What are with all the labels that are put on Christianity? Over to the right there is a survey to see what you consider yourself. I am not even sure what all of them mean so I am going to attempt to very quickly go through each one.

Evangelical: Not Catholic, uh no kidding. “Although evangelicalism has been defined in a number of ways, most adherents consider belief in the need for personal conversion (or being “born again”), a high regard for Biblical authority, some expression of the “gospel”, and its emphasis on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross key characteristics” (Eskridge). Evangelicals can’t seem to agree on which is the proper biblical way to come to Christ. Some say you must be baptized. Others would classify baptism as a work and so it is by faith alone that we come to Christ. This can get very confusing and be a major turn off for those outside the faith.

Emergent & Emerging: “’Emergent’ is a loosely knit group of people in conversation about and trying experiments in forwarding the ministry of Jesus in new and different ways, as the people of God in a post-Christian context. From there, wide diversity abounds. “Emergents” seem to share one common trait: disillusionment with the organized, institutional church as it has existed through the 20th century (whether fundamentalist, liberal, megachurch, or tall-steeple liturgical). Its strengths: creative, energetic, youthful, authentic, highly relational. Its weaknesses: somewhat cynical, disorganized, sometimes reckless (even in the theological ideas willing to be entertained), immature” (Magnum).

I don’t know much about Emergent and Emerging movement. I was under the impression that these two were different. I don’t always trust Wiki so if anybody would like to comment about these and help me understand it a little better that would be great!

Missional: “a body of people sent on a mission who gather in community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word that supplements what they are feeding themselves throughout the week” (Kimball). This is found in a book called “The Emerging Church.” So is Missional Emerging? There has to be more to it than this. There probably is so feel free to enlighten me.

Catholic: Pope is the head guy. At one time they had three different popes at the same time. Some worship Mary. Some get a bad-rap and for good reason. Others genuinely love Jesus. If you want to know more about Catholicism I recommend taking a trip to Rome, just watch your pockets.

Protestant: Those who risked their life in order to break way from the oppression of the Catholic Church. Most famous is probably Martin Luther. If not for him and some before him who knows how long we would have been under the pope.

That was my very short attempt to define each label. If anybody would like to add to this please do so by commenting. I hope I didn’t offend any Catholics. There have been some who have been beneficial to the faith. St. Francis and Brennan Manning are two that come to mind.

Kimball, Dan. The Emerging Church. Zondervan, 2003

Eskridge, Larry (1995). Defining Evangelicalism. Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.

Q & A with Todd Mangum (October 6, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-04-05.

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