True enough. But, unlike Catholicism, and especially in the 17-18th centuries, Protestant churches (especially the Calvinist traditions) did not consider those who were not actual church members as "Christians" other than in a particularly cultural sense. Membership not so much meaning a particular church at the moment, but having been accepted as a member by a Church through (typically) adult profession of faith. (Think of their origins as non-conformists to either Rome or the Church of England) There were fairly significant controversies in New England about this in the early 18th century.
"True enough. But, unlike Catholicism, and especially in the 17-18th centuries, Protestant churches (especially the Calvinist traditions) did not consider those who were not actual church members as "Christians" other than in a particularly cultural sense."
I take it then, from the first sentence above, that you agree also that is not for others to decide whether one is a Christian or not, but for the indiviual himself/herself.
If not. Would you say this is also the case for, say, a person's race - ie, for the person himself to decide which race he/she is and not for others. I say, again, that it's up to the individual to decide.
And thanks for your intelligent responses. Much appreciated.