Are there any "true Christians" in Christians?

[dzheremi]

No, we are actually talking about the concept of “true Christians”, which is why we even have to make that distinction between Christianity as a religion and the “One True Church” (whichever you believe it to be). In practice, as you yourself have confirmed, there is no such division, since everyone presumably belongs to what they believe is the “One True Church”. The two are the same. Since the foundation of the Church by Jesus Christ Himself, all forms of Christianity (in as far as they can be called by that name) outside of it have been rightly condemned by East and West alike as heresies against the Church, since we have jointly come to rightly-guided precepts by which we can distinguish “true” Christianity from “false” beliefs. It is incorrect to say that because you do not submit yourself to the authority of the Church, then there can be no such real authority, only a generic label “Christian” which can mean whatever you want it to mean. That is ridiculous, but then your own church is to us as the Ahmadiyya are to Orthodox Islam, so I am not surprised by your protest.

Christianity is the faith of the Church. If the Church weren’t Christian, it would be something else (a synagogue, a temple, a nice place for civic meetings, or just a building). You may have Christianity in the absence of a recognized Church (I’m thinking of underground Churches in places like Somalia or North Korea now), but this does not mean that the Church can be cut off from the faith in the way that you are attempting to separate them. That makes just about as much sense as saying that Trinitarianism is not a true Christian belief…

 

[truthsilence]

It’s a reference to surviving in a shark tank, I think…it’s not about getting wet. It’s about persistence, survival, and the ability to stay sane.

re: the reference to swimming, on this forum. It’s not about persistence, or survival, or the ability to stay sane! It does have something to do with getting a ‘little’ wet. Well, in some cases, anyway.

Hint: Have you ever heard of the Tiber? :angel1:

Peace to you,

Tami

 

[dianaiad]

##** It may be strange, but it is also incomprehensible. It’s like asking if there are any true elephants in elephants - as presently phrased, it has no meaning**

I believe that the same thing can be said of those who claim that Mormons (or Catholics or ???) are not Christian.