BJ Harris’

The word “Christian”: Is it a Noun or Adjective?

I think it’s a great noun and a really poor adjective. But I haven’t always thought this way.

The person that opened my eyes was Rob Bell, the pastor of Mars Hill Church up in Grand Rapids, MI. You may also know him from the highly popular Nooma films. While I don’t always fully agree 100% with everything he does or teaches, he does have some incredible things to say, and I highly respect him for the questions he asks, and the discussions he prompts. For example…

For years, I billed myself as a “Christian Illusionist,” because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do. There were “Christian Musicians,” “Christian Bands,” “Christian Comedians.” I thought, “I’m an illusionist, and a Christian, therefore I guess I’m supposed to be called a “Christian Illusionist.”

If the guy that works on my truck when it breaks down is a Christian, why isn’t he called a “Christian Mechanic?”

Something didn’t make sense. My thinking was flawed.

I share the opinion of Bell in at least this area: Part of what it means to be Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion. Rob says in his book, Velvet Elvis, “We throw ourselves into our work because everything is sacred.”

In Colossians, Paul says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” He’s teaching people to live as Christians…to BE Christians. Then, whatever they do will be sacred, holy work.

Christian. Great noun, poor adjective.

So what about music and magic and comedy and mechanics?

Well, for just one example, music was really created by God. Therefore, it’s already sacred. God created it, and it doesn’t need a label to make it sacred or acceptable or blessed. (BTW: Is the same true for the food we eat? Is it already blessed, or do we need to “bless” it?)

So if all this is true, it’d pretty much be impossible for a Christian to have a “secular” job. As Bell says, “If you follow Jesus and are doing what you do in his name, then it is no longer secular work; it’s sacred. You are there; God is there. The difference is our awareness.” (That’s an important word - Awareness. Another future post…)

He goes onto to say later that, “The goal isn’t to bring everyone’s work into the church; the goal is for the church to be these unique kinds of people who are transforming the places they live and work and play because they understand the whole earth is filled with the kavod of God. God isn’t in one building only. Doing things for God happens all the time, everywhere. If you are an actor, the goal isn’t for you to do your work in a church building in a church service. Please go wherever it is in the world that people act and do it well. Really well. Throw yourself into it and give it everything you have.”

So ultimately, the labels somehow fail. No matter how useful they seem to be from time to time, they just don’t work because the life of Jesus is just that…a life that is lived by people who have oriented their entire lives about Him and His teachings.

One of the things I stress over and over again in a lot of our live events is to test everything. As Christians, we’re to be alert and engaged, and not let everyone else do the thinking for us. If we do that, we’ll make assumptions and be easily deceived. One of the dangers of labeling things “Christian” is because of that reason. It can lead to us blindly accepting things and consuming them as truth. And why do we do it? Because we assume that if it’s labeled “Christian,” then it must be safe and acceptable. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work out that way. All the “Christian Stuff” in our culture isn’t completely safe and acceptable. Something can be labeled “Christian” and not be true or good.

I can’t tell you the amount of times that I’ve experienced this. It’s happened at conferences, churches, on TV, in bookstores, and on and on and on. And don’t get me wrong. I’m not an authority on truth. God is. I’m not referring to the books and speakers and churches that push the envelope on what most of us may refer to as “gray areas.” I’m referring to blatant deception that becomes accepted simply because of it’s label.

Let’s wrap this up. Take a look at one more paragraph out of Rob’s book…

“This happens in all sorts of areas. It is possible for music to be labeled Christian and be terrible music. It could lack creativity and inspiration. The lyrics could be recycled cliches. That “Christian” band could actually be giving Jesus a bad name because they aren’t a great band. It is possible for a movie to be a “Christian” movie and to be a terrible movie. It may actually desecrate the art form in its quality and storytelling and craft. Just because it is a Christian book by a Christian author and it was purchased in a Christian bookstore doesn’t mean it is all true or good or beautiful. A Christian political group puts me in an awkward position: What if I disagree with them? Am I less of a Christian? What if I am convinced the “Christian” thing to do is to vote the exact opposite?”

I could echo Rob’s words on my own art form! It applies to every vocation.

Again, we have to test everything.

In the meantime, I’m not a “Christian Illusionist.” Not because I’m leaving ministry and my role in the local church has changed. My purpose hasn’t changed. My label has. I’ve always hated labels anyway…

I’m an illusionist.

And, I’m a Christian.

It’s an awesome noun, but a really poor adjective.