these are all very thought provoking questions. some disclaimer: my thoughts are simply that...my own thoughts...not necessarily right or complete or finished...more of a work in process.
i'm going to have to answer your question....how does one act like a christian?... because options a and b don't complete my vision of a christian. i should say first that i do believe option a is part of being a christian and is not owned by the christians and it would be offensive for any christian to suggest otherwise. one can be good and moral with out being christian. nonetheless, just practicing or believing with out producing good and moral choices does not make one a christain either. so how does one act like a christian? for me, there are several key qualities that emerge in the christian role modes i've found. there is some element of self abandonment...a willingness to let oneself be used for other's benefit. there is a committment to living within some christian community where the experience of growing in faith is shared and lived out together with others. there is a genuine devotion to the gospels and dedication to absorbing these words into one's thoughts and actions. there is the belief that humans are incomplete as individuals and that our 'becoming complete' is part of the christian journey and walk with god which lasts a lifetime and is augmented during this process by living in community. there is the belief that life exceeds human death and that time will continue in some form. there is the belief that redemption is essential to success in this life...that grace penetrates the human plane and fosters a better than imagined solution to great problems and discord and that time is the plane on which grace moves humans. christians are therefore patient because time is unending and god is faithful to this promise of redemption. there is the hope and openness to reconciliation which usually goes along with redemption and offers real mending in human relationships that makes what was once unliveable very liveable. and there is a deep love of life and respect for creation that honors the life we've been given. this would be most of what i hold as a model of christian life and this is what i try to live toward though i fail endlessly and only occasionally succeed. most days, the christian life sucks. its exhausting. it wakes us up at nights and early in the morning. it strains our thoughts on all elements of our life. then on good days, it supplies a ravenous love of life and a simplicity and humility that rejuvinates all the pain it causes on the off days. at least for me it does that. how to identify a christian is beyond me and i don't try to do that. i do think a christian is different from a muslem or an athiest or a sikh because the daily life i described would take that group beyond it's daily practices....but i do believe that on the outside of appearance one could be a good christian and a good muslem or sikh or athiest and not look any different at all. it would be more in the internal beliefs, expectations, and motivations where they would differ. i don't think any one group is better than the others and i don't think the christian life is better or required for everyone....it just happens to be the one required of me and when i approach a day with the qualities i've expressed above, i feel i've lived as a christian and when i'm careless toward the day i feel like a heathen...regardless of how i'd lable myself. so for me christianity is in how we act as opposed to what we profess and this is a daily choice that is renewed each morning and measured each day. thank you for the questions. pat np. bruce cockburn - if i had a rocket launcher In a message dated 1/14/2003 4:23:23 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > >>i beleive that a christian is christian when they act like one, not when > they profess to be one. << > > Here I have to ask what you mean by christian (no explanations please, > Victor). Are you using the word christian a) as a synonym for good, moral > etc person, or b) as a definition of someone who practices or believes in > the Christian faith? If the former, then would you accept that a Muslim, > Sikh or atheist can be a good, moral person and that good works or noble > lives etc are not the sole prerogative of Christians? If you agree, then > Christian could be, by definition, synonymous with Muslim, Sikh or atheist, > which most people would dispute, I imagine. If your thinking is in line > with the second of my definitions, then I would ask you 'how does one act > like a Christian?' If the answer is 'by doing good deeds, living a moral, > respectable life, helping one's friends and neighbours etc', then what is > specifically 'Christian' about this? > > > > mike in barcelona
