h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I like the idea, but how will it really be implemented? I don't know how long exactly this has been going on, but it doen't seem very organized yet. I would be interested in contributing to this effort by the way. If, you're taking suggestions I would say that a links page for christian guide entries would be a good start on some cohesion. Its rather obvious and cliche, but well, there's the rub.

Good idea.
So far I've let it pretty much develop on it's own, just to see who, if anybody, is interested. Quite a few people have turned up in one of the other forums. I agree, it is time I did some more.
So.

If anybody has anything to contribute, please let me know. This includes:

1. A better 'definition of a Christian' paragraph. Preferably borrowed from some established non-denominational Christian organisation. If I can find my CU's statement of faith, that will do, but I'm sure somebody can come up with something good.

2. I might have a list of people on the main page. If you are an established Christian, agree with the statement of faith (when we've sorted it out!), and have had minor experience of evangelism / discussion, even if only on H2G2, please let me know if you want your name there. It would be nice to have a list of people that newcomers can discuss Christianity and/or their faith with.

3. Links to other Christian pages on H2G2. e.g. my Bible in 50 Words thingy. I've come across a lot of anti-Christianity pages (like Reasons Why Christianity Fails To Stand Up To Reason!!), has anybody written any similar pro-Christianity pages?

Thanks everyone, and I look forward to your input.

Thanks for the response, Peregrin. I guess I'll take up number one and find or write a definition of Christian. Be forewarned however, I'm a Baptist Fundamentalist(for those of you who aren't aware, those are the worst kind ), so I might perhaps be inclined to stricter conventions than others. I need some input so tell me what you think of the following.

The main definition of a Christian I think would be someone who professes a heartfelt belief in the fact that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin and an acceptance of that redemption. The definition could be left there, but it leaves some things ambiguous.

The first issue is the attitude with which a person comes to God. I would say that our recognition of ourselves as sinners in need of the grace of God is as important as the belief in Jesus itself.

There are many more issues, but most of them relate to the passage where the apostle Paul speaks of those preaching a Jesus other than the one that the Bible preaches (2 Corinthians 11:4). This could relate to whether you have to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, is part of the Trinity, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, rose from the grave, etc. Those are all things that are based on the Bible, and so it seems that any other views would be believing on a different Jesus. I am not sure this excludes anyone from salvation, but Paul does say if anyone receives this "other" Jesus, "ye might well bear with him" (2 Corinthians 11:4), "him" reffering to Satan, who was mentioned in the previous verse.

Lastly, I think it is an imoportant point to make that just because you "believe" doesn't necessitate your salvation. Indeed "the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19b). Maybe acceptance of the merciful gift of God is better than just "believe", but a whole lot longer.

Just a few thoughts I'd put out before I started anything, please give me your input.

If you'd like to know more about my own personal beliefs (which should approximately coincide with the beliefs of Baptist Fundamentalists), and you don't mind a fairly long read, check out my entry on "God's Final Message to His Creatures". It's very long and most probably very boring, so Caveat Legator("Let the lawyer beware"), oops, maybe its Caveat Videtor or something like that. I was trying to say "Let the reader beware", but oh well.

I think you are very sad indeviduals. I would like to eloborate but I can't be bothered with people like you.

*Insert Miscellaneous Flame Here*

ddombrow, as far as I can see, your views on your article coincide with my own. Are they particularly different from most denominations?

No, not at all, I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. Also I wanted your input especially on my discussion of Paul's warning about "another" Jesus being preached, and your opinion on whether holding a belief say, that Jesus is not the Son of God, would prevent salvation. I also wanted to see the reaction to the word Fundamentalist as I have known some people to be strongly opposed to that particular movement.

I've just looked at 2 Corinthians 4v11... as far as I see, Paul isn't talking about a separate person. He's talking about a false message about Jesus, people corrupting the true word of Jesus. He talks about A different Jesus, not a singular different Jesus. I suppose it is perfectly possible there were people claiming to be the true saviour, even then, but whichever you decide it is, the message of the passage is the same; we must focus on the true word of God and not be sidetracked by any deviating teaching. When we hear some 'new' teaching, we must always check that it *does* agree with the Bible.
I haven't heard much about fundamentalists, so I don't have a pre-formed opinion, bad or good!

I know this is here to start an argument, so I won't get too carried away.
1. You don't know us. How are we sad?
2. Who are 'people like us'? And why does that mean you can't be bothered to elaborate? Hmm?

"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you."
1 John 3:13

Here's what I've come up with so far:

"A Christian is someone who, having acknowledged his/her own sin and need for salvation, has believed in the Jesus of the Bible, and has accepted the redemption that Jesus provided when he died on the cross. Furthermore, a Christian should be dedicated to the teachings given by Jesus in the Bible, the greatest of which being to love God and one another (Matthew 22:39), and to spread the message of salvation through Jesus to all peoples and nations (Mark 16:15)."

I hope you can use that. If not let me know and I'll try another.

Here's another good definition

To be a Christian, one must first understand and believe that God exists, and that he is the one true God. One must also believe that Jesus is Christ, Son of the Living God, and that he was sent here by his Father to forgive our sins. Another fact that we must come to terms with is that we are all sinners. As stated in Romans 3:23, "everyone has sinned and is far away from God's presence." In other words, we don't measure up to God's standard of being sinless. "But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free." - Romans 3:24. This is one of many verses that tells of how Jesus died for our sins and that the only way to get be right with God and get into heaven is through Jesus Christ, by accepting that gift of forgiveness that is offered to us all in His death upon the cross and His resurrection. "If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our own faith that we are put right with God, it is by our confession that we are saved." - Romans 10:9,10. This involves faith, trust, and acceptance (of both the Truth and the Gift). "As the scripture says, 'Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.'" - Romans 10:13.

G'day just dropped in to ask people
of all faiths to spare a prayer for
the people of Karratha on the North
coast of Western Australia,as they
prepare to face the wrath of mother
nature.By midnight tonight Cyclone
John category 5 (300k.p.h winds)will
be upon them.Maybe if we all send our
thoughts to them the devestation can
be lessened.PLEASE PRAY HARD
19.45hr West Australian Time
11.45hrs Greenwich Mean Time
Rocket Rod.Broome W.A

Wow, category five, I'll be sure to pray, thanks for the info.

Good thoughts work it seems.
Cyclone John cat.5 crossed the coast
at 09.00 this morning W.A time.
No reported injuries & limited
damage.
To those of all faiths our thanks
for your prayers.
For myself I think I'll have a
beer & a good lie down
Rocket Rod Broome W.A

BTW, ddombrow, I've decided it's high time I got round to updating this page! I haven't updated the definition of a Christian yet. I think your definitions are great, but I'm going to find a standardised version, maybe the one that the uni CU I used to go to uses. This is because I'm not perfect, and will probably miss out or not notice something if we write it ourselves. Hope you don't mind

No problem, Ian, the definitions I wrote helped alot to remind me of what a Christian is. If you're looking for a supplementary source, I found a good one the other day. It's section "what is the gospel?" section is well done. http://www.sydney-christian.net/index.htm