Tell me more ×
Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

Is identifying as Christian all that's necessary to actually be one?

share|improve this question
1  
5  
For the purposes of this site, yes. Trying to define things further leads to arguments. This is one of the things we established in the private beta. – Mason Wheeler♦ Aug 30 '11 at 23:24
2  
No. Like if I call myself astronaut it doesn't necessary make me one. – user14 Aug 30 '11 at 23:25
1  
@Sotiris: For the purpose of this site, calling yourself a Christian makes you one. For the purpose of SO, calling yourself a programmer makes you one. For the purpose of Astronauts.SE, calling yourself an astronaut makes you one. SE sites do not exist for the purpose of voting people off the island. – Flimzy Aug 30 '11 at 23:29
2  
@Flimzy For the purposes of this site, if you call yourself a Christian we will treat you as one. But that doesn't make you one. – DJClayworth Aug 31 '11 at 16:42
show 3 more comments

closed as not constructive by Arbiter, Mason Wheeler♦, Caleb♦, Sotiris, warren Aug 30 '11 at 23:53

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

4 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

What you're asking about is the meaning of an English word. What you have to bear in mind is that definitions of words are highly dependent on context. The word Christian has very many definitions. (In the Eilís Dillon novels set on the islands off the west coast of Ireland, the word was almost synonymous with "human": The sea was meant for fishes and not for Christians.)

One meaning of the word Christian is "a person who considers him- or herself to be a Christian". In certain contexts, such as census forms, social surveys, or this site, that's the only sensible definition. In other contexts, different definitions are used. Your question cannot be answered until you've defined the context.

Edit to Add

Some Christian denominations have concepts such as "salvation", and say that a Christian is a person who has been "saved". That's a perfectly fine definition of the word to use in that community, but outside of the context of that specific theology, this definition of Christian is practicly meaningless, and hense useless.

share|improve this answer
I don't know of any tradition or faith self-identifying itself as Christian that does not include a concept of salvation. Also on a site with QnA about Christianity, what the word definition means to the rest of the world is practically irrelevant, any on topic discussion here is going to some some variant of an internal definition. – Caleb♦ Sep 1 '11 at 19:06
@Caleb. There are many versions of Christianity, however, in which it would be nonsensical for a person to declare him- or herself to be "saved". In many, it's not a fixed thing while you're still alive on Earth. (Ex-JW speaking here.) Anyway, ask a question about English usage, get an answer about English usage. – TRiG Sep 1 '11 at 19:12
@Caleb. In my second paragraph, there is a definition for this site. – TRiG Sep 30 '11 at 17:30
up vote 6 down vote

No. Identifying yourself as a Christian is enough to allow you to post answers on this secular site but saying you are a Christian doesn't make you one any more than dogmatically repeating that you are a chicken would make you one.

For more information you should browse the tag for lots of information about what different Christian traditions teach about salvation. In particular see What does it mean to "be saved"?

To make a long story short, profession of being a Christian is not the same thing as a confession and saving faith in Jesus Christ:

Romans 10:9 (ESV)
...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

In order to provide a humble atmosphere, Christianity.SE says yes. This is because this website is designed to help every locate the truth.

IMHO, you're a christian if you obey Jesus.

John 18:37 NIV

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Meaning that you obey him.

John 14:23

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

Identifing yourself as an christian is not enough. You have to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and ask for forgiveness for your own sins.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.