Whats in a name?

"... the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." 

The Acts of the Apostles 11:26 

I often identify myself as a Christian, gladly taking my place beside those first followers of Jesus Christ referenced in the passage above.

"Christian" is a title, a word formed after the Roman style, signifying an adherent of Jesus Christ.  It was originally a title of scorn as noted by the Tacitus, the Roman historian who, writing near the end of the first century, says, "The vulgar call them Christians. The author or origin of this denomination, Christus, had, in the reign of Tiberius, been executed by the procurator, Pontius Pilate" (Annals xv. 44).  However, from the second century on it was generally accepted by believers as a title of honor.

Simply put then, a "Christian" is one who is loyally following Jesus, with all that implies.

Sounds pretty straightforward doesn't it?  Unfortunately, from that simple beginning its become much more complicated.  In our culture its a bit muddled... and that confusion complicates my efforts to communicate the teachings of Jesus to others.

Think about it... in most peoples minds "Christian" has become a much more general term that is actually addressing heritage, or religion, or a particular moral code.  So when you tell someone you are a "Christian" they may think first of a political party or moral prohibition before they think much about Jesus.

In addition, many in our culture who have not the slightest inclination to follow Jesus readily identify themselves as "Christian", meaning perhaps that they are not Hindus, Buddhists, or Muslim, or that they went through some type of religious ritual as a youngster.

So whats in a name?  How can I overcome this cultural hurdle and have an honest dialogue about Jesus with my family or my neighbor?  I'll write a bit more about that in a future post when I lament the added difficulties that come along with being a Pastor.