Define Christianity? (Full Version)

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Little_1 -> Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 4:02:48 AM)

Please define Christianity in one short sentence?



oldmethuselah -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 4:50:53 AM)

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. [:D]


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!"



Little_1 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 4:59:52 AM)

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.



oldmethuselah -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 5:04:55 AM)

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)



Little_1 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 5:07:37 AM)

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. [sm=thumbsup.gif]



granolagirl -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 7:07:42 AM)

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.



Little_1 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 7:41:52 AM)

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 [&o] 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



Kornelyus -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 7:42:14 AM)

[8|] 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. [;)]



SonInMe1 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 7:44:26 AM)

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.



jfaye -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 9:55:44 AM)

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![:)]



Liveloved -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 10:15:52 AM)

[sm=heart.gif]JESUS[sm=heart.gif]



PastorPatricia -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 10:18:32 AM)

Followers of Jesus



WesP -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 3:15:16 PM)

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! [;)]



frankman -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 4:32:46 PM)

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.



alishamommyof5 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 6:44:29 PM)

A follower of Jesus Christ.[:)]



RJR_fan -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 9:15:55 PM)

quote:

Please define Christianity in one short sentence?


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



URForgiven -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 9:40:45 PM)

Christianity is the restoration of the Spirit of God within man.



Walker311 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/1/2008 11:06:12 PM)

Losing self completely in Him.



PaladinWithGun2 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/2/2008 12:52:02 AM)

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.



1love1God1way -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/2/2008 12:55:15 AM)

A Christian is one who emanates Christ is all they do.



Little_1 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/2/2008 3:36:29 AM)

[sm=angel.gif] [sm=heart.gif] Surrender to the Lord Jesus [sm=heart.gif] [sm=angel.gif]



small_creation -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/2/2008 6:57:07 AM)

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



Little_1 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/2/2008 8:03:28 AM)

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



granolagirl -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/2/2008 9:14:24 AM)

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 [&o] 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! [:)]



Little_1 -> RE: Define Christianity? (4/2/2008 9:18:38 AM)

I realise what you mean now granolagirl - thank you. [sm=heart.gif]



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