What is too extreme when it comes to being a Christian?

[Hobie]

We have the overriding and core principle that Christ gives us, which is to love one another, so how should we apply it in dealing people that seem a bit zealous in their religious views or actions. So when someone is taking a very zealous view or extreme some may say of a what one eats such as Fruitarianism (diet that consists primarily of consuming fruits and possibly nuts and seeds), what a word means such as 'saint' (when applied to a regular person raising them to the level of deity or to pray to or venerate), or someone who takes things too literal and handles snakes in church services or feels they need to mutilate themselves to keep from sinning, or even who should be the political leader of the nation because of the religious plank they claim, which seems to go over the top in some cases, what should one do?

Now there are behaviors that some may say is too much for a believer, but for others its normal such as for a Christian to sell what they have and give to others who may not have. Or to decide to give up a good job to be a pastor or minister at a lessor salary, or even move out of a nice expansive house in a immoral filled city and go to a poorer house in a country setting filled with believers, or one that seems to rile many, constantly praying or going to neighbors and sharing the Bible.

So what is too extreme and what is normal for a Christian, and how should you as a Christian react?

 

[quietthinker]

We have the overriding and core principle that Christ gives us, which is to love one another, so how should we apply it in dealing people that seem a bit zealous in their religious views or actions. So when someone is taking a very zealous view or extreme some may say of a what one eats such as Fruitarianism (diet that consists primarily of consuming fruits and possibly nuts and seeds), what a word means such as 'saint' (when applied to a regular person raising them to the level of deity or to pray to or venerate), or someone who takes things too literal and handles snakes in church services or feels they need to mutilate themselves to keep from sinning, or even who should be the political leader of the nation because of the religious plank they claim, which seems to go over the top in some cases, what should one do?

Now there are behaviors that some may say is too much for a believer, but for others its normal such as for a Christian to sell what they have and give to others who may not have. Or to decide to give up a good job to be a pastor or minister at a lessor salary, or even move out of a nice expansive house in a immoral filled city and go to a poorer house in a country setting filled with believers, or one that seems to rile many, constantly praying or going to neighbors and sharing the Bible.

So what is too extreme and what is normal for a Christian, and how should you as a Christian react?

Hobie, you use the word 'should' a lot. Every man and his dog has some sort of idea of what others 'should' be doing, thinking and saying, even believing.....all of them assuming that what they think 'should' be done is the correct measure.

I do not think that telling others what they 'should' be doing is a good approach because it assumes one's ability to determine, is superior to another's.

We are free agents to determine our own destiny. Even God didn't tell Adam and Eve what they 'should' decide and do.

Our choices have consequences and I would ask, are you aware of all the consequences of the choices you make? If not, and I think that is an accurate assessment, how much less are we in a position to tell others what they 'should' believe, think or do.

 

[Hobie]

Hobie, you use the word 'should' a lot. Every man and his dog has some sort of idea of what others 'should' be doing, thinking and saying, even believing.....all of them assuming that what they think 'should' be done is the correct measure.

I do not think that telling others what they 'should' be doing is a good approach because it assumes one's ability to determine, is superior to another's.

We are free agents to determine our own destiny. Even God didn't tell Adam and Eve what they 'should' decide and do.

Our choices have consequences and I would ask, are you aware of all the consequences of the choices you make? If not, and I think that is an accurate assessment, how much less are we in a position to tell others what they 'should' believe, think or do.

Ok, so what choice will you as a Christian make in dealing with extreme behavior among other Christians, and why do you handle it in that manner?

 

[quietthinker]

Ok, so what choice will you as a Christian make in dealing with extreme behavior among other Christians, and why do you handle it in that manner?

Dishing out unasked for advice is inappropriate. You are on an online forum not in a detention centre. Relate to people as an equal with humility, not a self appointed authority figure.

 

[Brakelite]

True Christians, consecrated and sanctified, are already seen as extremists, fanatics, zealots, fundamentalists, and even terrorists in some quarters. How to handle that? Embrace it. You're doing okay.
KJV Titus 2:14
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
KJV 1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: