Am I a Christian?

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Permalink Reply by Jim London on May 27, 2011 at 11:23am

John, I too have dropped the designation "Christian" to identify myself publicly. The route by which I came to that decision is that I cannot identify myself with "Christianity" because that term embraces such a broad swath of grievous "church" history, "doctrinal" belief, and insupportable practice. We find, consistently, that people among whom we circulate are confused/ distracted by all the things that are associated with "Christianity", and that to be thought of as a "Christian" is tremendously complicated for all the wrong reasons. Conversely, speaking of ourselves as followers of Jesus (our most common identifier-term) is virtually always received positively, for the right reasons. People in our culture generally have a positive predisposition toward Jesus, even if it's just that they regard Him as good/ exemplary in love, etc. Sometimes, if I sense that it's helpful, given the context, I speak of myself as delighted to have God as my Father, or something of that direction. In other words, I prefer to speak of the "Who" or of my connection to Him, rather than of being in the camp of some historical, theological stream that is the product of man's (sometimes/ often?) worst distortions of Him and His truth. I have enough distortions of Him in my own life! I don't want to have centuries of accummulated atrocities attached to me as well! Especially when there are the opportunities to name Him rather than the fashions of "Christianity" or the problematic baggage of "Christian".

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Permalink Reply by John Tyler on May 27, 2011 at 11:57am

Nicely put, Jim! That's rather what I meant about the name being tainted.

You almost raise another issue that interests me. I can't help but notice how many people I know refer to 'God', 'Christ', their church, famous authors, etc., but almost never refer to 'Jesus'. There's definitely something in a name! In fact, this has just given me an idea. I think I'll start regularly asking people why they use almost any name or reference other than 'Jesus'. Could be fun.

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Permalink Reply by Jim London on May 27, 2011 at 12:03pm

Fun, John? Or mischief? Ha!

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Permalink Reply by John Tyler on May 27, 2011 at 12:10pm

Both! and valuable opportunities. But, okay, mostly mischief. You caught me out.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Collings on May 27, 2011 at 9:39pm

Great points John and Jim. I too have dropped the Christian moniker for the same reasons. 

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Permalink Reply by Jimmy Nduruchi on May 29, 2011 at 1:50pm

The term “Christian” is perhaps most misplaced in Africa than anywhere else in the world. When colonialists came to Africa, they considered everything African ‘satanic’ and embarked on changing everything. And, I should intimate that they succeeded resoundingly, and that’s why I am called “Jimmy”. Here, all these western names are called “Christian names” even when they are not found in the bible. Thus “Helen” is a Christian name and “Nduruchi” is not Christian. I think this is where “Christianity” started gaining a pejorative tint especially amongst the African elite. Later with the competition amongst “Christians” and Muslims, those who did not want to be called Ms called themselves Christians without necessarily identifying themselves with the person of Jesus Christ or knowing who He really was/is. Consequently, everyone who is not a Muslim in Kenya, for instance, is a “Christian”. Even the traditional practitioners call themselves so. That’s why I have also been running away from this slanderous aphorism that has been used by the devil to try to defile the infallible name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

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Permalink Reply by John Tyler on May 29, 2011 at 4:03pm

That is a really interesting point of view, Jimmy. Certainly in UK, one of the common arguments used by people opposed to Jesus is, 'Look at all the terrible things done by Christians!' They generally then refer to the crusades, which were around 7-800 years ago. But the whole episode of European/'Christian' formal colonialism from 1500AD right up till the 1970s would often be a better example for such people to quote. This period, as with ancient Rome, saw the often-deliberate twisting of Jesus' work and message for the benefit of the state.Sadly, ordinary people, for their own benefit were (and still are) only too happy to go along with it.  'The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way.' (Jeremiah) Things don't change much do they?!

Change of subject... It's lovely to be able to discuss things with brethren in Kenya, USA and everywhere else around the globe. Blessing to all of you!

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Permalink Reply by Jimmy Nduruchi on May 30, 2011 at 2:37am

Yes John,

It is interesting how people are only too happy to flow and dance with happiness in things they have found in existence no matter how ridiculously flawed they are. Yes, you are right about the two glaring historical goofs extended by “Christianity”. The crusades and colonialism. The type of gospel that was brought to Africa from Vasco da Gama in 1498 A.D. to the collapse of the apartheid regime in 1994 A.D. was colonial and subjugative in essence, style and vision. The gospel was used to rule people with an iron fist. Humility and submission to authority was stressed. Through this they put the masses in the crucible of slavery and committed all atrocities and managed to get away with it. In fact to date, Africans are among the most “humble” and “submissive” people on earth. Majority of the people think that questioning things is of the devil. That’s why they allow corruption from governments and bow at the lordship of corrupt ministers in the so-called churches. After a big scandal has been committed either by church or state and people want to raise their voices in protest, you will hear over radio and TV, “Let’s pray for them. The Lord will deal with their corruption. They will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Okay, this is true, but does it mean then that we don’t seek prosecution for them? And this way, in Kenya for example, nobody has ever gone to jail for stealing money since independence from Britain, almost 50 years ago. You will be amazed at how wealthy a few people are and the vast majority who wallow in abjectivity. And yet all of these people meet in the ‘church’ as ‘Christians’. And the ‘minister’ has to give a message that is relevant to both groups. I lived in South Africa for some years and when I got there, I was surprised to find big churches for the people who perpetrated the apartheid system. Isn’t it interesting that even the apartheid system was “Christian” in nature? Africans too had their own churches, but both the oppressors and the oppressed were called by the same name, “Christians”.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia Campbell on May 30, 2011 at 10:10am

John I do the same thing here in California. I say, "I'm a follower of Jesus of Nazareth," since there have been so many false Christs.

 

If someone says, "Are you a Christian?" I would have to ask, "What do you mean by 'Christian'?"

 

What strange times we live in, heh?

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Permalink Reply by John Tyler on May 30, 2011 at 10:34am

Strange indeed!

Good point about Nazereth. I'd never really thought of that, although funnily enough I often find myself referring to 'Jesus of Nazereth'.  On one occasion, I felt very strongly that I had to use this title when commanding a sickness away, and I now seem to do it a lot. Whether it's spiritually led or just habit I honestly couldn't say. But I like your reasoning anyway.

 

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Permalink Reply by Tracie on June 1, 2011 at 12:52pm

Firstly, I can't believe someone had the audacity to tell you that.  Geesh.  Secondly, I agree with the rest of you.  I would rather just be called a believer in Jesus Christ.

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Permalink Reply by Al San on July 28, 2011 at 9:31am

When asked about it the best response i have is " i was a christian for a while but now i am a believer in christ"

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