Identity - Part 2

Disclaimer: The following is my thoughts and opinions.  Since I am human, I can be wrong.

• Rule #1 - Never assume you are 100% right and never assume you are 100% wrong
• Rule #2 - don't be jerk
• Rule #3 - when there is disagreement, assume the worst of your intentions and the best of the other persons intentions

Definition of Identity

• sameness of essential or generic character in different instances
• sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing
• the distinguishing character or personality of an individual
• the relation established by psychological identification
• the condition of being the same with something described or asserted
• an equation that is satisfied for all values of the symbols

In the early 20th century, the terms retard, moron and imbecile were not insults.  They were accepted and defined terms used to categorize persons with cognitive disabilities.  The use of these terms in a hospital setting helped to convey important information about a person's mental abilities.






And then the general public got a hold of the terms.






How we use a word defines the word, regardless of what a dictionary says.  The actual definition of a particular word does not matter as much as how people use it.  Every time we try to use more inclusive, caring language, there will be groups who twist it and turn it into something mean and insulting.






That is how I currently feel about the word 'Christian'.  The definition of Christian is "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ".  By this definition, I am most certainly a Christian.


Why then do I feel the definition has changed?






This past fall, 80% of white, evangelical Christians voted for a presidential candidate who has rarely displayed any of the "fruits of the Spirit" from Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Let me be clear on one point.  I do not know what is in Donald Trump's heart.  I do not know and cannot know where he stands with God.  Maybe, just maybe, he is really and truly trying every day to be more like Christ.  Maybe he has such a long way to go that it is hard for us to see how far he has come.  This is not for me to judge.  But we can all see his behavior, his actions and his words.  There is no debate as to the content.  And the content is not good.
There are those who voted for President Trump because they believe he was "ordained by God".  There are those who voted for him based solely on his anti-abortion stance.  Many Christians voted for him because they felt he would appoint Supreme Court justices who were more conservative.  There were those who simply disliked Hillary Clinton so much they would vote for anyone opposing her.  Some voted for President Trump because they believed he would undo many Obama-era policies and regulations that they personally disagreed with.  Maybe some Christians voted for President Trump because they believed the Federal government needed an outsider to "shake things up".




Considerable time and effort has been put into arguing for and against the reasons listed above.  I will not add to that.  What I have yet to hear is how President Trump's election affects the Kingdom of God.  As a Christ Follower, that is important to me.




The very last verses of the Book of Matthew are:




Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."


This is often referred to as the Great Commission.  These verses have spurred on evangelical effort for the last two millennia.  With his last earthly words, Jesus makes it clear that we are called to spread the Good News to all people everywhere.  There is no "except", "if", "but" or other qualifying language in Christ's statement.  It is not up to us to determine who gets to hear the Good News.  Each Christ Follower is called to do our part in growing the Kingdom of God.


If you fall anywhere under the umbrella of non-Christian, would conservative Christian support for President Trump bring you closer to being a Christ Follower or would it push you farther away?

Eighty percent of white, Evangelical Christians voted for a man who, by all objective standards, has been mean, rude, dishonest, lacking in self-control, and seems to intentionally sow discord.  I have yet to see any of the "fruit of the Spirit" in him.  And yet, because of his position and ties to Christian conservatives, he is a Christian leader (whether we like it or not).

From my point of view, my fellow Christians have significantly impaired their evangelical efforts in a trade for...I'm not really sure what.  A return to "power" or "authority" or "the good ol' days"?  Maybe a desire to redirect the moral compass of our nation.  Stop and think about that for a moment.  Will President Trump help bring the U.S. back to Christian Values?  I would not get your hopes up.

In recent weeks, when I have thought about the word modern use of the term 'Christian', I have thought of the word 'Pharisee' - someone who is more interested in rule-following and maintaining the sociopolitical status quo than following God's Will.

That is why, at this particular point in time, I would rather be known as a Christ Follower than a Christian.