According to Orthodox Church, can a person legitimately be call "Christian" who doesn't believe in Jesus' claim to Deity? (John 6:38, 8:24)
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There is much discussion in secular academia about the possibility/impossibility of Christ being a God? And there are sects *within religious circles* who diss the idea of Christ really being Deity. Some of those sects fly under the banner of "Christianity."
***Since a "Christian"--in normal patois--is defined as someone who is a disciple of Christ***, it follows that that disciple would believe and teach faithfully whatever the essence of Christ is. But many interpret the Bible as declaring that ***Christ taught He was Deity (God in the flesh)***.
>Israelites...whose are the Fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 9:5)
>I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me. (John 6:38; also 8:24,42)
>Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed on Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32)
Note that the second half of this verse is engraved on the portals of Harvard University! Yet none would say that Harvard wishes to promote Christ's divinity.
Could all others who claim to be Christian, whether sect or individual, ***but do not believe in His divinity*** still legitimately fall under the umbrella of the title, ***Christian***? Or is that deceptive? Is that unwarranted? ***Is that contradictory to the words of Jesus in these verses?***
>For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. (Colossians 2:9, NIV)
Asked by ray grant
(4700 rep)
May 16, 2025, 10:28 PM
Last activity: May 31, 2025, 07:12 AM
Last activity: May 31, 2025, 07:12 AM