The Big Idea

January 29, 2008

Just finished reading The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson, Eric Bramlett, and Jon Ferguson. It was a good book. I highly recommend that everyone read this book. The authors challenge the church to get more focused in our communication of the Gospel. This book is one that  every pastor should consider.

One caution however, I feel must be addressed. While I enjoyed the book tremendously, the opening chapter left me saddened and frustrated. I have to admit, in some ways it tainted the rest of what I read. I have heard many church leaders calling the church world to abandon the use of the title “Christian” and to replace it with the concept of “Christ Follower." Their reasoning is that the title is misused and causes confusion. While I agree that there are many abuses and a great degree of confusion about what it means to be a Christian, I hardly think it is a good reason to abandon the title. This title was first used in the book of acts and has been carried on throughout the generations. My caution really comes down to the logic behind abandoning the term.

The author's logic for the abandoning of the term is flawed. Why do I say that? Basically because they build the argument off of Barna’s fallacious "Christian" classification of undeserving Americans. Just because someone calls himself or herself Christian, does not make him or her one. This faulty classification is no fault of the authors. However, when you start with a faulty premise, you often end with a faulty conclusion.

Such as: If I proclaim to be a brain surgeon, and teach you or tell you something false or cannot do surgery,  it does not, and should not reflect upon all who turly are brain surgeons. I am a brain surgeon, not by my actions or behavior, but by my own admission. However, if we follow Barna's logic, I am one because I call myself one. Therefore, all brain surgeons resemble my thoughts, deeds and words and every brain surgeon should abandon that title. Or maybe we could use lawyers instead, that might fit better into a broad based classification. Maybe we could even talk about used car salesmen.  In fact, we could apply that logic to almost anything and create a mess. There is a distinction between those so-called Christians, who proclaim to be something they are not and those who are truly Christians. I would rather reclaim the title rather than abandon it because some misuse it.

Again, let me reiterate, I did enjoy the book and I do understand the issue the authors are trying to address in the opening chapter. I suppose I show my weakness in that I allowed myslef to be side-tracked by this chapter. To say that we should never call ourselves, or anyone else, Christians is simply silly. I am sympathetic with the idea, but I feel it is overstated. I refuse to abandon a title because some misunderstood and/or misused it. Should we not attempt to educate our society about its true meaning? What happens if the new title gets abused? Do we then set out to find another?

Just food for thought. Read the book, it will help you think deeply about the issue of focus and how you are educating your people with the truth of God’s word. I hope you are not as foolish as I am and allow yourself to focus on the opening chapter.

Posted 1/29/2008 in Stephen Gray

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