What Is The Difference Between A True Christian And A Christian?

[idiosyncrasy]

I don't participate in many discussions on this site but I do follow along. One thing I have noticed is that Goodlife often mentions in his posts that he is a "True Christian". What is the difference and how can you tell?

[agchristie]

One is less false than the other?

[janbee]

Different levels of hypocrisy I suppose

[Old_Geezer]

Is there one ?

Maybe those describing themselves as "true" observe more of the nonsense rules and look down on those who merely believe and don't practice every little ritual ?

[bhg481]

My dad claimed that a true Christian was someone who believed that the way of life as described by Jesus was the right way to live and lived by it. A christian is someone who believes that the way of life described by Jesus is the right way to live but does his own thing and turns up at church each Sunday to pray for forgiveness.

[Mosaic]

An excellent anthropological study of how humans create e;ites and 'insiders' in order to also create 'outsiders / excluded'. Our human instinct is to want to be in the group (any group, we're pretty simple beings). So by implying you aren't 'in', you can recruit yet more into your group because they'll become grateful when you accept them.
I saw similar in action when acting as a governor for a catholic school. Appointment screening: '...but is s/he a 'good' catholic, Father' as meaningful looks went around the table. I believe this was probing whether the family of the applicant were connected to the Catenians.

[mikey4444]

The difference is a bit like that between an almond and pecan....they look different but they are still nuts.

[sandyRoe]

There seems to me to be a rather unattractive subtext to the phrase, 'True Christian'. A real Christian might strive to live a life that is an imitation of Christ's and not be denigrating other believers.

[mibn2cweus]

A "True Christian" is one who (not at peace with lying to others) is committed to lying to themselves.

[mikey4444]

Christianity ::::: The irrational belief in illogical circumstance.

Not sure what can be "real" about that !

[naomi24]

That's a question for Goodlife.

[ludwig]

Every Christian must think they're a true one. It wouldn't make sense otherwise.

[idiosyncrasy]

Naomi@ That's true and I am hoping he will come with an explanation.

[sandyRoe]

There are Christians here in NI who call themselves, 'Born Again', and know that they are 'saved'. I think they would be the first to call themselves 'True Christians'. But they are also the very ones who are quickest to condemn their fellow followers of faith as priest-dominated Papists who are mired in hocus pocus.
I pray for them that they may find compassion for their fellows.

[idiosyncrasy]

Looking into the history of Christianity we see that the early church had various creeds or summaries of the faith, one of these being the Apostles’ Creed. It states: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead: I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting”. As can be seen many of the great teachings of the Scriptures are expressed in these words. Creeds such as this appear to have been used at baptism when the catechumen or convert who had been taught would repeat the words and thus declare commitment to the central tenets of the Christian faith. The teaching had largely to be done by word of mouth and these creeds provided excellent easily remembered summaries of the faith.
However, just because one can recite these words by rote, does that really make them a Christian?
I was taught these words and many others that I used to recite at school and in church but it did not make me a better person.

I know the words to many songs and can repeat them from memory, but does that mean I am a True Singer?

Surely there is more behind the words True Christian and a Christian! Who constitutes one from another, and what criteria is there, if any?

[goodlife]

This cannot be decided simply on the basis of what people and organizations say.

Jesus pointed out that many would call him “Lord, Lord,” claiming to have done notable things in his name. Yet he would say to them: “I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness. Not only words but also appearances can be deceptive.

Jesus said that false prophets would come in sheep’s covering, while inside they would be like devouring wolves.

However, he did gave us a rule by which we can distinguish between the true servants of God and the false ones Matthew 7:15-24.

[sandyRoe]

Goodlife, I don't have my bible to hand. Will you refresh my memory, Matthew 7:15-24?

[sandyRoe]

I've always given more weight to Matt 7:12

[Peter Pedant]

Goodlife has his uses - you have to look up Mt 7 15 - 20 as Goodlife quotes 'freely', any way it is:

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Others can give the context
Yhe big question is : is it an interpolation ( written later by someone else )
My opinion is no

and why it was put in in the first place
possibly to cut out the competing millenarial movements at that time.
particularly the gnostics

[Peter Pedant]

Sandy if you are in need of spiritual nourishment as you sit in front of your computer, just type in mt 1 15- 20 into the URL bar and a variety of translations will come up.

with a bit of pushing you can get the greek ( there is quite a natty interlinear someone has paid to put on the net )

I am sure that s/o has done the aramaic back-translation -- NT was written first in Greek

[Peter Pedant]

Mt 7 : 12 do as you would be done by ( I always thought was Victorian )

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.