Author Eric Shuster will be providing a series of blog posts summarizing various sections of his upcoming book Where are the Christians? due to be released this spring from Cedar Fort, Inc. We will feature one post each week from now until May 2013. For more information visit www.findyourchristianity.com.

* * *

SECTION 2: WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?—a Definition

Chapter 7: It’s Revealing According to the Data

The two part definition of a Christian developed in chapter 6 can be put to the test; however, such a test is not trivial. Measuring belief and practice is complex and thus the caution of Jesus Christ to “Judge not according to the appearance” (John 7:24). Chapter 7 doesn’t seek to judge, but rather to measure how well various Christian denominations are performing in inspiring their members to be strong Believing and Practicing Christians.

To achieve an accurate measurement of effectiveness Shuster analyzes data from three robust landmark quantitative studies conducted in the United States from 2000 to 2008—one from the Barna Group and two from the National Survey of Youth and Religion (NSYR). All three studies are highly respected and widely sourced in the public domain for religiosity across a large number of behavioral attributes.

Because of alignment issues with the three studies it was necessary to select 12 common attributes from all three. There are four attributes relating to belief (belief in Jesus Christ, God, the importance of faith and the reality of evil) and eight attributes relating to practice (praying, reading the Bible, attending church, attending Sunday School, attending small group activities, volunteering, sharing the gospel and tithing). The Barna study covered adults and the two NSYR studies covered youth and young adults allowing for sound coverage of the full spectrum of denominational adherents. To simplify the analysis the vast number of Christian denominations is consolidated into five categories using the REKTRAD method: Conservative Protestants, Mainline Protestants, Black Protestants, Roman Catholics and Mormons (LDS).

This unprecedented exercise has its limitations due to the variation of faith traditions between denominations, the comparability of attributes between studies and the accuracy of applying a quantitative measurement to something that is inherently qualitative. Nonetheless the results were extremely informative:

• There are more Believing Christians than Practicing Christians across all denominations

• There is a decrease of belief and practice with age (Mormons being the exception)

• Conservative Protestants generally performed well across all 12 attributes

• Mainline Protestants tend to reflect the mainstream of the Christian population (the average)

• Catholics lag behind all denominations in belief and practice across all age categories

• Mormons recorded the highest composite scores among all Christian denominations

• Lots of other surprises and a few jaw droppers

Looking ahead, chapter 13 includes an exclusive exercise a Christian can take that will categorize that Christian into one of five types covered in Section 3 of the book (go to www.findyourchristianity.com to take the survey). Perhaps instead of asking someone “Are you Christian,” the more relevant question might be “How strong of a Christian are you?” or “What type of a Christian are you?” Next we will study the critics who desire to make this more complicated for their own benefit.

Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book.

Author Eric Shuster will be providing a series of blog posts summarizing various sections of his upcoming book Where are the Christians? due to be released this spring from Cedar Fort, Inc. We will feature one post each week from now until May 2013. For more information visit www.findyourchristianity.com.

* * *

SECTION 2: WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?—a Definition

Chapter 6: It’s Clear According to the Bible

The title of this chapter suggests one need only proceed to Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, or 1 Peter. 4:16 (the three places in the New Testament where the word “Christian” appears) and read a sentence that begins with “a Christian is…” Unfortunately it is not be that easy.

Jesus taught that we must “search the scriptures” (John 5:39). The word “search” translated in this case meaning to search diligently or anxiously. This is exactly what author Eric Shuster did after finding little satisfaction in the previous chapter’s effort. His deep dive studied separately the words attributed directly to Jesus Christ in the New Testament (KJV) and those attributed to the New Testament authors starting in Acts.

Defining a Christian begins with the core of Christianity itself—belief in Jesus Christ. Everlasting life or eternal life is the ultimate goal of every Christian and is therefore often associated with being a Christian. According to Jesus Christ one must believe in Him to gain eternal life or everlasting life, otherwise he is condemned (John 3:18). To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe He is the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God, the Light of the World, the Forgiver of Sins, the Good Shepherd, the Only Way to the Father and He who is one with the Father. However, while belief can bring about great things Matthew 7:21-23 indicates to know Christ alone may not be enough.

Beyond belief comes repentance (Mark 1:15), baptism (Mark 16:16) and partaking of the Lord’s Supper (John 6:54). A Christian follows Christ (John 10:27) and in doing so makes sacrifices (Luke 9:23) and demonstrates love (Matt.22:37-39)—including keeping “His” commandments (John 14:15).

Searching the words of the New Testament authors beyond the four gospels reveals some very interesting transitions. While belief in Christ is still emphasized the term “eternal life” is mostly replaced with “salvation.” The word “grace” enters the conversation (Eph. 2:5) despite the fact Jesus himself never used the term.

The New Testament authors go on to discuss the importance of following Jesus Christ and emulating his characteristics (1 Pet. 2:21) and that salvation comes through faith (2 Tim. 3:15), repentance (2 Cor. 7:10), obedience (Heb.5:9), and even suffering (Rom. 8:18). The books of the Bible after the four gospels reinforce the significance of conversion, repentance, baptism and the Lord’s Supper as well as the prominent role of the Holy Ghost. In addition the authors write of key values and characteristics that followers of Christ should embrace and live as His disciples.

The exercise from the previous chapter and this in-depth search of the New Testament helps produce a two part definition of a Christian: a Believing Christian and a Practicing Christian (see the book for details). The process of defining a Christian doesn’t stop there. The next chapter puts the definition to the test using quantitative data from a number of landmark Christian studies to test its relevancy and application.

Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book.