โ Scribed by Frederick Sontag
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
Who is a Christian? When one considers this question, the most interesting thing to note is that Jesus did not say much about it. Like the words Jesus uses to refer to himself, which do not in themselves provide an adequate Christology, an examination of the New Testament Gospels reveals -oddly enough -that he does not seem very concerned to define the criteria for group membership or to outline the rules for inclusion. Jesus did not exclude Judas from his group of followers, even when he could forecast his act of betrayal. Knowingly to accept traitors is about as liberal and non-exclusive a definition of membership as it is possible to conceive.
Of course, to use the term 'Christian' requires us to elevate Jesus to the role of 'Christ,' even though this title does not stern from his own words. Based on the historical records, all we can say is that Jesus called some to become his "disciples" and that this was not an easy role. Those who responded left their family, friends and conventional religious practices to follow an itinerant preaching, healing ministry which was at times subject to danger. To follow Jesus meant to abandon convention and to join a religious cult of the day. Ordy after he was gone did his group become established and respected. At that time they moved away from Judasim and formed a new religion that flourished in lands other than the one in which it had begun.
Where discipleship is concerned, to become a Christian need not mean to accept the established religion of the land or to follow parental guidelines for safe practice. Thus, the most obvious definition for 'Christian' would be: "One called to follow Jesus" no matter what dange r or ostracism is involved. However, once the original twelve disciples had been called, this simple, biblical definition is no longer completely adequate. After the end of Jesus' brief ministry, no one can be called by him in the same literal manner. However, many down through the ages have felt themselves called by Jesus to serve him, whether by hearing his voice or by feeling themselves spiritually moved.
In this case, perhaps the most authentic definition of 'Christian' would be: "One who feels himself called to serve Jesus or to follow him as master." Although
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