I've noticed a trend... Christians, have you noticed it, too? We're easing off the label Christian from our daily vernacular and replacing it with Believer. Am I a Christian? Yes. I am a "little Christ"... or "Christian". A follower of and believer in Jesus Christ. But in today's culture, anyone who's ever been inside a church considers themself a Christian. It's muddy. I don't like the way Americans throw the term "Christian" around. I am a Christian doesn't hold the same meaning or power (not here in America, anyway), that it held in the early church. Not like it used to. I am a Believer. At first I thought this declaration was bowing to political correctness. Now I like it.
What say you?
Hi. I'm Brin. I am a Believer.
I have gone off all labels. I have always been off all the preachy stuff. I just live it. Not better than, not less than, not seperate.
ReplyDeleteDear Brin: I spend countless hours in prisons talking to women about Christ. I hear many people claim to be believers, but believers in what? Some believers follow Buddha, some Allah. Many others claim to be 'believers' in God, but deny the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Most people will admit they believe in something; even atheism, humanism, and agnosticism are religions.They all require believers. The term 'Christian' distinctly identifies us as 'followers' of Christ' or it is supposed to. Acts 1:1 says the disciples were first called "christians" at Antioch; no doubt because of their association with Christ. 1Peter 4:16 says....Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
ReplyDeleteThe world's message to 'Christians' today is that they are right wing, bigoted and narrow minded. It isn't the name they hate, but the message we bring. Let us not run from our heritage. It is important what we call ourselves, but the Bible says in the end "you will know them by their fruits". I'll be happy with "Christian" since we are mentioned by such in God's word without apology. I am not ashamed, and neither should you be, no matter how popular change has become.
But I agree with you; I am definitely a believer in CHRIST and I know by your fruit that you are too:)
Debbie
yes... or a phrase from the Bible "one of those who are followers of 'The Way'."
ReplyDeleteHi, I"m Sue and I'm a believer too! :) Great post, as always!
ReplyDeleteI loved your post and posted a link to it on my blog and several said they visited and loved your post also.
ReplyDeleteFrankly I do not like to call myself a Christian. The word Christian has been abused and used by people for political and other gain.
I am a Believer in Jesus, the Great God and Creator, my Saviour.
FlowerLady
"and" nature really is God from where I'm sitting. I truly do live in heaven - every day.
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. If you inferred from my post that I'm "ashamed" to be called a Christian, you're reading something into the post that I didn't intend! :) Romans 1:16.
Brin
I even like to go one step further and say born-again Christian, based on John 3. As Debbie pointed out, many claim to be believers. We know even demons believe. We also know many say they are Christians with their lips, but their heart is far from Him. We all have personal reasons and convictions about what we call ourselves and why. I love that you stirred up some great fellowship and insight. All I know, is that though we all call ourselves by different names, we are all still proclaiming HIS Name! That is SO encouraging to me. Press on!
ReplyDeleteBrin, please be assured that I wasn't suggesting that you were ashamed of the 'gospel' of Christ; I was simply defending the term 'Christian'. I don't think the church needs to desert the term based on the actions of people who claim to be followers while actually damaging the cause of Christ.
ReplyDeleteIf I offended you in my comment, please accept my apology. I don't doubt your sincerety one bit:)
Debbie
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteNo offense taken in the least! Thanks for your comments. :)
I agree with your stance and think your points were necessary! Among my Christian friends, we're "believers". We say, "Yeah... she's a believer." Or, "Um... nope. Not a believer there."
I think part of this, too, is an generational thing: I've noticed increasingly more 20s and 30s distance themselves from mainstream church and mainstream terms - even the word "Christian" - because we know the reputation both have among the unsaved of our generations. They say ... "Christian? Oh yeah. I am too. I pray to God." But tell a younger person you're a believer and they'll say: "In what? In who?" I have friends on the mission field and in the ministry who'd much rather say, "I'm a follower of Jesus" than "I'm a Christian." A Catholic-raised, now-Mormon friend tried to tell me the other day that she's a "Christian" even though she does not believe Jesus is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. I had to tell her I love her and think she's the bomb, but the term "Christian" in the strictest, historical, literal, and biblical sense means "little Christ". It means "Christ follower". And she does not profess to be that. "Believer", then, to her, represented more what you and I understand to be a "Christian" than the term "Christian" actually did! Does that make any sense?
Whew. I gotta get back to work although I could talk this all day. :)
Brin
I don't think I left a comment yesterday but I wanted to let you know that I loved your post. Keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteLisa :o)
How wonderful that you are being asked these questions! It is amazing the witness that you have and blogging is an incredible forum for you. But I still want the book! ;> Blessings...
ReplyDeleteI thought your post yesterday was beautiful and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, whenever I write very much about God (especially as Creator), I always check my Google Mail numbers because they WILL go down.
Since my faith as a Christian is the core of who I am as a person, I'll just be me and write what is Truth.
I don't stop to comment much but it is so good to "hear" in your posts a return to the old you. :)
I guess I feel that using the term 'believer', while it can be a powerful statement, also frequently is used in the same way that 'spiritual' is used. It doesn't define what you believe in. Having said that, I can't imagine anyone having read more than a blog post or two of yours without knowing what you believe in. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved the post yesterday. Balm to a weary soul. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Brin,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your posts!
I am a Messianic Believer!
Diane
creamed over yesterday's post? perhaps b/c Satan knew it would minister to me and others...? I think so. thanks for being you, Brin
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I am Grace and I am a believer in Jesus Christ! Praise Him! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Meredith. Are names, titles and labels really what we're talking about. Oh how great the world would be if we could all just ...
ReplyDeleteLive it. Breath it. Love it.
Not better than, not less than, not more than, not separate - but together with love. Isn't that what Jesus said ?
I get frustrated with this title thing too! When I made a comment to a friend who is a non-believer (literally, like an athiest) that as a Christian, I am in the minority, she looked at me like a crazy person. But you're right that a whole lot of people out there give themselves that title, but don't live it. I was able to explain that to my friend, and she got where I was coming from. I haven't really found a solution to the title thing, but I just wanted to comment to say I relate!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you were bombarded with e-mails that I assume must have been hard to read.
ReplyDeleteI am not---and I can tell you are not--ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I know that He died for me, I know that I did not deserve what the Father did for me, but I will gladly tell anyone that I accept that Love from the bottom of my heart. And I'll tell them how they can get it , too! "Preach" on, Brin! (I meant that in a light way!!) You're not ashamed--that's what kind of people He wants!