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Can you be a Christian if you deny God?
I understand that many Christians, in principle, accept allegorical interpretations of their scriptures, such as Deuteronomy's account of creation.
But how far does this stretch. I met a Christian, who subscribes to the New Testament, but takes God to be a metaphor, symbolizing the unity of the Christian spirit. He denies the existence of a transcendent God (!)
Would this be a heresy? Thank you
@PaulCyp - It seems obvious but he believes worship is nothing more than an internal meditation
12 Answers
- pygonzaLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
In my opinion, Heresy does not exist anymore. That was a problem in the early church where there were groups leading people astray. It threatened to destroy Christianity if those mistaken beliefs became dominant. Now there are just people who make mistakes. That person you described is sometimes called a Christian Atheist or Christian Agnostic, in that, they agree with the philosophy of Christianity, but not any of the divine aspects. Of course that is not Christianity. But it is still a good thing to follow the teachings of Jesus. Albert Schweitzer is the most famous of these ultra liberals. He believed in the "swoon theory" that Jesus revived and then dropped out of sight. He was a good man who did many good deeds.
- awadLv 45 years ago
Denying God is verbally or by utilising action expressing that God doens't exist. Persecution is oppression in keeping with a concept or opinion. Denying God does not make you a persecutor, a concious action to oppress desires to be there besides. And the Christian God is likewise the Jewish God and the Islam God, so i don't understand the form you get Christians denying the God of Islam. And as for paganism, Christians only undertake the customs into their own ceremonies, (ie, christmas wood, easter eggs, all saints day).
- A B2Lv 78 years ago
No. If you are Christian you will love God
and God will love you.
Romans 10:9
Acts 3:19.
- ChildoftheKingLv 78 years ago
You met someone that says they are a Christian, but a Christian has to believe in God
as well as his Son, Jesus Christ. From what you describe of him, he is no way a Christian.
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- ?Lv 48 years ago
I mean if you follow the majority of christian thought I don't see why you couldn't be seen as a christian.
But there's no real reason to follow it if you don't believe in god.
- 8 years ago
No, you can not be a Christian and deny God. Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are three and one. To deny God would be denying Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.
- Anonymous8 years ago
LaVeyan Satanism are atheists who believe that Satan and God are both myths and that Satan is a symbol of what we believe in, sound similar? If its what he believes then yeah sure that's fine, he can label himself why he likes! Like I said most LaVeyan Satanists are atheists who take Satan as symbol, although I myself am an agnostic LaVeyan Satanist which means I am unsure of their existence.
- MarkLv 58 years ago
He is NOT a Christian - no way. A Christian is one who believes in Jesus Christ who proclaimed to be God.
- PaulCypLv 78 years ago
Obviously you cannot worship and obey God - which is what Christians are called to do - if you don't even believe in Him.