I’ve been a Christian for over 50 years … and when I tell you I never saw all this coming … I truly never saw it coming. But Jesus did. And he is enough. Honored to be mentioned in such a thoughtful, challenging, and provoking post.
Thank you for such a deeply thought-provoking post. Labels are never perfect, but I can appreciate your use of “Edgy Christian” and agree with the stance you take as part of that. From the outside, looking in, via your writing, I might also say that “Loving Christian” would fit you perfectly. Jesus was edgy and he was loving and I want to be more like that Jesus. I so appreciate your honesty and willingness to share your journey…it helps to clarify mine a bit.
So glad it was helpful, Karla! I had to chuckle at your suggestion of "loving Christian"--shouldn't that be redundant? I get what you mean, for sure, but it's also tricky because that implies that other Christians are not loving, which is a bit less charitable than I try to be (most of the time!). But you're absolutely right that my view and frustration is that love, which should be at the center of everything we say and do, has become secondary at best in the way Christianity is so often expressed. Secondary or twisted into something that's no longer love... Anyway, thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you for this discussion (so well written). I have mostly discarded “Christian” as a label I accept for all the reasons you describe. I tell people I follow Jesus. That answer has never led to a negative conversation and has often created an open discussion. I love the idea you have and would embrace the kind of answer you’re pursuing, but, alas, I haven’t discovered it. Keep going!
Here’s how crazy my faith journey is, I’m writing gritty spiritual fiction about people wrestling with this walk of faith. Traditional “Christians” don’t love it. 😎
If "traditional Christians" don't love it, that's often a good sign that I might! Lol. Good to know that simply saying you follow Jesus has worked well. That's definitely what it's all about!
Thank you for sharing your journey, Mara. I have always struggled with labels, too. I’ve landed on “Progressive Christian,” but that is also imperfect. I enjoy your writing style, and look forward to reading more.
Thank you! I considered that one also, but I decided it was a bit too obviously liberal/political in tone, which might alienate some. Thanks again for reading!
Thank you for that feedback! I’ve been using “unconventional Christian” in my bio/publication tagline for a while, and it’s not bad. But again, it describes what I’m not, which is what I don’t love about it. Radical is also appealing in certain ways, but that feels a little too… ostentatious maybe? Or redundant because Christianity is at its core radical in the deeper sense? I’m glad to ear you like edgy better ♥️
I appreciate what you've written, Mara, and deeply sympathize with the dilemma of being identified with Christians who, for one reason or another, have given the faith a bad name. Paul had his "judaizers," so the problem of defining what is genuinely Christian isn't new. But we also have the problem of "othering" those we don't see eye-to-eye with—today in America those whose political affiliations we may dislike—when we don't actually know them. If I call myself an EDGY Christian, am I making a sheep and goats judgment about people whose hearts I can't possibly know in any meaningful way? Am I encouraging my non-Christian friends to think of me as one of the good guys, and in doing so, to feel justified in denigrating those "other" Christians? There is so much that divides Christ's church. He commanded us to love one another, to be one with one another, and to take the Gospel of his love everywhere. I want to be a catalyst for the growth of an authentic Christian faith in the world (just as you do), I want to be a true Christ-follower, true to the Gospel but humble and cautious when it comes to judging others. Having said that, I like how you've formulated EDGY. Blessings.
Great thoughts! You rightly point out the risk of this being another term to emphasize difference instead of unity. I guess it’s come to a point when I feel like the risk is worth the potential benefit—when staying silent has turned into being complicit. I don’t want to sow dissent, but I also can’t continue doing nothing. I’m not saying it’s as bad as Nazi Germany, but I’m sure there were Germans who stayed silent because they didn’t want to sow dissent. My hope is that EDGY Christianity can do a better (if still imperfect) job at holding space for differences of opinion but also prioritizing the radical love of Jesus over judgment, political affiliation, or doctrinal disputes. I’d also add that, while EDGY Christians might disagree strongly with the way some Christians are representing their faith and behaving in the world, they would also work hard to cultivate understanding and compassion for those people, rather than vilifying them.
This discomfort with “Christian” goes back many decades for some of us. For me, I’m quite comfortable with “Progressive Mainline Protestant.” Which is not super sexy or hip…but that’s kinda the point. The attempt to be “cool” is actually a symptom of Christianity’s great problem today.
We Progressive Mainline Protestants have become a haven for many who are disaffected from other parts of Christendom….we’ll never be megachurches, but we try our best to be faithful.
Agreed about the problem of trying to be “cool.” The reason I don’t use rhe word progressive is that it’s unclear what that means. Progressive in what ways? And what is “progressive”? For many I’d love to include in EDGY Christianity, progressive might sound like “liberal” and potentially unorthodox. I’d love to have a term than transcends political divisions. It’s so complicated!
I most definitely HOPE it sounds liberal and unorthodox!
:)
Seriously, though, that's a joke...maybe...maybe not...
I think comfort with "Progressive" as a modifier depends on who we're typically speaking with and connecting with. In my circles, I'm around lots of activists, many of whom are well into atheism, or "spiritual, but not religious," or perhaps exvangelical.
For me, as a longtime Mainline Progressive Christian, these modifiers are, all three, important identifiers.
Progressivism, as its best, should be broad and not just a reaction to reactionaries. The people I've been connected with for years aren't *generally* coming from evangelical circles, but from a quite different side of things..where the whole idea of any comfort with religion (or God) feels odd or foreign.
"Progressive" speaks a kind of coded trust for them and to them...a signal of a kind.
I would also love to have terms that transcend binaries. But as we translate both faith and social movements into action, at least I have become convinced (near 100%) that we live in binary political system.
We shouldn't...it's not at all. helpful or healthy...but we do.
So...identifying with "Progressive," for me, has been a multi-decade way of staking out a position broadly opposite of contemporary evangelicalism....while still stubbonly refusing to cede "Christian."
Which...was your original starting point, as I read...
There never any super perfect answer to any of this.
(And I should have said much early: I find your EDGY formulation quite creative...)
Thanks for sharing all of this! Makes a lot of sense. I definitely get the idea that progressive works as a kind of code word that puts the people you’re around at ease. Meaning is always contextual, right? It’s a pipe dream to expect to find a term than doesn’t morph unpleasantly in any context. But, we can still try. (Hope springs eternal?)
I’d love to be able to unite “progressive” folks with “conservative” folks under one umbrella built around a shared focus on the heart of the Gospel…. hence EDGY Christianity. We’ll see!
I was raised in the Pentecostal church. My grandfather was my pastor. I never imagined there would come a day when I would say "I am not a Christian". But as you point out, there are too many exceptions to modern Christianity for me to identify as a Christian. Ironically, the more I study the origins of the faith, the more I have in common with the early church.
At one time, I called myself a fundamentalist Christian because I believe in the fundamentals of Christanity. But that term has come to mean a modern day- MEAN Christian. So unlike Christ.
I'm with Gandhi. I like Christ. But I do not like Christians. Christians are nothing like Christ (I know a broad and bold statement). But the most vocal about being Christians are typically the least like Christ.
I really enjoyed reading this and learning more about you, Mara. It sounds like you had a really powerful experience and I respect your living in the complexity of it all. And I love “edgy Christian” - I am drawn to edgy people and typically not drawn to Christians (quite the opposite because of the stereotypes you described so well) - so when I hear “edgy Christian” I’m intrigued and curious about the person and assume they are a critical thinker and open-minded and non-conforming, not a “follower” in the non-questioning kind of way that I have an aversion to. I also really related to this part: “ it is inevitable that some people will reject the Gospel, but how tragic for them to reject something they think is the Gospel but is not—to mistake culturally loud imitations of Christianity for the real thing and, as a result, miss out on the transformational joy that Love Incarnate offers.” (But sub the Gospel with NVC)
Hi Ali! I just figured out Alison was you. lol! It was the NVC that made it click.
I absolutely love your thoughts here. I love that “edgy Christian” makes you curious and that you’d assume they were not “followers” — that’s exactly what I want! Thanks for reading ♥️
Thank you, this is really helpful. I have similarly found myself in a conundrum trying to describe in shorthand my faith to others without constantly adding caveats.
This has inspired me to try to define what it means for me to be a “Christian”.
It's such a good exercise even if you don't share it with anyone! Part of the challenge is avoiding Christianese and saying things in fresh ways that get to the heart of your own experience. I'd love to hear what you come up with!
It's a problem, and always has been. Christian self-definition is related to the biblical problem: which is that most everyone on the street thinks that they know what the Bible is about, but hardly anyone actually reads it.
So we end up defending ourselves against misunderstanding and misrepresentation by trying to counter their wrong ideas. But why are Christians on the defensive? Why not flip the script and make (or invite) the non-Christian friends defend their Godlessness? The Bible and the gospel are an offense to Godlessness. So maybe that offense is the best defense. ... Just thinkin'.
Hmm... that's a complex question, but I'll share a couple of thoughts. First, I've found many non-Christians and atheists eager to defend their views, and the cruelty and suffering in the world provide ample support. Second, I'm not really interested in arguing about faith, certainly not in apologetics. And third, this EDGY Christian idea is my way of going on the offensive. Rather than defend my faith as not like all those stereotypes, I can say what I do emphasize.
It is a relief to hear someone’s acknowledging and celebrating the true teachings of Jesus rather than following with idolatry what I am now calling the Golden calf. I see the latter as the dominant religious cult of our country.
Yes, Christian nationalism is a rising problem, especially since Christians ought have no allegiance other than to Christ. But that's another subject for another time!
I’ve been a Christian for over 50 years … and when I tell you I never saw all this coming … I truly never saw it coming. But Jesus did. And he is enough. Honored to be mentioned in such a thoughtful, challenging, and provoking post.
Thank you! Your words mean a lot ♥️
"Comfort leads to complacency, which, I’m convinced, is the enemy of true faith."
Comfort numbs what trial awakens.
If you’re never stirred, never pressed, never disrupted—you might mistake safety for surrender.
But Jesus didn’t call us to cozy lives. He called us to cross-shaped ones.
This was great. Thanks for sharing.
Profound words! Thank you for reading.
Thank you for such a deeply thought-provoking post. Labels are never perfect, but I can appreciate your use of “Edgy Christian” and agree with the stance you take as part of that. From the outside, looking in, via your writing, I might also say that “Loving Christian” would fit you perfectly. Jesus was edgy and he was loving and I want to be more like that Jesus. I so appreciate your honesty and willingness to share your journey…it helps to clarify mine a bit.
So glad it was helpful, Karla! I had to chuckle at your suggestion of "loving Christian"--shouldn't that be redundant? I get what you mean, for sure, but it's also tricky because that implies that other Christians are not loving, which is a bit less charitable than I try to be (most of the time!). But you're absolutely right that my view and frustration is that love, which should be at the center of everything we say and do, has become secondary at best in the way Christianity is so often expressed. Secondary or twisted into something that's no longer love... Anyway, thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts!
So grateful for friends like you, who hold these tensions with courage and grace.
Right back at ya!
Thank you for this discussion (so well written). I have mostly discarded “Christian” as a label I accept for all the reasons you describe. I tell people I follow Jesus. That answer has never led to a negative conversation and has often created an open discussion. I love the idea you have and would embrace the kind of answer you’re pursuing, but, alas, I haven’t discovered it. Keep going!
Here’s how crazy my faith journey is, I’m writing gritty spiritual fiction about people wrestling with this walk of faith. Traditional “Christians” don’t love it. 😎
HTTPS://stevendthomas.substack.com
st
If "traditional Christians" don't love it, that's often a good sign that I might! Lol. Good to know that simply saying you follow Jesus has worked well. That's definitely what it's all about!
Thank you for sharing your journey, Mara. I have always struggled with labels, too. I’ve landed on “Progressive Christian,” but that is also imperfect. I enjoy your writing style, and look forward to reading more.
Thank you! I considered that one also, but I decided it was a bit too obviously liberal/political in tone, which might alienate some. Thanks again for reading!
I just thought of “unconventional Christian” or “radical Christian.” Did you think of those, Mara? I still like edgy Christian better.
Thank you for that feedback! I’ve been using “unconventional Christian” in my bio/publication tagline for a while, and it’s not bad. But again, it describes what I’m not, which is what I don’t love about it. Radical is also appealing in certain ways, but that feels a little too… ostentatious maybe? Or redundant because Christianity is at its core radical in the deeper sense? I’m glad to ear you like edgy better ♥️
I appreciate what you've written, Mara, and deeply sympathize with the dilemma of being identified with Christians who, for one reason or another, have given the faith a bad name. Paul had his "judaizers," so the problem of defining what is genuinely Christian isn't new. But we also have the problem of "othering" those we don't see eye-to-eye with—today in America those whose political affiliations we may dislike—when we don't actually know them. If I call myself an EDGY Christian, am I making a sheep and goats judgment about people whose hearts I can't possibly know in any meaningful way? Am I encouraging my non-Christian friends to think of me as one of the good guys, and in doing so, to feel justified in denigrating those "other" Christians? There is so much that divides Christ's church. He commanded us to love one another, to be one with one another, and to take the Gospel of his love everywhere. I want to be a catalyst for the growth of an authentic Christian faith in the world (just as you do), I want to be a true Christ-follower, true to the Gospel but humble and cautious when it comes to judging others. Having said that, I like how you've formulated EDGY. Blessings.
Great thoughts! You rightly point out the risk of this being another term to emphasize difference instead of unity. I guess it’s come to a point when I feel like the risk is worth the potential benefit—when staying silent has turned into being complicit. I don’t want to sow dissent, but I also can’t continue doing nothing. I’m not saying it’s as bad as Nazi Germany, but I’m sure there were Germans who stayed silent because they didn’t want to sow dissent. My hope is that EDGY Christianity can do a better (if still imperfect) job at holding space for differences of opinion but also prioritizing the radical love of Jesus over judgment, political affiliation, or doctrinal disputes. I’d also add that, while EDGY Christians might disagree strongly with the way some Christians are representing their faith and behaving in the world, they would also work hard to cultivate understanding and compassion for those people, rather than vilifying them.
This discomfort with “Christian” goes back many decades for some of us. For me, I’m quite comfortable with “Progressive Mainline Protestant.” Which is not super sexy or hip…but that’s kinda the point. The attempt to be “cool” is actually a symptom of Christianity’s great problem today.
We Progressive Mainline Protestants have become a haven for many who are disaffected from other parts of Christendom….we’ll never be megachurches, but we try our best to be faithful.
Agreed about the problem of trying to be “cool.” The reason I don’t use rhe word progressive is that it’s unclear what that means. Progressive in what ways? And what is “progressive”? For many I’d love to include in EDGY Christianity, progressive might sound like “liberal” and potentially unorthodox. I’d love to have a term than transcends political divisions. It’s so complicated!
I most definitely HOPE it sounds liberal and unorthodox!
:)
Seriously, though, that's a joke...maybe...maybe not...
I think comfort with "Progressive" as a modifier depends on who we're typically speaking with and connecting with. In my circles, I'm around lots of activists, many of whom are well into atheism, or "spiritual, but not religious," or perhaps exvangelical.
For me, as a longtime Mainline Progressive Christian, these modifiers are, all three, important identifiers.
Progressivism, as its best, should be broad and not just a reaction to reactionaries. The people I've been connected with for years aren't *generally* coming from evangelical circles, but from a quite different side of things..where the whole idea of any comfort with religion (or God) feels odd or foreign.
"Progressive" speaks a kind of coded trust for them and to them...a signal of a kind.
I would also love to have terms that transcend binaries. But as we translate both faith and social movements into action, at least I have become convinced (near 100%) that we live in binary political system.
We shouldn't...it's not at all. helpful or healthy...but we do.
So...identifying with "Progressive," for me, has been a multi-decade way of staking out a position broadly opposite of contemporary evangelicalism....while still stubbonly refusing to cede "Christian."
Which...was your original starting point, as I read...
There never any super perfect answer to any of this.
(And I should have said much early: I find your EDGY formulation quite creative...)
Thanks for sharing all of this! Makes a lot of sense. I definitely get the idea that progressive works as a kind of code word that puts the people you’re around at ease. Meaning is always contextual, right? It’s a pipe dream to expect to find a term than doesn’t morph unpleasantly in any context. But, we can still try. (Hope springs eternal?)
I’d love to be able to unite “progressive” folks with “conservative” folks under one umbrella built around a shared focus on the heart of the Gospel…. hence EDGY Christianity. We’ll see!
I was raised in the Pentecostal church. My grandfather was my pastor. I never imagined there would come a day when I would say "I am not a Christian". But as you point out, there are too many exceptions to modern Christianity for me to identify as a Christian. Ironically, the more I study the origins of the faith, the more I have in common with the early church.
At one time, I called myself a fundamentalist Christian because I believe in the fundamentals of Christanity. But that term has come to mean a modern day- MEAN Christian. So unlike Christ.
I'm with Gandhi. I like Christ. But I do not like Christians. Christians are nothing like Christ (I know a broad and bold statement). But the most vocal about being Christians are typically the least like Christ.
At this point, I'm comfortable with no label.
I hear you! That all makes sense. Glad to know you regardless of your label ♥️
I really enjoyed reading this and learning more about you, Mara. It sounds like you had a really powerful experience and I respect your living in the complexity of it all. And I love “edgy Christian” - I am drawn to edgy people and typically not drawn to Christians (quite the opposite because of the stereotypes you described so well) - so when I hear “edgy Christian” I’m intrigued and curious about the person and assume they are a critical thinker and open-minded and non-conforming, not a “follower” in the non-questioning kind of way that I have an aversion to. I also really related to this part: “ it is inevitable that some people will reject the Gospel, but how tragic for them to reject something they think is the Gospel but is not—to mistake culturally loud imitations of Christianity for the real thing and, as a result, miss out on the transformational joy that Love Incarnate offers.” (But sub the Gospel with NVC)
Hi Ali! I just figured out Alison was you. lol! It was the NVC that made it click.
I absolutely love your thoughts here. I love that “edgy Christian” makes you curious and that you’d assume they were not “followers” — that’s exactly what I want! Thanks for reading ♥️
https://open.substack.com/pub/iamadamah/p/a-mystic-and-her-bible?r=21ap39&utm_medium=ios
You sound like me - totally get it. I am going to leave you my response I wrote to the same problem. Thank you so much for writing and sharing!
I'll check it out!
Thank you, this is really helpful. I have similarly found myself in a conundrum trying to describe in shorthand my faith to others without constantly adding caveats.
This has inspired me to try to define what it means for me to be a “Christian”.
It's such a good exercise even if you don't share it with anyone! Part of the challenge is avoiding Christianese and saying things in fresh ways that get to the heart of your own experience. I'd love to hear what you come up with!
Here is what I came up with:
https://open.substack.com/pub/joshuaolson1/p/what-kind-of-christian-am-i?r=bf64r&utm_medium=ios
It's a problem, and always has been. Christian self-definition is related to the biblical problem: which is that most everyone on the street thinks that they know what the Bible is about, but hardly anyone actually reads it.
So we end up defending ourselves against misunderstanding and misrepresentation by trying to counter their wrong ideas. But why are Christians on the defensive? Why not flip the script and make (or invite) the non-Christian friends defend their Godlessness? The Bible and the gospel are an offense to Godlessness. So maybe that offense is the best defense. ... Just thinkin'.
Hmm... that's a complex question, but I'll share a couple of thoughts. First, I've found many non-Christians and atheists eager to defend their views, and the cruelty and suffering in the world provide ample support. Second, I'm not really interested in arguing about faith, certainly not in apologetics. And third, this EDGY Christian idea is my way of going on the offensive. Rather than defend my faith as not like all those stereotypes, I can say what I do emphasize.
Thanks for reading!
Brilliantly written and powerful.
It is a relief to hear someone’s acknowledging and celebrating the true teachings of Jesus rather than following with idolatry what I am now calling the Golden calf. I see the latter as the dominant religious cult of our country.
Yes, Christian nationalism is a rising problem, especially since Christians ought have no allegiance other than to Christ. But that's another subject for another time!