Before you think I've hit a crisis of faith, let me remind you that the first use of the term "Christian" was apparently as a derogatory label by opponents of Jesus' Antiochan followers. At some point the term Christian became appropriate, just as the object of Jesus' execution became a fashionable trinket. However, since then "Christian" has collected centuries of bad associations, from savage crusades to political agendas, hypocrisy, hatred and intolerance.
I also think the problem comes from how people aquire the label:
- Formulaic conversion experiences that require little more than a raised hand.
- Generational inheritance of the family faith without heartfelt transformation.
- Understanding Christianity as purely cultural, or what you are if you aren't Athiest, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or New Age. (my apologies to all the other faiths and isms that I don't have time to list)
If we read the account of how Jesus made disciples we don't see him handing out heavenly citizenship to anyone who simply said a sinners prayer. We don't see "Christians" around Christ trying to scare their neighbours with the prospect of hell in the hope that they will "hop into the boat" to heaven. Instead we see a group who had committed to follow Him, imitate Him, model their lives after His. In the process their stuggle with sin and guilt was addressed and their lives became as attractive as His was. Rob Bell describes the practice of New Testament discipleship in his book, "Velvet Elvis". Not his latest work but definitely one of the most significant books of recent years.
I wish I was no longer "Christian". It doesn't say enough, and other have made it what it shouldn't be. I am a learner and a follower of the way of Jesus.
