Frank Raj

Altheia) Re a religion of Jesus - is religion really something he gave us? Or did he just give us a way of life? We see difference and indifference in all people and Christians are no exception-George Barna's research seems conclusive in that regard. Acts 11: 26 tells us they were first called Christians in Antioch-who called them that and why? Why do we follow this biblical precedent when there are many others we don't?

The Lord himself could have chosen to name his followers something but he did not-why? Was he telling us something? I think in a very profound sense he wanted us to stay focused on him. But we are diffused and divided. Suppose all denominations agree to cancel their names and tell the world we simply follow Christ as one people, what would happen? I know this sounds crazy.

It's difficult to know what a religion of Jesus means though. A person might start with Matthew, Mark and Luke, (maybe James) and then factor in Judaism. I think you'd end up with a "Messianic Jew" - or a Jew who believes Jesus was the Messiah. Thing is, Jesus didn't fulfill all the Messianic qualifications, so what is to be done about that?

 

Sorry, I'm rambling. I just got up and need more coffee. 

 

Coming from a mystical/perennial perspective, it's the "high" Christology of the early church that makes Christianity universal.

 

Welcome to the board! You're posting just fine. 

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(Fred) I think the very word Christianity is a dividing tool -you don't see it so clearly in the West but on the other side of the fence it does not communicate Christ to many people. Christianity is nebulous to me not Christ. Only the scriptures not structures regenerated my life. I think it is possible to avoid the trap of playing church member and follow Christ without joining a club or being lured by a charismatic individual, I also think that that is quite impossible without realising our royal priesthood to find meaning in our work whatever we do.

Of course we'd all love to see the end of hatred, violence, and division in the name of religion.  When Christianity is used as a dividing tool, an exclusionary means of separating the "us" who "believe in Jesus" (whatever that means), from the "them" who don't, then you're right, it's not a tool of God or Christ.  Ideally, however, Christianity is an expression of the universal mystical fact of God's union with the world, and therefore has an even greater potential to do the very opposite of this.  A nebulous "religion based on Christ" inevitably means a religion based on some person or group's idiosyncratic interpretation of Jesus' actions, teachings, personality, etc. -- i.e., still focused on a set of historical particulars which mean nothing in the grand scheme of things.

 

Anyway, not being condescending, just offering you an alternative view.   Good luck in your quest.

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(Flowperson) I honestly think the word Christianity is doing more harm than good for the cause of Christ. I wish every single follower of Christ would stop using it and tell the world! BTW I live in Dubai, UAE.

(Altheia) Re a religion of Jesus - is religion really something he gave us? Or did he just give us a way of life? We see difference and indifference in all people and Christians are no exception-George Barna's research seems conclusive in that regard. Acts 11: 26 tells us they were first called Christians in Antioch-who called them that and why? Why do we follow this biblical precedent when there are many others we don't?

The Lord himself could have chosen to name his followers something but he did not-why? Was he telling us something? I think in a very profound sense he wanted us to stay focused on him. But we are diffused and divided. Suppose all denominations agree to cancel their names and tell the world we simply follow Christ as one people, what would happen? I know this sounds crazy.

(MOW) I love that African saying! But its implications are sad and would you agree in some places it's true? "Pure" for many would have negative connotations -who decides what is pure? CS Lewis said we need to be reminded not instructed.

Re Christianity spreading because it became the official religion of Rome...suppose there was never a Pope and Peter remained the fisherman he was, Saul never fell off his horse on the Damascus road and Thomas never went to India...there was still a baby born in Bethlehem. If God chose to announce the news to shepherds, would he not make a way for those he calls and knows by name?

Your original post is interesting Frank. Your question makes me think of an African saying "When the missionaries came they had the Bible and we had the land. When they left we had the Bible they had the land." In the minds of many Chrisitianity is linked with colonialism , assimilation and domination by the West.

 

If I understand you correctly, you'd like to free Jesus from this and go back to his "pure" teachings . As others have said , this has been tried before . Some of have theorized that there was a Gospel of Q . Others, including myself , try to follow the Gospel of Thomas. One of the early Christian thinkers ,Marcion didn't think it was necessary to link the Jesus movement to Judaism. Others think Christianity took a wrong turn when Constantine was converted and Theodisius I

made Christianity the official religion of Rome.The problem is that if none of the above things had happened ; its possible none of us today would have heard of Jesus or "Christianity".

 

I'm kind of rambling because I have to head off to work, but I wish you luck and success on your project .

 

MOW

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(THE MEEKSHALL)

When ready, our website www.againstchristianity.com will hopefully be one that attracts many people who do not know Christ in the Middle East and beyond, because they are the ones who have been confused by this institution called Christianity and have missed the wood for the trees.

Sounds absolutely fantastic for the Middle East. Make sure to get Molsems to visit. When alJezzerra had a forum, I was involved and was surprised by the Moslems responce. They usually said after 9/11, they realised terrorism had to be curbed with dialogue. They need to know how many Christians and Jews agree with them. Talking to others over a computer might be a relaxing way of doing this.

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I'm still figuring out how to use this -did you get my reply?

Frank

Thanks Cynthia

Does anyone know who invented or when was the word "Christianity" first used? I know they were first called Christians at Antioch....

Suppose we look at it this way- there are no differences between people in God's thinking -he loves us all, but man for obvious reasons invented religion and we are now divided and suspicious of one another. While respecting all beliefs and rejoicing in the smallest fragments of truth they contain, is it possible to point to the One who claimed to be the Truth?

In many parts of the world "Christianity" will always be suspect, for good reasons. I want to explore how we can dismantle its use and start afresh with Christ alone.

The label is harsh, but I can't think of how else to start on this impossible quest!

Perhaps a religion OF Jesus vs. the current religion ABOUT Jesus?  Sounds interesting, but perhaps mislabeled... tell us more!

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Hi Folks I am very new to chatting on the Internet and rather daunted by all these symbols!

Permit me first to clarify if anybody is offended by my topic title and if I may legitimately participate in this forum. I am the owner of a website I plan to launch later this year called www.againstchristianity.com. Pro 11: 14 tells us "....in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." I have been reflecting and praying about launching this site for several years and would like to interact with you folks out there in cyberworld. I am basically interested in connecting with people who are convinced that the term Christianity does not represent Christ and would like to do something about it.

I am a magazine publisher and media entrepreneur based in the Middle East.

Look forward to a dialogue.

Frank