The Word "Christian" is a Noun
Not long ago I saw a collection of pictures of stupid church signs on the interweb. Many of them were so stupid that they were almost certainly photoshop creations. But here's a few I know are genuine:
"SIGN BROKEN. MESSAGE INSIDE."
"WRINKLED WITH BURDEN? COME IN FOR A FAITH LIFT."
"GOD ENJOYS RECEIVING KNEE-MAILS."
"THE BEST VITAMIN FOR A CHRISTIAN... B1."
"SEVEN DAYS WITHOUT CHURCH MAKES ONE WEAK."
"WRINKLED WITH BURDEN? COME IN FOR A FAITH LIFT."
"GOD ENJOYS RECEIVING KNEE-MAILS."
"THE BEST VITAMIN FOR A CHRISTIAN... B1."
"SEVEN DAYS WITHOUT CHURCH MAKES ONE WEAK."
There was another sign that someone had assumed was stupid because it seems to be stating the unbelievably obvious. I couldn't find the picture again, so I re-created it over at www.churchsigngenerator.com:
At first I thought it was so obvious and prosaic that I wondered why even the dimmest of preachers would want to convey this message. But then I realized what he was really saying. The word "Christian" is a noun... not an ADJECTIVE. Here's a few familiar examples of the latter:
Christian Radio ~ Christian T-Shirt ~ Christian College ~ Christian Song ~ Christian Bookstore ~ Christian Counseling ~ Christian Cruise ~ Christian News ~ Christian Coffeehouse ~ Christian Band ~ Christian Movie ~ Christian Business ~ Christian Novel ~ Christian Dating Service ~ Christian Nation ~ Christian Magazine... and according to a recent post on this blog... Christian Jazzercise, Christian Perfume and Christian Golf Balls.
I was talking to a friend yesterday while Jars of Clay was playing in the background. Now here is what most people would refer to as a definitely "Christian Band." But I don't believe they see themselves that way. I believe they would say, "We are not a Christian Band. We are Christians in a band." The word Christian is a noun, you see.
I pointed out to my friend that, although Jars of Clay was pretty big stuff when they first debuted, their popularity has waned considerably. But despite all that, they have chugged along, making exactly the music they wanted to make, for ten years. Sometimes sarcastic or poignant or glib, sometimes downright worshipful. Sometimes at the bleeding edge of musical progress, and sometimes gleefully out-of-sync. But never bowing to the expectations one might have of a "Christian Band."
My point is not to recruit you to the Jars of Clay Fan Club (if there is such a thing.) My point is to ponder how using "Christian" as an adjective has caused us all to sit back and produce a bunch of worthless crap, because it's all just for fellow Christians anyway, and we know they'll buy it, and God will forgive us.
So then what? Then the world perceives the adjective "Christian" to be synonymous with the adjective "crappy." I dare you to scroll back up to the list of Christian Things and replace the word "Christian" with the word "crappy" in every instance. THIS is what the world thinks about all our shlock. And if you ask me, they're usually right.
Just don't ask me to say it with a church sign.
Posted at 10:28 PM
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There are two things I take from this.
1. Don't use "Christian" as an adjective.
2. Don't contribute to the perception that "Christian" stuff is shlock.
I can agree with that.
Since it is still grammatically acceptable to use Christian as an adjective, I will make concessions for things such as:
Christian doctrine ~ Christian organization ~ Christian tradition ~ Christian wedding ~ Christian holiday, etc.
These are things that can be drawn directly from the true nature of Christianity, and are an inevitable result of the practice of it. The things I mentioned in the post are problematic because they seem tacked on.
Two more that I will accept: Christian Slater and Christian Okoye.
I've long wondered about the lack of quality of art that Christians have marketed over the last 100 years.
Now, monster churches make their media so professional it doesn't feel related to Jesus any more. Modern music is so processed and filtered and there's no room for error or anything that isn't the best.
So I got off the perfection bus. No, my church won't produce the most amazing art or music or animation or video. But hopefully, we'll find God.
Amen.
Have you been talking to Brandon Goodwin lately? Because we had this exact conversation over lunch at Quizno's a couple months ago. He shares your sentiments quite passionately, actually. Although I wish it were not the case (and would like to work to change the inaccurate connotation), "Christian" as an adjective seems no longer to be very helpful at all as a descriptor, for the reasons you cited and more. Even as a noun. For example, to say you are a "Christian", to many, means you go to church, or you are an American, or maybe just a decent person who believes in God. I'm a strong advocate of clarifying to the public, "No, Christianity is far from synonymous with Americana, and it's far more than monotheistic piety, and it's not your identity as a result of going to church any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car." Erwin McManus is great at blaring this from the rooftops, but a good many more pastors would see a massive harvest of souls in their churches if they snuffed our their fear and followed suit.
Nevertheless, I couldn't agree more that "Christian"--when it comes to art or other products--is generally synonymous with "crappy" or cheesy. The whole "Christians in a band" thing is not new, by any means. P.O.D. and MxPx (two of my favorite bands from my youth) always told interviewers that they weren't Christian bands... P.O.D., when invited to the Dove Awards to receive an award, walked up on stage and declined to accept the award, saying, "We have no interest in being part of your 'secret society thing'" and walked off stage. Why? The record labels weren't interested in them when they were pioneering the rap-core industry. But once it caught on, they were like, "Hey, will you sign with us?" And they're like, "Pshaw. We're going with Atlantic. But thanks anyway... NOT!" I have to admit, though. They'd have had a bigger impact for the kingdom (I believe) if they would've stayed "underground" with their true roots. Just MHO.
I do have to give a testimony, though, of an exception to all this. When I attended Passion '05 (a gathering of college students and college pastors/ministers) in Nashville, it came off as anything but cheesy or sub par. In fact, the people who run and staff the Gaylord Entertainment Center said they'd never seen anything like it... that what took place over those four days was more incredible than ANY performance they'd ever hosted in that arena. This is Nashville we're talking about...Music Mecca, USA. It made headline news in the papers and on TV. And not just the performance, but the arena workers, hotel managers, and local business owners all expressed their shock at how considerate and friendly this group of 30,000 college students was. They were prepared for Spring Break partying, and were simply dumfounded by the love and respect they were all shown.
If those kind of displays of Christian faith became the norm--artistically, spiritually, and incarnationally--then "Christian" would be an absolutely wonderful way of describing the products of the lives of Christians.
In the not so distant future, we won’t have to concern ourselves with the term: “Christian” anyway.
Here is PROPHECY related to the NOUN "Christian" for this Millennium:
The word “Christian” will be replaced with “New Israel” for the Messianic Era. The Cross will be replaced with the ‘Shield of David’ or the ‘Star of David’ or in Hebrew ~ ‘Mogen David’.
At some point in this Millennium, the ‘Star of David’ will be replaced with Diamonds and Emeralds set in Gold, as the Eternal City of God is mainly comprised of these three elements.
Progression of Major Symbols Since the Beginning of the Hebrew Revelation:
1) The Star of David & the Mezuzah (Israel)
2) The Crucifix (Christ/Catholic ~ Christ’s Universal Church)
3) The Cross (Christ/Protestant ~ Christians who are not Catholic)
4) Back to the ‘Shield of David’ for the beginning of the Messianic Age to celebrate Christ & the Bride of Christ (Christ & Israel reunite).
5) Later, at some point in this Millennium, those partaking in the Messianic Era (God’s people who are liberated from their former Religions) will design a symbol made of Emeralds and Diamonds set in Gold to reflect God’s Eternal City.
The NOUN “Christian” will always be respected among Believers in Christ but must become History.
It must become History soon because the God of the Universe desires for the Christian Church to evolve into the Messianic Era, as of 2001 and officially as of 2006.
Just as it took Christianity approximately 300 years to take hold after the Resurrection of Christ, it will take some time for God’s Messianic Age to take hold. (First it must be Sanctified and Consecrated.)
So - Good~Bye "CHRISTIAN"
Hello - "New Israel"
TRIVIA
Did you know that the phrase "Good-Bye" means: God Be With You?
Wow, your words are like candy to our tongues. Keep 'em coming. We can't get enough.
Recreate more funny signs (also make comics, logos, banners, buttons, glitters, avatars, sigs, etc) on
www.CustomSignGenerator.com.
What on earth did Ariel say?
She's prophecying in the name of Christ. Takes a little getting used to, but you'll catch on pretty quick.
Anybody been to Ariel's site?
Wild.
But if 2006 was the "year of peace" - somebody got some bad info.
Yeah, I went to it once.
HA HA. Depending on your eschatology, peace ain't comin' to this earth 'til Jesus physically returns. I'm no expert on eschatology, so I haven't a clue what Christ's "1000 year reign" on earth is going to look like. For one, it can't be peaceful if wicked people continue to dwell on earth during that period of time. Duh, the kingdom of Satan is at war with the Kingdom of Christ, until the day that Satan, all his demons, and all the lost souls are thrown into the "lake of fire", the "second death". So let's see... could it be that Christ's "millenial reign" is after the creation of the New Heaven and New Earth?
Something to think about!
Thought this would be an interesting contribution to this blog, even if the only person who reads it is Coreman. ;-)
Turns out that Jars of Clay does consider themselves a Christian band. Read this article about how they have been intentionally catering to the Christian market by refusing to release songs they have written regarding "controversial" issues. Scroll down to #4 for the Jars bit.
In light of this conversation, this is just funny...really.
BTW, I'm not trying to "prove you wrong" with this, Coreman. LOL. I just thought it was very ironic, and because of that, humorous! Love you, bro. ;-)
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