It counts for exactly as much as what Dobson thinks. :p
That decision is ultimately above all of our pay grades, if you know what I mean.
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Yah, if a person says “I am a Christian” and they are not openly living in a way that contradicts that statement, supporting things that a Christian clearly wouldn’t support politically, or espousing or supporting doctrine that is clearly false or contrary to the Bible — we have to take the person at their word. Phew. Long sentence. You said it better. We aren’t the judge of this issue. Has Fred said he is a Christian though?
Who annoited you as arbiter?
Gal 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Before one judges another they have to be righteous or they judge in vain!
If one is living under the Biblical Law the are subject to the Law!
And have no authority in judging who is or who isn't a follower of Jesus Christ!
One may read about what is or isn't but in their finite mind they are are not God and do not know the hearts and minds of others!
Gal 5
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
When one call another doctine of Satan that person is provoking and is not under the spirit of the Lord
1 Cor. 2:
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.