Questioner: Judy
Subject: Defining ChristianityQuestion:
- Are you a born again chritian? Do you believe Jesus died on
the cross for our sins? Do you believe that the way to God our Father
is through Jesus Christ, His Son? I will needto know these things
before I proceed with further questioning. Thanks
John of AllFaith's reply
Hi Judy,It depends on how one defines these terms.
When I was 12 years old I knelt at the alter of a Missionary Baptist Church and gave my heart and life to God according to the best of my knowledge at the time. I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and to come into my heart and life, and I promised to follow wherever he might lead as my Lord. For the past nearly 40 years I done precisely this. He has lead in Paths that most Christians do not tread.
So, I would answer yes, I am a Born Again Christian.
My understandings of what this means are a bit different than most other Christians however. I believe my understanding are deeper and closer to the original teachings than those held by many others and yet I absolutely make no claims of having attained anything. I am a seeker.
I believe that Jesus died on the cross, yes. What "for our sins" means would need to be defined before I would give a clear yes or no reply however. I do believe this in terms of my understandings of what this means. These understandings may be contrary to yours.
Likewise, I believe that the way to God is through Jesus. But again, we may differ on what this means. I do believe that Jesus is the Way to God as I understand this teaching. My view is more universal than most Christians however, which is to say that I believe that for those 1st Century Jews who spoke with Jesus (Y'shua) was the only one present who was teaching the true Way to God, which is devotion. I believe that Jesus holds a unique place among the righteous but I would not say he is "the only way to God" to the exclusion of all other Masters (such as the Buddha, Lao Tsu, and so on).
If you are looking for traditional Christian teachings, I am fully qualified to share these. If you are looking for alternative understandings, I am also qualified to speak to these. Let me know what you are looking for and I will be happy share my understandings with you.
I believe 'God is One, the sages apply different names'.
Write back if you wish,
-
~John of AllFaith
Note: Apparently she didn't like my reply ;-)
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