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I'll go with you on your opinion. People seem to use it in order to help them forge relationships with non-Christians.
Yet God did not send Jesus Christ to simply convert individuals. We are his body, his people, his temple his army, to name a few biblical descriptions. God gave gifts to his church, according to Ephesians 4, apostles,prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. When we try to compartmentalize our faith into a mostly individual, personal, private sphere, we depart from the express purposes of God.
So yes, be a "follower of Jesus." Just dont try to do it all by yourself.
Some even think that saying you’re Christian means you’re not Catholic! The OED defines Christian as “Believing, professing, or belonging to the religion of Christ.” So,
Christians are “followers of Christ!” But, today, the idea of Christianity has been so watered down, so denominationalized, so confused, that for many, it no longer suffices. So, a logical choice for clearer definition is “Followers of Jesus” which, at present, leaves little room for confusion. For those who truly understand this term, it shatters denominationalism, crosses factious borders and draws a clear line in the sand. To call yourself a Follower of Jesus, you place yourself on the side with the Heavenly Host entire, the Royal Priesthood, the whole membership of Christendom. To be a Follower of Christ, is to be truly “Christian,” in the fullest sense of the word.
I find it frustrating when people segregate themselves from Christianity, but I'm growing to think that it is a needed shift. Christian seems to be a title centered on the actual individual whereas "follower of Christ" seems to be a description leading to the person of Jesus. Actually, as I'm writing these things I'm growing more and more inclined to drop tag of "christian" from my vocab.
I think the term "christian" has grown meaningless in our generation and a new phrase needs to emerge.
I wonder, will some Stateside describe themselves as Baptist first when asked?
The problem, regardless of terminology, is to define the terms. "Follower of Jesus" sounds like it carries more of a commitment to some people, but if said follower picks and chooses which teachings of Jesus (and the rest of Scripture) to follow, the hypocrisy is just as great as it is for many "Christians."
At some point, the issue of sin, salvation, sanctification, etc. must be broached, or all these terms are meaningless rhetoric.
I would rather redeem the original term than coin a new term that will either a) be too twee to be useful, b) be too meaningless to be useful, c) fall out of "fashion" in 12 months or d) become completely misinterpreted.
Mark Driscoll was recently interviewed on "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News" on CNN. Hughley started complaining that Christians were a bunch of hypocrites. Driscoll very wisely asked, "Do you like Jesus?" Hughely said yes. I wish I could remember exactly what Driscoll said, but it was a great response that I think pointed out that Jesus came for those who are broken, so there are broken people at church. He opened the door for anyone who likes Jesus to come find out more.
I have been asked what denomination I belong to technically it would be Baptist, however I would rather hold to Jesus Christ then hold to the denomination of a seemingly broken church. I love the body of Christ, and as long as a person believes in Jesus that he took ones sin away, and that in and through Jesus only is one saved then to me if someone says their a Baptist, Pentecostal or my favorite "just a Christian" as if we believers of Christ are liken to stake in degrease of cookedness. To sum up, I feel that their is too much division in the body of Christ, and to help separate from the chaos of I am a "pentalbaptisfrekyfollowerchoilicchrist" I would much rather get to the point. Jesus is my Hope and salvation, and if he is not yours well..... I am sorry. I am a follower of Jesus Christ.
I am a Christian by faith and relationship. But, as others have pointed out, the name has become associated with the rejection and hatred of certain elements of society, or with being ignorant or superstitious. This becomes quite an inhibitor to building relationships with people outside the faith who, thanks to the Media, [and some high-profile Christians who fit the bill] have come to view nearly all Christians through that lense.
Like, Pam, I also used "Jesus Follower" as my religious designation on Facebook. Basically, I think this designation is more inviting to Seekers and allows for a broader range of dialog. It is also more amenable to conversations with other cultures which may view "Christian" as the name of an enemy, but understand that the message of Jesus was one of love and acceptance and grace.
I wish that such word play were unnecessary but we need to do whatever it takes to be able to carry the message of grace to the world. It seems like it is still fine to call Each Other "Christian" because once Christ is truly in our hearts, we know the full commitment and honor it entails to carry His Name.
The problem, however, with being a "Jesus follower" is that it often seems to be taken as a description of pride by those who don't want to be associated with the Christian community. If one is just following Jesus, then there is no problem. If one calls oneself a follower of Jesus in opposition to Christianity, i.e. the Church, then there's a big problem.
It's like saying you're best friends with this guy but you hate his wife. The guy won't be too impressed. In this case, 'the guy' is also Lord of the Universe.
Trust me, it won't be long until the world is calling "followers of Jesus" hypocrites or some other name too. The church isn't any worse than it's ever been; the world is more open to hating it. The world hated Jesus, the apostles and the early church too.
Building the kingdom of God is hard, hard work even with the power of the Spirit. We're battling principalities and powers. The kingdom will grow however one person at a time. If you think saying you're a "follower of Jesus" on Facebook helps, go right ahead. Sooner or later, you're also going to be called a hypocrite for failing
I live in Oklahoma - everyone you meet will tell you that they are Christian but for many many people it is simply a cultural thing. In this part of the country we have a church on every block and most people had someone taking them to church when they were a child.
I use Christ follower because at least in this part of the country the word Christian is used in both a faith context and a cultural context. I feel Christ follower makes it clear that I love and have devoted my life to Jesus.
What does she think of the terms? What are her experiences in observing those who claim a faith in Christ?
Has she or her colleagues/readers found a telling difference between what people identify themselves as in terms of religion/spirituatity and in how they practice said faith?
I ask because I can tell you who I am and what I believe until I'm blue in the face...........
(which is why, more and more, I just keep my mouth shut and hope my actions and the living of my life give their own "testimony")
........ but what would be really great, what would help to really stimulate dialogue is the discussion about what others see as the distinction between "Christian" and "Follower of Jesus".
Wouldn't that be a great conversation!
What else could P.B.R. Stand for?
What I came up with is Proudly Bravely Rehearsing the life of Jesus Christ today.
When we get down to it that’s what us followers of Jesus Christ want to do. Is every day hope and thinking our actions will not contradict what our bible tells us to do.
I sent out a text message to a few men of God the other day. At the time I knew they were close to getting off work if they have not already got off form work.
The text message was this
“Did you live P.B.R. today, Proudly and Bravely Rehearsing the life of Jesus Christ.”
downside: emphasizes the individual rather than the communal identity of Christ's followers.
Self-described "followers of Jesus" are attempting to affirm a direct relationship with Jesus and his teachings apart from the trappings of institutional affiliation. The weakness of the designation (or advantage, from a Unitarian point of view) is that it anchors the identity of Jesus in his humanity and differs little, consequently, from the phrase "follower of Gandhi," for example. "Follower of Christ" is a Christological assertion; on the other hand, it does not entirely distinguish itself from the generic term "Christian"--which, lke the term "Muslim," has come to suggest a certain political ideology affirmed, or at least courted, by the Republican Party in the United States.
Theodore Trost
Thanks and God Bless!!!