My Definition as a Christian As a follower of Jesus, my definition is wonderfully diverse yet profoundly simple. I view the world as a Fundamentalist. Everything that presents itself as contrary to the Truth is base, disgusting, and ridiculous compared to the knowledge of Christ and He crucified. The world with all its competing pleasures and demands is fallen. I hate the world and hate the sin in myself and others. However, I love the sinner and pray that the lost will come to knowledge of Christ Jesus and the saved will press onward, outward, and inward in becoming more and more mature in the Faith. As an individual believer, I am an Evangelical. The "Good News" which is the "Gospel" and, therefore, Jesus the risen Savior, is meant for and to share with the lost. This is my outward calling whenever it presents itself. More specifically, when it comes to justification, I am a Lutheran in that justification is by faith alone. In terms of working out my faith, I am a Calvinist realizing my depravity and the desperate need of grace in order to do anything of significance. Finally, I am a Methodist in that sanctification is brought about by Christ in me so that I am able to eventually be holy as he is holy in thought, word, and deed. My stance toward other believers is Catholic. We are all one body, a universal brother and sisterhood, which occupies time and space. I consider the whole of church history up to this moment a wonderful combination of those who have gone before (the great cloud of witnesses), those who occupy the globe now, and those yet to be called by Christ. In terms of empowerment, both individually and corporately, I am at the same time Pentecostal and Emergent. We all, as believers, possess the same Spirit. He is not controlled but rather controls us. He eradicates false beliefs, manmade gods, and any preconceptions or dogmas that seek to explain the mystery of His work in us and through us. This supersedes my perceived comfort level, socalled respectability, and human limitations whether from within the church or without. Therefore, I am emerging in the sense that the Holy Spirit surprises me and pushes me beyond what was previously expected.
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