Sam Hodges, a religion reporter for The Dallas Morning News, wrote an interesting post for the DallasNews.com Religion Blog in which he discusses the many meanings of the word “Christian.” Hodges writes:
Today the word means whatever you want it to. Most Americans think a “Christian” is a good person who believes in God. If you’re not Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, or Jewish, you must be a “Christian.” The first “Christians” would be surprised at the notion. Luke tells us that “the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The word is found only two other times in the Bible (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). In all three instances, it was used by outsiders to describe followers of Jesus. (The first Christians apparently preferred terms like “believers, disciples, brothers, followers of the Way.”)
So, what does the word “Christian” mean? This topic brings so many questions to mind:
- Are we looking for an insider definition or an outsider?
- Is there a difference between an insider and an outsider definition? Should there be?
- Should an insider care if the outsider’s definition is different?
- Are we discussing the word “Christian” as a noun or adjective?
Hodges briefly discusses the literal definition of the word: “one who belongs to Christ.” It is likely that, both insiders and outsiders, subscribed to this definition in the days of the early church. Today, the word means many different things to many different people. Some would argue that it means the same as it did that day in Antioch. Others would argue that it is a term with strong political implications. Catholics and Protestants would certainly define the term differently. Is one born a Christian or does one become a Christian? Again, many would disagree, based on upon their definition.
Let’s make the issue even more confusing: What about the word “Christian,” as an adjective? Christian thoughts, Christian books, Christian actions, Christian music, Christian stores, Christian schools, Christian morals… What makes something Christian? Again, more questions. Let’s think in terms of music:
- What makes one a Christian artist or singer? What makes a song Christian?
- If a Christian song is sung by a non-Christian artist, is it still a Christian song? Does the song become Christian once again, if a Christian artist sings it?
- Can it be a Christian band, if they sing a song that isn’t Christian? What if they don’t sing any Christian songs?
What does the word “Christian” mean?
One thing is certainly clear here: there is no clear answer. Because of this, it is important that we define our terms for others. I assign blame for this mess to us Christians (whoever we are). We have allowed the waters to become murky.
Is it time that Christians reclaim the original definition of this word? I think so. What about all the other stuff, the baggage? Perhaps we should make up new words…
