A
aperson1234
Guest
I'm reading Blue Like Jazz, and it intrigues me. The author comments about the word "Christian". I relate to his perspective.
What does the word "Christian" mean to people?
I have to agree with Donald Miller. It does seem like a rather negative word nowadays. Reminiscient of... idealisms, and offense.
After reading and contemplating about this a little, I've come to agree with the author. Speaking in context of church, I feel like it means either selling out to an audience, being among a few godly people while the rest are following the idealisms crafted by the response to this post-modern world - more specifically, how people seperate from living out a simple, child like faith, and follow after others' beliefs.
Come to think of it, I used to be this way. I still am I suppose. I guess I can't help it. My natural instinct to the unknown is to either... ramble on about some ideal, state the core beliefs of Calvinism (TULIP), or just say "God doesn't want me to do this/that". It's hard to admit that, well, I just don't know. Yeah it's easy to think about saying that to my Youth Pastor, but a non-believer? I feel like that's almost Christian suicide.
And these differences in churches. I come from a conservative background. My take is that more liberal-oriented churches are liberal in response to the conservative-ness. But... isn't it true to say that conservative churches are conservative because they fear the unknown? Fear change, challenge, or a different God? What about liberal churches? "Community" churches, for example. Isn't it true to say they are more open-ended because they fear the unknown just as much as the conservative churches? Fear matrix of beliefs, constructed systems, stipulations, deemed unnecessary ceremonies?
The church seems neurotic. But I can see how one can have child-like faith in both "wings" of the church I can worship God while knowing that he has saved a totally depraved, unconditionally elected, have atonement of the elected, intrinsically desiring of a Savior, and protected beyond life and death. And I can worship a holy, infinite, wise, all-knowing Father who loves me (His child), cares for me, and wants the best for me.
So where's the balance? How should I present myself in the face of the world? In light of the term "Christian", with the background that comes with that label? Killers, murderers, thieves, haters, ignorant, idealistic, arrogant, inconsiderate, close-minded, selfish? Crusades are stamped in history. Interviews on television are nonwithstanding. People who don't know what they're talking about... like me.
What do you think? How can a "Christian" be relevant in an anti-"Christian", post-modern culture? Is it by setting definitions on my life, reasoning, knowledge and understanding now... or is it an event-by-event basis?
What does the word "Christian" mean to people?
I have to agree with Donald Miller. It does seem like a rather negative word nowadays. Reminiscient of... idealisms, and offense.
After reading and contemplating about this a little, I've come to agree with the author. Speaking in context of church, I feel like it means either selling out to an audience, being among a few godly people while the rest are following the idealisms crafted by the response to this post-modern world - more specifically, how people seperate from living out a simple, child like faith, and follow after others' beliefs.
Come to think of it, I used to be this way. I still am I suppose. I guess I can't help it. My natural instinct to the unknown is to either... ramble on about some ideal, state the core beliefs of Calvinism (TULIP), or just say "God doesn't want me to do this/that". It's hard to admit that, well, I just don't know. Yeah it's easy to think about saying that to my Youth Pastor, but a non-believer? I feel like that's almost Christian suicide.
And these differences in churches. I come from a conservative background. My take is that more liberal-oriented churches are liberal in response to the conservative-ness. But... isn't it true to say that conservative churches are conservative because they fear the unknown? Fear change, challenge, or a different God? What about liberal churches? "Community" churches, for example. Isn't it true to say they are more open-ended because they fear the unknown just as much as the conservative churches? Fear matrix of beliefs, constructed systems, stipulations, deemed unnecessary ceremonies?
The church seems neurotic. But I can see how one can have child-like faith in both "wings" of the church I can worship God while knowing that he has saved a totally depraved, unconditionally elected, have atonement of the elected, intrinsically desiring of a Savior, and protected beyond life and death. And I can worship a holy, infinite, wise, all-knowing Father who loves me (His child), cares for me, and wants the best for me.
So where's the balance? How should I present myself in the face of the world? In light of the term "Christian", with the background that comes with that label? Killers, murderers, thieves, haters, ignorant, idealistic, arrogant, inconsiderate, close-minded, selfish? Crusades are stamped in history. Interviews on television are nonwithstanding. People who don't know what they're talking about... like me.
What do you think? How can a "Christian" be relevant in an anti-"Christian", post-modern culture? Is it by setting definitions on my life, reasoning, knowledge and understanding now... or is it an event-by-event basis?
