When Is a Christian Not A Christian?

Why do so many Christians claim that other Christians are not really Christians? Is there a definition written in the sky somewhere? Here we talk about the history of the problem, from its very beginning. Among other things we'll discuss why some biblical scholars today refuse to use the word "Christian" for the apostle Paul, the members of his churches, and for followers of Jesus in the first century altogether; and we'll ask whether there is something about "Christianity" in particular that leads to debates about what it actually means; and we'll try to work out if there's any satisfactory answer to the questions: "Is it possible to define the term to everyone's satisfaction?" and "Does it matter?"

Megan asks Bart:

- Why is this an important subject of discussion?

- Can historians say when “Christian” really became a religious identity?

- How would these people have self-identified? If you asked one of Paul’s converts, what would they have said?

- When does the term “Christian” start to come into common usage?

- If you asked members of different Christian groups what it meant to be Christian, would they have given different answers? What would a Gnostic have said, in comparison to a follower of Marcion? Would they all have identified themselves as Christian?

- When do we first see arguments about what constitutes a “real” Christian?

- This kind of in-fighting doesn’t seem to have been a feature of pre-Christian religions. What is it about Christianity that has created this idea of “one right way” to follow a god?

- Is this exclusivity something that we see in the teachings of Jesus?

- What did Jesus say about how he wanted his followers to behave?

- Do any of these ethical teachings seem to have any bearing on how Christians define and have defined themselves?

- How has what it means to be a Christian changed over the centuries? Would a modern evangelical be recognized as a Christian by the early Church fathers?

- What do you think it means to be a Christian, and does what you think now differ from when you were an evangelical?

[adamcruz]

Dr. Ehrman, you have no idea how much I appreciate all your work. I am a man of faith and always will be, but your books and talks opens my mind so much. Thank you!

[mushroom_thrillers]

Megan Lewis does an amazing job of teeing up questions that are open-ended and lets Bart take things interesting directions.

[johnmeadow]

I would say denying the Christianity of other Christians is one of the most Christian things you can do.

[davidvernon]

There used to be a joke in Christian circles in Texas back in the day. “Wanna make sure all of your Beer gets drunk at the party? Invite one Baptist. Want to make sure that none gets drunk? Invite two

[FaithIsNotEvidence]

The TRUE Christian statement has always bothered me when I was a believer. Now that I am free of that belief system it is clear to be just a good person who treats other with honesty and respect.
It feels so much more sincere living this way.😊

[RobertH]

I believe Nietzsche said something along the lines of: “there has only been one Christian, and they crucified him.”

[milowadlin]

I am an atheist, but there are times that I think I am more of a Christian than many who believe themselves to be Christian. I think he said a number of wise things, and told some thought provoking parables. I hope I have filled my life with good works, though I don't expect any heavenly rewards as a result.

[robbabcock_]

I never get tired of spending an hour with Emma and Bart!

[rebella]

This is always so much fun. I look forward to each and every one. Thank you for this weekly gift.

[lesliefrates]

Always an interesting and thought provoking presentation/discussion! Thank you Bart and Meghan!

[baldeagle-cqjl]

Always love learning from Prof.Ehrman and hearing his views." Christian Atheist" ah, new term I can use.🙂

[zapkvr]

It's a real joy for me to hear Bart. He has an ability to get to the very core of what it maens to be a christian based on the very earliest traditions. He is able to seprate out the power and the politics which is crucial in understanding how the survival of Christianity is an expression of our humanity in the way most of the ancient religions seek to express the same ideas.

[Wertbag]

I've heard so many criteria put forward as being required to be a "true Christian", some say it was all about baptism, others that its belief in the trinity, some say it's following the bible or following the right version in the right manner, perhaps its belonging to the right denomination or others say it's those who are "born again" or only those who claim a relationship with God. It's all very subjective, with people putting value on different doctrines over others based mostly on what they've been taught. There are so many versions of Christianity that the term can only be used as an umbrella term for all believers in the bible, Jesus and God. Someone saying they are Christian tells you very little about their beliefs or values.

[Reznovmp]

Barts laugh is so contagious it puts a smile on my face every time 😂

[frujf]

“Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things.
But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.” ― Steven Weinberg

[markadams]

I've always been annoyed by the people who say if you were a Christian and are now no longer a Christian then you were never a Christian to begin with.

[confutatismaledictis]

I’m sure many have noted this, but Megan’s outfits, makeup, and frames are always so nicely well-coordinated. I’m always taking style notes lol.

[Sammyandbobsdad]

When I was in high school/college I fell into an evangelical church and became a Christian, but having been raised by secular progressive beatnik parents, I could never embrace the fundy chauvinism. Once, the youth group for which I was a counselor traveled to see a concert of faith music by a Catholic monk. It was beautiful music, just the monk playing guitar and singing, and he spoke about a simple abiding faith. During it I looked over to the church’s youth minister and his expression was of pure disgust. In his mind, this Catholic wasn’t a Christian. I’m still not sure why our youth group went if he felt that way. I left my faith a few years later, still try to follow Jesus’ overall moral teachings, I always lacked the certitude necessary to believe in the miracles. My brother, a year older, away in college, also became a Christian independently at the same time and is a fundamentalist minister and author, he was always more prone to certainty. He thinks some Catholics might be Christians.

[bmt-zoue]

I increasingly feel like Evangelicals treat 'being a Christian' like being invited into a private exclusive country club. Just recite the oath (the prayer) - and there you are. You're in. Still trying to work out at what point do you get kicked out!!!

[halzbog]

Hey Bart i hope you see this. An individual on reddit mentioned this thought randomly and I had never considered it before. Thought it might be an interesting line of thought to explore if you ever run out of content ideas etc.

SUMMARY: (Does the idea of a spirit possessing a body determine one's gender or identity?)

"Jesus cast devils out of a man into a whole herd of pigs. Some pigs were undoubtedly male and some pigs were female. So not only is gender not important, neither is species or number when it comes to spirits entering bodies."

Fascinating thought for sure.