Two identical words

[Classik]

Two identical words. What is the difference between these two words, Christian and Born-again, if there is any?

 

[Claudya]

There are some peoople that consider themselves christians because it's part of their cultural identity or something like that. They use the term to describe their ethinc heritage or maybe some of their values, and they might even be baptised and attend church now and then. Their church membership and their baptism would identify them as christians. But they don't really have much of a spiritual life, and thus never had some being-born-again experience.
So "christian" is something of a sociological term that describes whether someone is considering her/himself part of christendom.
"Born again" is the state of your soul in God's eyes. So "christian" is a human category to describe a religious affiliation of a person. "Born again" is a heavenly category.

 

[handy]

There are some peoople that consider themselves christians because it's part of their cultural identity or something like that. They use the term to describe their ethinc heritage or maybe some of their values, and they might even be baptised and attend church now and then. Their church membership and their baptism would identify them as christians. But they don't really have much of a spiritual life, and thus never had some being-born-again experience.
So "christian" is something of a sociological term that describes whether someone is considering her/himself part of christendom.
"Born again" is the state of your soul in God's eyes. So "christian" is a human category to describe a religious affiliation of a person. "Born again" is a heavenly category.

And that is a very good answer!

 

[Classik]

I love your reply: so excellent - brilliant. But, how about considering the origins of both words (as a friend has encouraged me to do)?:dunno He mentioned something about Antioch

 

[WIP]

There are some peoople that consider themselves christians because it's part of their cultural identity or something like that. They use the term to describe their ethinc heritage or maybe some of their values, and they might even be baptised and attend church now and then. Their church membership and their baptism would identify them as christians. But they don't really have much of a spiritual life, and thus never had some being-born-again experience.
So "christian" is something of a sociological term that describes whether someone is considering her/himself part of christendom.
"Born again" is the state of your soul in God's eyes. So "christian" is a human category to describe a religious affiliation of a person. "Born again" is a heavenly category.

Very good explanation, Claudya. I noticed in your post you wrote the word "christian" using a lower case 'c'. However in the opening post by Classik the word is spelled "Christian."

I believe there is a difference between "christian" and "Christian."
You explained the word christian quite well. The word Christian on the other hand to me means a follower, believer, and one who places his/her faith in the Christ, Jesus. Can one truly be Christian without being born again?

 

[Classik]

Thank you, WIP. That's a good question and a good observation. Christian vs Born-again.

 

[Classik]

At times I fail to pay attention to it, christian and Christian. I think there is a difference yet. Three words now, christian, Christian and Born-Again