A random internet person recently asked this question, adding that his own definition was “a kind and just person.” I can understand where he’s coming from, given that, for example, “America is a Christian nation.” “Christian” is a very old word and, for nearly two millenniums, it has also been a very popular word in some section of the world or another.
Over time, the popular understanding of a word, especially a popular word, can change drastically because people gradually ascribe to it new meanings slightly different (in the speaker’s mind) from the one(s) previously known. Thus “happy” (fortunate) became “happy” (glad) and “gay” (glad) became “gay” (homosexual). This happens everywhere in every language to the degree that the language is used liberally. It’s a reason we have trouble reading ancient text supposedly authored in our current language; indeed, it’s one of the reasons we have so many languages.
So, back to the question: What is a Christian? In my opinion, there’s no good reason to abandon the original meaning of the word. The word is first recorded in Acts 11:25-26, where it means “follower of the Christ.” “Christ” is a Greek translation of the Jewish “Messiah,” which implies the Jewish concept of God.
To consider someone a Christian, I require that they (earnestly desire to) agree with Jesus on every point. And the New Testament canon is the most reliable account of Jesus and His contemporary followers. Although there may still be a bit of subjectivity, it’s mostly objective; I cannot see a secular humanist, Moslem, or any other person whom I would consider “lost,” except of course members of ‘Christianish’ cults, claiming the label given those bounds. And in the case of such cultists, I believe they’re on very shaky ground to say the least.
Posted by Jesdisciple 