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Original poster

What do people mean exactly when they call themselves 'Born Again Christian'?

52 replies

kiskidee · 11/10/2007 22:30

I heard this one lady say that she is a born again Christian and when asked what was her faith before she said 'Catholic'.

I remember another time a lady asked me where was the nearest church (in a small resort town) and I started by saying, 'well there is the catholic church down there' and before i could mention the other 2 denominations near by, she said 'oh no no, I am Christian' but didn't see any irony in what she had just said.

OP posts:

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 22:45

I call myself a born again christian depending on the question asked.

I would also differentiate betweena born again christian and a Catholic. That might just be a personal thing?

The term born again is from the Bible where it talks about needing to have a new start in order to be able to have a relationship with God. So by trying to get rid of stuff from your old life and attempting to live a new life.

the Bible talks about there being a spiritual "rebirth' when this decision is made. You actually make a conscious decision to start living in a certain way and having a relationship with God.

I find it interesting if you ask when people became a Christian and they don't know.

It's a decision. It's not cultural and you're not a Christian just because you go to church or live in the UK. IT's so much more.

Keith Green (Christian singer/songwriter) once said that going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger.

I didn't "feel" anything when I made the decision to become a Christian - I was about 14. But I believe that I crossed over a line so to speak, from one way of life to another. I'm in no way perfect, definitely a bit of a hypocrite in some ways and struggle with many issues, but I feel that slowly I'm being changed and prompted to look at my life and the way I live it. I have a different worldview I think.

There's a big difference between "churchianity" and church attendance and what Christians would describe as a living, breathing, dynamic relationship with God.

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 22:50

These are some of the verses from the Bible that describe being 'born again' or "born from above'. Bit long, but might help explain?

1-2 There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it."

3Jesus said, "You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to?to God's kingdom."

4"How can anyone," said Nicodemus, "be born who has already been born and grown up? You can't re-enter your mother's womb and be born again. What are you saying with this 'born-from-above' talk?"

5-6Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation?the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life?it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch?the Spirit?and becomes a living spirit.

7-8"So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'?out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God."

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 22:51

From John 3:1-7 btw

Original poster

kiskidee · 11/10/2007 22:57

i found what she second woman said to be really close minded because she seemed to be working from the premise that you could not be a member of one of the older Christian churches and be a 'Christian'.

so why would you differentiate between being a Catholic and a Christian?

OP posts:

IamDaisy · 11/10/2007 23:01

there is a passage in the NT which states that unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of god (can't remember where though....might be John????)

being Born Again basically involves asking Jesus into your heart and into your life and involves a major life change on the part of the person asking.

AFAIK, Roman Catholics are a Christian religion, in that they believe in the life of Christ and that he was born and died for our sins, however they don't necessarliy believe that one must be born again in order to obtain entry to the gates of heaven.

As a lapsed born again christian (ie I have my own personal beliefs which don't necessarily conform to any one faith group), I think it's all a question of semantics.

IamDaisy · 11/10/2007 23:04

cross post with bobsmum.....

....the wording is different depending on which version of the Bible you read. I've always read the New International Version which is a bit more modern in its language than say the St James Version.

not sure what she means Kiskidee, as all faiths who worship Christ as an entity are essentially Christians.

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:10

I agree that the woman's assumption about certain churches not being "Christian' is wrong.

As for the Catholic thing, I know of plenty born again Christian Catholics!

I think Catholicism, possibly along with Judaism has such a cultural heritage that it's often taken for granted than if your family has always been Catholic/Jewish then you must be too. That's probably true for lots of people who automatically/thoughtlessly write "CofE" on forms when asked for their "religion" - it's just what you do. It's what you know.

Whereas to differentiate from a religious upbringing, people who have discovered a more personal faith often want to explain themselves in a way that's not denominational.

My family are not Christians so I have no church upbringing or background at all. I became a Christian after chatting things through with friends over the years and reading the Bible for myself. But I didn't set foot in a church until I was 18/19.

I didn't know anything of the differences in denominations. I didn't know which congregations believed what or how. So I just had to turn up on a Sunday and find out.

I find that people who describe themselves as Christians first, rather than by denomination or sect (for want of a better word) tend to have a faith or belief that's personal to them. The church they attend is secondary.

On a personal note, I don't actually understand why people describe themselves as a denomination first, when I would have thought it's about following and getting to know God, rather than affiliating yourself with an institution.

Astrophe · 11/10/2007 23:15

well answered bobsmum, as ever. You got here before me and answered as I would have

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:15

astrophe - haven't seen you around for ages

LadyMuck · 11/10/2007 23:16

In terms of why a "born again" Christian wouldn't view a Catholic church as being "Christian" I think that it is important to understand that the Christian church as a whole has a huge range of beliefs, which will encompass everything from those who don't believe that Jesus was the Son of God but that he gave some good guidance for how to live, through to those who believe that the Bible is literally true (including creation in 6 days etc). The chances are, especially if you are at one extreme of other, you may find that the views of someone else is so different from yours that you wouldn't necessarily find yourself close enough to enjoy the relationships that should form part of everyday church. Hence people will often try and find out a bit more about what flavour Christian you are.

It isn't a simple question to answer in terms of evangelical perceptions of catholics (especially as in fact there are some born-again Catholics). But I would assume that you are vaguely familiar with the differences between Catholic and Protestant beliefs. Most born-again Christians tend to be protestant in their outlook.

Astrophe · 11/10/2007 23:19

We were without internet for 3 months while we dealt with TalkTalk (for which I am now an anti-advertisement!). Now we are back online (not with TalkTalk) and I am trying to make the most of the fact that I had my MN habit kicked! But here I am...!

TellusMater · 11/10/2007 23:19

A (born-again Christian) friend of DH when we were at college told him not to "yoke himself to an unbeliever". That would be me (Catholic). I'm guessing that he too would make the distinction between 'Catholic' and 'Christian'.

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:20

Good post Ladymuck.

I agree - having attended a service of most of the flavours of Christianity out there, I can safely say that most if not all assume that they are the one true church and the rest are a little/severely misled in one way or another

But again, as the saying goes, if you find the perfect church, don't go cos you'll spoil it.

MrsSpoon · 11/10/2007 23:22

bobsmum, just out of interest which translation of the Bible are you quoting from?

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:23

Welcome back astrophe! Just clicked on your profile - has your gorgeous wee boy got those babylegs thingummies on? Always fancied a pair of those!

Astrophe · 11/10/2007 23:27

I know Catholics who are Christian, but more people who are 'small c catholics' - ie, culturaly, but who have no actual faith and attend a little or often for various reasons unrelated to faith (they would agree withn this themselves btw, I'm not passing judgement).

As for a 'born again Christian' well its a tortology really, because all true Christians have been spiritualy born again. The word 'Christian' means Christ Follower. To follow Christ you turn away from your old self, and by accepting God's forgiveness (through Christ's sacrifice) you become a new creation. You are 'born again' Thats what a Christian means.

Of course terms can be confusing as everyone uses them differently - I guess if someone says "I'm a born again Christian" and you're confused, you should just ask them what they mean.

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:28

MrsSpoon - It's the Messaage - not a translation, but a rendering from the original Greek. I usually use the NIV or NKJV for serious chewy meaty Bible study, but for explaining a point like this I like a contemporary reading with a good turn of phrase. More info here

Astrophe · 11/10/2007 23:29

(sorry for the hijack kiskide)
Yes bobsmum, they are Baby legs. He goes nude bummed a lot as he is potty training, so they are to keep his little legs warm. Cute eh?!

MrsSpoon · 11/10/2007 23:37

bobsmum, thanks I've never heard of Messaage before will look into it what you quoted was far more conversational that any translation I have ever come across before (well apart from the Pigeon English translation of course ).

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:39

Sorry Mrs Spoon - it's "The Message" - my typo

MrsSpoon · 11/10/2007 23:39

"Pigeon"??? I of course mean "Pidgin".

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:40

I think I need to go to bed - my fingers aren't working anymore

MrsSpoon · 11/10/2007 23:40

LOL you and me both with the typos then!

bobsmum · 11/10/2007 23:41

Astrophe · 11/10/2007 23:42

night all, good to see you bobsmum

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