What I have to say is that you are either a Christian, or you are not.
Definition:
a true Christian should be defined as - One who follows the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, a perfect man in every way. Thus in order to follow Him, and to be called a Christian you must strive for perfection through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. To live the way you say you do, and that way is Jesus' way.
a person who does not follow the above can call themselves a Christian, a 'good person', an extremist or even a saint, but if their life is not following Christs example, they are simply a soul. neither hot or cold, but complacent.
I only see black and white. Call yourself whatever you want, but unless you have visible good fruit in your life and strive for Christ' perfect example, you are not a Christian. Extremist or not.
That said, the definition of any extremist, so-called "Christian" or not, is to take things too far. For example, the Ku Klux Klan was and is an extremist group. Committing crimes in the name of Christianity is dead wrong, but that's often what extremist groups do.
I think Christian extremism extends out into anything that violates the rights of others, including political action. Christians are mandated to live by the tenets of the bible.... as far as I am concerned any person that professes to love Christ should yearn to see fruit in their lives more than they want to follow their own lusts.
I wonder when Christians try to justify their own sin while judging others instead of loving them.
4 replies on this topic
Japlace - 8/20/12 @ 11:03 AM
What I have to say is that you are either a Christian, or you are not.
Definition:
a true Christian should be defined as - One who follows the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, a perfect man in every way. Thus in order to follow Him, and to be called a Christian you must strive for perfection through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. To live the way you say you do, and that way is Jesus' way.
a person who does not follow the above can call themselves a Christian, a 'good person', an extremist or even a saint, but if their life is not following Christs example, they are simply a soul. neither hot or cold, but complacent.
I only see black and white. Call yourself whatever you want, but unless you have visible good fruit in your life and strive for Christ' perfect example, you are not a Christian. Extremist or not.
KingsKid2 - 8/21/12 @ 10:29 AM
Totally, exactly! ^
There HAS to be fruit in your life-the fruit of the Spirit. You have to be actively following Jesus and putting Him first in your life.
Sarah - 8/21/12 @ 10:49 AM
I agree.
That said, the definition of any extremist, so-called "Christian" or not, is to take things too far. For example, the Ku Klux Klan was and is an extremist group. Committing crimes in the name of Christianity is dead wrong, but that's often what extremist groups do.
Melanie - 9/21/12 @ 9:44 PM
I think Christian extremism extends out into anything that violates the rights of others, including political action. Christians are mandated to live by the tenets of the bible.... as far as I am concerned any person that professes to love Christ should yearn to see fruit in their lives more than they want to follow their own lusts.
I wonder when Christians try to justify their own sin while judging others instead of loving them.