Is this the mark of a true Christian?

well then offer another solution to the human condition because sterile logic and technology isnt cutting the mustard ..

Good answer,(((DAWN)))

This man,though possibly sincere in his convictions, acted in ignorance and in a state of biblically unfounded fear. It is unfortunate...

Anyone can take 2 unrelated texts from the Bible and create a host of new and extra-biblical thought or doctrine...That fact that this man as well as others do not properly discern an author's intentions,does not negate the validity of the author's work.

In the Matthew account,Jesus was not speaking literally but rather spoke an obvious exageration,in pointing out the seriousness and possible eternal implications to one who refuses to deal with known sin. And to relate this text with those in the book of Revelation,that deal with the Mark of The Beast,is futher folly....Those who have taken the "Mark" will be incapable of repentence....It is non-sequitur

Hebrews 4 says the word of God is alive and active, and can see the heart and soul of every person ( Jesus is the LIVING word of God) The Bible is His written word that truly is powerful and does change the hearts of sinners. The only way to know this is to experience the free gift of salvation God is offering-- after this life it will be too late and I know you will truly regret writing this question.

Obviously as the story read the man suffered from mental illness. The passage that he used to justify his self mutilation talks about a future time when people will have to accept a mark from a ruler who impersonates the Lord Jesus. Since such a ruler is not present and since the man wasn't part of a group of people who were forced to take this mark in order to buy and sell it's obvious that he wasn't responding to what the Bible teaches but in his illness was suffering from delusions.

Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.

I read a story in the news a few months ago about a Buddhist Monk who cut off his penis because he wanted to rid himself of sexual desire that was getting in his way of acheiving his goal of having no desires that would cause him to feel unsatisfied. Does that mean that Buddhist teaching is bogus even though they don't tell people to do that just like the Bible doesn't tell people if they think they have the Mark of the Beast they need to cut off their hand?

I think it is very low of you to suggest that this is somewhat norm or any kind sign of a true Christian. Whether he is a true Christian or not, it is between him and God. God knows his heart.

But if he is mentally disabled, he is under God's protection.

Would it make you feel good if I said all Christians do this? You know they don't. Your real reason for asking this question is to put our faith down isn't it?

I think you are sad.

Jesus is the mark of a true Christians........I think it is very very sad that people don't believe in the Bible!

NO (THE BIBLE IS A LIVING THING) IT IS THE WORD OF GOD,,IT is a wonderful thing,and I wish every human being believed in it.

NO, it's the mark of a mentally ill person. Can't you tell the difference?

i think this guy has mental issues...and i think it is sad when people don't believe in God the creator