Last night in our Bible Study, I made a comment to the effect that Mary the mother of Jesus was not always a Christian, and probably was not one before his crucifixion. This sparked an animated debate as most Christians, rightly so, hold Mary in extremely high regard. I explained myself eventually (after the chattering died down) that Mary was first and foremost a Jew who had found favor with God through her Judaism (Luke 1:28&30). But during Jesus' earthly ministry, Mary was not counted among his followers. Not only that - but Jesus at one point seemed to even renounce the fact that she was his mother (Mark 3:31-35). After Christ's resurrection, however, there is little doubt that Mary became a sincere follower of Jesus (Acts 1:14) - and her conversion likely happened earlier, although we cannot be sure of the exact time.
So was Mary at the time of her death? Absolutely... But was she always a Christian? Well - to fully answer that, we needed to look into some other questions: What makes someone a Christian? Can we rightly call anyone a "Christian" during Jesus' lifetime?
We quickly realized that no one living during Jesus' days on earth would have referred to themselves as a "Christian." In Acts 11:26, we read that the name "Christian" was not used until much later - and it was first applied to the church in Antioch. During Jesus' day, they were just called "disciples" or "followers."
So what does "Christian" mean? Well - I looked it the etymology of the word this morning, and at its most basic - it simply means "like Christ" - so used as a noun, it would mean "someone like Christ." In my opinion, that's what makes a person a Christian - being like Christ - or at the very least - striving to be like Christ. Over time, we have appended many other things to this basic definition, some good, and some not so good, but in the end, the test for whether someone is a Christian - is if they are striving to be like Christ - to act like him - and to think like him. Let that be our standard...
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I’m going to attempt to walk a very fine line here because I believe the definition, as stated, is missing a very important element. Perhaps it’s inferred, in which case what I’m about to say is a moot point. Such being the case, while I don’t disagree with what you’ve said, neither do I fully agree (in principle) with what you’ve said. And the difference, I believe, has to do with the act of salvation. So, let me pose this question: are Christians people who, by faith, have accepted the grace of God and, with a repentant heart, asked Christ to come into their lives as their Lord and Savior or, are Christians people who, through good conscience, act in a similar manner as Jesus?
Asked somewhat differently, are people Christians because of what they believe or, are they Christians because of how they act? Understanding, of course, that true, born-again Christians are saved by grace, through faith, for good works. As I said, I’m walking a fine line here but, I think we may agree that there are people today who may outwardly “act” in a Christian manner but who have not committed their lives to the Lord. Conversely, there are those who are trying to commit their lives to the Lord but are struggling with issues that make such a commitment difficult (in other words, they don’t always “act” in a Christian manner). Who then is the real Christian? Actions can be mimicked, but motives cannot.
Perhaps it was inferred but, any definition of a Christians must, I believe, begin with the true “act” of salvation.
Rob - I deliberately did not bring up salvation in this post - because I didn't want to discuss the difference in "being saved" and "being a Christian."
But since you brought it up - let me state first that I believe in order to truly follow Christ - you must be saved by Him. So this eliminates the possibility of calling someone a Christian who simply practices good works.
Secondly - I stand by my definition that a "Christian" is someone who acts like Christ.
But those raise the question: Can someone be "saved" but not at least try to always act like Christ? In my opinion, no - but many theologians disagree.
For instance, some of those who believe in "Once Saved - Always Saved" - believe that some people who don't have any intention of ever acting like Christ - may still be saved - simply because they made a committment at some point in thier life. But since I believe that a person can lose thier salvation (by deliberately rejecting it - not simply through the overabundance of sins that we all have) - I think the best indicator as to whether someone is "saved" is if they show the fruit of a Christian life.
Thanks.
I personally don’t believe there is a difference between “being saved” and “being a Christian.” You cannot become a Christian, in the true sense of the word, until you have truly been saved. And once you have truly been saved, you will, because you have become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), indwelled with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), become a true Christian.
However, as stated in your definition, I believe there would have to be a “time lag,” so to speak, for the former to produce the latter. Said differently, while salvation is an accomplish, our daily, practical sanctification is a process. Which would beg the question: at what point in our daily practical sanctification process would we “act” (behave) enough like to Christ to be called Christians?
I believe Paul speaks somewhat to this train of thought in 1 Corinthians 13:11 when he wrote, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” In other words, I believe he is telling us that it takes time and effort, accomplished through our daily, practical sanctification, and led by the Holy Spirit, for us to put aside our old self (when we become an infant born into Christianity) and begin to truly act and think like Christ (living as a mature Christian). As Christians we have to grow up and put away worldly things.
However, I believe for most, if not all of us, this becomes a life-long process; some “maturing” faster, and to higher levels than others. But, are we not all Christians from the very moment of our conversion? Does not our faith, our heart felt commitment to God allow us to be called Christians “at birth?” We are yet far from being mature, Christlike Christians but we are saved.
And does not calling ourselves Christians based on our outward actions invoke the same question as does salvation by works? How much is enough? How much do we behave like Christ before we are called Christians? And how far removed from our conversion might this be? The goal of every Christian should be to become (behave) as Christlike as possible but, I believe it’s what’s in our heart that makes us first and foremost a Christian. Desire determines direction. Direction determines destiny. In other words, in order to truly act like a Christian we must first truly desire to be a Christian. And becoming a mature, Christlike Christian takes time and, some might say, practice. But, a practicing Christian is still a Christian nonetheless.
I don’t disagree with the principle behind what you’re saying, I just feel there’s more to the definition of being a Christian.
Rob - thanks for your comments. However, you've made a logical error in the latest post. At the beginning, you say there is "no difference" between "being saved" and "being a Christian." Then a few sentences later, you describe a difference (a "time lag" as you call it). For the sake of argument, what if this time lag is years (it happens!)? Would that not constitute a difference - or would it just show that the person was not really saved in the first place?
You also asked if "calling ourselves Christians based on outward actions" is "salvation by works." I say no. This is where a difference in salvation and "being a Christian" is useful. I believe that a true Christian life always produces good works. The salvation comes first, though. Works cannot save - but they are a result of salvation. It is the best mark of salvation that someone else can use to identify them as "being saved" - but the only one who can absolutely make that determination is Christ alone.
The problem I have with the definition you gave is that our actions as believers is the deciding factor in when we can call ourselves Christians. By such a definition there must necessarily be a “time lag” between conversion and the point at which we behave enough like to Christ to “earn” the title Christian (and who determines this point?). I’m not saying there is such a time lag, I’m simply suggesting that by your definition there would have to be one since practical sanctification is a process not an achievement. And, as you pointed out, for some the process may takes years to progress far enough along for their actions to be considered “good enough.”
My personal belief is that several, very important things happen at conversion; one of which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us in Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” My belief is that anyone who has been indwelled with the Holy Spirit, who has become one in the body of Christ, and who is now a child of God is a Christian. Do all of these people act the same? No. Is their strength of faith the same? No. Is their understanding of the knowledge of the Truth the same? No. And the list goes on.
We are saved by grace, through faith, for good works. Do we all do the same level of good works? No. Are believers who do more good works better Christians? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:14-15, “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved...” Is this then the point of contention? Is there a difference between being a believer and being a Christian? You seem to indicate there is.
James says faith without works is dead (2:17), however, Paul indicates in the above paragraph that faith without works simply will not be rewarded. I suppose it comes down to a personal preference, however, I personally believe that all believers (both the strong and the weak) are Christians. While some may behave more Christlike than others, we have all put our faith and trust in the promise of God that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And I don’t argue the fact that all Christian should act as Christlike as possible, however, the reality is that some do more than others. Thus, the difficulty, I believe, given your definition, would be where to draw the line: who is a believer, and who is a Christian?
Rob, You are correct that I am trying to say there is can be a difference between a "believer" and a "Christian" in their truest senses. However, by the grace of God, we have recieved and are called lots of things that we don't deserve - being a "Christian" is just one.
Should all believers be Christians? Absolutely. But are they all? In my opinion, no... Does that mean they are not saved? I'm leaving that up to God to decide - but as you point out - at the very least - someone with no Christian works will not recieve a "reward" - whatever that means...
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