Discussing Christianity, and the other party claims that those who deny christ's divinity can be christian (like these guys: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilanthropism). I believe the acid test of christianity is a belief in christ's divinity, otherwise he's just some dude, and you just like what he said.
What do you think?
Hey Griffin, great question. I am under the opinion that, if you claim to "be" something, then you must conform to that definition. I have the belief that if someone says they are part of a group, but they don't believe the core beliefs, are doing a disservice to that group.
Christianity has plenty of areas where there is personal freedom to not "conform" with everyone else. But those issues aren't core issues. For example, there are denominations that believe you can't have a drop of liquor/alcohol because scripture warns against it. But that isn't exactly accurate. Scripture says not to get drunk. Now of course the easiest way to not get drunk is not to drink. But the command is not to get drunk. So when the man made rule comes along, then you (the Christian) are to compare the rule with the command, and see if they jive. But in the end, this is a matter of conscience. If you as a believer know the command, and decide to go "the extra mile" that is fine. But don't portray it as a tenet of the faith, that is dishonest.
The article you cited comes at it for a simple reason, people who claim "Christianity" but don't believe the core aspects of it (The virgin birth of Christ, His divinity, His authority, His attributes) are doing it because they see some redeeming qualities in the doctrine, but if he is only a man, then you can reject the doctrine you don't like. It's called eisegesis. That is the method of interpretation that you take a premise, and you find a way to make it seem present in the scripture.
The whole idea of belonging to Christianity is a matter of trust. Do you trust the source of the doctrine? Do you trust the idea that God is who he says he is? And finally do you believe that God is trying to do good for you? Or are you under the impression that He is a tyrant who enjoys inflicting suffering and being capricious?
The whole idea of not "believing" parts of scripture is part of everyday life for a Christian. The difference is the journey to see why and in what context these commands are for. That takes work. In Jeremiah 29:11-13 scriptures says that God says
that says to me that this won't be some mystical phenomenon of God speaking to you from the clouds and telling you what He wants. But rather, He has put His desires/guidelines/precepts into a written communication. Now that communication has many aspects to it, not the least is it genuine? Is it provable? If you take the scientific approach, there are ways to verify many things about it. Obviously there are claims that can't be proven scientifically. but the whole thing is a process.
