[TrappedInLiberalHell]

A "Christian" is one who follows the teachings of Christ.

Is it possible that some follow the teachings of Christ without believing he was the son of God? There may be many people who call themselves Christians who think this way. Who am I to say they are not Christians?

Who is better? One who follows, in general, the wisdom of the Bible, yet does not believe in God, or one who believes in God and proceeds to do all manner of evil things?

[It's me]

Well, who was this Jesus Christ if not the Son of God? He said it himself. Did he not talk about God?

[man of Yosemite]

In order to be a Christian one needs to have a spiritual birth, laying down the life of sin to receive a new life through the salvation of Christ. It comes from realizing that you are estranged from God, desperately needing the mercy of God in order to be cleansed from your sin, which cleansing comes through the substitutionary death of Christ, the righteous one dying in place of the unrighteous. People who study Christ's teachings apart from recognizing their own spiritual depravity, never truly know Christ, their pride deceiving them into thinking they are becoming wise. These become false teachers, and do not recognize the blood payment needed for the forgiveness of their sins.