When I was in college, a story made the rounds about a student who asked a preacher who was a frequent chapel speaker to meet with him. The young man wanted permission to date the preacher’s daughter—not in the sense of taking her to lunch or a basketball game, but in the sense of pursuing a serious relationship.
As the student and the preacher sat down together, the preacher said, “Well, son, are you a Big B baptist?”
The young man responded, “Well, sir, I am a Big C Christian.”
The preacher was not amused.
I don’t know whether the guy got to date the girl or not.
That story may have been the campus version of an urban legend. But it stuck with me because I have known “Big B Baptists.” Some friends, associations, institutions were not only distinctively Baptist, but aggressively Baptist.
In one group discussion about doctrines that Christians could differ on, one man had a hard time placing mode of baptism in that category. All of us in the discussion felt that immersion was the best mode and most in line with Scriptural teaching, but we agreed this wasn’t a decision that would make us question a person’s salvation. We understood how people could believe in other modes, even though we didn’t agree with them. But this man struggled with that thought, though he finally conceded.
I’ve known people who were “Big R Reformed” Christians or “Big C Calvinists.” My first introduction to Calvinism was from college Bible majors who constantly wanted to debate election vs. free will. One was even asked to leave campus, not because of his beliefs, but because he was “sowing discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19), constantly stirring up debates. I know some on Facebook like that now.
Of course, not all Reformed people are that way. But I’ve seen some that do not speak of the Christian community, but the Reformed community. They only buy books from Reformed publishers and only quote Reformed writers and preachers.
These defining labels aren’t limited to theological persuasions. I’ve unfollowed some sites that were “Big I Introvert” sites, even Christian ones. Reading about introversion has helped me understand the way I am made and the way I think and react. But some sites are so immersed in looking at life as an introvert that they can seem antisocial. I can lean that way, so I needed to stop feeding that tendency into my thoughts.
And, of course there are many other labels through which people define themselves and look at life. There are “Big R Republicans” and “Big S Sports fans” and “Big E Enneagram” experts (followed by numbers and wings). There are “Big M Moms” who can talk about nothing but motherhood, making single women feel left out of the conversation.
Labels aren’t bad in themselves. My husband’s father worked in a grocery store and was allowed to bring home cans which were missing labels. When Jim’s mom said she was making a surprise for dinner, she wasn’t kidding.
When my husband and I looked for a church to attend here, we wished that church websites would label themselves more distinctly. We put our preferences in our browser’s search bar and got hundreds of responses. The ones we looked into sounded almost the same, even down to their statement of faith and constitution. If they were trying to make themselves sound generic, they were going to disappoint some who came and found they held certain positions. They were also going to miss out on those who wanted to find churches that held particular positions.
So labels are helpful, even good and necessary. I use some of these labels myself.
But labels can lead to two problems.
One problem is looking at everything, especially Scripture, through the lens of our label instead of looking at our label through the lens of Scripture. I’ve known people who did not come to their positions from their reading of Scripture, but from books they read and sermons they listened to. Then they began trying to fit Scripture into their theological grid rather than adapting their theology to Scripture.
In one book I read about introversion in the church, the author said that the reason Jesus climbed into a boat once to speak to the crowd was because, as an introvert, He wanted to put some distance between Himself and the people. That would have been the author’s motivation in the same circumstances, and he projected his thinking onto Jesus’ actions (even though he later wrote that Jesus was the perfect balance of introvert and extrovert). I think that Jesus chose that venue rather because it was the best place for the crowd to see and hear Him.
The second problem is this: what label do we want to be known by first and foremost? When people see our names, do we want their first thought to be, “Oh, yeah, she’s an Enneagram 6” or “staunch Republican” or whatever?
Before people know my personality type or theological persuasion, they need to know that I love God and want them to know and love Him, too. Though I have several sub-labels, I want my biggest labels to be “Christian,” “Christ-follower,” “child of God.”
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1a).
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
Amen. I want to shine the love of Christ in every word and action. 🙂
Excellent post, my friend. I know I have said this before but I always want to first be known as a Christian before anything else… and with a capital C.
Me, too!
I hear what you’re saying here Barbara. I too have had similar experiences.
I agree it’s about God & His Word, His plans & His ways not man’s.
Blessings, Jennifer
The most important thing is to love & follow the call of Christ
Amen. That’s often lived out through some of these other “labels” if we keep them in the right perspective.
I agree, it’s a shame when those labels become too important to people and they get in the way of meaningful conversation. We need to find our identity in Jesus, not in other labels.
Amen! None of the other labels or brands matter as much as being a Christ-follower, first and foremost. Whatever else I am, I am first a Christ-follower, and I have to keep re-examining myself to make sure that all my other labels are compatible with and subordinate to Jesus and His Word.
Thank you, Kym–this sums it up perfectly.
Wow so interesting and timely! Although many of my Sundays are spent at “organ church,” my husband is considering a switch to a reformed Baptist church and it’s been an experience. Although he agrees with most things, they are very strict on a … 1689 confession maybe? that he has some issues with. So many theology debates, and I find myself just wanting to be a Christian/Jesus-follower and not get into the weeds on so many things. Likewise I’ll do surveys and they will ask “are you a strong Republican, not-so-strong Republican,” etc. — just ugh! Many things in life are more nuanced than that.
Hummm… pausing to reflect here. My lable? Christ follower.
Visiting today from IMM #23
Great post Ms. Barbara. If I’ve learned nothing else in this life is that there’s more I don’t know and can’t understand than I can ever hope to attain in this life. I think God designed us that way purposely, so that we would continue to pursue Him in fearfulness, wonder, and admiration. If we knew it all (or still thought we did like when we were 16), then we would be more apt to judge others. Judgment happens in worldly terms because we so often judge using worldly standards. in the same way theology, doctrinal issues, and even denominations have served to divide the body of Christ is such a way that we spent more time judging each other to realize what was happening within our own gates. Lots to consider here my friend. Thank you!
Thank you, JD. I think denominations can be helpful in some ways, but they need to come under the title of “Christian” and not take first place.
JD’s comment resonates with me. There’s so much to ponder with humility. Not that we shouldn’t think or discuss theological positions, but perhaps with humility we can maintain unity and brotherly love.
So many theological discussions and differences lack humility. I had not thought of that when writing this post, but it’s much needed to remember that there are people who love and love God better than I do who hold different opinions than mine on the non-core doctrines.
You’ve done well presenting how folks choose a religion. I’m thankful for the revelation of the need for a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. I pray often for more of Christ and less of me. I need to do that more. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement.
Amen-that’s the only label that matters!
I’ve always hated labels although I have worn one or two on occasion. Some are fun to wear like the Big M – Mitford fan. Others can create a very closed off life. This was an excellent post, Barbara!
Thank you for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.
I enjoyed the way you handled the labeling issue Barbara. Coming from a legalistic BIG B Baptist background after growing up Catholic, let’s just say I’m a bit label shy. Follower of Christ suits me fine.
What a great post, Barbara. It is all too easy to hold our opinions and preferences above God’s Word and to filter everything through them. I have been following Christ for 40 years and I cringe to think of some of the beliefs and opinions I held earlier. I hope my understanding of Christ and His Word will continue to deeper as the years go by if He gives me more of them.
I agree, Barbara, I want to be known as a Christ follower. I don’t run into this too much, but I can see how it would cause a multitude of problems, “But labels can lead to two problems. One problem is looking at everything, especially Scripture, through the lens of our label instead of looking at our label through the lens of Scripture.”
Well said.
Great post, Barbara. I think labels can be helpful sometimes (still smiling about your mother-in-law’s surprise suppers) but we are all so much more than any single label. What you said about the author writing about Jesus in the boat especially resonated with me because I’m reading a book where the author frequently says things like “most of us … “ or “all of us …” I’m sensing a lot of projection with her too because nine times out of 10, what she’s saying doesn’t really fit me.
Pingback: August Reflections | Stray Thoughts
Thank You!!! Having grown up surrounded by labels, denominational, racial, life-style oriented, political, etc, I long ago became hesitant to call my self a ‘big C’. I’m a Jesus follower. The body of Jesus must shed the labels and expectations and live in community. That’s what He died to create, that’s why the only thing he prayed for in the garden was Unity based on mutual love. B Blessed today!