reason of scripture alone they cannot be a Christian, just as an atheist cannot be an agnostic. 

The no true Christian argument can be proven via scripture by a true Christian who has the holy spirit working in them, but blinded self-professing Christians cannot see this due to their blindness, further still, and spiritually speaking, an atheist hasn't even evolved a zygomatic process yet with which to house an eye in to see truth. :).

Craig:

--- Quote ---So how are we to answer such inquisitors when we say that Orthodox Christianity isn't even Christianity without having a 'no true Christian' argument thrown in our faces?
--- End quote ---

So who said WE should answer them?  Isn't our light supposed to show others what we are, are not our actions supposed to speak for us?  And doesn't the scripture tell us that God will show us what to say if the time comes? 

Then the LORD said to him, "Who made a person's mouth? And who makes someone deaf or not able to speak? Or who gives a person sight or blindness? It is I, the Lord. Now go! I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say."

and

“When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

It seems to me in the example you cited it doesn't matter what you say, they are just looking to debate and won't pay attention to you anyway.  God does not debate, when He sends someone our way you can be sure He will give us the words and them the ears to hear.  In the meantime we should study and show ourselves approved.

Craig

margo:
Thank you Craig,

This is exactly what I needed to hear.  Amen

Blessings, Margo

musicman:
I'm not possitive, but I don't think that the deceived are our brothers and sisters at this time.  Also, whether christian is a scriptural term, the world can invent what ever definitions they like.  I wouldn't be so concerned about whether I'm considered a christian or not. 

Dave in Tenn:
G5546
Χριστιανός
Christianos
Total KJV Occurrences: 3
christian, 2
Act_26:28, 1Pe_4:16
christians, 1
Act_11:26

Those are the only times the Greek word is used.  You might ask 'What is the scriptural definition of a Christian'?

I reckon a 'true christian' would be what the name implies...one like Christ or one following Christ.  I'd be willing to admit that that is not yet a very apt description of me.  What a blessing it would be for them to understand that 'to be like Him' is why God is creating mankind in the first place.  But most look at their 'christianity' in relation to men and organizations.  And many are more than willing to label others who are affiliated with the 'wrong' men and organizations as 'other-than-Christian', or certainly 'less-Christian-than-me'.  I'm glad to be rid of it.   

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