[DieHard the Hunter]

> Totally out of context. Just because someone does not worship the devil or burn believers at the stake does not make them Christian.

So rather than dodge my question, why not just answer it then? How does your assertion square with Christ’s instruction?

So far as I can tell, it does not square at all. Christ is not ambiguous in what he says in that passage: it is straight talk, not spoken in parables and not much “wiggle room” therein.

Sorry, “out of context” doesn’t work in this case. It is in context and beyond serious dispute.

[TalonDJ]

It is in context and beyond serious dispute.

It was not IN context because you did not GIVE context.

He was talking about people saying things in favor of Christ, not people claiming they were Christian being derogatory. Since that billboard could be taken as being 'against' then the quotation most certainly does not apply. The passage you posted was specific. Just as you claim, it was not metaphoric. It said 'he'. It did not say 'anyone'. You are taking a specific direction about a specific instance and applying it broadly. And you are doing it in the face of other passages that ARE written broadly and contradict the sentiment you are trying to assign that passage. Jesus NEVER watered down his message or was self deprecating to attract followers. He did not seek to joke his way into their friendship or avoid offending those that did not agree.