Solving the mystery of good-Christians.
"He’s a good Christian."
Have you ever heard that phrase before? A friend used that phrase yesterday and since then I can’t stop wondering, what in the heck does that mean? It is nearly as mysterious as a "cool Christian."
Is there such a thing as a good Christian? How can one tell a good Christian from a bad Christian? It is sort of like the time I heard a man say he was voting for Carter because he’s a "good Christian." Why is the adjective "good" needed to describe the Christian? Usually I have heard this in a context that means: "No, Charlie is a pain in the ass and often treat outsiders like crap, but he is ‘good Christian.’" Let’s ask Charlie’s family.
What does it mean to be a "good Christian"? A friend says the Dali Lama is the most Christ-like person he has ever met. Does this mean the Dali Lama is a good Christian? How ‘bout Gandhi? There is a guy who acted like a "good Christian." Are these two less Christian than Jerry Falwell? Who you going to follow Falwell or Gandhi? Bono is fairly popular nowadays, he gets my vote.
I was once a part of group that considered itself "postmodern." I was very excited to join this group and to be able to ask and explore question of faith. I soon discovered after making a post about how the church needs to stop abusing gay people that these folks were not so "postmodern" and more actually fundamentalist Christians. Don’t get me wrong, as "good Christians" they loved the sinner, they just hated the sin. I wonder if you asked the "sinner" the good Christians supposedly loved if they felt loved what he/she would say?
Why is it that "good Christians" often seem to hinder rather than further the cause of Christ? It is like those who can quote scripture so well are often the one’s with the worst theology. Have you ever noticed that? Did you ever notice that those claiming to be inclusive are often only inclusive to those who think like them?
I have an idea, let’s allow non-Christians to decide and vote who the good Christians are. No longer can "good Christians" claim who the other "good Christians" are. Sorry, if you are a Christian you can’t vote, especially if you would classify yourself as a good-Christian leader. I know, "good Christians" will be pissed that they don’t get a vote, espesially the leaders, but this will be a perfect opportunity to learn and grow. This will help insure that voting is fair. And maybe then we’ll discover what it means to be a "good Christian."
9 Comments:
Just a question, or maybe a series of them. I tend to fashion myself as an amateur linguist/critic, so I think that I've read way too many books on/about literary criticism in my time....
What's "good"?
Besides that God person, who can define "good"?
What happens when someone is "good" one day, yet "bad" the next? How do we address that?
Are there certain actions that are "good", some that are "better", and some that are "best"? How can we tell the difference?
Are there certain Christians whom are "good", some whom are "better" and some whom are "best"? How can we tell the difference?
What's the big deal about being "good"? Can I really be "good"?
Again, what is "good"?
But thanks Rick for compelling us to address our preconceived notions about the language we so regularly use, abuse, and misunderstand.
Hi Kat and N,
Thanks for your comments and helping me make my point.
N, great question, "what is good?" I don't have a clue, it depends on who you ask and when. :)
As a litery critic I would love to get your perspective on scripture.
Thanks for the comments.
You two a bothe "good" bloggers.
Deja vu (http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2004/10/i_am_a_bad_chri.html)...
Rick in Va., Wow. I went back and read your post. Then I read the comment section and some wise man said:
Depends on how one defines "good". "Why do you call me good?" Remember who asked that? I guess being a "good" Christian would mean following Jesus into the world and standing for what Jesus stood for. Somehow Jesus' life has come to mean living by a certain moral code in some circles. Jesus lived on the fringe with those who had been excluded by the "religiously correct". We need to move toward the fringe of society if we want to see the back of Jesus' head.
for being a Christian.
I think that the person who said that is a stud.
After living on this planet for 50 years, mostly as a christian, I finally discovered the real Good News. No one is good. Not one ("For all have fallen short of the glory of God..."). That means your christian leaders aren't good. Your christian friends aren't good. You aren't good. But THAT is the good news, Grace has made a way for you anyway. The sooner christians get it that they aren't "good," the sooner we will all be free to follow Christ.
all i know is that i'm a "not so good" Christian most of the time. some days I think that's right where He wants me. maybe most days.
great post Rick. wish i could offer something more intelligent to this thought provoking post.
the sidebar comment of this blog has dug in deep.. "i always settle for being a Christian"
Excellent Anonymous --
None of us really are "good", but we really try to be really hard to be. And THAT is the saddest thing about people, especially Christians, is that they're convinced that they either ARE good or that they can GET good. We can't & I love it because that means that I HAVE to have God in my life. If I can get good on my own, why do I need Christ to die for me?
What if all of us are good but we just don't know it... so we try?
Yes, the concept of a good Christian is a elusive one at best.
N, from your first comment, my response:
I don't think it matters much how a person behaves one day or the next for whether they're "good." "Good" is not an in-the-moment concept, but instead the cummulative total of who you are.
Rick, fabulous post. Time for me to start the adult (adult meaning non-baby, not porno LOL) blog so that I can dwell on these things more deeply. It's so frustrating to me that I've finally made peace with Christianity, Jesus, and God...but now have a devil of a time finding a church that isn't filled with knee-jerk fundies. *sigh*
Keep writing; you really encourage me that there IS intelligent life out there!
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