Lily Philips - can she be a 'true' Christian?

[mids2019]

https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/lily-phillips-has-been-baptised-i-pray-its-accompanied-by-change/20772.article

This article made me think about what it means to be Christian especially about the concepts of sin, judgment and redemption.

In my view Lily of course is a Christian being baptised but to not give up a lucrative adult film career possibly does cause angst amongst more traditional Christians.

We are taught not to judge 'Let those without sin cast the first stone' and to accept the universal unconditionally of forgiveness. (We pray every day about the forgiveness of sin) so it is difficult thologically to condemn others.

However does any fellow Christian need to remind Lily she makes money from a profession where many women with less choice are coerced and manipulated for thr gratification of men? Wr have moved away from a less judgmental Christianity but how do you view participation in Christian life with such a job?

Lily Philips - can she be a 'true' Christian?

Yes, she can.

In my view Lily of course is a Christian being baptised

In my view, there is no ‘of course’. Being baptised does not, on its own, a Christian make. There are bad actors in all walks of life.

Superficially for this woman, Lily Philips, there does not appear to be any outward sign of having given her life to the Lord Jesus Christ - but as with anyone, that is between her and God. All the 30-odd pages of blah, blah, blah on this thread, judging her, judging the Faith, will make not one iota of difference to Lily Philips, nor to the Lord God Almighty’s plans and purposes.

All the ‘yes buts’ and rebuttals against Christians, Christianity and God are just a Groundhog Day of the same old, same old, that has been played out on many threads on this forum. There is nothing new under the sun. There is no debate to win: God and His Word are revealed to those who want to have ears to hear and eyes to see. For others, it is perfectly ok for them to not believe, but makes no sense at all to keep arguing against something that, in their opinion, does not exist, other than they enjoy a good old wind up. Nor does it make any sense at all, to me, to keep continually trying to use the same counter ‘arguments’, as the ‘for’ side cannot bring anything new to explain God’s Word. Let the Holy Spirit do the work of ‘conviction’, as any Christian will know this is a Spiritual ‘war’. Again, only in my opinion, once everything has been said, it becomes more about ego than anything Holy.

I am pretty certain that Lily Philips, who I never previously heard of before this thread, will be quite chuffed at the publicity she has received here. It might bring her more lucrative clicks. 🙉🙈🙊

Of course these topics are worthy of debate when Christians are repeatedly telling us non believers of all the negative things which will eventually happen to us when they can’t provide any evidence.

I don't have the answer to that.

Oh @Parker231 ! Said in fondness: so wonderfully predictable. Smiling here 😀. Please refer to previous responses. I have nothing new to say. You are free to have the last word … 🍿💐

I had not heard of Lily Philips also before this thread.
I looked up her name to see if there was any information for this thread.
I found an article dated back in January where she hit back at critics about her faith. I do wish her well and the faith is a walk.

premierchristian.news/en/news/article/lily-phillips-hits-back-at-critics-over-porn-work-after-baptism

What is your thoughts on this in the view Jesus said we should not lust after others...also fornication is not endorsed in the Bible. The below is from a Christian dictionary which I got from Kindle-It has good content-but that doesn't mean I agree with all their thoughts..like they said gifts like healing has ended etc.

"Though believers experience carnality, divine discipline, or broken fellowship through sin, their possession of eternal life remains permanent because salvation rests upon God’s grace and faithfulness rather than human consistency. The doctrine of eternal life provides assurance, stability, hope, and motivation for godly living as believers await the full realization of their future glorification in the presence of Christ."

I have not seen anything that the church is doing about the role of women. The OP mentioned that this should be explored.
I was thinking though may be as the topic may have been harder on women, if people had their favourite women in the Bible to balance it out a bit, who are they.

Myself, I like Anna in the New Testament. Some sources see her as an inspirational woman. She was widowed for a number of years and did not wallow in being alone and dedicated her life as a holy woman in her 70s. Sometimes she is referred to as a prophetess and she was there at Jesus' consecration to and had a role to play.

I like Mary the mother of Jesus to and I like Mary Magdalene's transformation. It is not very clear about the life she led previous to her transformation. She is described as though before having demons.

Usual response when you can’t answer the question

Can you prove that love exists?
We all spend time with another person because we enjoy their company, we may even get married and have children with them.
We say that we "love" them, and that is real to us (and hopefully to them !)
But we can't prove it, we can't measure it, but we know it's there.
Because we can't measure it does that devalue it ? Does it make it unreal ? Does it mean it doesn't exist ?

👏 😂🏅

🍿

No-one owes you an answer - it's not compulsory.

I suppose the questions were about redemption and what a Christian life means in 2026. Also I do think the church does have complex issue with sexual sin as discussed in this thread. I guess part of the issue is that Lily is open about her career which makes it easily to comment compared to someone whose sex life is private. I personally think St. Augustine like she engages in some change of lifestyle and I can't comment on her integrity of faith (as for any other Christian).

Homosexuality has been mentioned a lot on this this thread and we have senior homosexuals in the church many would regard as more moral than Lily for may be understandable reasons yet literal biblical text procludes that view.

One thing I think is important is that we accept that the BIble was written for a patriarchal society where 13 year old girls could and did get married off to older men (an absolute crime in today's society). The conversation of Christianity and sex is not one explored in my local church as it is obviously private and also to controversial an area to explore properly (hence this is an interesting thread).

Do you think we need to accept that for 2026 the Bible does need to viewed in a changed light to accommodate our present morality and law as well as increased gender equality? (In my opinion there are far worse things to be than the white of Babylon or her harlot children in terms of evil)

In a conversation or debate which this is, individuals would normally put forward their views and evidence rather than just not answering - is this because you have no explanation or experience to support your views?

Am sorry for you.

@mids2019 Do you think we need to accept that for 2026 the Bible does need to viewed in a changed light to accommodate our present morality and law as well as increased gender equality?

No 🙂

Although I cannot imagine ever moving to Orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism, I am with the wonderful late Ann Widdicome on this issue. The premise above, to me, is as predicted in the Bible and the Anglican preachers and teachers, and others who are playing into the narrative that God must change for ‘modern times’ are forgetting the fundamental that He is Alpha and Omega. He IS modern times!

He has given us His Word and the associated warnings. When a church leaves God, do not be surprised when God leaves that church. I do not believe that God believes in ‘gentle parenting’. Although, having said that, He has given us the freedom to go our own way way if we want to. For me, I prefer to stay under His perfect and Sovereign Parental Supervision. I have huge sympathy towards and understanding of GAFCON.

You do not believe in gender equality?

I can't speak for others but IMO people are free to engage or not engage in any interaction. They can leave a discussion any time they like.
What people normally do isn't relevant.
People have a choice.
What they don't deserve is to be pilloried because they exercise that choice.

Genders are equal IMO but not interchangeable.

Do I not? Thank you for feeling sorry for me btw. ‘Gender’ now which one to pick, as there are so many (if some are to be believed) ?

Equality and equity: Male and female are loved by God and both are given the same opportunity for salvation through Christ Jesus.

Thank you for the reply.

However I find it difficult to accept that the BIble can be used as some sort of definitive text for sin (or law). An obvious example is CSA which is not mentioned in the bible but I would challenge even the most ardent Christian that this is not a heinous son and punishable by lengthy prison terms. Adultery is legal and actually a sin committed by many Christian men (including KH8 who founded my church yet the Bible seems to be very much against this and especially when it comes to female adultery or sexual sin.

I just feel for a modern church we need to have the ability to adapt or Christianity starts to exclude those that may be called to faith. For example should a woman who is pro abortion and wants a meaningful life in Christ be welcomed into the church?

The Church is a hospital for sinners. All should be welcomed. Because it is full of sinners (as we all fall short, etc) it also has judgemental gossips and wobble heads, and folk demanding that God should change to their ways. It was ever thus. Fortunately, I worship the Lord God Almighty and I can leave all that stuff of this world at the foot of the Cross 🙏

The conversation of Christianity and sex is not one explored in my local church as it is obviously private and also to controversial an area to explore properly (hence this is an interesting thread).

Maybe you need to change churches? In my church yesterday we discussed surrogacy and the issues surrounding it, the morality of keeping embryos alive for many decades that are never implanted.

An obvious example is CSA which is not mentioned in the bible but I would challenge even the most ardent Christian that this is not a heinous son and punishable by lengthy prison terms.

It is mentioned if you look at the words of Jesus related in Matthew 18:6 "but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

and verse 10: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."

For example should a woman who is pro abortion and wants a meaningful life in Christ be welcomed into the church?

The Church should accept all sinners that come through her doors, but remember, Jesus accepts us no matter what we have done, but once we confess our faith in Him we are called by the Holy Spirit to change. Thus the pro-abortion woman can over time change her mind. I did. I was 'pro' a lot of things in my early Christian walk that I now realise are quite wrong. Christianity is about the process of sanctification, not being perfect when you walk in the door.

@GentleSheep I was 'pro' a lot of things in my early Christian walk that I now realise are quite wrong. Christianity is about the process of sanctification, not being perfect when you walk in the door

Yes, and Amen!

I don’t think being pro abortion is wrong - it’s an individual women’s right to choose. Same as same sex relationships. Nothing to do with anyone else.

That's your opinion, which you are entitled to have.

And they are not wrong opinions and beliefs to have.

I never said they were, I am not arguing with you !

People are entitled to think what they like about all sorts of issues.