I’m an Incarnational Christian

There is a new conversation in some Christian circles about how we modify our faith with adjectives. Many are being identified as conservative Christians, liberal Christians, progressive Christians, evangelical Christians and more whether they want to or not. So, author Tony Jones decided to have a poll to decide on a adjective that reflects what kind of faith he and his conversation partners advocate for.

Quickly his comment stream filled with complaints about “branding” and the desire to be the “body of Christ”. I share that sentiment, and also realize branding and stereotyping is a way of life in our culture. If we have some control over it, we may as well take it.

Tony Jones describes the task as encouraging people to define themselves for what they are instead of what they are not. How many hip new churches describe themselves as “we’re not like other churches.” (Oh irony of ironies.) Another goal is to respond to inquires about the meaning of Incarnational Christianity with theological language instead of political or issue based language. Instead of responding with “I am pro-choice, anti-gay, or apathetically reptilian,” we should say “I am a person who tries to honor that God is human in Jesus Christ (God is incarnate in Jesus) and that my life should make God real in the world (my life can be Jesus Incarnate for the world).”

What labels do you use for yourself? How does Incarnational Christian fit?