When you say you're a Christian, what does that mean? Do you actually follow Christ or are you a Christian in name only?

@Ceinwyn Sounds like you are knocking Christians. Do you sit and keep tabs on how many set foot in church? You don't know that. Do you go to church? Does that make you creepy and abandoned?

@LadyGrace No. I just by what is said here. I’ve seen a few regular Bible posters who seem to scorn the idea of attending church.

So, pull yourself together.

@Ceinwyn Well believe it or not going to church is optional. A Christian's salvation is not dependent on church attendance or some priest doing some sort of incantation, rite or ritual. It is the changed life brought about by the new relationship with Jesus Christ that matters. That usually means the new Christian wanting to go to church to grow in the faith but going to church remains an option.

@hippyjoe1955 Yes I suppose. I guess there are so many schisms and different approaches to Christianity that it’s become a fluid thing. I wonder if it’s recognisable to 3rd century Christians.

@Ceinwyn Nothing has really changed. The power hungry remain power hungry and the naive remain naive.

@hippyjoe1955 Yeah I agree and disagree. You’re absolutely right about the power hungry.

But I do think it’s changed. I’m not sure what the 3rd century readers of Latin and Greek bibles would make of evangelical America.

@Ceinwyn Or the Orthodox or Catholic or Progressive..... I am evangelical by choice. I am not what you likely associate with evangelical - political. I have never allowed a politician to speak in any church I am involved with. I avoid silly matters and focus on Jesus Christ and His Redemption of mankind. I do not get involved in 'social justice' causes of any sort. However evangelical is much closer to the apostolic church than even the orthodox church of the 3rd and 4th centuries that had allowed a lot of heresy to enter the church. Today's Orthodox and Catholic churches would not be recognized by the apostles if my understanding of the apostles is correct. The catholics worship Mary and the orthodox worship icons. The progressive Christians worship the state and or New Age and too many evangelicals worship the Bible. Now somewhere it is written there is none good no not one. Romans 3:10 - 31

@hippyjoe1955 That’s definitely true. My own private opinion is that a faith is a living breathing thing that can keep true to its central pillars but flex and evolve in areas were it must, if it is to be a thing of importance and spiritual nourishment to a great number of different societies over a long period of time.

@Ceinwyn
A whole lot of words, but what's that supposed to mean in English, exactly?

@Ceinwyn So long as the anchor remains fixed and you are moving toward the goal. Sadly I too often see the 'variety' aspect be the goal in itself rather than a pathway forward. I know a lot of people who have changed their church based on their seeking the Truth just as I have seen other who have changed their church to avoid the Truth.

@LadyGrace Hippyjoe got my meaning. Perhaps have another go at it.

@Ceinwyn They mean nothing. I read them three times. What are their meaning.

@LadyGrace It shall remain a mystery to you then.

@Ceinwyn many so called Christians make the mistake of believing "church" is a building, and/or that you have to go there to be one...

@wildbill83 They used to burn people for that. Do you consider yourself a heretic?

One heretic asking another, that is.

@Ceinwyn "It shall remain a mystery to you then." Oh, such dramatics. 🤦‍♀️ Creepy and abandoned, are very weird words to apply to a person. Oh I understand the words alright but they certainly don't apply to the subject. God does not abandon His children.

@LadyGrace Just because the meaning was lost on you it doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

You’re clearly set up for a quarrel with me, I’m not interested. I just have a different stance to you, make peace with it or scroll on.

@Ceinwyn Read my answer again, as I had read the wrong entry. Clearly set up for a quarrel? What is with you? I simply asked you what you meant by two words, that for some reason you refuse to answer.

@LadyGrace Then you replied with insults. Insults you have since edited out.

Maybe you should change your name. Grace is not something you have an abundance of.

@Ceinwyn Lady, you don't know what you're talkin about. I told you....I changed my answer because I read the wrong one. I asked you a simple question and it is you who refused to answer it and acted insulting about it. Wow, if you're this touchy....Goodbye. But don't blame me.

@Ceinwyn So very bold. She writes a paragraph about me and then blocks me so I can’t read it. Such courage.

@Ceinwyn part of the cult is to compare clothing. If you don't people won't get money from you and won't believe you to be true.

@Ceinwyn Going to a church doesn't make you Christian. A relationship with God does. I went to church for more than a decade but it's when I stopped that Christ was manifested in me. I'm not saying people should stop going to church, I'm just saying God can work in someone wherever they are. He's omnipresent. He's not limited to a building.

@karysma They used to call people who did this heretics. And burn them.

@Ceinwyn Men seeking power do all kinds of evil things including those who go to church. Sadly a lot of people go to Church but are not Christians. Whole churches and denominations are not Christian if you take an honest approach to them. That does not mean that all the people in one of those churches is not Christian but the teachings and practices of those churches are not Christian. Even in the most Christian church on the planet you will find non Christian attendees and some of the non Christians there are in leadership positions.