CHRISTIAN:
NOUN OR ADJECTIVE?
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily for this Tuesday in the Fourth Week
of Easter is, “Christian: Noun or Adjective?”
The last comment in today’s first reading is the fascinating
text, “It was in Antioch
that the disciples were first called Christians.”
I’d like to say a few words about the word “Christian” - leaving
today’s Gospel to just sit there - especially because the gospel for this past
Sunday is part of today’s gospel.
NOUN OR ADJECTIVE
Every time I hear that comment at the end of today’s gospel,
I think of a comment by C. S. Lewis
about how the word “Christian” is used
as a noun and an adjective. He thinks it’s wiser to use the word “Christian” as
a noun. Then if you want to make judgments about someone and/or their behavior
or their lifestyle - add an adjective like good or bad or devout or
non-practicing Christian.
To make his point, C.S. Lewis in the preface to his book, Mere Christianity, uses the example of the word “gentleman”. It
meant someone who had a coat of arms and some land. It wasn’t a compliment to
call someone a gentleman. He could be a liar or a fool - but he was still a
gentleman - if he had the coat of arms, the land and the title. In time it came
to describe behavior.
He says the same thing happened with the word “Christian”.
It didn’t happen with the word “doctor” or “priest”. They could be good or bad,
old or young. Notice I didn’t mention weight or looks.
I slip on this, but I prefer to go the way of C.S. Lewis.
To be a Christian - you are baptized. Then one can
declare oneself a member of the Christian community. Keeping it a noun,
some say, “I used to be a Christian.” Noun!
They were baptized.
It’s tricky when you bring the word “Catholic” into the mix.
I would assume it was an attitude and an adjective when it was first coined -
but became a noun. I don’t know if C.S. Lewis said it of the word “Catholic,”
but I think it too works better as a noun.
And we’ve all heard
people say, “I’m a Catholic Christian”. That becomes tricky - especially if one
also thinks about the comment, “I’m a Christian Catholic.” That is saying something as well.
We know or could find out if someone is baptized - but as to
whether a person is Christian - if you make it an adjective - that’s tricky.
The best road I think would be to reserve the judgments about who’s a good or
bad Christian to judging oneself only.
IN ANTIOCH AND IN ANNAPOLIS
I would assume that here in Antioch in the Acts of the Apostles - it was a noun - and it was used to describe
those folks who joined the movement called the Way - or “followers of Jesus” or
“Christians” and how they were living their lives.
What about us here in Annapolis?
We’d probably go with the word “Catholic” as a noun - as
“Christian” as noun and adjective.
When it’s used to judge, label, fight, argue, with each
other, then I try to hide.
When it’s used for us as Catholics to try to follow Jesus -
by doing what he did - imitating what he did - then being called “Christian”
hopefully energizes us to love one another, to turn the other cheek, to go the
extra mile, to have concern for the poor, to forgive, to be with the Father in
secret, all those things.
CONCLUSION
In the meanwhile, let’s care for one another and maybe some
people will know us as the old hymn goes. “They will know we are Christians by our
love, by our love.”
