Follow-up: Vanilla Christian without apology
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.
Hey Christopher,
All of this for some reason brings to mind the letters written to the seven churches in Revelation. In googling it (is that a word?) the first thing I came across was this….
Seven Churches in Revelation – Their Ultimate Significance
The seven churches in Revelation are literal churches from the first century AD. However, the seven churches in Revelation also have spiritual significance for churches and believers today. Indeed, the primary purpose for John writing his letters to the seven churches was to deliver Christ’s “report card” for the churches of that time. However, a second purpose for John’s inspired writings was to describe seven types of churches (and individual believers) that would surface time and again throughout history. These short letters to the seven churches of Revelation act as quick and poignant reminders to those who call themselves “followers of Christ.”
Anyway, I think it is time that I re-read and study the book of Revelation again.
God’s blessings!
~Jen
Christopher says:
Hmmm…. well that’s just great! Now you’ve got me curious and wanting to go back and read Revelation as well.
Was that some kind of Jedi mind trick you just pulled on me!?!?
Jen: (making David Copperfield hand gestures)… “I’m going to re-read Revelation, I think you should do likewise.”
Chris: “Yes, I should go read Revelation again, boy I’m glad I thought of that.”
Grace and peace be with.
Hi, I found your blog on this new directory of WordPress Blogs at blackhatbootcamp.com/listofwordpressblogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, i duno. Anyways, I just clicked it and here I am. Your blog looks good. Have a nice day. James.
Christopher says
James thanks for visiting, I hope you continue to visit and find something useful here at Got Fruit(?)
Grace and peace be with you.
Haha! The power of persuasion! Well let me know when you finish and I’ll do likewise
ttyl!
~Jen
Christopher says
Will do Jen.
Grace and peace be with you.