I recently met a pastor who referred to themselves as post-Christian. Now at first, this title startled me and I found myself wanting to defend Christianity and trying to figure out how a Christian pastor could refer to themselves in such a way. But during the course of our conversation I understood where he was coming from and found myself relating to what he was saying.
Over the past few years there has been a shift in how people of the Christian faith have been designating themselves. Many prefer to call themselves "followers of Jesus" instead of Christians. Their argument is that the title "Christian" has become tainted by Christians who seem to contradict the teachings of Jesus by what they do and/or say. For example; saying that God sent a certain natural disaster to destroy a severely impoverished country because years ago they made a deal with the devil. Or, suggesting that a certain group of individuals should be put behind an electrified fence. Or, a religious leader who rails against a certain group but then is found to be with a prostitute of his same gender abusing illegal drugs. I guess I can understand why someone may not want to associate themselves with "Christians" if this is what a Christian looks like.
If this is our reality I think we have two options. We can take a different name and reinvent what it means to follow Jesus and call ourselves post-Christian. We can distance ourselves from those who seem to contradict what it means to "love God above all things and to love your neighbor as yourself." Or, we can stand up for what it means to be a Christian. We can call out those who choose to base their faith on something other than what Jesus teaches. We can speak up for those who are oppressed and expose injustice, even when that injustice come from the Christian church. We can reclaim what it means to be a Christian and invite others to do the same. It is typically easier to reinvent something than it is to reclaim something but when we are talking about the name "Christian" I think that is something worth fighting for. I am looking for partners in this battle.
See you in church,
Chris
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love love LOVE this!!!... but I try to remember the term "Christian" was never something, followers of Christ, called themselves... it was a title given to them... therefore, what we call ourselves is really not that important...BUT what IS important, is teaching what it means to be a Christian... and I TOTALLY agree that the word Christian and what is means to be one, has been high jacked by some whacked out people who have no idea what grace, forgiveness or loving thy neighbor means and how it transforms a life for eternity... anyone who has experienced the grace of God could never EVER spew the horrible things that so called Christians express... it's not about the words we use.. it is about the life we live that express who we are.. that is why the gentiles from Antioch called those folks Christians...
ReplyDeleteA distinction needs to be made. I reall hate when we are all lumped into the overly zealous pile. Do the denomination titles help with much of this? Each group has their own direction. Maybe we should try to be the ELCA Christians or Christ Church Christians. We will always have sin in our group. We will always have those that choose the wrong paths. We can support our fellow members. But at least distance ourselves from the gay electrified fence camps, the snake handlers, etc.
ReplyDelete"Fallen sinners, Forgiven saints" right? Through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ we are saved. We are all sinners.We all disagree on many issues. First and foremost, we should acknowledge the fact that binds us all-We believe in Jesus Christ-The Son of the Living God. I cannot base my faith on what others believe about Christianity. My relationship with Jesus Christ is personal-sacred.Many non-Christians criticize our faith because they see us lie, cheat, lose our tempers and sin every day. Therein lies the beauty of our faith. We are ALL slaves to sin-Christians just as sinful as everyone else-but we have hope. Our Lord paid the price so we can be forgiven.-How beautiful.
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