Christian
I was talking with someone about a conversation she had with a friend of hers. I don’t remember the details, but it involved the use of the word “Christian.” The person I was talking to said how she had a “Christian” upbringing. This offended her friend, as she felt that her own upbringing was being called “not Christian.” Her friend also talked about how she was offended when the person I was talking to talked about how her children had “Christian friends.” Her friend seemed to think this implied that Christian friends were better.
Her friend felt like her upbringing was “Christian” too. She wanted to be called a “Christian.” When asked if she believed in Christ, she said no, but didn’t think that made a difference.
This (of course) got me thinking about the word “Christian.” In modern society, the word “Christian” has started to become trivialized. In his book Mere Christianity (a very good book, by the way), C. S. Lewis talks about this problem of abuse of the English language. You can read the passage here.
Lewis compares the word “Christian” to the world “gentleman.” He talks of how “gentleman” used to mean something simple- one who had a coat of arms and property. However, the meaning has changed, from the actual definition of the word, to instead describe the qualities a gentleman should have. This is a very important idea.
The first time a group of disciples were called “Christians” is chronicled in Acts 11. The second half of the chapter describes the church in Antioch. The text of Acts 11:19-26 reads:
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
The transliterated Greek word for “Christian” used here is “Christianos,” which literally means “a follower of the Anointed [that is, Christ].” Looking at the above passage, we can determine several qualities that the Christians at Antioch possessed.
First of all, the message at Antioch was preached to both Jews and Gentiles. We read that the Lord was with them, and many “turned to the Lord.” Perhaps more importantly, Barnabas there saw “evidence of the grace of God.” They were also “true to the Lord with all their hearts.”
So, according to the passage, I would venture to say that, for one to be considered a Christian in the true sense (as opposed to whatever the whims of culture consider it) he or she must be a believer and follower of God (being the true God), be true to Him with all his or her heart, and have His grace for the times when they fall. Therefore, unless another way has been found to earn the grace of God besides through the death of Jesus (or a way has been found to live a perfect life that is free of sin), the only way to be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
One final thing: why are people in secular society so anxious to earn this title of “Christian”? Why would people want to be considered Christian if they do not follow Jesus Christ?
Just like “gentleman,” people like the qualities associated with being considered “Christian.” This is actually very good. People recognize “Christian” as something good, and if you are not “Christian,” then that is something bad.
True Christians need to seize this opportunity to tell others just why being a Christian is so good. And, above all, we need to continue behaving as Christians should.
May 2, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Nice post. Many of us may have friends that call themselves “Christians,” but they may believe in Christ. Their actions truly display whether or not they believe in Him and trust Him with all their heart. Although, this happens in our society, like C.S. Lewis stated, we cannot judge them for their actions and whether or not they are “Christian” because we cannot truly see into their hearts. All we can do is set an example for them and spread the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. In hope that our light may lead people to follow Him. This post reminds me of my responsibility, personally, to be a good example and tell others of my Lord.
May 8, 2008 at 2:12 am
I really appreciated this post. For one thing, I enjoyed the C.S. Lewis excerpt, and I really need to make a point of reading Mere Christianity.
Some people want to use the term Christian as a philosophy rather than a religion. In your example of the friend who wanted to be thought of as “Christian” but didn’t “believe” in Christ, I suspect she meant she didn’t believe in his divinity as the son of God. Perhaps she meant that he was a great philosopher, great teacher, great man, and we should aspire to live our lives as he did.
In that sense one could use “Christian” as a “follower of Christ” in the philosophical sense, as one might be a Darwinist or Marxist or Reagan Republican or Jeffersonian Democrat.
But to me, a key difference is that one must be committed to the subject person’s core message, which for Jesus means believing him when he says he is the son of God. To say “I think he had great teachings” but “I don’t believe he was divine” is your right, but then you shouldn’t call yourself a Christian. And – to the post’s point – why would you want to?