Christians believe it is more important to be a Christian than it is to be a good person.

I apologize. In my opium stupor, I have confused "valid" and "sound". Wikipedia definition of a sound argument: "A logical argument is sound if and only if 1. the argument is valid 2. all of its premises are true." An example of an argument that is not sound, but valid is: All animals can fly. Pigs are animals. Therefore, pigs can fly. ************************ My opponent defines a Christian as a person who has "The belief that the only path to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. In other words, you believe that you must have faith, or belief, that Christ was and is God at the time of your death. Otherwise, your entry into Heaven is jeopardized." My opponent maintains that someone who has this belief is a Christian. However, one who has this belief but deliberately strays from the role of conduct that is expected of Christians, cannot be called a Christian. Christians will not recognize a person who knowingly performs evil deeds as a lifestyle, is apathetic or uncaring about the Lord's Sacrifice, does not repent. The definition that my opponent gives is of one who accepts Jesus in MIND But the teaching is that one must also accept him MIND, HEART, and SPIRIT. A Christian is one who follows the teachings of Christ. One who does not follow the teachings of Christ is not a Christian because then, he would only believe in MIND, but not HEART AND SPIRIT. Thus, my opponent's assertion that "Christians believe it is more important to be a Christian than it is to be a good person" is in and of itself flawed because Christians see being a good person as a part of Christianity. *************************************** "Objection 1: Christians DO believe that doing good deeds is important. Response: I do not doubt this at all. I never said Christians believe good deeds are unimportant. What I said was that it is MORE important to be a Christian than to be good. This objection is irrelevant." In fact, since Christians believe that the performance of deeds is a key factor in the Christian lifestyle and definitive of their lives in following the footsteps of Christ, it's not right to separate the two. "Objection 2: You can not be a bad person and be a Christian at the same time. Response: Two things. First, this is untrue. Christians will readily admit that nobody is perfectly good. We are all sinners. Therefore, if all people are sinners, but some people are Christians, then it logically follows that all Christians are sinners and therefore it is possible to be Christian and wicked at the same time." This follows from the assumption that being a sinner and being a bad person is one and the same. It is not. A bad or wicked person is one who readily strays from the teachings of Christ and refuses to repent, regardless of whether or not he believes that Christ is the only way to Heaven. My opponent makes lengthy arguments and cites many definitions but does not capture the essence of Christianity enough to make a sound conclusion. My opponent's definition of Christian focuses primarily on having a belief, but not a lifestyle. While it is true that Dismas, the thief on the cross, joined Christ in heaven, this was through the act of repentance. Luke 23:39-43: [O]ne of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." ♦ But the other answering rebuked him, saying, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? ♦ And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." ♦ And he said unto Jesus, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." ♦ And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise." Dismas, the good thief, not only accepted Christ as God, but also acknowledged that he did wrong, and that he deserved punishment. This is what makes him a Christian, his act of repentance. Christians call Dismas the "good" thief because although he committed an evil, he repented for his crime, and showed sincere regret. Dismas follows the footsteps of Christ because he accepts Jesus mind, heart, and soul. A person who believes in Christ and is aware of Christ's gift only believes in mind. This person is not yet Christian until he willingly repents and accepts Christ fully. Only then can he be considered a Christian. In that case, the most important thing is NOT the belief, but the good act of repentance.