Difference between Christian and Christlike?

[Duncan]

Do you think there is a difference between being a Christian and being Christlike?

[clarkgoble]

What sense of Christian? Ideally a Christian should be trying to be Christlike. But of course not all Christians working at it are successful. Becoming Christlike is a process. In a certain sense what matters is our openness to God and desire to choose him. How far along the process of sanctification is perhaps an unfair way to judge how good a Christian we are.

[Calm]

33 minutes ago, Duncan said:

Do you think there is a difference between being a Christian and being Christlike?

Yes.

[Duncan]

Just now, clarkgoble said:

What sense of Christian? Ideally a Christian should be trying to be Christlike. But of course not all Christians working at it are successful. Becoming Christlike is a process. In a certain sense what matters is our openness to God and desire to choose him. How far along the process of sanctification is perhaps an unfair way to judge how good a Christian we are.

People can do "christian" things like pay tithing or attend Church or say nice things but does that mean they are Christlike?

[JAHS]

There are lots of Christians(big C) who are Christlike and some who are not. All Mormons are not Christians (big C) but they are all christian (little c) and many are Christlike. 

[Tsuzuki]

"Christian" means believing in and/or promoting Jesus. "Christlike" means emulating Jesus, regardless of belief or promotion. It is possible to be both Christlike and anti-Christian at the same time.

[JLHPROF]

Christlike = having the characteristics of Christ.

Christian = following the teachings, doctrines, and gospel of Christ.

So, yes, different.

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, Duncan said:

Do you think there is a difference between being a Christian and being Christlike?

I have met and worked closely with Christlike Jews and other Christlike non-Christians.  One doesn't have to be "Christian" to be Christlike.  It is always a distinct pleasure to meet and work with the righteous, regardless of their outward identity.

[RevTestament]

On ‎4‎/‎14‎/‎2017 at 9:16 PM, Duncan said:

Do you think there is a difference between being a Christian and being Christlike?

I think that depends who you ask. In the Evangelical world most believe they only need to accept Christ with their mouths to be Christian, and realize they are not Christlike. I've even run across "Christians" on websites who are nasty and mean - calling visitors names such as pig, etc. However, I believe a true Christian is Christlike. I believe that is what Christ meant when he asked disciples to follow Him - that involved not only getting baptized, etc, but learning to emulate Him.

However, I concede that there are people who can have Christlike attributes to their character who are not Christian, because they do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. So "Christian" and "Christlike" are not the same.

[Rain]

On Friday, April 14, 2017 at 10:17 PM, Tsuzuki said:

"Christian" means believing in and/or promoting Jesus. "Christlike" means emulating Jesus, regardless of belief or promotion. It is possible to be both Christlike and anti-Christian at the same time.

I think it depends on the definition of Christian. For the most part I agree with you. Usually in conversations Christian is meant how you describe it.

I do wonder though if Christ would generally hold by the same definition. If we truly believe in Him and promote him won't we be more like Him? Or at least be actively trying to be like Him? 

[Tsuzuki]

2 hours ago, Rain said:

I think it depends on the definition of Christian. For the most part I agree with you. Usually in conversations Christian is meant how you describe it.

I do wonder though if Christ would generally hold by the same definition. If we truly believe in Him and promote him won't we be more like Him? Or at least be actively trying to be like Him? 

I don't believe Jesus is, or ever was, a real person, so I'll just let the in group define itself, hypocrisies and all.

[Freedom]

Being christian is a religion. I see the difference between christian and Christlike similar to the difference between belief and faith. Being Christlike is acting on the precepts of the christian religion.