What is in a Label?

Recently I have become immersed in a fantastic debate on my friend’s blog. I would suggest you start there before heading over here, it is wonderfully written and thought-provoking if anything ever was.

I have been on quite a journey with quite a few things in my spiritual life. One of the things I have been struggling with is labels (which is the topic of the post that I suggested you read at the top of this post). Let me start by saying I am not in any way suggesting that if one calls him/herself a christian that they are wrong, or religious or any such negative comment. These are my views on the topic and mine alone, I do not pretend that I am the end, but merely stating my point of view. Having finished all the PC BS, I can now move on to my point of view:

Backstreet Boys, Boys II Men, Gary Busy, MC Hammer, DMX, 50 Cent, Lindsey Lohan, and my personal Favorite, Andrea Yates. These are a list of person who call themselves Christians, better yet, they are a list of persons who take part in the religion that is Christianity. The Bible says, “we shall know them by their fruits..” Well a man who sings about loose women, gang banging and what not, not exactly what I would call “Christian” qualities that I want to be connected with. Andrea Yates, what did she do, she killed her kids in the name of Christ because they were not “behaving” not “developing” properly. OH yes, please let me be connected with her, or how about the Crusades? Yes, all done in the name of Christianity, Christianity!! Not Christ, not God, but the religion that is Christianity! Yes please sign me up! Excuse me for not wanting that had taste in peoples mouths when I speak of them on my beliefs, no don’t excuse me, just get over it! It was said that it is:

“You may share your beliefs with people whenever they ask, and you may even use the name ‘Jesus’. But to say, “I believe in Jesus”, and refuse the label ‘Christian’ does come off a bit… well, it is just not feasible, nor honest, in the context of today’s world.”

I argue that it is not only feasible, but that those of us who truly follow Christ, and do enjoy our personal relationships with him might consider moving away from a name that is tarnished via the world. As to it being dishonest, I am being more honest by saying that I believe in Christ and the things he has done for me, but that I am not a christian, is more accurate and true for me. Let’s explore what a “Christian” is these days, perception is what we are going with not what they may actually be:

1. They go to church- I don’t go to a Church (I will explain this stance shortly)

2. They are Arrogant, dogmatic know it alls- which I do not believe I am, I am open to discussion, I think having debates and discussing ideas is very important.

3. They are Liars and Cheats- I say this because I used to work for someone who was an Elder at a church I went to, he was also a business man. He was the biggest liar, cheat, manipulator I have ever worked for. Cheated me out of commissions and was sly when it came to his customers, bare minimum. Ardent Atheists are more scrupulous then most “Christian” businessmen.

By perception I am not a person of the Christian Religion, therefore I am not a Christian.

Another topic which has come up is the idea that one must be apart of a church, a congregation of persons who sing 5 songs, give money to pay the guy(or gal) that is going to give the message (about 45 min) shake hands, stand up sit down, so on and forth. I completely agree that one must Fellowship with other believers, but I do not remember the bible saying it must be at a corporate looking building with a steeple and some guy must lead it who has been to seminary and thus believes he has a direct line so that God can call him any time he has a question. Do I need to sit next to 499 other people to get my healthy dose of God? NO! I can chat with my friend Brett, and talk and pray with him, or I can go play ultimate Frisbee, then go grab a beer and just enjoy being in the presence of another that believes similarly as I do. Christ himself spent most of his time at peoples houses, meeting them where they were at, being with them as they are on a daily basis! “But Christ preached to thousands, what do you have to say to that?” Simple Christ was A) The Son of God, B) A Phenom, wouldn’t you have gone out to see some guy heal people, and preach something completely different then you grew up with, yes!? In my opinion Home Groups are where it is at, they offer intimacy, possibility of discussion and true times of fellowship, not going to a “church” that is 500 strong, where you don’t know anyone. Now, I need to make a point here, the real Church is the body of Christ, the people, the Believers, not the building. My Buddie’s friend and mentor said this:

“…flat-out that I’m robbing the church and the kingdom when I am not committed to serving and tithing in a church.”

I can’t see how that is, what, you are robbing the building of an electrical bill paid? you are robbing the church of what? So because I give my 10% to some charity, rather then some money grubbing church, I am robbing God. Doesn’t that sound strangely familiar to the Roman Catholic church, when they used to say, give the church X amount and you will be absolved of all sins? I am not saying that all Churches-in the building sense- are bad, or terrible, I am just saying that I want no part of that, let me meet with my friends at the local coffee shop and fellowship with them.

Well I am just about done, I hope you have enjoyed the ride into my train of thoughts, I am not saying they are complete or that I have finished my journey, and who knows maybe some day I will look back and say, what was I thinking. But for now, this is where I sit, and I welcome any and all discussion that anyone might offer.

P.S. In Sporting news, Messi and Barcelona have won the UEFA league Championship.

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