Clearly Jesus wasn't a 'Christ'-ian, He was the Christ.
More provocatively, I don't think Jesus was involved in 'Christianity' either. Rather, He was intent on fulfilling the unique call and purpose of Israel.
Agree! A friend of mine made the following comment and I have to say I am right there with them. "I have never been more in love with Jesus and at the same time, so disillusioned with Christianity." I have had a unique time away from "Christians" and have grown more in love with Jesus and the Kingdom He came to establish. It has been refreshing to be around "cousins" instead of Christians in that I am challenged immensely by what is actually essential to the with God life and what are the religious trappings I have fallen in to (not that this can't be done in the States, but it is definitely the way God chose to bring this up in me). Growing in relationship with God and my understanding of Kingdom living is a focus beyond what it has ever been. The relationship that Jesus had with the Father is the same relationship I/we are to have with the Father. In that relationship, the "Christian" is often offended. I have to admit, too many times, I am offended at the freedom disciples of Jesus display.
Christian means to be a little Christ, therefore Christ- like or like God. To make Christ a christian is to remove deity from the Christ. So no... Jesus couldn't be a christian. Also this places Him far above Christianity.
I think the real question is this: If Jesus was walking around my home town would he call himself a Christian? (Of course ignoring the deity problem introduced by doulos.) I have serious hesitation to put Jesus in the "Christian" category. I think it's awesome that I am hearing "Jesus is my friend" playing here at Surf City Coffee. This adds little to the conversation, but I think he'd rather be called friend of sinner than "Christian."
I love this question! It brings up historical and practical contemplations on the social identity of Jesus (as I understand 'Christian' to be a identifier term).
Since this term came after Jesus, I would agree with all the above that Jesus wouldn't declare that He is a "little-Christ" but The Christ. BUT... ...I wonder if I am thinking to formally about it. As when asked by most, it is a "religious affiliation" of a belief system that proposes this title. In these cases, I think he might decline that religious term as well. BUT... ...when asked by a few some, it inquires a merely "social affiliation" of WHOM he is a part of, I think Jesus may answer "Yes, am an the Head of the Christian Family, the Church."
I've noticed that Jesus doesn't answer many questions literally with 'Yes' and 'No', but answers the question of the heart of the inquirer...or maybe he even redirects the question into a direction more important... ...maybe something like "Who do you say I am?"???
That's true! Jesus wasn't a Christian. But, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be. He called us to follow Him. And to be like Him. I guess that is why we shouldn't always just ask, WWJD!
8 comments:
Clearly Jesus wasn't a 'Christ'-ian, He was the Christ.
More provocatively, I don't think Jesus was involved in 'Christianity' either. Rather, He was intent on fulfilling the unique call and purpose of Israel.
Agree! A friend of mine made the following comment and I have to say I am right there with them. "I have never been more in love with Jesus and at the same time, so disillusioned with Christianity." I have had a unique time away from "Christians" and have grown more in love with Jesus and the Kingdom He came to establish. It has been refreshing to be around "cousins" instead of Christians in that I am challenged immensely by what is actually essential to the with God life and what are the religious trappings I have fallen in to (not that this can't be done in the States, but it is definitely the way God chose to bring this up in me). Growing in relationship with God and my understanding of Kingdom living is a focus beyond what it has ever been.
The relationship that Jesus had with the Father is the same relationship I/we are to have with the Father. In that relationship, the "Christian" is often offended. I have to admit, too many times, I am offended at the freedom disciples of Jesus display.
Kyle gets a unique view outside of the U.S. That's pretty cool.
Christian means to be a little Christ, therefore Christ- like or like God. To make Christ a christian is to remove deity from the Christ. So no... Jesus couldn't be a christian.
Also this places Him far above Christianity.
I think the real question is this: If Jesus was walking around my home town would he call himself a Christian? (Of course ignoring the deity problem introduced by doulos.)
I have serious hesitation to put Jesus in the "Christian" category. I think it's awesome that I am hearing "Jesus is my friend" playing here at Surf City Coffee. This adds little to the conversation, but I think he'd rather be called friend of sinner than "Christian."
I love this question! It brings up historical and practical contemplations on the social identity of Jesus (as I understand 'Christian' to be a identifier term).
Since this term came after Jesus, I would agree with all the above that Jesus wouldn't declare that He is a "little-Christ" but The Christ.
BUT...
...I wonder if I am thinking to formally about it. As when asked by most, it is a "religious affiliation" of a belief system that proposes this title. In these cases, I think he might decline that religious term as well.
BUT...
...when asked by a few some, it inquires a merely "social affiliation" of WHOM he is a part of, I think Jesus may answer "Yes, am an the Head of the Christian Family, the Church."
I've noticed that Jesus doesn't answer many questions literally with 'Yes' and 'No', but answers the question of the heart of the inquirer...or maybe he even redirects the question into a direction more important...
...maybe something like "Who do you say I am?"???
p.s. looks like your up to 8 followers!!!! Proud to be one of them.
That's true! Jesus wasn't a Christian. But, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be. He called us to follow Him. And to be like Him. I guess that is why we shouldn't always just ask, WWJD!
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