Shawn,
You post an interesting topic. One that is misunderstood by so many. What a Christian believes when the Lord Jesus of Nazareth himself said not all who say they are Christ are Christ.
To start there are false ministers out there who are no closer to God than their master Satan. Men and women who have twisted the word of God for personal gain or glory. people who could not care less about your soul.
According to the word of God the final authority in all matters is the word of God. Kings were commanded to keep it with them and all who are Christians are to meditate in it day and night and teach it to their children. People like Joel Osteen only care about a dollar and will tell you anything you want to hear to keep the money coming in. Their views subtly change with the multitudes to stay popular and make money.
As for as contemporary Christians, the left, the right, conservative and such they are man made terms not even in the word of God. Like the words homosexual, gay and such. No where to be found. All just terms that either water down the word of God or used to justify a sin or a means of self-glory.
The word says they were first called Christians in Antioch.
Not conservative Christians. Not contemporary Christians. Not gay Christians or straight Christians. Just Christians.
Christians in the word of God were those who believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. They were baptized in water and then baptized with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Two separate baptisms. They spake in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance and searched the word daily to see if the things Paul taught were true. They didn't just believe every person who came along claiming to be a minister or anointed.
Christians had signs and wonders following what they believed. They had dreams and visions verifying their belief. One young lady here had such. It was verified by me and both of us had the dream 30 plus years before we met. Both she and I cold tell each other parts of that dream that the other never spake to verify both had the same dream. That dream was and is still crystal clear after all these years.
Christians are those who follow the whole word of God just as Jesus said. They don't twist it to justify what they want. The believe both the good and the bad about their beliefs and change their beliefs to be obedient unto the word. They do not change the word to justify their beliefs.
Christians are led of the Spirit of God and not the teachings of man that go against the word of God.
When Christians do indeed follow the word of God in obedience and are led of the Spirit they will know the truth and the truth shall set them free. Free of false teaching, unnecessary condemnation and free of perverting the word of God and end up being damned.
I hope this helps. These things define a Christian by the word of God. Faith in Jesus, belief of the whole word of God and baptism of the Holy Ghost and being led of the Spirit. Walking in obedience unto the word of God and denying one's self.
May God bless.