Mr Opinion,

<<Applied Christianity?
Is that different from Theoretical Christianity?>>

Both are very different from biblical Christianity that:

1. Requires faith AND works (James 2:14-26), http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas+2%3A14-26&version=ERV

2. At Judgment Day, the godly and ungodly will be judged by their ministry to human beings in deprived situations AND “The king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you refused to do for any of my people here, you refused to do for me.’ “Then these evil people will go away to be punished forever. But the godly people will go and enjoy eternal life” (Matthew 25: 45-46), http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+25%3A31-46&version=ERV

Alan B,

<<runner, the Paul you are so fond of quoting was a self-confessed homosexual>>

Evidence please!

Aidan,

<<If you want to see what happens when someone's theoretically a Christian but fails to apply it, take a look at runner.>>

I find that to be a disgustingly judgmental comment.

Do you know runner personally or only through OLO posts? How do you know he personally is only theoretical in his application of Christianity?

OzSpen,
No, not personally - I don't even know his real identity; I only know runner through his OLO posts - but it's the disgustingly judgemental comments he makes in them that indicate his failure to put Christianity into practice.

Considering he doesn't even recognise me as a Christian (he regards me as following the "warmist religion") I have no qualms about highlighting his hypocrisy.

Applied Christianity? Awesome idea, I'm all for that. Does that start and end with welfare though? There are issues with welfare. Big enough ones to cause people to stand against it. It does help those who are poor, are sick, or in some way fit the program's parameters. Unfortunately though, in most countries this also means that if someone gets just out of that spot by getting a job that is low paying and doesn't meet their needs, then they get shut off from the help within welfare. When you get more help for doing nothing, then you can get by providing for yourself, (and you have to choose one or the other) then that encourages people to stay in the welfare system instead of trying to get out.

This is one huge hurdle in welfare systems, and it shouldn't be ignored. That said though, any application of Christianity is a good thing. At least in my opinion. Care for the widows, the poor, the sick, those in prison. These just name a few of the needs of the people around you. And Jesus taught that those who do things for the least of these people, did that also for Jesus. This is also huge. Another applied Christian concept within Christian is to love your neighbor. But who is your neighbor as one teacher asked Jesus. Jesus's response was the parable of the Good Samaritan. Both of these concepts are good for a welfare like program. But what good does any of this mean if it's not actually helping. Have a welfare system that helps the poor, and allows them to slowly get in a better position in life without completely shutting them off the program and not receive assistance while they still need it. If welfare isn't helping people get out of poverty, but instead keeps them there, then something needs to be reexamined to see how to make it work better. How to apply Christianity in a better way.

Aidan,

<<Considering he [runner] doesn't even recognise me as a Christian (he regards me as following the "warmist religion") I have no qualms about highlighting his hypocrisy.>>

I agree with you that many times 'runner' makes judgmental and hasty comments that don't seem to come from thoughtful engagement in the discussion about God in Christ.

Would you please help me to understand your Christianity? I became a Christian in the early 1960s when I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (cf Acts 16:30-31) and invited Him into my life. That's 58 years ago and I've been growing in Him since then, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac+16%3A30-31&version=ESVUK

Can you identify a time when the Gospel was shared with you and you asked Jesus into your life?