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I hinted at this post in the comments section a couple of weeks ago, but now I’m diving in.
I don’t like the adjective “Christian.”
[Take a deep breath.]
No, I’m not one of those who wants to throw out the term “Christian” altogether. It’s in the Bible, and I think it’s a great term. Sure it’s been misused, and that’s why I often identify myself as a “follower of Christ,” but I don’t think we should give it up. After all who wouldn’t want to be called after the name of their Lord and Savior?
I just wish that we wouldn’t use it as an adjective, or at least not use it so indiscriminately. For those who hate grammar, I’m saying that I’m fine with sentences like “He is a Christian” but don’t like phrases that begin with “Christian”: Christian music, Christian fiction, Christian bookstores, etc.
There’s two major problems I’ve seen with using “Christian” this way. First of all–and most seriously–we risk labeling something Christian that is not godly, or at least that we haven’t taken the time to determine if it is godly. Here are a couple quotes that I think bring this point home:
“The danger of labeling things ‘Christian’ is that it can lead to our blindly consuming things we have been told are safe and acceptable. When we turn off this discernment radar, dangerous things can happen.” – Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, p. 86
“In short, we are easily deceived by cultural values painted in Christian veneers (or clothed in Isaiah 40:31 T-shirts).” – “The Gospel and the Gosselins” by Julie Vermeer Elliott in Christianity Today
Just because something is labeled “Christian,” does not mean it is in line with the teachings of that term’s namesake. I’ve read many a Christian book, heard many a Christian song, watched many a Christian video (okay, only a few, because I haven’t seen that many) that has made me cringe because of the poor teaching it was presenting, everything from the misguided to the blasphemous.
As a Christian, I’m called to be discerning in every choice I make, from the type of entertainment I imbibe to the type of thoughts I intake and make my own. In a way, God’s asking that we never turn off our brains. Every moment requires active attention. We should be asking questions like,
What is this author really saying?
How do these lyrics affect my view of myself, others, and God?
What view of the Word of God does this video present?
While many Christians are quick to point out that which clearly is not biblical (e.g. Playboy or Phillip Pullman’s novels), we forget that the most dangerous untruths often present themselves as half-truths. Things that present themselves in Christian clothing often demand the most scrutiny.
So that’s the first danger, passively taking in as good that which we haven’t determined that is good. Secondly, we risk labeling something Christian that is simply of poor quality.
This is clearly the less substantial danger of the two, but it’s something to consider. Let’s face it, your average piece of “Christian fiction” is of lower quality than your average piece of fiction. There’s a big market for things with the word “Christian” on them, and publishers and companies are more than willing to cater to the demand if it’ll gain them an extra buck or two. Sure, there’s some good stuff out there with the “Christian” label, but it’s not all good. By allowing this stuff to masquerade around as “Christian” we’re allowing the world to continue to view us stereotypically as uneducated simpletons.
I’m not seeking to throw out the baby with the bath water, but I am urging my fellow Christians to be discerning. If you’d like a great resource on where to get started, I couldn’t recommend something better than Tim Challies’s The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment. It’s not a book of rules, but rather a look at what the Bible has to say about discernment.
Ronnica,
Your post made me think, and I agree with what you’re saying.
On the other hand, I’m creating an online bookstore on my church’s Web site right now, and I’m starting to stock the inventory by searching in Amazon’s Christian books category. As I look through the category, I look for authors and books I know present good teaching, but I can’t possibly remember all of them and it would take much longer to search by individual title and author. So I’m using the adjective “Christian” as a shortcut to find titles to search, then using discernment after I narrow down the books into that main category. But I certainly am not just including every book that is labeled Christian by Amazon. It would be much easier to simply select an entire category of Christian books, but if I did that, I would end up with a lot of books that do not reflect orthodox Christian faith. The bookstore is for our members, and we want to be sure we are offering them books consistent with our beliefs.
I’m finding it convenient to have books classified as “Christian” as a starting point. However, you are right that many people may not be discerning if they find a book in a “Christian” category and think it’s OK because it’s called Christian.
As I said, you’ve made me think. I’m not ready to search through all of Amazon for appropriate titles, but I recognize that using the adjective “Christian” can lead astray someone who isn’t discerning.
Very intersting. I do think that sometimes “Christian” can have a negative connotation to it, depending on how it’s used. And I also notice that a lot of people in blog land tend to throw it out there a lot and wear it like a badge of honor and expect people to just know that they are a good person because they are a Christian.
I know a lot of Christians, and a lot of bad people who are Christians. So telling me you are Christian doesn’t really always hold a lot of water for me.
I really agree with you in some ways. That label does make whatever it is sound safe. But I don’t necessarily think that the adjective “Christian” is the problem. I think it all boils down to the discernment of the person. I can listen to secular music, read secular books, and watch secular videos and discern what is “ok” for me and what is not. I think the problem is in the ASSUMING not really in the label. We can’t just assume that anything is ok simply because it has a label. We, as Christians, should work more towards teaching people (ie our friends, children, etc in appropriate situations) how to be more discerning instead of shying away from certain genres.
This is really interesting! As an outsider, I find that some people use the term “Christian” in an exclusive way, or in a way that I find off-putting. I actually have to remind myself sometimes that just because something is labeled “Christian”, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily of low quality. So I think you’re right that the word has been overused.
And as an aside, in a much more secular sense, there’s a similar problem with “organic” and related terms, where marketing has perverted the words to try to fool people into thinking it automatically means “healthy” or “good for the environment”, just like you’re post about using the word “Christian” as shorthand for “good for your soul”.
@Lillie: I’m glad I made you think…that was my goal!
@Kristina: Yes, the word has TONS of baggage!
@Elizabeth: Yes, discernment is the heart of the issue, but I see it play out in this way most often with those around me. It makes me sick to see someone read/recommend a book or plop their kids down in front of a video because they think the C-word makes it safe/good.
@WhatACard: I think the same thing about the word “natural.” When someone tells me, “It’s okay, it’s natural,” I just want to say, “So is pot and arsenic!”
Excellent point.
Everyone knows that “Christian movies” are … well, … I think “excruciating” is the right word. Exceptions are rare.
Moreover, by branding all kinds of things as Christian, we start implying that Christians need all of these things. (Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “The Change” comes to mind.) In truth, I’m not sure about the spiritual state of several of my CD’s. The musicians who recorded the music were Christians, but I don’t know if the CD’s themselves have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. ; -)
I’m glad you brought this up. I think the whole problem is that we as a society are into labels. In our fast paced culture, it’s easier to look up something under a label and just assume it will be everything we need it to be instead of actually discerning if it is actually what we need.
I also agree with what Kristina said about the blogging atmosphere. Sometimes I do automatically check out blogs that specifically state Christian Mom. Sometimes it has left me refreshed and sometimes it has left me confused.
Thanks for the book title. I think I might just need to brush up on those discernment skills!
I think as a society, it’s a whole lot easier to label things. Politics come to mind. I, myself, refer to myself as a conservative in my blog…but really, aren’t we all conservative? No one I know goes ‘all out’ all the time.
I think you’re right – we have to be careful with our labels. Here’s an idea…let’s drop them completely. (Yes, I know…that’s never going to happen…just a thought)
Wow! You make a fantastic point. I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it like that before. I’m so glad you brought this up. I completely agree with you. I can already think of a lot of things that shouldn’t be labeled this way yet still are.
I was just thinking about this topic again. It always frustrates me when things that are labeled Christian are so sub-par. Somehow if it is a Christian book, movie, etc. it does not have to be of the same quality as a secular book, movie, etc. I do understand that budget limitations are often an issue, but it is important that we, as Christians, do our best with what we have been entrusted with…
This is a great post. And so true. Labeling something Christian puts it in a box that it may not deserve to be in. That can be detrimental and misleading all at once.
I agree. Perhaps I’ll comment further later – but I’m off to see the Grand Canyon!
I hadn’t given this much thought before. I’ll take more notice. I had a friend of mine who despised the phrase Easter eggs. He would say they are eggs, just painted eggs. Nothing to do with Easter…
He had his point too.
Joy
As I understand it, the name Christian means Christ-like. The members of the early church were first called Christians because of their obvious resemblance to Jesus and His ministry. Today, before you can know a Christian, either they have ticked it on the form in answer to the question, ‘state your religion’ or they are caught church-going – neither of which identifies a ‘Christian’. Christian has now become a marketing term to attract those who classify themselves to be a part of Christendom, but the ideals of the original Christians were not set out by a cohort of self-help books by ‘Christian authors’, or by the latest album by the current gospel trend. These people were raw and untainted – a quality this unbelieving generation lacks by the gallon. Today, they have to introduce themselves as, ‘I’m a Christian’, instead of their works to speak for them. ‘By their fruit you shall know them’ is a common and unfortunately misinterpreted and watered down passage of scriptural wisdom. Sadly this misguided group consists highly of many modern day pastors who enjoy worldly lifestyles under the guise of Christian freedom and continue to teach their followers to do the same. It is few and far between where you find a pastor who talks the talk and walks the walk. The truth still stands: faith without works is dead
Hey, I definitely agree with you. I have met many people who call themselves Christians and their actions show me differently so I think we just need to be aware that even though something is labeled as”Christian” we do need to still guard our hearts until we find out for ourselves. There are many “Christians” who call themselves that but still “live of this world” which as Christians we know we are not supposed to do. Good job for having a post that makes you think.
P.s. I have an award for you @ my blog.
I’m glad you tackled this one today! I’m from the Buckle of the Bible Belt (Dallas), and grew up with a long line of “Christians” who didn’t behave like Christians at all. A bunch of big, fat hypocrites, is what I’d call ‘em! In fact, I don’t even think Jesus would have wanted to hang with them, and he’s the most forgiving person I know. And good for you-I agree with Kristen. This post makes us think. And that’s always a good thing!
@Wickle: Exactly!
@Veronica and Iva: Yeah, we definitely rely too heavily on labels. I guess we want everything pre-discerned, but it doesn’t work that way.
@Caity: Thanks…that’s the biggest compliment I can get, that something I said made someone think!
@Jenny: Agreed. Sure budget-issues can affect the quality of the equipment and materials used, but the content itself better be good!
@K-Lai: Rub it in, why don’t ya?
@Joy: I don’t like calling them Easter eggs either, though I love colored eggs. If/when I have children, we will dye/hunt colored eggs as a spring holiday, separate from Resurrection Day.
@Dillow: I’m thankful to have pastors who practice what they preaches…and I’ve learned as much from their walks as from their talks.
@Kristen and Melissa: While I didn’t intend this post to be a warning against taking others at their word when they say “Christian” it is something to consider. While it’s not our place to deny/approve their faith, we can pick up clues from their words and actions.
I think things that contain heretical teachings can still be called christian if they follow Christ, despite their errors. The heretical teachings cannot be called true christian teachings, but the people themselves may still believe in Christ. Although I understand what the problem here is, because there are many things out there that are called ‘christian’ which may be produced from a christian vantage-point but which contain errors in them that would hurt people’s faith or lead them astray, or something, and people may inadvertantly buy that kind of product or whatever it is because it is called ‘christian’ even though it may hurt them… this is a tricky thing indeed.
There used to be an institution that dealt with this sort of problem; it was called the inquisition and they published lists of books or other material printed by heretical christians that people should stay away from. That was the past though, and I question if such an institution could possibly work today when we have such a massive amount of information circling through the world. Even the Chinese government, which monitors internet usage, often finds itself incapable of censoring all the content that it would want censored.
Another problem though, is that if we don’t use the term christian when something is christian and ought to be read, we may have difficulty directing chhristians to know it.
I don’t know if there is a way to solve this by our own efforts. I suppose we could pray to God and ask Him to help us with this.
Lord, help us with this and solve this problem in your eternal wisdom, amen
@David: I want to be clear that I am NOT arguing for an inquisition/book burning type of thing at all, but rather for increased discernment in the lives of individuals and perhaps some restraint on the part of publishers and advertisers in the use of the term “Christian.”
I agree with you I don’t like it used as an adjective either. I prefer to call myself believer in Christ as well. Someone can label themselves a Christian and yet not be a follower of Christ at all.
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