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When Do You Not Call Someone a Christian?

18 July 2004, 9 pm | Poser

Have you ever noticed how some statements tell us more about the person than what the words actually say?

So with Roman Catholicism, which at this [current] point in its history, I no longer believe to be a true Christian church any more than a Buddhist monastery.

— Alan (found in a post to the Internet Monk’s Forum†)

In my meanderings around the Internet and blogsphere, I have on occasion stumbled upon sites that are anti-Christian, and specifically a few anti-Catholic sites. There are also anti-this-denomination and that-denomination sites too. I generally ignore them because they are not energy-giving or life-affirming.

What all of these “anti” sites have in common is that they, through various means, claim some particular denomination or church (or even part of a church) is apostate and have lost touch with the “real” Christ. Ironically, they seem to condemn these “misguided” people to hell, usually without indication of offering a prayer for their lost souls.

One particular site currently has a poll asking, “Of all Christian churches that exist today, how many do you believe have fallen away from Christ?” The choices are: less than 25%, between 25-50%, between 50-75%, and more than 75%. There is an option to leave a comment to the poll. I asked, “Where is the choice for zero percent?”

This journal entry is not meant to be a rant or a joke or to cause division. They are many, many groups that call themselves Christian. There are many people calling others non-Christians. Does calling yourself a Christian make you a Christian? Sorry, stupid question. Let me rephrase that. If someone, or some community, is honestly trying to put Christ first, to follow His two commandments, is that enough to call them Christian? What if their practices are questionable? What if their community or church messes up a couple, a few, some, or many of the ideas, principles, and practices laid down by the Apostles and early Christians? What if they have added a few ideas from other religions? Are we not allowed to call them Christian because of their practices? Does this spoil their good fruits? Where is the dividing line? Is there a dividing line? (Please don’t tell me it depends on how conservative or liberal one is.)

Now I know we are suppose to be our brother’s keeper. There are verses within scripture that say we are suppose to correct others with charity if they have strayed from their journey home, but there are also verses that say we are not to judge, that we must remove the splinter (beam of wood) from our eye first. Who on earth has a right to say that the Holy Spirit is not working in those communities? At best, cannot we honestly just say that some Christians are more, or less, in communion with the Body of Christ? Besides, who is the real judge anyway?

So, my poser to ponder for you: When do you not call a Christian a Christian?

† Please note that although the Internet Monk has his opinions, it is not an anti-this or anti-that kind of site.

(I almost did not post this journal entry. It feels like I have sinned against charity. Please forgive me if I did.)

Comments

  1. Mark - I think you are being charitable!

    This has been an on-again off-again issue for me since my wife’s side of the family is Evangelical Protestant. I think I’ve seen and heard it all about what is wrong with being Catholic. And I’ve heard statements that Catholics are not really Christians. It really makes me sad for them, but not for myself. I love being Catholic.

    Every church or denomination thinks they have the right formula and that people ought to just follow it and that will lead them to Christ. But being a Christian is more of an internal thing, a complete surrender and submission to Christ. And that makes it a personal journey that transcends denominations. People can become Christian; churches simply support that process, and perhaps sometimes they get in the way.

    ∼ πλ · 19 July 2004, 8 am · by Steve Bogner ¬

  2. I have visited a lot of churches: Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Faith, Methodist,… Not one is perfect. But WHEN do you say a Christian is not a Christian? Boy, I’m prone to wait until Jesus returns and separates the goats from the sheep. WHEW! what a job he will have then!

    I have trouble calling the Mormon church “Christian” because they believe that the divinity of Christ is limited. However, I have met Mormons who are Christian by happy accident. I’ve never stepped up and informed them that the rest of their church doesn’t believe in Jesus the same way they do. I just let them believe.

    I’ll say this for sure: It’s important for every believer to get off the fence and say what does and does not make a Christian. Then, it is important for each one who spoke to wait and allow God’s Holy Spirit to correct them.

    So, what makes a Christian? A belief that Jesus is God in the flesh. That he came to earth to buy my heart, so that I may dwell in God’s heart forever.

    Shalom, my friend.

    Good question.

    ∼ πλ · 19 July 2004, 7 pm · by Anita ¬

  3. The Catholic church is the only church that was founded by Christ. To be a complete christian you have to belong the Catholic church. To belong to the Catholic church you have to believe what it teaches. People who reject parts of what the catholic church teaches are incomplete christians. People who reject the trinity or the incarnation are in no way christian.

    ∼ πλ · 21 July 2004, 8 pm · by Seth ¬

  4. “People who reject the Trinity or the Incarnation are in no way Christian.” — I agree with this. But do you have the guts to tell them to their face that they are not Christians? I wonder if I can. By nature, I tend to be non-confrontational. Knowing you Seth, I know you can. :)

    BUT unfortunately, many people who will agree with this statement still deny that Catholics, and many other denominations, are not considered Christians. They will agree with you point by point on the Nicene Creed, but still not deem you worthy of the label Christian.

    An “incomplete Christian” is still a Christian. It becomes a measure of degree, based on one’s perspective, who is “more, or less, in communion with the Body of Christ.”

    ∼ πλ · 21 July 2004, 10 pm · by Mark ¬

  5. I agree.

    ∼ πλ · 22 July 2004, 1 pm · by Seth ¬

  6. Hi Mark,
    I’m glad you did post this because it was something that you wondered about and you took the risk to write about it, share it and process through it in community.

    For myself, I don’t think it’s important to identify people as Christians or not. But you probably already knew that.
    Peace,
    Karen

    ∼ πλ · 23 July 2004, 11 pm · by Karen H. ¬

  7. Karen — I try not to spend too much time on this question either. It just seems that many other people do, which I think is a *major* distraction of the real purpose of trying to follow Christ. It might be part of their cross that they must bear, and they do not even know it.

    There is a danger of denying someone the label of Christian because one might think then that the Holy Spirit is not working in the non-Christian. God works where every He wants regardless of the labels we place on others.

    ∼ πλ · 24 July 2004, 8 am · by Mark ¬

  8. Have you been reading the Gospel of Nice?

    “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-15)

    ∼ πλ · 25 July 2004, 8 am · by Bob ¬

  9. No, I make sure to never be nice. I think that as Christians we should only concern ourselves with judgement and correction. I think Jesus was a big old whimp. Who does he think he is telling us that the greatest commandment is to love God and love your neighbor? How wishy-washy liberal is that?

    I’m with you Bob. Shut that gate quick I say and let those sinners burn.
    Peace,
    Karen

    ∼ πλ · 28 July 2004, 3 pm · by Karen H. ¬

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