I'm not sure which word most adequately articulates exactly what I'm thinking, but I find it frustrating that as an Orthodox Christian, I can't simply say that I am a Christian without having to give further articulation to explain my exact set of beliefs. Instead, others will, upon hearing that I am a Christian, simply classify me as an American evangelical.
This is a matter of who controls definitions. When the Protestants fled from the authority of Rome, the authority of Episcopalians, from the authority of the king, their rebellion led them to the Americas. In the generations that followed, the mindset of rugged individualism aligned with Anabaptism, formed what came to be known as American evangelicalism. Unfortunately, this label not only stuck, but became the norm.
In all honesty, this is not about who is a Christian and who is not. I am in no place to judge anyone. It is simply and painfully frustrating that the title "Christian" had been hijacked by those not in line with the historic Christian faith.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Identification
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Sometimes I too, catch myself wondering how I would differentiate myself from the stereotypical Churchian if I were pressed for the details of my Christian belief structure, and I think of ways I could say "See, I am not like *those* guys". But then I wonder if I am being tricked into throwing other believers under the bus, as a pawn in some 'divide & conquer' strategy, in vain hopes of being thrown a worthless "atta boy" from the world. But then I reconsider, "Why am I concerned with what these people think?" The moment I say "Christian", I know they've presumably already reverted to their default presuppositions, with no regard for denominational differences. These are the people who control the definitions, the secular sophists and the politically correct Thought Police of the New World, and I have observed how they constantly move the goalposts and redefine every term to fit their needs of the moment. They may define me as they like, it is of no lasting value and I'm a bit more concerned with whether or not God Himself defines me as a Christian. And the fellow next to me...if he wears the label of an evangelical, Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, etc, what concern is that of mine, so long as he fervently seeks God in the manner he is suited to. But I suppose I could refer to myself as a Huguenot or a Rosicrucian or something equally obscure if I wanted to catch their interest just long enough to see if they were genuinely curious about denominational contrasts or just looking for a keyword to greenlight a dismissal.
ReplyDeleteAs always, if I've deviated from your point or appear to be seeing something in an unfavorable light, please offer correction or input.