I agree with your two points to some extent, but I think it depends on the context. For example, I have quite a few Christian friends living in Islamic countries (I will be joining some of them myself soon). In those countries the word Christian has political connotations. It is linked to America, Bush, Republicans, even terrorism (from their point of view!). Being a follower of Jesus is an essential distinction to make when relating to cultures in which the word Christian has such negative connotations.

I am not American, nor have I ever even visited so I could be way off on this remark, but the impression I get is that it is still a widely held view that America is a “Christian” country, and that many Americans call themselves Christian and even attend church. Again, I can see the value in distinguishing yourself from nominal, lifeless religion.

Finally, I think the term can be provocative in a positive way. Saying you’re a Christian will rarely even raise an eyebrow, but saying you’re a Christ Follower can raise questions.

Having said all that, my facebook profile lists me as: “Christian”!

When I hear this discussion, and I use the term follower of Christ for a different reason, I can’t help going back to the Jesus Movement waaaayyy back in the 1970′s.

Those who were part of that also had a problem with the organized, structural church so they wanted to do things differently. In response we have “Calvary Chapel, Word Music, Christian Radio, etc…

I understand Ian’s comments re: the political ramifications in nations which are predominately or even in name, Islamic. I try to avoid the word “Christian” in a church setting because we’re too comfortable with that word.

I would like a congregation and individuals to think, “what does following Christ look like and why don’t I look like that”?

As always good post. Glad you survived middler schoolers. BTW best definition of a Middle School I heard was a “Warehouse for future criminals.”

Peace
Alan

Agreed!

The Christian faith has enough divisions? Sounds like something I just blogged about haha, just playing.

I have a guy I mentor and he was bemoaning that the campus Christian fellowship he belonged to was full of dead Christians. I asked him, “well, what are you going to do about it?” It is easy to sit and point and say that Christians aren’t being Christians but if you aren’t part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

Most people love to label themselves apart from the status quo to simply act like they are more knowledgeable, better or more spiritual than those around them. Because “Christian” is a status quo word now in America, people want to be labeled apart from that, which is completely stupid.

Jesus was no less Jewish even though He was surrounded by a bunch of unGodfearing Jews, He simply beckoned them to the higher standard. Something we should ALL want to attain and want OTHERS to attain with US.

I think the interesting thing about this video is that it is funny, but I could not help but sit there and think about how true it really is. Though it was a stereo type, they were right on.

I think that is the biggest thing. People are rebelling from the idea of what a christian looks like to the world, a KJV bible tote carrying christian t wearing and bumper sticker supporting type faith.

I myself can be recognized way more with the guy that played the “Christ follower” then the christian.

But you make some good points. It isolates and segregates. I do think the problem is more of a generation thing…the older generation and the younger generation trying to mesh is very difficult. The easier thing for most to do is just have your own churches and call ourselves the body of Christ but we stay at a distance.

I think the issue goes back to mentoring (doesn’t everything). there has been a lost of connection and mentoring amongst generations and now we are seeing “christ followers” starting to lead out because no one led them.

Having been back to work in the “real world” (that is…outside of a church) for some time now, I get to spend time with a lot of Christians, non-Christians, agnostics, Buddhists, etc. Every flavor of every belief. Given all of that, I can assure you that the only people that will make a distinction of any sort between “Christian” and “Christ Follower” are those inside the church. It’s more infighting than anything.

I’m quite familiar with the I-call-myself-this, you-call-yourself-that factions within the church, and most of those that want to call themselves something other than Christian think that somehow it’s going to separate them from the negative connotations associated with church from the point of view of those not in it. I now see this is folly and almost laughable.

If somebody who calls themselves a “Follower of Christ” thinks that they are going to be distinguished in the eyes of the world, I’m afraid they are sadly mistaken. They can call themselves whatever they want, but it doesn’t make a bit of difference to those not in the church. What does make a difference is action, not words. My only advice (for what it’s worth) to those trying to call themselves something else would be to get a grip on reality, and start treating others (especially those that do not share your same belief word for word, including those that you attend church with) like real people, and stop being so egotistical. Trying to distinguish yourself based upon a title and not upon a lifestyle reveals a fair amount of self-centered thought, IMO.

I think this is an interesting post Tyler, and your thoughts reveal what I believe is a bigger issue than just what people call themselves. The only people who really care about this and about other issues like this are people inside the church. The world is less of a threat to the existence of the church than the people inside the church. While life happens and the world continues to move on, the church cannibalizes itself slowly, fighting about language, titles, and tiny little nuances in every verse. Thanks for bringing this up, Tyler.

That is a great point I had never thought of. In cases like that I don’t have much of an issue with it.

The funny thing is that as more people choose to be labeled as “Christ followers,” being a “Christian” becomes much less status quo all the time. Maybe staying with the label “Christian” is more rebellious in the end.

You are too opinionated

I like the move to a “Christ-Follower” approach…but I find myself alright with Christian in certain settings.

“I think this is something common in the younger generations who are unhappy with the way Christians have represented their faith in the past.” Maybe, maybe not.

Personally, I don’t have Christian as my religious view on Facebook. I’ve had “It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship,” and now I have “The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair.”

I don’t see this has having anything to do with distancing myself from Christians or simply following Jesus as a philosopher as opposed to a Savior. If people don’t get it, I’ll say I’m Christian; otherwise, I figure they’ve got it or they simply don’t care.

To that end, I’ll also say that saying that you’re a Christian – at least in the part of the country that I’m from – doesn’t mean a whole lot. So many people go to church just because it’s the thing to do. They don’t really aspire to be like Christ, they don’t really attempt to follow anything He taught, or to further their relationship with Him. They go because it’s just what you do on Sunday mornings.

So that means on one hand I come across as if I’m not unifying myself with other believers and on the other hand I’m grouping myself in with everyone else who may or may not live out who/what they claim to be.

I’ve just opted to not sweat the back and forth of it. Yes, I’m a Christian but I don’t think my Facebook has to state it. Besides, I doubt many people see it as divisive anyway.

Good post, I dug thinking about this.

WERD.

How others identify you may in the end be much more important than how you label yorself.

LOL! Great video! The one thing that I always thought was funny is that I thought the word “Christian” translates to “Christ-Follower”. LOL!

No matter what we call ourselves, it’s like packaging a turd in aluminum foil or wrapping paper…no matter what, the inside is the same. LOL!

I use “Christ follower” more often nowadays because of what the word Christian actually means. The word literally means “little Christs” and when I reflect upon that, I personally don’t feel that I am worthy enough to give myself that label. If someone else were to call me a Christian because my life reflected the life of Jesus so much, then I would have no problem with being called that. But, I have no problem letting others know that my goal in life is to “follow Christ” with the goal of having my life resemble His.

I think i’s all about labels and things we call outselves. It’s quick and easy to respond to a label and we really don’t have to get to know anyone. It’s like the difference if I say I’m a “Kentuckian” or “I am from Kentucky” as it says different things to different people. I have found myself abandoning the term Christian and I am NOT young. Sadly, saying I am a Christian says more about what I am not than what I really am about and most people stop right there…

How does God feel about? Does it matter to Him as long as we desire a relationship with Him? I think probably not…

What Ryan Sawrie said…before I could say it!

Honestly, a friend went on a mission to Pakistan and upon returning made the comment that in the muslim world, christian has serious and negative political meaning (as someone noted above as well). Jesus is in the koran – muslims understand “Christ follower” or “Follower of Christ”. When I came to understand that – I started using it. No other reason – not to break myself off from fellow christians – no – as a step to understand…and be understood – not me, but Christ – to those who do not know.

Totally agree that this is merely “infighting” of sorts within the church that only makes us look worse. We can’t even agree on what to call ourselves.

I’m not trying to be critical of the semantics…I want to be critical of the heart behind it. And that I think God cares about immensely.

But as a Christian you are a little Christ. NONE of us deserve to be so, but we are nonetheless. Part of being a Christian means shining Christ with our lives as sinners.

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by tylerbraun: A look at the trend of being a “Christ follower” instead of a “Christian” // http://bit.ly/c1BFml...

I’m currently on a crowded train to Downtown Chicago with no headphones and I can’t watch the video so I might be missing something from the full scope of this discussion, but I’ll chime in anyway.
I’ve struggled in my own mind with this topic or some time. I worked at a Christian church for a number of years and was personally hurt and betrayed by a lot of Christian leaders there.
In the aftermath of that, I had a first-hand picture of why so many people have issues with and tend away from relationships with people who label themselves as “Christians.” I took a pretty extreme turn away from identifying myself as a Christian. In my mind I struggled with how these “Christians” could treat me the way they did and yet still claim t love the same God I love. While I didn’t feel any differently toward Christ, I didn’t want to be associated with the label they were associated with.
So I fully understand the desire to be labeled as something different.
In the healing time since then I have had less of an issue with it. Even still, I tend to put something other than “Christian” on my social media profiles and such. I think right now my Facebook says “reject apathy an love all.”. It’s maybe a little vague as far as my religious views but that is a desciption of how my religion plays out in my life. If people question it I don’t have a problem saying I’m a Christian.
I hope some of that makes sense. Haha
Great topic!

Thanks for stirring the pot. You’re really good at identifying issues and asking good questions. It hasn’t been part of my experience that the Christian vs. Christ-follower monikers have been used to create competition between Christians. Never thought of it having that impact. I personally viewed it as a way to declare to people that I do not align myself with cultural Christianity. Nor have I used the term to try to separate myself from others in my generation or to declare that I am somehow not part of the body of Christ. Far from it. So I’m not sure that it’s “wrong” for someone to self-identify their faith in a way that says, “I’m a follower of Jesus Christ.”

Matt,

You articulated my initial thoughts on Tyler’s post probably better than I could have. I agree 100%.

Tyler, I’m curious…what prompted you to write this blog post? Was it the video or something else? What was your motivation. Thanks for getting the discussion going.

On some level, yeah, but to what degree?

Everyone is going to label you in some way. If you try to attain something positive from everyone, it’s not gonna work.

“I want to be critical of the heart behind it. And that I think God cares about immensely.” Yes. Agree 100%.

Honestly Josh my motivation was seeing so many of my friends bash on Christianity to me while calling themselves “Followers of Jesus” on Facebook.

I just checked my Facebook, I’m listed as a “Christian” btw.

I had been wondering why but never payed much thought to it. I did assume it had to do with not being linked to the square-minded Christianity. Saying you were a Jesus follower was a much more liberal approach to religion (close enough to say you have a relationship with god, not close enough to say you’re part of a religion -though most Christ followers follow the same religious practices as Christians).

That’s just one view on the matter, there’s also Christy’s view (up there)… I can totally see how some people could relate to it.

Tyler:

I loved the video !

Your 2 reasons for why is is wrong is a 2 edged sword. There are many people who do not hold to any of the basic tenets of the Christian faith who call themselves “Christians”. Here is how your 2 reasons can be applied against those critical of being a “Christ follower”.

It isolates.
Many Christians attend churches where there is little relationship with fellow Christians and they are taught to look and act and believe a certain way.

It segregates.
The traditional Christians and their Church denominations have caused most divisions.

Jesus is still saying as he did by the Sea of Galilee, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:18). How can it be wrong to use the phrase “Christ follower” when Jesus expects us to follow Him ?

Dave

Like I’ve commented back to a couple other people. I don’t have an issue with the phrase itself, I do have an issue with the heart behind why many people are doing this.

I mostly agree with your point. However, “Christian” was a label given to believers by outsiders, not something the early church started calling themselves as a reflection of their standing in Christ.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

There are so many people we have personally met, even within the walls of the church building, that do not seek after God, yet call themselves “Christians.” “Christians” that do not follow Christ. Our faith is so much more to us than inherited traditions and cultural practices, or even church/denominational affiliation. In that respect, it is an incredibly bonding term, and lessens differences between believers rather than increasing them.

I didn’t know this was an issue. I guess if it wasn’t, people would find other ways to isolate and segregate.

Like worship style, pews or chairs, carpet color or the youth pastor.

As you have stated, issue isn’t the terminology, but the heart of any believer who seeks to elevate themselves above others using anything available while failing to recognize grace as the ultimate equalizer.

We’re all corrupt. We all need grace.

Creating division over a nonissue is another mark of a spiritual immaturity that misses out on the richness of grace.

Christ follower?
Christian?
Believer?
Jesus Freak?

If you love Jesus dearly, follow him sacrificially and love others graciously I don’t care what you call yourself, but I’d hope to call you friend.

Very nicely put Geoff!

In trying to segregate yourself from the word “Christian,” is it not going against what Jesus has commanded in John 13:34-35? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Are we practicing this command by segregating ourselves and not accepting a stereotypical view of a “Christian”? The Bibe also says in Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Everyone should be accepting of people who are all shapes and sizes, because it is not our place to judge. We are not qualified in doing so. As Geoff said, we shouldn’t care what we call ourselves just as long as we have the will to love God and live our lives accordingly.

I am not a Christian. I do not believe in the resurrection, the trinity, casting out demons, cursing fig trees or feeding 5000, etc.

I DO believe in the way Jesus told us to live, and I DO try to follow his example. So while the idea of being a Christian does not appeal to me, being a Jesus follower DOES. It is my take that a lot of scripture as created by man in a ‘post crucifixion’ world. Jesus was on another plane, he WAS close to God in a way that only a handful ever have, and his teachings are valuable. It’s just a shame to have to weed through the man made myth to get to the real Jesus.

The same thing could be said of Buddha, whom I am also a follower but I don’t really consider myself a Buddhist either.

I agree with you. If I were a Christian, I would not drop the name because of the bad that some have done in God’s name, it’s not about the religion, it’s about God. Any religion can be used for bad purposes, but you can’t say that of God. There are many paths to God. Religion is=, mans way of getting closer to God, but being mans way, it’s also imperfect, which is to say that people can go down a bad path if they are not careful. But God is God…. and cannot be used in this way. Which path works for you? I support you to the fullest!

If I were a Christian, I certainly wouldn’t shed the title because of some bad things people have done in it’s name. The new testament talk about false profits, these people have always existed, but true Christians need to stand up and reclaim their name.. or at least that’s what I would do.

In the end my thought is this. If one is a true Christian (not just a religious person) they will also be a follower of Christ. They will study and follow what Christ says. You can not be one with out the other. A Christian does all they can to respect Christ, not dumb Him down or make excuses for bad behavior. Sin will be labeled as sin, good fruit will be marked as good fruit. No you do not have to dress a certain way, Jesus said it is not the outward but the inward parts that matter. Naturally what your inward parts are will be manifested by your outward parts. Christianity is not about clothes, or peace love and hippy beads. It is about doing what Christ told the church to do.

Hi Richard, Consider the words of Jesus…..”He who believes in the Son has everlasting life. But he who does not believe the Son shall not see life.”
You have some knowledge of Christianity to say you don’t believe in this and that. However, the core of being a follower of Jesus is belief in the resurrection. May I suggest that you get a copy of Josh McDowell’s “Evidence that demands a Verdict.” Or you could simply start reading the New Testament on a daily basis and do your best to disprove what you say you don’t believe thus far. Then you would know for sure if you want to be a follower of Christ.

Recently, I’ve come to realize that a lot of people I know that call themselves Christians do not really follow what Christians are supposed to. Most of my friends label themselves as Christians but in the end go to parties and sleep around. So, I started calling myself a follower of Christ to them. NOT because I wanted to separate myself from them but because I wanted to remind them what being a Christian means. I want them to realize their wrong ways and come back to Christ. I’m a Christian AND I follow Jesus Christ, my Savior. I don’t agree that it’s a way of segregating or isolating. I think it’s a way of opening eyes since “Christian” is so loosely thrown around now.

I’m actually irritated with all the different arguments among “Christians” I myself don’t call myself a Christian because for one Everytime the word Christian is mentioned in the bible it was spoken of by those outside, unbelievers. I prefer to be called a follower of Christ because I pattern my life after Jesus Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. If you ask unbelievers such as Muslims what a Christian is they will most likely say Christians are drunkards, porn stars, rock stars, rappers, strippers, and etc because many of them claim to be Christian but yet do not Follow Christ! I am a follower of Christ doesn’t mean I’m perfect but I strive everyday to be more and more as He is!