08.21.04
why badchristian.com is called badchristian.com
I think it’s only fair to explain how I came up with badchristian.com as a domain name for a site. It’s not a long story so, relax. One day at work I was particularly frustrated with fundamentalism–in my old job I used to run into fundamentalists with a twist in their panties on an alarmingly regular basis.
Though it’s rare that any Christian would phrase it that way, most evangelicals and fundamentals would call any liberal who was a Christian a bad Christian. Since I believe that my faith compels me to be a liberal, I found this strange. What I believed made me a good Christian, they claimed (again not directly but through strong implications,) that I was a bad Christian. This was frustrating.
Eventually, I decided that fighting this perception–that I and others like me were bad Christians–simply wouldn’t work. I needed a more poigniant way to express myself. I decided to adopt the name bad Christian as a badge of honor. Perhaps it would have been easier to adopt a less controversial monniker, perhaps. But, I must wonder if it would have been as poigniant.
I’ve been accused of heresy and wisdom. I like to think they’re both accurate descriptors. Because, the truth of the matter is, I really am a bad Christian. I was even before I adopted the title. We all are. Adopting the title bad Christian is not about championing the cause of badness within Christianity; it merely affirms the truth that we are all bad and looks for ways in an authentic and real manner to seek truth in spite of one’s self.
Being a bad Christian isn’t about ignoring certain parts of scripture, or living a lifestyle where God is second to the desires of humankind. Being a bad Christian means that you care deeply about scripture and truth–it simply means that before accepting the status quo you critique that status quo from your perspective. Swallowing that Christian “pill” for the sake of following has led to a Church of followers. The leaders of today were the followers of yesterday. People now are swallowing the pills that their leaders had to swallow years ago.
It is my hope that folks will perceive this place as an inclusive community. A place that regardless of their belief system they can learn something about Christianity. It is my hope to help folks to come away with an appreciation and a deeper understanding of a unique interpretation of scripture–but also, an appreciation that being a (fill in the blank, feminist, liberal, democrat, homosexual) and a Christian is not impossible–in fact, it may just be that these folks have something that they can offer to others of the Christian faith that they couldn’t find elsewhere.
I’m certainly not the only person who believes as I do. There are many others–many better writers than I. Yet, I feel it important to weigh in on these important issue. To allow my voice to be heard, and maybe–just maybe–to shape the Kingdom a bit.
Thanks for the encouragement, it goes farther than you could have ever intended it to.
Headless-in-GR said,
August 21, 2004 at 7:11 pm
A Kingdom of paradox…and the quest for the radical middle?
It is such a narrow road, and the slopes so sharp on either side. Can you walk in the tension?
Write on, Bad Christian…
Just Pat said,
August 22, 2004 at 7:27 am
Hmmm…”Bad” Christian, or “Berean” Christian?
Jake said,
August 23, 2004 at 1:46 am
I think you’re approach is a good one, especially since the M.O. of many who want to attack progressive or moderate Christians is to attack the integrity of the person, and not the words. By claiming the labels out front, in a sense you disarm your attackers.
Which is one reason why I self-describe myself as “eccentric” and “sometimes heretical.” The other reason is that I suspect that some days those adjectives are accurate.
Brandon said,
August 23, 2004 at 2:00 pm
Father, I’ve found that I rather enjoy your heretical eccentricities!
Thanks for the encouragement, it goes farther than you could have ever intended it to.
joseph clift said,
October 20, 2004 at 7:27 pm
Are’nt we all eccentric.They thought Jesus was eccentric, they rejected him.Nobody wanted to believe Noah. jojo
Rose said,
February 1, 2005 at 9:18 am
Ha..finally a place I can let my bad Christian self out. No more persecution from the crazy fundies!
Brandon said,
February 8, 2005 at 1:05 am
First off, please do not take this as me jumping on you for having different beliefs than I. I do not intend to sound harsh and/or judgmental in any way. Just a bit up this page you say,
Everyone sins…period. There was only one person on this earth who has ever lived a perfect life. That being Jesus Christ (who is the only way to Heaven). This makes no one, no matter how “good” they may be, any better than the one’s listed (fiminist, liberal, etc. as was mentioned). However, I believe if you’re growing in your faith and in your relationship with God, then you will not be able to continue to lead a lifestyle of sin. I do not believe that they can co-exist and remain healthy. The sinful lifestyle will pull you down spiritually, and if you’re progressing spiritually that will pull you away from the non-Biblical lifestyle. I’ll be praying for anyone who may read this and would like to ask that you do the same for me. God bless.
***Edit for clarity: THIS Brandon is NOT the owner of this site.***
Brandon said,
February 8, 2005 at 1:09 am
I forgot to mention, if anyone would like to discuss directly, my e-mail address is MXRacer3@aol.com Let it be known that I do not intend to get into any type of arguement with anyone, but discussions are welcomed. Thanks for your time.
***Edit for clarity: THIS Brandon is NOT the owner of this site.***
barb said,
March 6, 2005 at 9:12 pm
well, it’s good to know you’re out there and if you’re a bad christian I don’t want to know the good ones. I’m sick of hanging out with good people anyway. Give me the scruffy ones caught in the stickiness of paradox over the too certain dogmatic ones any day. I don’t know where I fall on the good/bad christian thing anymore but I know one thing and that’s that the world is long overdue for the grownup version of Christianity. The juvies have had dibs on it far too long.
good work!
Brandon said,
March 25, 2005 at 1:23 pm
Ok, there seems to be some confusion. I have received a couple of e-mails at MXRacer3@aol.com from people who think that I am the owner of this site. I posted comment #7 above and simply added comment #8 in case someone wanted to e-mail me. After reading my second post again, I can see how people may think that I am the owner of this site. However, I DO NOT own this site. I simply replied to something that I did not fully agree with. I apologize for the confusion.
***Edit for clarity: THIS Brandon is NOT the owner of this site.***
Brandon said,
March 25, 2005 at 2:23 pm
So, uh, what did the emails say?
jef said,
March 27, 2005 at 9:44 am
kingdom….queendom? father…mother? he…she? creator….redeemer…sanctifier? no doubt about it. we don’t always do the good we want to do but the harm we would rather not do (paraphrase). everyday is easter!
jef said,
March 27, 2005 at 9:47 am
member…visitor?….of the body of christ?
jef said,
March 27, 2005 at 9:48 am
member…visitor?….of the body of christ?
Allison said,
May 19, 2005 at 12:39 am
Damned glad to meet you, and adding you to my blogroll.
I recently read “Blue Like Jazz” and found myself wishing, hoping to find people of a similar mindset — you seem to fit that bill, and I’ll enjoy perusing your archives.
Tammy said,
June 16, 2005 at 7:21 pm
I just wanted to say that I am Christian (pretty conservative…Freewill Baptist) and yet I enjoy your viewpoints. All of us are essentially “bad” Christians, because only Christ was perfect, but I think we should all try to be the best “bad” Christian we can. Lots of luck with your site!
Angela said,
July 3, 2005 at 1:02 am
I just stumbled across your blog. I am also a “bad christian” although some like to call it postmodern. I also recently started my own blog and was thinking of trashing it until a comment on a blog I read regularly inspired a pretty decent post (leading to a rude comment from a panties-in-a-twist-fundmentalist). Anyway, now I am out looking for liberal christian blogs. I know theyre out there somewhere!!!
Andrew said,
July 15, 2005 at 12:36 am
I appreciate your attempt to explain the moniker, but I don’t feel like I really got anything out your manifesto.
Do you mean by “bad Christian” that we are all bad, being sinful, or that you and a few others are bad because you happen to be divergent and liberal?
Define what it is that makes you liberal. State exactly what you did that made your leaders unhappy. I get the feeling that the words “bad” and “liberal” in your statement could be further explained.
Eric said,
July 24, 2005 at 9:09 pm
Gosh, i don’t know if i’d call myself a “liberal” Christian. In fact, i’ve always been pretty conservative. But I’m glad i stumbled upon your Blog because i’m thinking that maybe i am a “Bad Christian”.
You said:
“Being a bad Christian means that you care deeply about scripture and truth–it simply means that before accepting the status quo you critique that status quo from your perspective. Swallowing that Christian “pill” for the sake of following has led to a Church of followers. The leaders of today were the followers of yesterday. People now are swallowing the pills that their leaders had to swallow years ago.”
I am now exploring the conflict between my faith and my same sex attractions simply because I want to own what i believe. I used to be dead set about homosexuality being a sin - but did i believe this simply because its the only thing i was taught? I took the pill without figuring out what color it was. I don’t have answers either way - just questions to more questions. Anyway, i started my blog to chronicle that journey. I’m glad I found yours!
Looking forward to reading your blog from now on…
james said,
August 10, 2005 at 10:34 pm
I like your comment implying that one has the responsibility of examining christain ideas with ones own brain. However, such examination, when applied to the core premises of christanity, quickly leads one to conclude that fundamentalist christains are not wrong. Wrong is a state of moral innocence. Fundamentalist Christains are liers.
Mary said,
August 21, 2005 at 5:00 pm
It’s rather ironic to consider that there are Christians out there who would say that “liberal” and “Christian” are mutually exclusive when you consider that one of the main reasons Jesus was crucified was that he pissed off the conservative believers (aka the Religious Right) of his time…
Teresa Abell said,
August 27, 2005 at 10:39 pm
I guess I’m a bad Christian too. I don’t like to call myself a Liberal, or a Conservative or anything else. Just like God does not live in a box, I don’t either. I don’t want to get labled and refuse to be anything other that a follower of Christ. You are a brave soul. I prefer that people don’t quite “figure me out”, just like they could never figure out Jesus. Quote: Give up your good Christian life and follow Jesus,(Keillor)
Shian said,
December 11, 2005 at 6:34 am
I totally understand where you are coming from… and man, I don’t have the right to judge you for anything at all. But what I just pray is that in time we will see more of how we Bad Christians finally discover more about true goodness in Christ here… now that’ll really rock people’s socks off!
Gabriel said,
December 21, 2005 at 9:56 pm
Well! Its always good to know that we are not alone is this world…confusing though it may seem. As a PK myself my journey of faith has been… interesting. I find that every day the people i meet and the things i see challenge my views and my faith. It is really amazing all of the details about our “beliefs” that we take for granted and/or just assume.
I am glad that people are willing to stand up for what they truly believe that the word of God says. In these “post modern” times when the general consensus is that “you can’t take the bible literally” amd those who claim that right and wrong are different depending on your point of view and/or who you may happen to be; I am one who believes firmly that the bible is the timelesss word of God and that if you read it is pretty obvious what is meant to be taken literally and not. However, that fact does not put me anywhere near the “modern” church and its dogma. As far as being a christian and a “liberal, feminist, homosexual, etc” I have a question… why not add to that list all of the things that we could call ourselves based on our actions and thoughts present and future: pervert, sex addict, liar, theif, lawbreaker, rebel, drug/alchohol abuser, pedophile, mocker, fool, etc. The list goes on and on. So then I present a few more questions: what is the difference between being a christian and being saved? why do so many “christians” stand up on a pedestal and shout and accuse those who have for some reason or another chosed a sinful lifestyle? Don’t we all have a “sinful” “lifestyle”? Of course the bible says that homosexuality is forbidden… but doesn’t it also say “thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.”?
I could go on. Anyone can follow Jesus, anyone can call themself a christian, but whom of us is really “christlike”? Shouldn’t we focus on the PERSON instead of their SIN? Jesus gave us two commandments: Love God with all your heart and love people as much as you love yourself. (And i bet we all love ourselves a whole lot more than we are readily willing to admit)
thats all.
erikthehalfabee@hotmail.com
Philip said,
December 21, 2005 at 10:18 pm
Gabriel,
I have to step in here and reply to your comment. I am also a pk. I don’t think that gives us any more authority than any of the others here, but it does relate to you where I am coming from.
I can almost see your point. I understand that you are saying we all get hung up on labels. I agree with that. I agree that we we spend too much time labelling ourselves Christians and others sinners. A OK.
My disagreement is that we DO have the right to call out sin in other’s lives. It is not my right, but my duty and responsibility to help my Christian brother. It is also my responsibility to call out sin in a lost person’s life and show them the Way. We must hold each other accountable and we must each be open to receive this constructive criticism.
I also believe that there is something to be said about open sin. I think that the totality of our sins nailed Jesus to the cross. Every sin, thought-wise or acted out in the flesh for all to see is equal and bad in God’s eyes. However, not every sin is equal in people’s eyes. And where we only have God to answer TO, we have others to answer FOR. A sin that is committed where all can see not only affects us, but it may become a stumbling block for others. Do you not agree that although equal in rank to God, a bad thought and an outward sin that causes someone to turn away from God are two seperate things. And that the one that causes them to pass God by is more of a problem in this world although we would be held accountable to God for each?
Emma Whale said,
March 22, 2006 at 3:47 am
Bad Christian…I love it. Great words. I struggled for many years to be a Good Christian in a fundamentalist/Conservative/right-wing church which was hard as politically I am left-leanng and liberal. I suddenly realised nothing is black and white, there are plenty of shades of grey and that’s OK. I have now found a great church which embraces diversity and I just wish more churches would do the same. Lots of fundamentalist Christians seem scared of the word “diversity” thinking it means you don’t care about the truth of scripture, etc, when actually I think it means you’re just not arrogant enough to assume you understand everything about God and the Bible. Just remember - the crazy raving fundamentalists who now go on and on about homosexuals etc would have kept black Americans out of the church 50 years ago.