What’s in a name: Christian…

If I told you I was a plumber, you’d know to call me to unstop your toilet.  If I told you I was a fireman, you’d call me to put out a fire.  Now if I told you I was a Christian, when would you call me?  I’ve been struggling with what to call myself so as to best communicate to others what my identity is. 

 

The Wakopedia says,”A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity“.  That doesn’t work.  You can’t define something with the word built in the definition. It further says, “Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament.”  That is fine, but it really doesn’t communicate my beliefs.

 

Much of my life, I thought being Christian was being Baptist.  Then, I heard about Christian Catholics and Christian Methodists.  There may even be Christian atheists.  I don’t know.  It has gotten so confusing that the word Christian probably needs to be better defined.  I am thinking about the “Emerging Church’s” definition of a Christian.  They may have solved the conundrum or riddle. 

 

For the emerging church folks, a Christian is someone who is headed toward Christ and a nonChristian is headed away from Christ.  They would vigorously debate the question of how heading to or heading away from relates to personal salvation. For me, I’m thinking that maybe their definition works if being Christian does not indicate one’s eternal salvation.

 

So, a Harry Kristna type could be selling flowers in the airport and headed toward Christ.  I could refer to him as Christian, because he is headed toward Christ.  But I don’t expect to buy his flowers in heaven, because although he may be headed in the right direction, it is unlike he will make the trip in his current state of dress and mind. 

 

Does that work? Be bold.  I’m hoping you haven’t let the thought nazi’s break your fingers or cut out your tongue.  What do you think about this new definition of Christian?  Are you ok with it?

The Emerging Church – What’s a Christian?

So there is this thing called, “The Emerging Church”.  Many believe it is a work of God that crosses all boundaries socially, ethnically, religions and whatever else you throw at it.  Some in the emerging church may define Christians as: “A Christian is then defined by their focus and movement toward Christ rather than a limited set of shared beliefs and values.”

 

What do you think about this?

http://www.1stchurch.org.  You’ll find 37stories there and all my friends.

What part does intellect play in the conversion experience?

Many have grown up in an intellectual society.  In my life, I have chosen to study many different things.  At the collegiate level, I chose to study physics and apply it to physical phenomenon.  The study was challenging, but easy for me.  I chose to study foreign language, it too was challenging for me, but never easy.  I am very limited in that discipline.  Today, I choose to study God’s Word and I never understand it all.  I think my understanding is many times limited by my intellect.

 

I was given a book to read recently that required intellect to comprehend.  The author went into great detail analyzing the Biblical conversion experience. It seems from his perspective, he might be the only one in the world that understands the Christian conversion experience correctly.  His attitude is a popular attitude among individuals birthing new churches today.  I often hear people talking about how wrong the church is and if church would only do ”it” this way or that, then God would show up and incredible things would happen.

 

I find myself, analyzing and drawing conclusions just like the other guy.  I am guilty of using my intellect to once again place God in a box.  In answer to my question, “What part does intellect play in the conversion experience?”  I have to say, “very little”.  Conversion from being lost to being saved is very simple.  You must be born again.

 

There are likely an infinite number of roads leading to the gate, but there is only one gate and through that gate, there is but one path.   You must be born again and the only one doing the birthing is through Jesus.

http://www.1stchurch.org.  You’ll find 37stories there and all my friends.