The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Definition of a nominal Christian

I always thought a nominal Christian includes false teachers but a friend say it is only a Christian in name only. Why wouldn't false teachers be a nominal Christian. They pretend to be teaching Christianity, though they, in reality, deny it.
Nominal Christians are those who deny it as well.

I have always made a distinction between a "nominal Christian" and "false teachers".

1. Nominal Christian: one who plays "churchianity" (cf. Jer 12:1,2; Matt 15:8; Mk 7:6; Heb 6:4-6). Most all of the so-called "nominal" Christians are actually "Carnal Christians". This false teaching was very popular in the early 70s and still exists today. Ernest Reisinger wrote a booklet on this heresy which you can read here: What Should We Think of 'The Carnal Christian'?.

2. False Teachers: There are 'false teachers' and 'false teachers'. There are those who are genuinely converted but who are teaching false doctrines of a minor kind. Then, there are those who are not genuinely converted, despite their own claim to be so, and who are teaching/preaching serious heresy. Often, there is a fine line between these two groups and we must be careful in making judgments as to which one a particular individual belongs.