What Is Christian?

Generally, when someone says they are a Christian, they mean that they believe Jesus is God.  They might add that they try and follow Jesus' teachings.  But his teachings can be found in other spiritual paths.  With a lot of these "believers" I think something is missing.  They do not believe that Jesus did what the scriptures say he did.  Too many Christians are afraid of God, or see God as the judge who will send them to some fire for their imperfection.  They don't believe Jesus really did take away the sins of the world, or that they are really saved in spite of their faults that do not seem to go away.  They end up trying to make deals with God to get a good outcome after death.  Lots of devotions and pieties fill the bill here.  Or they look for mediators who might soften God up for us. Mary fills the bill here.  More on Mary tomorrow.  The scriptures and early teachers believed in a universal salvation.  All are saved.  God is Love.  God is Forgiveness.  Nothing is earned.  It is all gift.  We live good lives as a result of this and in Thanksgiving and praise.  Any committed fault was made up for long ago on the cross and resurrection.  Theresa of Avila said she believed in hell, but she did not think anyone was there.  She is a doctor of the church.  I am not making this stuff up.