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I am a Christian

By Dave Wells

Sam Harvey is a good friend of mine. We went through college and flatted together for three years. In a recent E-Zine, Sam made a bold statement, declaring “I am not a Christian”.

I understand Sam’s reasoning. To those outside the Church, the label ‘Christian’ often conjures up feelings and character traits that are not so Christ-like. This is a very real concern for me too, but I believe that instead of renaming our faith, what we need to do is redefine what people understand the word Christian to signify.

Does the word ‘Christian’ truly mean “homophobic, religious, judgmental, crazy wacko, old-fashioned, boring, pious, kill-joy, distant, strange” as Sam suggested it could to some people? Is this what the label Christian has come to represent in the minds of those outside the church? Is the term Christian, which literally means follower of Christ, or one who belongs to Christ, or even little Christ, actually beyond use? What if we could help people to re-understand what the label means?

People have done amazing things because of the example of Jesus Christ and how that has worked out in their lives. World Vision, Tear Fund, Christian Children Fund, The Salvation Army (which started as an organization to feed the poor and still has that as a part of its mandate hundreds of years later). Then there’s local church aid, plus many individuals, including mother Theresa, Sam’s Dad (not quite in the same league as mother Theresa, but a great guy), Bill and Belinda Gates, Bono and countless other ‘normal’ people that have been affected and prompted to act by Jesus (although some of these people would not call themselves ‘Christians’). Just look at the major humanitarian movements in the world and you will find Christians at the heart of them! Imagine if it was known the extent of the good that Christians are doing in the world?

Imagine if it was known the extent of the good that Christians are doing in the world?

Sam is right. We do need to address the issue of the image of the title ‘Christian’, but rather than saying “I am not a Christian,” how about saying, “I am a Christian, but dammit I am going to live it and do it well; so well that those who know me (especially people who are not Christians) will re-define the label Christian because of who I am! I will live this label so well that some of those stupid associations just go away!” Because again Sam is right, there is no other phrase that will sum up what I am trying to live as well as the label ‘Christian’, when it is truly understood.

And for people who are “homophobic, religious, judgmental, crazy wacko, old-fashioned, boring, pious, kill-joy, distant, strange.” Jesus was none of these. If you are, and calling yourself a Christian, get over it! Jesus was more about grace and acceptance than he was any of these things. Spend some time reading the gospels and understand Christ. The real problem for Sam and myself and countless others that think like us are those who are calling themselves Christian but aren’t living it!

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