“Christ-followers accept people unconditionally, but refuse to accept their sin.”

Putting aside the oxymoronic nature of this claim amidst all of the other generalizations that you’ve so casually asserted as truth with this recent post, I find myself compelled to ask a few questions– I hope you’ll oblige. How is it that, according to you, Christian theologians and “biblical scholars” over the past two thousand years have misinterpreted Christianity, or at least, misrepresented it, so monumentally?

To put it another way: How do you reckon that the collective Christian church and its community has so detrimentally distorted Jesus’ teachings on such a widespread level? What exactly do you think they have done so wrong and what are you doing so right? They are basing their sermons and moral cores upon the Bible, just as you do, I’m sure.

And through this comes the real question: By what right do you claim to have the enlightened understanding of Jesus Christ, or of God and His will? I find it interesting that you claim to hold the “real truth” in your grasp, and by saying so you imply that the authorities of the Christian faith down the line of history were wholly misguided and just plain wrong on so many counts. I’m very curious how you’ve come to these conclusions and display them with such conviction.

Anyway, it seems as if you are attempting to write off only the “title” of Christianity by simply lumping all of the evil or “unfavorable” acts done by the church and its followers over the years into that category, and retaining all of the “good” under a new name— “Christ-followers”. This is hardly a reinvention; this is nothing but a superficial change of the label by which you indentify yourself. This should be very, very obvious at this point, but clearly this attempt at a new movement would run into precisely the same problems that Christianity does. Why would it be any different? I fail to see the point of this, Jay. It seems clear that a “Christ-follower” is simply a Christian who follows the rules. You walk a slippery slope when you being to label eachother “true Christians” or vice versa, which is essentially what you are trying to do.

This would only serve to divide, just as all religion inherently does.

I am an atheist and still I felt compelled to comment on this idea of adding yet another “denominational ideology” to the gargantuan, reeking pile that already exists– even if the “Christ-follower” idea is unofficial. Your beliefs are profoundly divisive enough as it is, Jay. There is no need to add fuel to the fire of denominational/religious bigotry.

Joe…

Lol…it’s always interesting to hear how people interpret what I say. Thanks for speaking up about my apparent miscommunication.

If someone was truly following Christ, they’d be surrendering ALL their sin habits to Jesus and winning the battle with the power of the Holy Spirit.

We agree that we’re not perfect, so why be offended? The goal is to look more like Jesus ever day.

There are 100s of men right now, as we speak, raping women in the sex trade, wearing crosses around their necks. They are taking the Lord’s name…in vain. (I guess that’s my point- if you claim Christ, live like Christ.

I’m glad you bear them both- may our lives truly bear witness to the name we carry.