which makes you a better christian?

Take these two hypothetical people.

Both Christian. Both believe in God avidly, read the bible, pray etc.

The difference: One spends his sundays in Church at mass first thing in the morning, the other spends that time volunteering, handing out breakfast to the needy.

The difference simply is this, that one avidly attends church, the other doesn't. Which makes a better Christian?

One may argue that a balance of both would be ideal. But the discussion that I have with many Christian folks is that you're not really Christian if you don't go to church. Thoughts?

 

the person volunteering and handing out breakfast to the needy Might be a better christian...IF that person is leading souls to God.
And then some times its good to go to church so you praise Jesus and learn stuff. So they are both equal. No one can be better than anyone.

 

...except that christians are better than everyone else, right?

 

God Schmod.

 

Fellowship, teaching, and accountability are vital to a healthy Christian life. That's what churches are for. It's pretty simple, really.

 

ah yes, lets go pray and let those dirty non believers starve, we're better than them anyway.

i like your logic.

 

Uh, since when are going to church and feeding the hungry mutually exclusive?

 

in the example in the first post. Pay attention, please.

 

I'm no Christian, but I like what Amber said.

IF the person handing out breakfast to the needy is indeed leading souls to God (from a Christian standpoint at least), that person is a better Christian, in my opinion. However, the chance that that person knows enough about Christianity to be able to lead souls to God is much lower than the person who attends Church all the time.

 

Well, I think that's a false dichotomy. There's no reason someone shouldn't be able to go to church and serve meals to the homeless on different days, or even different times of the same day. The point is that as Christians, we need to both be fed spiritually and to serve others. Ideally, both should take place in the context of a church community.

 

I think when he meant "pay attention," he was referring to where he said, the other person doesn't avidly attend church.

 

First, it's a hypothetical situation, posed to understand a point.

Second, maybe the non-church-goer doesn't think church is useful or necessary. Maybe they thing religion, and god, are personal and getting in front of everyone else to assert your agreement isn't too vital to that.

 

I would call it a loaded question.

Christianity is definitely not just a "personal" religion; it has an essential communal aspect.

 

I know a girl who attends church every sunday and gets nothing out of it. I think it all depends on the person, for some people going to church every sunday is how they praise God, they get all that they can out of the scripture and such. Then there are people that spread God's word in the community . I think both are equally good

 

I agree with Amber

I can't go to Church, and I'm Christian. So is Burbot.

If I had the privellage to decide I'd go feed the hungry(along with ministering), rather than going to Church.

 

Perhaps the 'non-church' example is a lone wolf: Christianity has many personality types. Perhaps the 'non-church' example has progressed faster than others. Church is a social institution: a place to go. If today's youth had no TV; no computer; no theater of dance halls, or county fairs - where would they go to interact with friends.

Here is something to mull over: read the part of the Bible where Jesus speaks to the woman at the well. Read it again; and then, more closely. Ask yourself what kind of church Jesus describes to the Samaritan. Could it be a mobile church; one we may carry with us everywhere? I think so.

 

I love your rationality. You are able to see through situations so clearly and give an unbiased interpretatin. You should be a journalist!

You are also very non-judgemental and loving... very Christlike!

 

I dont think anyone should be able to decide what makes a better Christian. It takes all kinds. I am a Christ Follower and used to be an active member in a church. Unfortunantly due to work hours etc I cant go, That doesnt make me any less Christian then anyone else.
I have discovered in my lifetime that church is in the heart not in an outside building.
Worship of Christ is a condition in my heart that allows me to be humble and to seek Gods presence within myself.
Christianity is more than just being in church every week, its a lifestyle of love and protection from evil, one that reaches out to all people, in all circumstances and places.

 

Amen to that brother!

 

ok, im going to have to word this properly...

i dont think someone can be varrying degrees of Christain...

the person handing out food [especially if they are not preaching] i think we can agree is a better person [in this one dimenional situation]...remember, sometimes the best path is the quiet one ...what i eman is sometimes the best way to lead people to God, whatever God you are trying to lead them to, is through your actions towards them...kinda how your friends eyes are the best mirrors, somethign along that lines...