More than a buzz word.

What is a Christian?

It may seem an odd question with which to start a Monday Morning Minute.  It is one I’ve been pondering for quite a while - all my life, actually.  Don’t worry - I’m not having an existential theological crisis.  I’m wondering about what it means to use the term “Christian” in 2026.  Maybe it is just my perception, but in popular usage the word seems to designate a demographic or political category.  A variety of descriptors can be added to the word:  evangelical, orthodox, catholic, reformed, liberal, conservative.  These help give some understanding of the subsets that exist amongst those who call themselves Christians.  The original question still stands though, “What is a Christian?”

A simple answer to that may be, “Anyone who believes in Jesus.”  This immediately triggers another set of questions, “What is ‘belief,’ ‘Who is Jesus,’ and ‘How do we know these things?’”  (It’s Monday morning;  nothing is easy, right?)

I engage with this question regularly as I chat with people who share stories of their experience with Christians or Christianity.  Sadly, far too many of these stories are tragic.  Too many of these individuals would have, at one time, fit into some kind of “Christian” category.  They no longer do.  Either they have rejected (a form of) Christianity or have been rejected by it.  We need to have a good answer to the question, “What is a Christian?”  Christianity is in a credibility crisis.

In my life-long pursuit to alliterate all theology, I’ve come up with a personal three-point checklist that helps me answer this question.  I’m not trying to provide a doctrinal definition of a Christian.  This is my mental GPS I use to stay oriented so I can present a clear and distinctive perspective on Christianity.  Let me be clear:  I do not do this perfectly.  This is not a measure of spirituality.  This is simply a tool that helps me be intentional and sensitive to what it means to represent Christ well.  

All three of these points are skills that need to be learnt.  I will never master them, but I strive to improve my ability in each one.  The very nature of a learnt skill is that it must be constantly honed, or it becomes rusty, or worse, lost all together.  Use it or lose it, as they say.

BELIEVING.

Obviously, I believe in God.  So do a lot of other people.  Which God?  What is He like?  How do we know that?  Sadly, Christianity is currently dominated with an anti-cognitive bias.  Preaching is directed to “felt-needs.”  That is important since God created us as emotive beings.  Unfortunately, it usually comes at the expense of Paul’s instructions to Titus and Timothy.   The core of their pastoral care was to teach sound doctrine.  We are not all going to be erudite scholars of theology.   In fact, Paul teaches we won’t be because each of us will be equipped to serve in different ways.  However, we can be well-grounded in the essentials of faith.  The goal of “believing” is not to win arguments with critics;  it is to be oriented to truth so we can do the next thing in my list . . . 

BEHAVING.

Oh, this opens Pandora’s Box of misunderstandings.  This is NOT compliance to a set of rules.  It IS the commitment to the pursuit of godliness . . . which can be expressed in many different ways (1 Cor. 9:20-22).  The common denominator in all expressions of godly behaviour is found in Galatians 5 - the “Fruit of the Spirit.”  I may not drink alcohol or go to movies (or maybe I do!), but if I’m not a gentle, joyful, loving person, what does it matter?  “Behaving” is about the health of my heart and mind.  Remember Jesus’ descriptions of godliness in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).

BELONGING.

“Ah, here it is,” you may be thinking.  “He is lowering the boom for church membership.”  Nope, that’s not it.

Belonging begins with understanding the nature God’s work in me at the moment of my repentance, being forgiven by Him, and reconciled back to God by His grace (Eph. 2:8-9).  My loyalty is now transferred to the Kingdom of God (Phil. 3:20).  Because God has redeemed me (1 Cor. 6:20), I pursue living Kingdom values (Matt. 6:33).  Every day I make choices which reflect where my allegiances lie.  I belong to God.

There is a second part to this. Not only do I belong to the Kingdom of God, I am a member of the Body of Christ.  The number one characteristic of a body member (according to Jesus!) is that we love one another.  And THAT is the rub.  Many of those who are disenfranchised by “Christians” point to broken relationships which were not loving - the willingness to extend forgiveness and grace, to be patient, to bear with one another.  

There are exceptions, of course.  The most loving thing we can do for one another is to be truthful with one another.  If an individual is unwilling to listen to truth (lovingly spoken), they will take offence and will join the chorus of critics.  Only God can address those situations.

Bottom line:  I cannot “fix” other people’s dissatisfaction with Christianity.  Often, their critiques are valid.  I can, however, avoid contributing to the pool of dissatisfaction.  I want to provide an authentic and credible alternative to those hurt and confused so they may see in me - and in all of us as a collective body that is part of The Body - the truths of God’s love, of His grace and compassion, of His desire to forgive and restore.

This is a Christian.