THE PROPER USE OF THE NAME "CHRISTIAN"

Hello bro. Waddey:
I have read numerous articles that you have written in "Christianity Then & Now."  I am sending you this post to question your numerous references to "Christian universities or schools."  I do not believe they should be called "Christian" schools. The only time this word is used in the N.T. is when it refers to the people of God or the disciples of Christ.  This is the only proper name by which God's people are called in the New Testament. "Christian" is a unique name and we should take care how we use it. It seems to me that the universities & colleges that are called "Christian" are a real minus to the church and its mission. They do nothing but turn out "cookie cutter" preachers that are "performers" instead of 100% dedicated evangelist. How did we ever have the gospel preached before these universities came into existence? M B

Dear Bro. M B:
Thanks for writing and sharing with me your thoughts.  The word "Christian" is the name by which we properly identify ourselves as disciples of Christ (Acts 11:26). In the English language it is also used as an adjective to describe certain behavior or things.  For example we might correct a child or a brother in Christ by saying, "That was not the Christian thing to do." It also identifies those people who are Christians who do certain things. For example we might correctly say that Bro. Bill is a "Christian businessman" meaning that he takes his religion to work with him and operates on Christian principles.

Christian people also have schools, publishing companies, they write and publish hymn books and Bibles.  Because they are Christians and are providing a service to the church and operating on Christian principles, we correctly refer to them as Christian schools, authors, publishers, etc.

That said, I must agree with you that some of the schools that were founded by Christians to serve the Lord's church no longer are doing that.  They still wear the name, but in many cases are the chief architects of our troubles. They have become havens for the agents of change who are wreaking havoc in our congregations. Many of the preachers who come forth from those schools are more likely to be a liability to the Lord's Church than a blessing.

Just as Christian parents sometimes have a child who falls to live up to the training and values instilled in them at home, so some of our schools and papers have failed to keep the faith of their founders and the church they claim to serve. It appears to me that we should appreciate and support those that are faithful, since they are our beloved brethren, and reject those who go astray by refusing to be governed by the Word of Christ.