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What's In A Name?

Early exit polls suggest generally favorable response to changing the name of the humble ramblings. (New Name...Same Great Dysfunction)  Drive-by readers might need to know that for years the tongue-in-cheek title was “Confessions of a Bad Christian”. That has been tentatively changed to “Confessions of a Saint Who Sometimes Sins” as a more accurate reflection of my identity in Christ.

Barbara had this response.

I have to admit that the phrase "bad Christian" bothered me even without my stopping to analyze what it was that bothered me. But that's it, exactly. We are Christians doing bad things from time to time, but when we purposefully take the name Christian we are washed and redeemed in the blood of Jesus.

Faithful reader Bridgette fears that I am losing hard earned “google” points.

Now how long before google catches up with (the new name). When I look for your blog by inputting Bad Christian I find you as listing number four.

That’s a little embarrassing. Actually I just tried again and I have moved up to number three. Not sure what I did to climb the “bad Christian” rankings. Even though I admit openly that I am flawed and dysfunctional I am not sure I want to be the first listing when you type in bad Christian. Dad would have been so proud.

Another faithful reader, Kathleen, offered her affirmation.

Wow. This feels sort of like a postponed graduation ceremony. (With "Pomp & Circumstance" playing softly in the background) I offer a huge congratulations!

I guess congrats are in order when you pass a course after only  three decades of scuffling with the material. Hope my post-grad goes a little smoother.

But there is always one who stirs it up and that person is often named Nelson. My hill country buddy had some concerns based mainly on his surplus of time to think about this.

I am not sure about this.  I liked the old moniker a bunch.  I do think in all fairness you should allow your tens of readers to weigh in on your new name.  Maybe a contest with a signed copy of "When Bad Christians Happen To Good People" as the prize.

Based on my book sales I cannot imagine a prize that would generate more excitement. Perhaps I will throw in a copy of “Bring’em Back Alive” so that someone in the USA will have one. So I defer to you. E-mail me at dave@daveburchett.com and let me know which blog name you prefer. The best apologetic for your position will win a signed copy of “When Bad Christians Happen to Good People”. Or it may be the soon to be titled “When Saints Who Sometimes Sin Interact Less Than Gracefully With Good Intentioned Humans.”

(Disclaimers: Contest ends when I decide. No purchase required. Void in some states. Friends who stay at my house are ineligible. If rash persists discontinue use.)

Don’t be disenfranchised. Vote now.


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# re: What's In A Name?

Hi Dave.

I like the original "Confessions of a Bad Christian." To me, that says it all, especially after reading about your own experiences with "good christians" in church. It brings humor to an otherwise very hurtful dysfunction. I felt like I had found a home when I found "Confessions of a Bad Christian" on the web. I am sentimental, I guess because I had spent so much time searching for understanding and healing after being disapproved of in my own church. Those of us who have been disciplined in church can see the irony in your title and how it reflects the inconsistency within places that are meant for worship.

The church can be a harmful environment for hurting souls when the message of the Gospel becomes crowded out by ideologies and overzealous "good christians." The Gospel gets lost and the church is just another man-made exclusive club with divisions between "good" and "bad."

Why would I want to be "good christian" if it causes another to feel inferior? My vote is for "Confessions of a Bad Christian."

3/10/2008 6:39 AM | Cheryl

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