Yes, I Am Still a Christian
I am a disciple of Christ
It seems the voices around me are growing ever louder. From the one side, it’s “You can’t be LGBTQ+ and a Christian! Pride is a sin!” From the other side, it’s “Why would you want to associate yourself with a group that has caused so much pain and suffering? Christians are evil.”
More and more ex-evangelicals (exvangelicals) are dropping the “Christian” label altogether. They don’t want to be associated with a group that has fostered so much hatred and negativity. Honestly, I don’t blame them. But I’m still a Christian.
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:19–26
I am not a theologian. I never went to Bible school. I grew up in the church, and my dad was a former pastor who did go to Bible school, and I learned a lot from him. I have read through the Bible a few times, and I read and study the Scriptures to this day.
In my understanding, the label of Christian comes from the Greek title Christos (anointed one) and simply means that one is a follower of Christ. In the Bible, it is first used shortly after the disciples begin to reach outside of their own Jewish communities to bring the good news of Christ to the Greeks.
I have heard several pastors use the following sermon illustration: Standing in a garage does not make you a car. Standing in an airport hangar does not make you an airplane. Going to church does not make you a Christian.
I’m not going to get into an argument about what makes a “real Christian.” I despise gatekeeping like that. If you say you’re a Christian, I will believe you. But if you don’t follow Christ, how do you justify using that label?
The Bible uses the term “disciple” for a follower of Christ. Merriam Webster defines “disciple” as “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” Christ said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
I consider myself to be a disciple of Christ. I try to follow the teachings of Christ. Therefore, I claim the label of Christian.
I am a queer Christian, and I don’t believe those two parts of me are at odds with each other. Love is love and God is love and you will know I am a Christian by my love.
Esther learned to read when she was four years old, and began writing shortly thereafter. She is a queer Christian poet, crafting with words to create art and music.
