reverts to utilizing a symbolic “X” (interestingly utilized
throughout Christian history as a symbol of the cross) to
refer to the divine dynamic of the Christ-life in individuals
and communities. Various languages employ different
words with a wide range of meanings and connotations to
refer to the phenomenon of “Christianity.”
Even within Western, North American vocabulary the
heretofore predominantly positive connotation of the term
“Christianity” is rapidly eroding. While teaching at a
Christian men’s retreat in the Los Angeles, California area,
the participants strenuously objected to and denied the
assertions that “Christianity is NOT religion,” and
conversely that “Christianity IS Christ.” In their vocabulary
the word “Christianity” was synonymously equated with
the phenomena of “Christendom” and the “Christian
religion” as it is variously expressed in the institutional
systems of ecclesiastical churches. Understood in this way
“Christianity” is indeed religion, and not necessarily to be
identified or equated with the dynamic of the living Christ.
Their solution was to refer to the reality of the life and
work of the living Lord Jesus simply as “Christ.” Who can
argue with the choice of His name for all that He is and
does?
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