By Ed Vasicek on
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Christian Living
Featured Poll

Poll Results

When a secular person asks you to describe what school of Christianity you embrace, what is your initial response?

I am a fundamentalist. Votes: 1
I am a conservative evangelical. Votes: 1
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. Votes: 1
I am a Bible-believing Christian. Votes: 11
I am a Charismatic. Votes: 0
I am a confessing Christian (“I done it!” –sorry :)) Votes: 0
Other Votes: 4
I am an evangelical. Votes: 2
I am Reformed. Votes: 1
I am a Baptist (or an independent, GARB, southern Baptist, etc.) Votes: 8
I am a Calvinist. Votes: 0
I am a Messianic Jew. Votes: 0
I am a (your denomination: Wesleyan, Presbyterian, etc.) Votes: 1
I am a born-again Christian. Votes: 2
I am a Christ follower. Votes: 2

(Migrated poll)

N/A
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 0

Discussion

Mon, 03/26/12
Sometimes our initial answer to a basic question is the best answer. When a secular (or person of unknown religious affiliation) asks you to identify your belief system, what do so say, initially?

What brought this to mind was the article about the pastor’s son from Westboro Baptist. He is now an atheist, completely disgusted with his father and former church. I thought to myself, “It is such a shame that the church carries the Baptist name. Now lost people are suspicious of any Baptist.”

The word Fundamentalist has been so abused that I only use it to describe myself in certain contexts.

What about you? I usually say “I am a Bible-believing Christian” or “Bible-believing Protestant” (if among Catholics), although sometimes I will say I am a conservative evangelical.

Who be you?

"The Midrash Detective"

Mon, 03/26/12
It depends on the context.

Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?

Mon, 03/26/12
Sometimes I say:



  • I’m a latter day saint (2 Timothy 3:1 w 2 Corinthians 13:13) …

  • A Jehovah’s witness (Isaiah 43:12) …

  • Of “the way” (Acts 19:23)

Just to keep ‘em guessing :)

I never say I’m a Presbaterian because I cant spell it

Twitter

Jim's Doctrinal Statement

Mon, 03/26/12
A B or C ……. just kidding!

Typically if they are lost and have no context with “the faith” I explain, “I am a Christian.”

If the individual has some connection with Christianity (especially “nominal” Christianity) I explain, “I am a conservative Christian.”

If I think the individual is a believer I’ll say, “I am a Baptist”

On the rare occasion some asks me “What kind of a Baptist” - My response is “I’m a historic Baptist, not a hysteric Baptist”

(This almost always get’s a laugh - except when speaking to a hysteric Baptist - they usually get it).

Straight Ahead!

jt

Dr. Joel Tetreau serves as Senior Pastor, Southeast Valley Bible Church (sevbc.org); Regional Coordinator for IBL West (iblministry.com), Board Member & friend for several different ministries;

Tue, 03/27/12
[Joel Tetreau] On the rare occasion some asks me “What kind of a Baptist” - My response is “I’m a historic Baptist, not a hysteric Baptist”

(This almost always get’s a laugh - except when speaking to a hysteric Baptist - they usually get it).
I’d be afraid to answer “What kind of Baptist?”
[Emo Phillips] I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said “Stop! don’t do it!” “Why shouldn’t I?” he said. I said, “Well, there’s so much to live for!” He said, “Like what?” I said, “Well…are you religious or atheist?” He said, “Religious.” I said, “Me too! Are you christian or buddhist?” He said, “Christian.” I said, “Me too! Are you catholic or protestant?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, “Me too! Are you episcopalian or baptist?” He said, “Baptist!” I said,”Wow! Me too! Are you baptist church of god or baptist church of the lord?” He said, “Baptist church of god!” I said, “Me too! Are you original baptist church of god, or are you reformed baptist church of god?” He said,”Reformed Baptist church of god!” I said, “Me too! Are you reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?” He said, “Reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!” I said, “Die, heretic scum”, and pushed him off. — Emo Phillips.

Tue, 03/27/12
I use “Bible believing Christian”. The other terms would be foreign to most of the people with whom I work. They have taught me that most of the terms which we use to describe ourselves aren’t even in their vocabulary. They would probably guess that a Calvinist was someone who believed in designer jeans.

"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan

Tue, 03/27/12
[Ron Bean] I use “Bible believing Christian”. The other terms would be foreign to most of the people with whom I work. They have taught me that most of the terms which we use to describe ourselves aren’t even in their vocabulary. They would probably guess that a Calvinist was someone who believed in designer jeans.
I like the Calvinist as one who believed in designer jeans. I am in KLEINed to find that pretty funny!

The original question is how we identify ourselves to secular people. I prefer the “Bible-believing Christian” answer for the same reason you do.

And as far as Jim Peet’s Presbyterian comments, I have long said, “you should not attend a church you cannot spell.” That rules out Presbyterians and Episcopalians for most people! Of course in Albuqurque, that rules out most churches. Oops, the spell check got me. How do you spell that city in NM?

"The Midrash Detective"

Tue, 03/27/12
Seriously, what fundamentalist ever talks to a secular person?

I tell my Catholic colleagues I’m Reformed. For the most part, they have no idea what that means. I might as well have just made up a word. If I say Presbyterian, sometimes that goes over better. I never call myself a Calvinist. In certain circumstances, I call myself an evangelical. I usually have to follow that up with a “but….”

My Blog: http://dearreaderblog.com

Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere. ~ John Calvin

Wed, 03/28/12
“…ever talks to a secular person?” :|

As a pastor, this subject doesn’t come up in a “normal” way. I’m almost always telling people what I do. So “Baptist” is almost always in there right away either because I said so up front or because that’s the next question.

Thinking back to before my pastorin’ days: I remember using “Christian” and “Protestant” and “Baptist,” depending on what I thought would be clear to whomever I was talking to. I remember using “Conservative Christian” in some contexts, because we got on that subject via a discussion of some social issue… so I was explaining where I was coming from from a basic moral attitude standpoint.

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.

Mon, 04/02/12
I voted “other”. When discussing my position on an internet forum with secular, skeptic, atheist, I prefer to go by the title of “Christian theist”. Then, I specify how that means that I hold to God’s word as my ultimate authority; this serves to inextricably connect God to His word, which helps in dealing with those who are always “separating” the written document from the God of the Bible.

Charlie, I often wonder that. It would explain why so many will talk and debate endlessly about a Maranatha promo video and ignore stuff that debunks the New Atheists. I really really really think that fundamentalist pastors really need to begin to realize what will happen to one of their 20somethings when he/she reads “The God Delusion” or “God Is Not Great” or etc.

Mon, 04/16/12
I say “I am a Historic Northern (Regular) Baptist.”

Hoping to shed more light than heat..

Mon, 04/30/12
I wish we could do away with all denominational-ism. I just think it creates confusion among believers and non-believers. It gives people the impression(perhaps rightly so) that the body of Christ is divided. Perhaps, instead of asking ourselves, “what denomination do you belong to?”, we should be asking ourselves, “which theological creeds/views do you hold, or most identify with?”

I think this type of question would open up more opportunities for healthy dialogue about theology/doctrine.

For sure, we should stay away from using the term “born again Christian”. By using the term, we are saying that it is possible to be a Christian, without having been born from above.

Mon, 04/30/12
[christian cerna] For sure, we should stay away from using the term “born again Christian”. By using the term, we are saying that it is possible to be a Christian, without having been born from above.
That is an interesting perspective; I think it is true theologically, but not practical when it comes to common nomenclature. For example, Paul says that one is a Jew who is one inwardly (Romans 2:28), but then calls unregenerate descendants of Abraham “Jews” as well. I think the same concept applies to Christian. If someone describes themselves as “Christian,” we can either be perceived as rude and tell them, “no you are not,” or, instead, distinguish ourselves by adding an adjective to describe our form of Christianity that is neutral (for example, saying we are “true Christians” might be accurate, but not neutral).

"The Midrash Detective"

Mon, 04/30/12
[Ed Vasicek]
[christian cerna] For sure, we should stay away from using the term “born again Christian”. By using the term, we are saying that it is possible to be a Christian, without having been born from above.
That is an interesting perspective; I think it is true theologically, but not practical when it comes to common nomenclature. For example, Paul says that one is a Jew who is one inwardly (Romans 2:28), but then calls unregenerate descendants of Abraham “Jews” as well. I think the same concept applies to Christian. If someone describes themselves as “Christian,” we can either be perceived as rude and tell them, “no you are not,” or, instead, distinguish ourselves by adding an adjective to describe our form of Christianity that is neutral (for example, saying we are “true Christians” might be accurate, but not neutral).
Perhaps we can say, “I am someone who believes in those truths expressed in the Apostle’s Creed”. That way, if someone doesn’t know what the Apostle’s Creed is, we can recite it for them, and explain what the major points of it is.

Tue, 05/01/12
[christian cerna] Perhaps we can say, “I am someone who believes in those truths expressed in the Apostle’s Creed”. That way, if someone doesn’t know what the Apostle’s Creed is, we can recite it for them, and explain what the major points of it is.
Well, Christian, I have to disagree. While making some important points, The Apostles’ Creed is not very specific, IMO. A Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox member could say the same thing. I think we have to capture the ideas of salvation by grace alone through faith alone and the importance of being born-again. The Apostles’ Creed does not address these important beliefs that make us who we are, at least that’s how I see it personally.

"The Midrash Detective"

Wed, 05/02/12
I think you are referring to two different questions.

“What do you believe?” and “How can one be saved”.

If someone asks us what we believe, then the Apostles Creed contains a good summary of who is this God that we believe in, and His historical incarnation, His death and resurrection, His Spirit’s work in the Church, His Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, and the judgement of all people.

Of course, if we wanted to get technical, the best summary of the Christian faith that I have ever read, is Peter’s address to the Jews on the day of Pentecost, and also Stephen the Martyr’s address to the Jewish council right before being stoned. If we all memorized those speeches, we would be experts in sharing the Gospel with others.

Wed, 05/02/12
“I am someone who believes in those truths expressed in the Apostle’s Creed”.
Or maybe say “I’m someone who believes about 97% of the Westminster Confession” then do a 16 week study to explain it. :D

Actually I like the Apostle’s Creed idea… it’s not a bad starting point, though it doesn’t quite lay the gospel out completely.

Then again, how about “I’m someone who believes the gospel.” Then you can detail that if the conversation gets any further.

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.

Wed, 05/02/12
I mean, I figure that if someone is asking us what we believe, then the most effective reply to them would be something like, “I am really glad that you asked that question. If you have a few minutes, I’d be happy to share with you what I believe”, and take it from there.

Wed, 05/02/12
We shouldn’t make the mistake of trying to cram every bit of theology we have into a 5 min conversation with an unbeliever. We should present them with the Gospel, the message of Christ’s appearance, the coming of the Kingdom of God, and the call to repentance.

Wed, 05/09/12
Depending on the person I have used heretical atheist.

But I usually just say I am a Christian and if they are really interested they will ask for more details and I can explain the gospel to them.

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ~ Eph. 5:15-17

Fri, 05/11/12
when i first read ‘heretical atheist’ i thought you were saying that you were an atheist and heretical.

maybe you should say something like “i am a non-practicing atheist”.