Being a Christian vs. Following Jesus -

Is there a difference between being a Christian and following Jesus? I guess it depends on who you ask. I know this much, there is no definitive answer to this. Because who would make that call anyway?

Some people would say the two are synonymous. Someone holding this position might ask how it would be possible to separate the two. How could someone follow Jesus and not be a Christian or vice versa? To them there is no difference. Set aside your own views on this and consider how a person sees this if they hold it. In a way, it’s similar to people who say they see no difference between being religious and being spiritual.

Some people take an opposite view — that the two may overlap, but not necessarily. These people would point to the reality that there are plenty of Christians who don’t seem at all concerned with attempting to follow Jesus — or at least the Jesus they believe in. That’s the key to this because I imagine that the people who are supposedly guilty of this would argue that they are following Jesus and they could probably point to several things to back up their claims. Whether one agrees with the defense is a different issue. These folks would be very sincere in their belief that they are following Jesus.

In some regards, both views are similar. I think it starts with how we view our own journey of faith. Often we are less critical of ourselves and find it easier to claim that we are Christian AND following Jesus in a way we understand Jesus is calling us to follow. All the while looking at others who see faith quite differently and casting them down as not following Jesus, but being Christians in name only. In some ways this is because people see different aspects of who God is, and especially who Jesus is. Is Jesus the one who upsets the status quo or the one who is against chaos and disorder and was a part of the making order out of chaos? Is Jesus for the poor and outcast, or is he concerned with telling people to repent and sin no more? The answer is yes. Of course, these options aren’t nicely in opposition to each other either though.

Can one be a Christian and not follow Jesus? I believe that is possible for some simple reasons that have nothing to do with the arguments above. Technically, being a Christian means being a member of a Christian church. Membership has few responsibilities — show up and give from time to time. That’s what many churches’ membership requirements are. It’s no different than being in a club.