In Jesus Name: Week 5

When "Christian" Is Hard To Say

Before we begin, here’s a question on which I would like for you to reflect:

What belief have you accepted even though, in your heart, you don’t fully trust that belief? 

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Tim Okamura – Courage 3.0

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I have a hard time saying, “I’m a Christian,” because in saying so, it says to some that my conviction is the only conviction that matters, and that my faith is the only faith that matters.

But in truth, I don’t think my conviction should be anyone else’s but my own. I don’t think my faith is for everyone. So, I have a hard time admitting I’m a Christian because these words have been used to say to Muslims that the name Allah is evil and wrong. They’ve been used to say to Jews that Jesus is the One, the Way, the Truth and the Life, and therefore their faith is somehow empty. They’ve been used to say to Atheists, Agnostics and Humanists that their certainty is an uncertainty that’s somehow worse than sin itself. I have a hard time saying, “I’m a Christian,” because all too often these words speak unholy afflictions onto other faithful, good bodies that are not Christian. 

The words “I’m a Christian” say too little and too much.