Teaching a new dog old tricks!

So here goes my second entry to this heap of junk! I'm just gonna share a thought or two...maybe three, who knows.

The last year or so, I have been musing on what it means to be a real Christian; what is the shape of being a follower of Christ in the 21st century. This has been an up and down journey as I have realised that there is something radically modern (or post-modern if you are that way inclined) yet something very ancient about being a follower! If you think at all about any of this stuff you will realise that Church history has been an exercise in dilution-the faith that was originally given to the disciples has been watered down to suit our tastes! As we go forth into the 21st century, there then has been this movement of (mostly young) people who are really searching for a new way to do Christianity.

What I have realised is that this new way is just the old way rediscovered. For many who may read this blog, that statement may be as old as the hills, but if this is new to you in any way take a moment to ponder that; to really seek after and follow Christ, all we need to do is look at the actions of a few rogues, scoundrels and a pharisee from nearly 2000 years ago...

So having established that the new thing is just the old thing, I then ask, what exactly is the old thing?! Simply put, the old thing, i.e. the Kingdom life, is all about putting others before yourself. Yes we have attached a lot of doctrine to this (some good, some bad) but if you want to truly follow, then I believe your starting place is 'life laying down love' or prefering others over your own needs.

Which brings me to my final thought (in a Jerry Springer-esque way). I once told a friend that I was no longer a Christian. She looked at me with a mixture of shock, horror and confusion. I went on to explain that not only was I not a Christian, but that I had found a new God. Let me explain, as I explained to her...I am not a Christian, but a follower of Christ. And my new God is not religion, But God! Maybe your thinking that I am stating the obvious, but sometimes I think we get so caught up in Christianity and all its doctrines that we sometimes forget the man/God behind it all. I am probably being semantic about it all, but I think we may just have to rethink what being a Christian is. As Rob Bell puts it, 'Christian' is a good noun, but a really bad verb.

Sorry if this seems too much like a ramble/rant, but please feel free to comment.

Peace