PaulS wrote:
I think most will agree there are degrees of "practicing Christians", some are bordering on sainthood while others are barely hanging on and most of us are somewhere inbetween, but are there degrees of being Christian?
Paul, I don't see it as "degrees" like you do. IMO, one becomes a Christian when one places his faith in Jesus Christ.(the real, biblical Jesus Christ. Not just any Christ). It's kinda like being pregnant. Either one is pregnant or not. Either one is saved or not. Now there are differing stages of development of an unborn human, just like there are differing "points" of sanctification of a believer.
I mean, is a person who believes in predestination more of a Christian or less?
I believe in predestination, although not in a Calvinist sense. Am I less of a Christian? Is a Calvinist who believes in predestination in their own sense, less of a Christian? Pregnant, Yes or not, no in betweens. Christian, Yes or not, no in betweens.
or what about those that are Christian but fall and then come back or never come back?
Now we're getting into assurance of salvation. That is at least a handful of threads in and of itself.
My argument would be that if one is a believer, he is sealed forever with the indwelling Holy Spirit. So, a believer who falls, may lose some eternal rewards in heaven, but won't lose his salvation.
