Izzy wrote: > I'm not mistaken, I think David Miller has > a problem with calling himself a Christian, > also--am I right David?
I don't have a problem with being called a Christian if by that is meant that I follow Jesus Christ. However, if you are using the word "Christian" in a religious sense, that I belong to the Christian religion, then I have a problem with that. The Christian religion has done harm to the message of Jesus Christ. For example, the Spanish Inquistion would have burned Marlin at the stake as a heretic because of his Jewish tendencies. It seems that Glenn would vote in favor of that judgment as well. I do not want to be associated with that kind of Christianity. The Christian religion also acts unlovingly and sectarian toward others who do not say the right words or the right creed in exactly the right way. I prefer to proclaim faith in Jesus Christ rather than in a particular religion. It seems to me that all religions are tainted with iniquity, including Christianity. I would also say that the religion of Christianity is one of the greatest hinderances to people believing upon Jesus Christ. When I preach Christ, I find it helpful sometimes to distance myself from what others call Christianity. Glenn wrote: > Blame God for the divinely called name according > to the Greek. If one has a problem with the new > name that was prophesied, take it up with God. > SOMETIME WE ARE TOO SMART FOR OUR > OWN BRITCHES. While the Greek word chrematizo, translated "called" in Acts 11:26, has a connotation of divine declaration, such as a divine warning in a dream, it is not restricted to that definition. For example, Moulton and Milligan quote the Oxyrhynchus Papyri II in relation to understanding Acts 11:26 and Romans 7:3 -- "from Ammonarion, daughter of Ammonius, and however else she is described [chrematizo]." They also quote from the Catalogue of the Greek Papyri in the John Rylands Library the following: "to Alexander, chief prophet holding other posts and however he is styled [chrematizo]." Schubart says that the word denotes an "official" description. Note that in other contexts, Moulton and Milligan show that the word is used to mean "negotiate" or "transact business." So all things considered in the Greek, I do not see that the word "Christian" is the official God ordained title for followers of Christ. The earliest believers were not known as Christians, but they were called Nazarenes or part of "the way." The term Christian had its origin in the Antioch church, a distinctly Gentile / Greek church, and this came about some 15 years after the day of Pentecost. Hundreds of years later, the term Christian became accepted into mainstream society, being the only official religion of the Roman Empire. Again, I don't mind being called "Christian" if by the term is meant "follower of Jesus Christ," but I do not want to be associated with the evil that Christianity has done in the name of Christ. I will gladly suffer for being a follower of Jesus, but I do not want to suffer for being a follower of those who persecuted, tortured, and murdered followers of Jesus Christ. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida USA ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
