There is no such thing as a former Christian.

This is an old topic, but I have not seen any really new topics, but reading the Victor Stenger thread got me going on it again. According to my understanding of the Bible there can not be former Christians. Those who make such a claim are fooling themselves.

How does a person who believes she is a Christian determine she really is a Christian as opposed to only thinking she is a Christian?

(All Jedidiah topics are old topics. Har har.)

By that mode of thinking, any and all of you posting as christian now might not be christians, like sea said, how could we determine it? Could you look at say, Dan Barker before he sent that letter off to friends, family, and others and say he wasn't a christian? Specially the line of work he was in.

Nah,

There are plenty of former christians, theological claims that we were never really christians accomplishes what Jeb?

I have a bunch of questions for this position, but I'll start with a clarification question. Are you claiming that (a) they were never truly saved to begin with, or (b) they only think that they have turned away, but it's not really possible?

If this is the case, then there are none alive who can claim to be Christians.

Originally posted by Carrikature
I have a bunch of questions for this position, but I'll start with a clarification question. Are you claiming that (a) they were never truly saved to begin with, or (b) they only think that they have turned away, but it's not really possible?

a)

Originally posted by themuzicman
If this is the case, then there are none alive who can claim to be Christians.

I suppose that is true. What ultimately reveals salvation is enduring to the end. There are many who claim to be Christians who are not in fact. We will only know for sure in the end. There is a lot more to deal with in this question, but . . .

Before I go on I should explain that I am mainly interested in discussion with those atheists who claim to have once been Christians. This in response to Serafina saying, " Most atheists I know are former Christians who spent years looking for evidence of god. " I question the existence of this creature.

The manifestation of God's power can be seen in miracles, like the virgin mary crying blood tears, for example. What more can they ask for? Why is it that the wolf howls in the moonlight? Do you think it cries for apostasy? Or is it because of Maria's pain in witnessing humanity reject God? The answer is both.

Originally posted by Matt M
The manifestation of God's power can be seen in miracles, like the virgin mary crying blood tears, for example. What more can they ask for? Why is it that the wolf howls in the moonlight? Do you think it cries for apostasy? Or is it because of Maria's pain in witnessing humanity reject God? The answer is both.

Jed has a point. According to many instances in the gospels, there will be self-proclaimed Christians, who went through all the visual and ritualistic motions -- the goats, wolves in sheep clothing, bad fruit trees, etc. -- who will think they were Christians until they get the revelation in the last days that they were not Christians after all.

How is this determined? That's difficult to say. If a Christian is living contrary to what is taught in the NT, might give clues.

There are no Christians!

Originally posted by Seasanctuary
How does a person who believes she is a Christian determine she really is a Christian as opposed to only thinking she is a Christian?

I would imagine that there are many Christians who know they aren't, don't truly believe it is true, but are going through the motions to appease family, friends, and/or habitual tradition.

2 Timothy 2:11-13

Originally posted by Jedidiah
This is an old topic, but I have not seen any really new topics, but reading the Victor Stenger thread got me going on it again. According to my understanding of the Bible there can not be former Christians. Those who make such a claim are fooling themselves.

Is there likewise no such thing as a former Jew.

This view is trash at best.

Originally posted by shunyadragon
Is there likewise no such thing as a former Jew.

The two are night and day. Judaism is outward expression. Christianity is inward expression. Jews live by the law. Christians live by faith.

Originally posted by shunyadragon
Is there likewise no such thing as a former Jew.

This view is trash at best.

Glad to see your response. That convinces me all the more that I am correct.



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