Letter: ‘Who’s to say who’s Christian?’
I had to chuckle after reading the June 9 “Facets of Faith” column in the Advocate. The headline read, “La. near top in percentage of Christians”. As it turns out, Louisiana ranked No. 4 as one of the states with the most Christians.
There’s only one problem: How do we prove that number is accurate? Unlike nearly every other label in the world, the title “Christian” is something an individual can simply claim without fear of contradiction. After all, how would we know for sure? Nearly every Christian denomination tells us, “Have faith in Jesus and you’re saved (IE: Christian)”. Some say, “Make Jesus lord of your life and you’re a Christian.”
I won’t attempt to speak for other Christians, but I frequently wonder about my own salvation. I’ve had hundreds of pastors and well-meaning people try their best to assure me that I am indeed a Christian.
How do they know? Is there a “litmus test” for Christianity? Some folks will read this and say, “Poor John, he just doesn’t understand”. To those I say, don’t spend too much time worrying about me, for I worry enough. I would, however, remind them of the words of Jesus to the “religious”: “I never knew you”.
John Singleton
equipment designer
Livingston