Defining Christianity

I never ask people if they are a Christian. I will not ask that question because there is no clear definition of a Christian. In the town I currently live in, I would venture to say that 98% would call themselves a Christian. Why? Because they believe in Jesus. Because they aren't Jewish. Because they grew up Catholic. It really doesn't matter, because there is not a universal definition for what it means to be a Christian. So I am going to write what I think a real Christian is.

First, a real Christian must believe certain things. I have a list of five. First, a person must believe in the divinity of Jesus to be a Christian. If you do not believe in the divinity of Christ, then you do not know who Jesus really is. If you do not know who Jesus is, then how could you be a Christian.

Second, a real Christian must believe in substitutionary Atonement. This means that Jesus is the only and complete substitute for our punishment on the cross. If you do not believe that Jesus is our complete substitution then you do not believe in the purpose of his worship. You do not understand what it means to be the Lamb of God. Thus, you cannot be a Christian.

Third, a real Christian must believe in the exclusivity of Christ in Salvation. In other words, you must believe that Jesus in the only way to Heaven. IF there was another way to Heaven, then Jesus was a fool for dying on the cross. Thus, if you make Jesus a fool, you cannot be a Christian.

Fourth, a real Christian must believe in the physical death, resurrection, and return of Jesus. This is bedrock theology of the faith. The entire message of the Gospel is the physical death resurrection, and return of Jesus. Thus if you do not believe this, you cannot be a Christian.

Fifth, a real Christian must believe in the born-again experience. The new birth is key to Christianity. You are not born a Christian. God makes you a Christian. He does this by giving you a new life in Jesus. If you do not believe in a new life in Christ, then you cannot be a Christian.

Now I also believe that a person must act a certain way to be called a Christian. We are to pursue Holiness. We are to surrender all. We are to repent of our sins. We are be disciples of Jesus.


I believe that a person must be a Disciple of Christ to call themselves a Christian. I do not believe a person who neglects God's word can call themselves a Christian. I do not believe a person that does not pray regularly can call themselves a Christian. I do not believe that a person who refuses to go to worship can call themselves a Christian. I do not believe a person that refuses to share their faith can call themselves a Christian.

Now that being said, I know that someone may think, "Who are you to judge?" I want to answer this very clearly. I am not judging anyone. The Bible is. All I am doing is repeating what the Bible says that Christian are going to do. If you have a problem with this list, then you have a problem with God's word. I would venture to say that if you have a problem with God's word then you are not a Christian.

There, I did it. A long and drawn out definition of what I think makes a Christian. I am sure that this list is not complete, and I am sure that some of my readers may let me know. Nevertheless, this is a good place to start with someone who says they are a Christian, but there is no fruit to show it.