So, there are types of “Christians”?

Well, I think so… while I don’t intend to boil down the entirety of a large religion/belief system into a simple trio, I feel that these types of Christians help encapsulate the most common ways that humans identify with this ancient belief.

Why does it matter? Well, as a seeker of truth, I try to understand something fully. Since I embrace one of these beliefs (see the Lifestyle type, below), I want to best understand the history and context and variables so I can best live out what both life experience and careful research reveal as truth.

The term “Christian” is a man-made word (somewhat of an unknown origin) used in present day to both describe someone as an adjective and as a noun itself.

In its most simple form, a Christian is widely recognized as someone who follows the teachings of Christ. The breakdown comes with those that do not live or think or believe any different (Token), those that put all of their faith in the belief itself (Cerebral) and those that are moved by the message so as to live differently (Lifestyle).

So, which of these three types do you think is the most positive and impactful for good and ultimately, which one is truest to the original intent of the subject matter?

The Token Christian

We all know this type; I suppose it could also be called “The Checkbox Christian”. This type is very common in positions of power or influence… I’d call this the “Trump Christian” or the “Clinton Christian”, to borrow from recent political uses of “Christian”.

This Token Christian is one that uses it like a simple checklist or as a ticket of entry. In an interview, in a crowd or in any sort of public forum, the label holder might uses the term to help find an in with a group of people or to gain favor with Christians en masse.

This type is damaging as the wearer usually has an audience and then can do or say anything they want, and it is somehow legitimized by wearing the label of “Christian”. There is usually not a lot of depth with this type of persona, and they are incredibly concerned with pandering to the masses and by growing an audience or increasing their territory and power. Most in this category have zero interest in the original meaning of Christianity or in adopting any practices or lifestyle changes.

There isn’t a whole lot to say about this type of Christian as there is quite literally no depth as its primary role is as a shiny badge to wear for others to see.

The Cerebral Christian

“Cerebral” describes how this particular type of Christian lives in their head space and focuses heavily on “thinking” and “believing” and all sorts of things that just confirm a variety of synapses in the brain.

Most in this category have some level of commitment to the Christian cause but they are incredibly focused on thinking the right thing or believing the right thing.

And what is belief, if not a persistent and repetitive thought that is reinforced both by surrounding yourself with an echo chamber and continually focusing on the thought?

If you have a thought/belief and then you go to sleep, do you stop being a Christian until you wake up and have the thought again? If you are not actively having this thought and belief, do you stop believing?

It is very much a “head space” where the bearer really intends and desires to be good, faithful and a follower of Christ but then tends to follow the dogma of the religion in favor of following and actively living out the teachings of Christ.

They focus more on “believing in the Lord Jesus Christ” than “living like Jesus”.

They seem to eschew and discourage works in favor of belief.

I think that much of this group falters and falls into legalism as they have crafted a very pagan system with which to measure, grade and fail or succeed in being a Christian (according to a subjective and ever-changing set of rules and checkboxes).

There really isn’t love, grace and relationship with so much focused on the gray matter.

Most importantly and perhaps most tragically, this type of Christian believes that belief itself is paramount. It proclaims that what they view to be the core tenants of Christianity (birth, death, resurrection of Jesus) are non-negotiable aspects in relationship.

This Christian thinks that somehow the brainwave’s acceptance of these things will magically transform one’s afterlife despite there being quite literally no factual (or logical for that matter) basis in this ideology. This belief comes from mixing misunderstood Biblical texts with Catholic influence and hundreds of years of pagan opinion and tradition.

Despite being much closer to living an actual Christian lifestyle than the Token Christian, the Cerebral Christian is one that still falls short as the thinking portion usually results in them cutting off others who are not like them and it puts far too heavy of a focus on mental perception that excuses oneself from any other action or a sense of selfless duty.

The Lifestyle Christian

This type of Christian is heavily focused on the ancient teachings of Jesus CHRIST, of which the word “Christian” originated from. They are ones that appreciate that this very old way of life is impactful and that it had and still has power to change the world - to bring heaven to earth. They adopt this way of living, and it then permeates everything they do as it becomes the core of who they are.

Jesus was a revolutionary man who stood up to both religious and political powers and he ended up being killed over it.

He gained a large following as his message of love, kindness and forgiveness was proven to cause real change.

He was only intolerant of the intolerant.

He hung out with the ones in society who needed a friend… the outcasts.

He taught prideful and pious people that humility and meekness was more rewarding.

He displayed the power of grace and mercy.

He showed kindness and compassion to those hurting.

I’ll go on, but isn’t this already very compelling? These are acts of kindness and goodness that are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.

Jesus wasn’t a Christian. There wasn’t such a thing at the time as the term was later coined to describe those that followed his teaching and lifestyle.

Did he teach about being saved? Sure, he did, but it wasn’t ever about being saved from afterlife consequences. Any careful examination of the Bible would clearly show that this teaching was about being saved from a lifestyle of misery and emotional pain. He taught how you can experience heaven on earth. He taught how to be saved from yourself.

His good news/gospel was that you didn’t have to live in a selfish hedonistic and empty life; he showed how to die to oneself and to look outside of the mirror in front of yourself. He taught by both words and by action.

I believe many “Cerebral” Christians also partake heavily in the “Lifestyle” portion, and if it was a Venn diagram, there would be a fair bit of overlap. Unfortunately, by embracing the “beliefs and thinking” part so much, they are missing out on full immersion of a transformative way of life.

Jesus never meant to be believed or thought about… he wanted to be followed. He wanted his followers to bring this gift of truth and life to others.

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Personally, my wife and I both fully embrace this perspective and have seen it lived out time and time again. We focus on these Christian principles in the way we treat others and even how we raise our kids. It is beautiful to see them live this out and make such a large impact on others with this transformative life of love in action.

Because I don’t embrace many “traditional fundamentalist Christian” views, I have been confronted by said fundamentalists who find out that I don’t embrace the “Cerebral Christian” role.

I’ve been frequently criticized and have been asked point blank: would you even call yourself a Christian?

My reply:

Absolutely, I’m a Christian.

What else would you call it?