I’m Still a Christian
Blog, Featured — By Jordan Green on July 30, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I’m sure you know by now, but Anne Rice renounced Christianity on Facebook. Well, she didn’t really renounce Christianity, but essentially the “Christian” label. Then everyone went apeshit.
Anne Rice isn’t the first to do this. For years, people have been seeking to redefine themselves, often as an attempt to connect to non-believers who hear the word “Christian” and think about anti-gay marriage ballot measures and abortion clinic bombers. Redefining ourselves is definitely understandable, and I’ve done it many times. I’ve referred to myself as a “Christ follower” or a “progressive Christian”. I’ve made many, many attempts to distance myself from the Evangelical stereotype.
Then, I realized I wasn’t being honest.
I’m a Christian. That word means a wide variety of things to a wide variety of people, but here’s the actual definition:
CHRISTIAN [kris-chuh
n]
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.2. of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Spain is a Christian country.3. of or pertaining to Christians: many Christian deaths in the Crusades.4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike: She displayed true Christian charity.5. decent; respectable: They gave him a good Christian burial.6. human; not brutal; humane: Such behavior isn’t Christian.–noun
7. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity.8. a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ: He died like a true Christian.9. a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren.10. the hero of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.11. a male given name.
With the exception of a few, I’d say almost everything on that list defines who I am or what I would like to be. Nowhere does it say “bigot” or “hatemongerer” or “gay-basher”
But, of course, to some people “Christian” means these things. And they’re wrong, just like people who believe being being Mexican means you’re a dirty immigrant drug dealer, or being a Democrat means you’re a Communist.
So here’s what we don’t do: hide from who or what we are.
Here’s what we do: we change what that word means, as Christians. We won’t be able to change that definition for everyone, but we can start. It’s already happening, just listen to Terry Gross’s interview with Richard Cizik, former head lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals. Things are shifting. Maybe it was all that apologizing, or maybe it was all those people people saying “I’m not a Christian, I’m a Christ-follower”, but the perception of what it means to be a Christian is changing. Because of Christians showing actual love and an interest in relational engagement, people outside our faith are being educated. I know it’s definitely changed from the perception one or two decades ago, when Christianity was being dismissed wholesale.
I’m not mad at Anne Rice, because I think, from what she’s said and the definitions above, she’s still a Christian. I do feel a bit abandoned, though, because I think she’d be a valuable weapon in fighting those perceptions. It’s not always fun embracing our brothers and sisters who seem dumb, or rude, or hateful, but part of grace and part of being the Body of Christ is loving them all the same, then moving forward as one.
17 Comments
very well said, J
I don’t deny that the Church has problems, but I don’t think placing one’s nose in the air, sticking the right hand out to the side, and distancing one’s self from Christianity, or Christians, is helping anything. Focusing one what’s wrong with the Church, and ignoring the many ways in which the Church is getting things right is downright dishonest. It’s akin to ESPN broadcasting a basketball game, only focusing the camera on one team’s goal. It makes the viewer think one team is winning 80-0, when the reality is that the other team is winning 100-80. In the post-Acts books of the NT, Paul, Peter, John and James’s writings pointed out ways in which the Church is doing well, as much as they urged them to improve in some areas. If that is good enough for them, why is it not good enough for Anne Rice?
(comment repeated in the comment section of Jordan’s post)
(I meant it’s also copied over to the other Anne Rice post)
I won’t copy my comment in both places, because I don’t have the energy.
I know exactly what Anne is talking about. On August 21 it will have been a year since I left “Christianity” (which is used interchangeably with Christendom in most conversations). I don’t think that it has anything to do with sticking noses in the air or declaring that the church isn’t good enough. If she feels anything like I do, it’s more like a death, or breaking up with someone you love dearly because two amazing people can combine to form something toxic. For me, it was like taking a bullet for someone and then listening to them complain that there was blood on the carpet. More than I cared about who I was seen with or only focused on the ways that things weren’t right, it was about acknowledging the very real possibility that I wouldn’t survive if I stayed. Maybe she’s wrong. I kind of hope she and I both are. Either way, beating someone over the head with the wrongness of them leaving your group rarely brings them back. To love Christ and leave Christianity is one of the loneliest states of human existence. I would hope that, if the church is all it claims to be, there would be more prayer for Anne Rice than criticism.
Jordan, this was so beautifully said. Thanks for pointing us all in the direction of grace.
Jordan,
I’m not sure how folks read ‘the other Rice post’, but I’m not mad at Anne either, not in the least. Her faith is evolving, just like mine, and that may entail some ‘here I stand’ moments and if so, so.
Great post. After reading Burnside’s other post about Anne Rice, I thought about writing something like this, but you beat me to it, and did so beautifully.
This movement where people say they’re a ‘Christ-follower’ or ‘red-letter Christian’ or ‘progressive Christian’ seems strangely similar to the denomination squables from past generations, except even more futile because none of these groups have beliefs distinct from the others. It’s only a matter of time before a “Christ follower” does something stupid, and taints that label also. Rather than relabeling ourselves constantly, we should just be honest and accept that our family, like every family, is flawed.
Great post. After reading Burnside’s other post about Anne Rice, I thought about writing something like this, but you beat me to it, and did so beautifully.
This movement where people say they’re a ‘Christ-follower’ or ‘red-letter Christian’ or ‘progressive Christian’ seems strangely similar to the denomination squabbles from past generations, except even more futile because none of these groups have beliefs distinct from the others. It’s only a matter of time before a “Christ follower” does something stupid, and taints that label also. Rather than relabeling ourselves constantly, we should just be honest and accept that our family, like every family, is flawed.
internet error; please ignore/delete double post.
Good post, Jordan. Interestingly, I find the omissions of the words Evangelical and Catholic (the latter more obvious by the specific notation of Protestant) in the definition you quoted.
I bring this up because often those labels (albeit sometimes primary, sometimes secondary) polarize this conversation even beyond Christian or non-Christian.
Great post Jordan. I totally agree.
Amen. I’m still trying to find a place in “Christianity” because I’m burnt out on “the church” and everything it’s against. I am excited by conversations like this one and Richard Cizik’s with Terri Gross, and ones over at Sojourners. I’m reminded that Christianity isn’t about believing in someTHING, it’s about a personal encounter with someONE, and I’m still seeking that, though it feels like a lonely prospect outside of a church or organization. Thrilled to find this community at Burnside discussing these things.
I stated my view of her comment in other ‘Anne Rice” articles featured here so not looking to repeat but wanted to share this: I do like the article in regards to what is being explored and wonderful insights that came out of it. I also liked the comments that followed for the same.
I will say that I’ve done both, sometimes I use the word and sometimes I don’t. Just looked to see what I felt was right for the situation and hoped it reflected His Heart. I will say that I never advocated against using the word “Christian”, even spoke up against the promotion of that because I think we fall into error when we start advocating a certain way of doing things. I believe in lifting Christ as the Way, the Truth, the Life. I believe if we remain sensitive to his Spirit He will lead us well (always by Way of Jesus). Anyway, I know I repeat that and I am not looking to force myself on others there, its the only song I believe in there, Jesus. So know I’m not looking to be pushy, just sharing the Truth I see there.
Now here is what I find disturbing. I used to say, “I wonder when we will look to stop talking of Jesus because we haven’t always presented Him well”. Yet I think a naive part of me thought it wouldn’t come to that. Yet I’ve seen it in circles I’ve traveled and it disturbs me. I believe, like in the Christianity label, that we are to remain sensitive to his Spirit as He may want us at times to be Jesus to someone before we speak of Him. Yet I cannot help but wonder how much of it is due to knowledge and trying to do it as we see fit instead, like Jordan covered in his experience of distancing himself from evangelicals. God knows. Again, thank God He looks upon our hearts.
I know I don’t always represent Jesus well and don’t have a full revelation of Him, but I know He is not limited by me.
Anyway, thought the article was wonderful regarding grace and so many other wonderful things shared (topics I love too). Thank you.
I will say this about your final comment, which I do love…I do believe in human relationships that it takes two. The Word of God does support this.
Now change at the deepest and most effective level is only found in Jesus, it takes One. Yet I cannot change you and I am not called to control you. We are called, like Christ, to present ourselves a living sacrifice by which his Spirit can work through us to bring about change in others’ lives. Just don’t make a rule of that either. In some situation, sometimes the law is what is called for. His Spirit knows every Heart and situation well (and each undergoes changes too) and can lead us well.
My coins in the bucket.
Thanks again. Wonderful things shared all around.
Ok, that was long. I gotta really take a break anyway as I got my own writing to do, but I have enjoyed the articles and comments.
Thanks.
Jordan, good post. I agree with you.
Justin Mulwee: I totally agree with you on that as well. Well said.
I am a C-
I am a C-H-
I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N
and I have C-H-R-I-S-T
in my H-E-A-R-T
and I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y!
I love that song. And I love Jesus.
So whatever label you slap on me, “Christian” “Christ-follower” “Jesus Freak” “bornagain” or “those who follow The Way”, it doesn’t matter. My faith is not defined by fellow followers of Christ nor their actions good or bad. My faith is definined by whom I place my faith in.
Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
Have you heard of the book “Jesus, save me from your followers”? Sounds interesting – i have yet to read it.