Born again christians

[Doodlekitty]

Hi all

I have some questions about born again Christians. Im a Christian myself but recently started chatting to a guy at work who is born again. We talked (well, more he talked at me if I'm honest) about the difference beyween religion and having a relationship with god (I have the first he has the second apparently). It was all quite interesting but a touch insulting. I dont want to ask him as Im scared I'll cause offence...

1. Do born again Christians believe the bible word for word?

1. Is 'recruitment,' a requirement?

Im a bit worried that I've become a 'project' and he wants to save me, when Im quite happy.

[capsium]

'Born again' IMO refers to the transformation that takes place on the inside (in our spirits) when somebody believes in Christ and what He did for us.

Believing the Bible word for word, is difficult to answer. People mean different things by this. There is symbolism, imagery and analogy in the Bible as well as more factual stuff. I believe there is Truth in all of it, some of it is factual, some of derives from symbolism, imagery and analogy. I actually believe there in symbolism in life too, our for example language contains much symbolism right down to the etymology of words and I think things in nature do too (ref the study of biosemiotics).

Recruitment a requirement? I've never thought about it like that. I think of it just as sharing my experiences and beliefs with people. I feel like it would be denying or hiding part of myself if I never did this. I don't feel an obligation to share with everyone though. But if the conversation concerns beliefs I often will share my Christian beliefs.

If you don't want to become someone's project, don't be. Do not be afraid to explore your own beliefs though. We can take wisdom from lots of sources, I believe the Bible is absolutely full of it. If your are interested, why not explore further?

Insulting? I take it you feel like the guy at work is saying there is something wrong with you. Don't take it personally, one of the starting points to pursuing Christian belief is admitting human kind is fallible, yourself included.

[capsium]

Oh apologies I missed the bit where he said you had religion and he had a relationship with God. Hmm well that is controversial! And perhaps somewhat arrogant! I believe there are many different ways to worship as a Christian, Romans 14 talks of this.

[capsium]

And missed the part where you said you were already a Christian. I'll have to be wary of skim reading, I do it without realising sometimes..see very fallible

I consider myself born again because Jesus refers to being born again. It is part of the Redemption Christ bought for us. As Christian believers we expect to be changed, Redeemed, when we accept Christ as our Saviour. I think you can be born again regardless of which particular church you do or do not attend.

[capsium]

^ In John 3, Jesus talks about being born again.

[headinhands]

Hi op. It seems to me that people always like to think they have a certain belief right and what they have is really real compared to others. It's a bit like your first love; what you have is special, it's different, beyond what most people have. See a pattern? I believe it's the same thing with Christianity. And why wouldn't it be. Believers shunning the word religion and maintaining they have it right and have a superior connection. People have been doing it since forever.

I would just add that Christianity is very much about recruitment isn't it? Unless I've read my bible wrong, and I say that as an atheist :)

[WalkingThePlank]

I consider myself a born again Christian. Whilst I always considered myself a Christian I didn't truly believe until about 8 years ago when I felt the Holy Spirit. I believe it was that discovery that made me 'reborn' and I was Confirmed. I was keen to mention my faith for a few years but have good over that now.

Your OP makes it sound like being a born again Christian is a cult or a denomination but its more a description of the process it took to come to Jesus. I certainly don't feel the need to recruit.

Re: faith and religion, I am an Anglican but that label is not important to me and I am not keen to stick to Church rules if I do not believe they are in line with WWJD, and I don't take the Bible literally, as Jesus contradicted much of the Old Testament.

[Brakeover]

I have met some evangelical Christians who believe ordinary Christians will not go to heaven.. Someone actually told me this one day some years ago!
They felt being close to Jesus and attending several meetings a week and near hysterical song meetings/ festivals was the real relationship with Jesus whereas my attendance every few weeks at church just didn't cut it.

[CoolCat2014]

I'd consider myself born again, but I believe that that talks or is seen by the spiritual transformation that happens in us when we believe... Some people have a drastic transformation, some don't! If you believe in Jesus as your Lord and saviour I'd personally argue that you are "born again" whether you think you are or not. I don't think that all born again people are charismatic or "happy clappy", I think it's about relationship, and there are many valid ways to express that.

"Recruiting" is not a phrase that comes into my mind every, I'd love to see more people saved, but I'm not one for telling others what they believe is wrong. Sounds like your friend is well meaning but a little over enthusiastic to me!

[madhairday]

I think the term 'born again' has been twisted and used in a divisive way, ie 'born again' vs 'traditional' or 'religion'. The actual meaning of the word was what Jesus referred to, as capsium said, in John 3, when talking to Nicodemus. He talked about 'being born of water and the spirit', in other words, through baptism making a decision to follow Jesus. There is no division here - all Christians have made this decision, it refers to the transforming work God does in your life. You don't have to be of evangelical persuasion, you don't have to be very intense or earnest

Born again is simply a phrase Jesus used describing faith. It's been taken and used in an often derogatory way about more evangelical folk pushing their faith, and it's a shame, really.

As for recruitment - like capsium said, it seems more natural than that, to me. It's like anything good in your life - you wouldn't keep silent if you'd found a brilliant beach or nice shop etc. But also you wouldn't force the beach on someone who didn't like sand or the shop on someone struggling with money difficulties. It's about sensitivity and respect of people and what they ask.