as a Christian, what's your format?

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.  1 Cor. 12:12-13 (NLT)

As I walked last night i thought about all the different kinds of Christians and churches i know. my friends are an eclectic bunch who have an expansive variety of tastes in music, so also do they have an eclectic flavor of Christianity. we are one body but many parts. so i thought about this question- if Christians were like radio stations what would you sound like?

 Here's a few:

 The Classical Christian:  The subtle, solid believer that reads books of theology and history. Not completely evangelical, loves a good one on one conversation about God but tempered in their emotions. Hero: Spurgeon, Luther and Chesterton.

The Heavy Metal Christian:  more than 3 Christian bumper stickers on their cars. Politically vocal. Very black and white. Radical personal testimony. Not concerned about outward appearance.  Heroes: Richard Land, Bob Larson and Billy Sunday

Country and Western Christian: The Christian than enjoys a good fellowship with plenty of casseroles and jokes. Loves the conventional church as a source of inspiration and activities. Overly sentimental about heaven and his/her momma. Can be loud and not very open to change. Heroes: Barbara Johnson, Ray Boltz, James Robison, and Joel Osteen.

The alternative Christian:  Looks at conventional churches and asks, why do we do it like that? Like the classical Christian, the Alternative Christian reads lots of history and theology but certainly doesn't look like the classical Christian. Very concerned about global issues and ranks cussing as a minor flaw in comparison to things like gossip and world hunger. the Alternative would hate this post because he/she doesn't like labels. Heroes: Tony Campolo, Brian McClaren, John Piper, Donald Miller, Phillip Yancey.

The Disco Christian:  Loves emotional Christianity and sparkly worship. Loves the touchy feely experiential side of Christianity. Everything revolves around technology and show. Very concerned that everyone looks happy because Christians are supposed to be happy and if they are weepy it's because they read an emotional email that was forwarded to them. They have a tendency to look plastic to the world.  Heroes: All guest hosts on TBN and Benny Hinn.

The Soft Rock Christian:  This Christian is feels safer and more at ease when things are simple and easy to understand. Stays away from the heavy metal Christians they know. Enjoys being around nice people. Humor is safe and clean. Likes the mainstream of Christianity and looks for the formulas in the Bible that are easily applicable. Gets depressed when the formulas don't pan out.  No real sense of Christian history believing that there was the New Testament and then a few years later there was Willow Creek. Reads Lucado, Stanley, Swindoll, and Eldridge but has never really gotten around to anything writen by people who died more than 50 years ago. Heroes: Any author in the best seller aisle of LifeWay Stores.

_________________________________________ 

I hate generalizing people but it was just a funny thought so i decided to explore it a little here. I must confess that my Christianity like my radio scans serveral formats every day.

Comments

[Melodye]

I needed that! Please add one additional name...my favorite beside Yancey-Tony Campolo.

[Matt Tullos]

Yes! St. Tony! I didn't think about him. Thanks for introducing me at such a young age to the alternative format:-)

[wanda]

Hmm... Where does Hillsong...Revival in Belfast folks fall? Great insight! w

[Matt]

I guess all of UK worshipers... hmmm.... that's a good one... maybe they would be the BBC worshipers or maybe the techno station because every time I see hillsong they are jumping up and down. I mean, the WHOLE song. They have to be fit! It's like holy jazzercise. But i do love it. I think I've decided that I'm a worship chameleon to whoever I'm around. That's how I worship. I lift my hands up in worship in hand lifting churches- but i'm a real wimp about standing out. i simply do as the romans do, except when it comes to the snake handling.. I cannot go for SNAKES IN A CHURCH- hey now there's a good movie title for World Wide Pictures!

[Sarah Howell]

Great insight. Loved it!

[John Tillman]

Like all great humor, so true that it hurts to laugh! Love it.

[john the lesser]

this was all just a plot to put a pic of BONO on here

go on, admit it

[Kevin C.]

Wow, I listen mostly to country music, but I'm definitely an "alternative Christian", though I suppose I do scan the dials like you (you can only be so "alternative" while still being a good Catholic.) What a fascinating post.
I'm teaching religion as an academic subject for the first time this fall, so I'll be "borrowing" (stealing sounds so harsh) a lot of your quotes and ideas for class discussions. I don't comment much, but I love reading the site.

Send my love to everyone in the big "N".

K.

[matt tullos]

Hi Kevin! Great to hear from you! We miss having you in town. You are definitely a great alternative Christian!

[~m2~]

wow, i am betting you will find it surprising that a Catholic woman is a Bono Christian :)

i just wish i could find others like me.

~sigh~

(enjoy your blog vacation...)

[~m2~]

oh, and i would add Shane Claiborne to the mix. the dude rocks.

:)

[Matt Tullos]

Hi Penni!
I must read his stuff. I feel illiterate never having heard of him. You always seem to open my eyes to something new, kindred spirits, saint and quotes. Thanks