Why Are You a Christian?

[A.W. Bowman]

Utilitarian Christianity, or are you ready to be a martyr?

One of the subject areas I am investigating for possible inclusion in a book I am researching involves the motivation people have for becoming a Christian – and ultimately, why one would want to continue to be identified as a Christian even if it meant total deprivation or even death?

This is a particularly difficult subject to address because it is so hard to get honest answers to the various questions that arise from confronting one’s self, Especially in a serious self examinations concerning what one believes and why – and how well one measures up to the religious standards they use to judge others. Most forks are just not willing to publicly share this level of intimacy. And - that is most likely a good idea. Therefore -

This is meant to be a rhetorical question and not to be answered in an open forum.

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This question does not come up very often and certainly not in an overt confrontation, but how would you answer the question, “Why are you a Christian?”

For example, what do you expect to get out of being identified as a Christian? What is your personal pay-off? Can you give three foundational reasons (justifications) for holding to your form of the Christian religion? Why is your form of Christianity better than someone else’s? And, why is your religion better than every other non-Christian form, or type of religion?

To know (being able to identify and explain) what you believe and why, goes a long way toward establishing one’s testimony and authenticity in the eyes of others.

Being able to mound a credible challenge to what you profess to believe in gives you the ability to effectively meet the challenges (arguments) that others will confront you with. Non-personal responses to challenges such as, “I believe in (this or that) because the Bible says so.”, will not win many converts to Christ. After all, most non-Christians don’t think ‘your Bible’ has much value anyway, and certainly has no authority in their lives.

So, the final question remains: Why are you a Christian?

A follow up question would be, “Are you true to your professed religious beliefs, i.e. do you live up to, and perform all of the duties and responsibilities that your religion requires of you?” If you had to judge yourself as God will judge you, how do you measure up, today?

[Cindy]

Wow, you just start right off with a tough question that requires some thought.

I will get back to you on this.

[Withdrawn]

Bro, it's so good to see you back. I heard that you were posting again on AFF, so I thought I'd come see what you had to say.

I know you meant for this to be rhetorical, but I'll jump in. I am right now in the midst of the greatest trial of my Christian life, and am finding that transparency and self-awareness are my dearest and truest friends right now.

Originally Posted by A.W. Bowman

“Why are you a Christian?”

For example, what do you expect to get out of being identified as a Christian? What is your personal pay-off? Can you give three foundational reasons (justifications) for holding to your form of the Christian religion? Why is your form of Christianity better than someone else’s? And, why is your religion better than every other non-Christian form, or type of religion?

Twenty six years ago, when I was a fresh convert and new zealot for the Oneness Pentecostal message, I would have had to honestly and proudly answer that I became a Christian to escape judgment and hell in exchange for an everlasting home of unimaginable riches. Actually, more honestly, if you had asked this question just 6 or 7 years ago, the response would probably have been the same though I would have out of obligation had to add "because I love Jesus so much" (whether it were really true or not).

Now, several miles down a long and winding road, I will tell you it's because above all else, He is worthy of my allegiance and my worship and honor because He is God, the Creator and sustainer of this universe, and the Savior of all. The lengths that He went to in order to secure my redemption is enough for me to say, "Worthy is the Lamb which was slain to receive power and glory and wisdom and honor", and surely my love and commitment to him is the earnest reward of His sufferings.

I used to view Christianity in much more humanistic terms - escaping punishment (my benefit), gaining heaven (gaining something in exchange for nothing), and blessings (more free gifts to make me more comfortable along the way). While I still often struggle with these humanistic tendencies, I'm living now with a greater sense that it's not about my comfort, it's not about what I want, it's not about how special I am; but it IS about HIS DESIRES, HIS WILL, HIS CALLING and HIS WORD. He didn't save me so I could be comfortable and blessed for the rest of my life. He saved me so I would deny myself, take up His cross of suffering, and serve Him by serving those for whom He died until I've spent myself for that purpose.

Originally Posted by A.W. Bowman

A follow up question would be, “Are you true to your professed religious beliefs, i.e. do you live up to, and perform all of the duties and responsibilities that your religion requires of you?” If you had to judge yourself as God will judge you, how do you measure up, today?

Daily I DO NOT measure up. Daily I DO NOT live up to and perform all the required duties and responsibilities of His calling. But I've come to terms with grace enough to finally understand that it's not about my performance or ability, but about Christ's ability to use a severely broken man to accomplish His purpose. Am I always pleasing to Him? Certainly not. But I know that I am accepted and beloved, and in His hands. Where my actions are not always pleasing, and I'm the world's biggest screw-up, I know that when I humbly turn to Him in repentance He meets me there.

[Timmy]

A roughly equivalent question, for the unbelievers among us:

Why should you become a Christian?

[A.W. Bowman]

Greetings Jim - good to be back. I have accepted a position with a small ministerial alliance with the view of examining our Christian doctrines. It is a challenge that I am certainly not up to, but, I have accepted the task to at least bring to light some of our doctrinal beliefs that are at best shaky and at worse, simply wrong.

As part of this undertaking, we need to examine our motivations, preconceived ideas, etc. To separate fact from fantasy is especially difficult simply because so much of what we hold to, while containing non-biblical ideas, never-the-less seem to work (at least some of the time), which provides us with a false since of assurance that 'I am right' and every one who disagrees with me must therefore be 'wrong'. We demand uniformity in our religious performance (things we can measure), and have no clue what spiritual unity means (relationships with God and with one another).

Originally Posted by Jim H

I know you meant for this to be rhetorical, but I'll jump in. I am right now in the midst of the greatest trial of my Christian life, and am finding that transparency and self-awareness are my dearest and truest friends right now.

You have hit upon the key to true relationships. It is a most dangerous path to tread. Few are those who can accept such transparency - and fewer still are those who will respond in like fashion. It is called love, and the willingness to die for its cause.

I would also venture to guess that you have viewed the

Revival Hymn

and took to heart the lesson of religious humanism and its destructive nature. It has been one of the most challenging issues for me to confront.

When I finally came to terms that God does not exist for my benefit, but that I exist for His (purpose, will, pleasure) - it changed my entire life.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Timmy

A roughly equivalent question, for the unbelievers among us:

Why should you become a Christian?

For no personal reason at all. To become a Christian is to become a committed disciple (student) of the Christ and His doctrines (teachings) - and to accept and live by those teachings. Untimely, becoming a disciple will cost one everything that they think they have, and and in the end, what will that individual have to show for their existence? A fancy casket?

There are those who will continue to search for the answers to life's questions, but as long as their desire is to remain the center of their own creation (self-centered, prideful, ego driven), for the few years that they walk upon this earth, they must remain outside the fellowship with God. This also includes professing Christians who desire to use God for their own ends (personal agendas). There are many who look religious, talk to lingo and perform on demand, but wile they make great claims of worship, their hearts are still centered upon themselves. No one is fooled by these performances, except those who also harbor the same self-centered desires.

There are no 'rational' arguments that one can make to persuade another to accept a servant's role to a God they cannot see nor touch, for the creator of the universe does not fit into the Greek (western) world view. It is not 'rational' to become a voluntary servant to something or someone you cannot see or understand. So, as long as a person remains blind to the spiritual side of creation, then this physical existence is all that they can hope to experience - and from these few years of life, to take in all of the personal pleasure they can, at whatever price they are willing to pay.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by A.W. Bowman

For no personal reason at all. To become a Christian is to become a committed disciple (student) of the Christ and His doctrines (teachings) - and to accept and live by those teachings. Untimely, becoming a disciple will cost one everything that they think they have, and and in the end, what will that individual have to show for their existence? A fancy casket?

There are those who will continue to search for the answers to life's questions, but as long as their desire is to remain the center of their own creation (self-centered, prideful, ego driven), for the few years that they walk upon this earth, they must remain outside the fellowship with God. This also includes professing Christians who desire to use God for their own ends (personal agendas). There are many who look religious, talk to lingo and perform on demand, but wile they make great claims of worship, their hearts are still centered upon themselves. No one is fooled by these performances, except those who also harbor the same self-centered desires.

There are no 'rational' arguments that one can make to persuade another to accept a servant's role to a God they cannot see nor touch, for the creator of the universe does not fit into the Greek (western) world view. It is not 'rational' to become a voluntary servant to something or someone you cannot see or understand. So, as long as a person remains blind to the spiritual side of creation, then this physical existence is all that they can hope to experience - and from these few years of life, to take in all of the personal pleasure they can, at whatever price they are willing to pay.

Just as not all believers aren't self-centered, prideful, and ego-driven, not all unbelievers are self-centered, prideful, and ego-driven. Hope you know that.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Just as not all believers aren't self-centered, prideful, and ego-driven, not all unbelievers are self-centered, prideful, and ego-driven. Hope you know that.

Yep - I know that. Take a Buddhist, or a follower of Jainism, for example.

However, I don't recall ever having met an atheist who was not a law unto himself and considered himself to be the center and the focus of their own existence, and that they were the author and judge of their own moral law. Just like some professing religious folks.

[mizpeh]

I was an atheist until God showed me that he existed and that his name is Jesus.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I was an atheist until God showed me that he existed and that his name is Jesus.

That is usually the way of it. We frequently do our own thing, even spiritual stuff, until something happens and we end up 'trying the Jesus thing' as the last option.