Got Fruit ?

I want to give a big THANK YOU to E. Barrett, Jen and Steve and for all of your comments on "Vanilla Christian without apology".  Each of you, in your own way have been a blessing. I thank you not only for the comments and fellowship, but the edification as well.  Steve and E. Barrett in particular have cleared up misunderstandings that I’ve had, and of which I hope in their sharing will also serve to help others more inclined to go with the term "Christian" avoid the temptation to blindly  lump someone inclined to identify with being a  "Christ-follower" as being in or of the Emergent Church.

As we’re all called to be discerning children of God in our walk with Christ, both the spiritually immature and mature Christian need to be mindful to pay attention to what one proclaiming to be Christ-minded is not only saying, but what they haven’t said.

Speaking for myself, but of which I think recent commenters would agree; the rethinking of Orthodox Christian doctrine by the Emergent Church is, I think, viewed as a byproduct of rethinking other Christian ideas.  Start with rethinking what Christian means, and to use E. Barrett’s phrase "water it down".  This I think is probably where some of us start to express concern when we see the term  "Christ-follower" to simply mean "one who follows the socially transforming ideas of Jesus Christ the historical figure", yet to take on the full doctrinal package of CHRISTianity is neglected.  To add to this thought, confusion further abounds (within the body of Christ) as a similar spirit of objection toward the term "Christian" has actually manifested (perceptions grown from the EC no doubt)  toward the term "Christ-follower"; due to some of the same perceptions that are already attached to Christianity in a broader scope of speaking:

• arrogant attitudes
• elitist mentality
• commercialization of Christianity
• cliques

Which in a timely way brings to mind this thought that Paul the Apostle had in expressing to the Church of Corinth that it is Jesus Christ who must be at the center of all things.

2nd Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 

Grace and peace be with you.