I Don't Like The Word "Christian"

Yes, that’s right. I don’t like the word “Christian.” I have come to realize that this word means many things to many people and has been watered down to the point of having very little to do with Jesus, His teachings and what expectations are followed as someone who believes Him and has given up their life for Him. There are a myriad of meanings that may enter the mind of a person when I tell them, “I’m a Christian.” Let’s consider the possibilities.

“I’m a Christian” which could be code for I’m a right-winged evangelical pro-life crazy person that believes America is on a fast road to hell. Pat Robertson, James Dodson, Billy Graham, Joel Olsteen and Jerry Falwell are my heros. I preach at all my friends all the time because my life is all about converting others to my way of thinking, which is the right way. I’m anti-gay, hate gay people and am consumed with homophobia. Abortion doctors should be shot by firing squad or hung from the city square. No businesses should be allowed to operate on Sundays. And I think I’m better than most everyone else around me that’s not a “Christian.”

“I’m a Christian” could mean I live in America, go to church on holidays and sometimes when invited by someone I really like a lot and don’t want to disappoint. I believe there is a God and that if I’m a good person I’ll go to heaven. I’m not really convinced there is a hell anyway. The Bible is a good book to read for inspiration and encouragement. Vacation Bible School is cool because it gives kids something to do and their parents a break. I sponsor a kid somewhere in Africa because it makes me feel better about myself. I work hard, pay my bills, obey the law, take care of my family and believe being a “Christian” is generally part of being American.

“I’m a Christian” could mean I go to Mass as much as my schedule allows. I give money in the offering and go to confession at least a couple times every year. My family has been Catholic for generations and I think I may even have some distant relatives in the priesthood. I’m not a bad person and even when I do bad things I believe God forgives me because He knows I’ll try harder. Besides, if God is really love than He won’t send anyone to Hell anyway. Hell is just for the devil. I even watch the “Christian” channel on TV sometimes and actually like some of those TV preachers.

If being a Christian means any of these things than I am definitely not a Christian. I have stopped telling people I’m a Christian because I do not fit anywhere in the definition of what it means to be a Christian. I am someone who has had the privilege of hearing the good news about God and His son, Jesus. It is good news because I am convinced that the God revealed to me in the Bible is a God that I cannot approach because He is altogether Holy and Perfect and my sin - my bad thinking, bad behavior, bad feelings, bad nature - gives me no commendation to be accepted by such a God that is completely Other. Yet I am accepted by this God because this wonderful, holy, separate, perfect, just God became a human being and took upon Himself the punishment and wrath of my sin, my badness, everything that keeps me separate from Him and put to death, destroyed the barrier between us. Jesus is God in flesh. Jesus is my only hope for being restored and set free from a life of imprisonment to the curse of sin. And this Jesus, God-man, has invited me to come follow Him, to be like Him. And that is what I have decided to do.

I think the most appropriate way to identify myself would be a Jesus-follower or Christ-follower. The Christ is one identified as a Savior, one sent as a Mediator between God and man. I choose to follow Him. What He says to do, I do. Where He says to go, I go. Because my only other option is to try and work my way into a relationship with this Holy God, which I have discovered is a pointless frustrating endeavor. I have given in to grace and grace will lead me home!