Personally, I don’t like the term
“Born Again Christian.” (Blame Charles Colson
for popularizing the term. Kidding,
Chuck.)
It’s redundant. One can’t be a Christian, without being born
again in the first place. Thus, a Christian will always be
and should be “born again”.
Look it up in John 3, the famous conversation of Jesus and
Nicodemus.
I put a resounding “Christian” on
every basic info that has the item that asks my religion. Yes, “resounding”, as in if an exclamation
point is allowed, I would also add it at the end of “Christian”. Like “Christian!!!” - yup, with three exclamation points. “Born Again Christian” is not a
religion. It’s more of a term that
determines a broad scope of Christian denominations, which is, in my opinion,
inappropriate in a “religion” fill-up blank.
Even putting the denominational orientation, like Baptist or
Presbyterian, would be inappropriate, since being a Baptist or a Presbyterian
is not a religion.
At least in Facebook, the item to
be filled is not “religion” but “religious views” (wise move by Facebook), thus
one can put his denomination or religious philosophy or inclination there. And “Born Again Christian” would be acceptable (but would still remain redundant).
Back to “Born Again Christian”
and being a Christian… I think the problem is that the concept of being a
Christian is just too shallow now in the present time. Christian as a religion is being treated as
the same weight as the essence of a nationality. That if one is born in the Philippines and of
Filipino parents, therefore his nationality is arbitrated as “Filipino” without
any question. But is the same model applicable
to becoming a Christian? That being born
in a Christian church and of Christian parents, would make one a Christian
automatically? Definitely not. Regardless of belonging or growing up in a
Christian church or being born of Christian parents, one is not “made” a Christian
by those facts. Being a Christian is
always a personal encounter. True, growing up in a Christian family and community would have the perfect healthy environment
for someone to have that encounter, but that’s just what being born in a
Christian church and of Christian parents can bring.
This present society thinks of
Christianity as just a traditional identity that could be inherited. Now, since
plenty of people treat Christianity as mere traditional and inherited identity,
plenty of people identify themselves as “Christians”, though they are really
not. This created the conditions for the
real Christians the need to identify themselves with the redundant “Born Again
Christian” since a resounding and proud classification of “Christian” per se is
not enough.
Example, if I’m asked of what is
my religion, I would simply reply my usual proud: “Christian!”
Sometimes, the person that asks
this, not being satisfied, would follow up with, “What do you mean ‘Christian’? We are all Christians here, aren’t we? Can
you please specify?”
Under my gritted teeth, I would
be muttering to myself, “All Christians, eh?
Yeah right. If you know what ‘being
a Christian’ really is in the first place, you wouldn’t ask.” But, of course, I would have to “specify”, so
I reply, “Uh – Christian. Evangelical
Christian. And Reformed leaning…”
“Evangelical?” the asker would
continue to ask, “What do you mean? What
church?”
By this time, I would be tempted to say, “Moron!” but that would be not good, so it only happens in my mind. I would continue elaborating, “Evangelical Christian... My church is (insert the church’s name). It’s a Presbyterian denomination.”
By this time, I would be tempted to say, “Moron!” but that would be not good, so it only happens in my mind. I would continue elaborating, “Evangelical Christian... My church is (insert the church’s name). It’s a Presbyterian denomination.”
A blank look from the asker, then
he or she would brighten up and he or she will say, “Uh, you’re like a Born
Again or something?”
I grit my teeth once again (to avoid exclaiming “Yes, you moron! I said I am a Christian, so I am definitely born again.” This may sound un-Christianly harsh in my part, but I’m just being honest. I’m not perfect, I still get these thoughts… even sometimes completely articulating them in a retort) and reply with a shrug, “Y-yeah. You got it. Protestant. Born Again. Whatever. That’s it. Christian…”
I grit my teeth once again (to avoid exclaiming “Yes, you moron! I said I am a Christian, so I am definitely born again.” This may sound un-Christianly harsh in my part, but I’m just being honest. I’m not perfect, I still get these thoughts… even sometimes completely articulating them in a retort) and reply with a shrug, “Y-yeah. You got it. Protestant. Born Again. Whatever. That’s it. Christian…”
I find it both sad and
ridiculous.
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