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What kind of Christian?

March  30, 2008  - Dale

 I met some people last week who said they had decided to call themselves “serious Christians”. They explained that this was instead of calling themselves “committed Christians”. The idea I think was that “committed Christians” has been over-used and needed to be replaced.

But the new term sounds a bit serious, doesn’t it? Almost dour. No jokes. Much stroking of the beard. Except I don’t think that is what these friends had in mind. They are not at all serious in that way. For one thing  they laugh too much.

They meant something else. As in “take it seriously”, don’t treat Christianity as a game or hobby or a recreational or social activity. They apparently want to live as though Jesus really was the crucified, risen and ascended Lord of heaven and earth. Well, not “as though”. To live in a way that corresponds to the fact that he really is the Lord of all.  Lord of the earth in particular.

So they are investing time and money into helping the church where they live in Indonesia become stronger. They are putting effort into helping the poor finds jobs and start businesses. They are eager to promote Alpha courses. They have provided large amounts of Christian books for local Christians to read.

Personally, I not sure that “serious Christians” will take off as a label. Maybe “effective Christians” might be a better term, though with even less popular appeal. Mind you I think the term was for themselves rather than something to put on their name badge. It was a way of reminding themselves what they wanted to be like.

It is an interesting question to try to find a label that would describe the kind of Christianity one aims to live. Or to describe what one actually lives. “Tithing Christianity” (giving a tenth of my time, money and effort). “Underground/under-cover” (working away at being a Christian in a kind of secret behind the lines life). “Salty” (using every opportunity to introduce Christian ethics, ideas, world view into one’s environment).  “Prophetic” (challenging accepted views and practices with the views and attitudes of the Bible). “Long haul” (keeping on doing what the Lord wants one to do until the end without getting diverted or giving up). “Builder” (aiming to make other Christians and one’s church stronger and more like Christ). “God-chatterer” (aiming to tell as many as much about Jesus as possible).  “Would be…” (would like to be one or more of the above).

Well I am running out of space. What is your self-description?

Dale

Comments

A friend of mine surprised me a few weeks ago when he emphatically stated "I am not a missionary." A bit like I would say I am definitely not a gymnast or a physicist! It was a very strong rejection connected with growing up in a "missionary family”. It surprised me because to me he seemed like he was a missionary sort of Christian. It made me wonder how I would describe myself. Dale’s blog “What kind of Christian?” reminded me of this conversation. It seems obvious that if you do not intend to share the gospel you probably won’t. I don’t think my friend was saying this. I know my friend loves to share his faith with others. But it was an interesting discussion about Christian labels. I think my friend was rejecting the pressure that comes with the label of missionary. I think he was turning it down as a job, like it meant he had to be a sort of super Christian. I agree with Dale that thinking out what sort of Christian we are, can help us to be intentional. To at least attempt to be effective and productive in our Christian lives is a good start. Are some things, like mission, just for the so called super Christians while the rest of us have day jobs and sit passively in church on Sundays? In the recent movie about the life of William Wilberforce, the man was portrayed as having to choose between a career in politics and a life devoted to the work of God. He was challenged to see that he could do both. Indeed his energy and giftedness for all of it came from the Lord. What about us? Most of us are nothing like the greats of history, but in any case aren’t our day jobs exactly where God wants us: as mission – minded teachers, doctors, managers and mothers? To use Dale’s ‘would be’ idea: I would like to be a mission-minded Christian every day, busy with whatever it is that God gives me to do and trusting him for all the energy and skill to do it. I pray I will actually live like that.
Posted by Jane on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 13:54:40

Is it possible not to use a self-description and to live with the description we've received: you are 'beloved'...? See Henry Nouwens book about the Return of the Prodigal Son. That would be my suggestion, if you push me to answer your question: a beloved one.

Second, is 'Christian', without gramm prefix not enough? Christian, with fall and rise. Perhaps each extra word before the honory name 'Christian' can be dangerous.

But I fully agree, it is an interesting question. To find a 'label', not for the name badge, but to describe your task in the world, in the church, with the gifts and talents you've received.

Posted by Marnix on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 14:14:48

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