"I Am a Christian" (Thom S. Rainer)

TITLE: I Am a Christian: Discovering What It Means to Follow Jesus Together with Fellow Believers
AUTHOR: Thom S. Rainer
PUBLISHER: Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum, 2022, (128 pages).
 

What does it mean to be a Christian? What do people mean when they say they believe in Jesus? What about people claiming that they are second, third, or fourth-generation Christian? Answer: It varies. Some might claim that because they say they believe, and they attend Church regularly, they are Christians. Many would say that as long as they believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they are considered saved believers. Others raise the bar to say that if one's faith is devoid of discipleship, that casts one's faith in doubt. With various interpretations of what it means to be Christian, this book comes in to clear the fog for those still bugged by that question. Using seven key distinctiveness, popular author Thom Rainer leads us through seven declarations of faith. Each statement is a statement of intent not just as an adjective but more as a verb. Rainer asserts that anyone who claims they are Christians must know WHY they believe. Right from the start, readers get to realize the importance of this very question. We live in a world of distractions that continue to influence and confuse our sense of identity as Christian. For example, the culture we live in is largely individualistic, leading some people to think that they could be "Lone Ranger Christians." Inspired by the gospel of John's seven "I AM" statements of Jesus, the author uses the same framework to provide us with seven identity statements of a Christian. They are:

1. I am a Believer
2. I am a Church Member
3. I am a Disciple
4. I am a Servant
5. I am a Witness
6. I am a Prayer Warrior
7. I am a Christian

Each descriptive statement builds on the former statement. Eventually, the book culminates in a rejuvenated understanding of what it means to be Christian. Rainer goes through the core beliefs common across mainline denominations and non-denominational branches of Christianity. These include beliefs in the Bible, the Trinity, Salvation, Fall-Redemption, Resurrection of Jesus, and so on. Taking a leaf from his earlier book, "I Am a Church Member," he condenses that into one chapter here in this book. It is a reminder that being a Christian means we are a part of the larger body of Christ, in particular, to be members of a Church. The issue of discipleship remains a critical component of one's faith. Apart from a desire to disciple and be discipled, other expressions of what it means to be a Christian include a desire to evangelize, to serve, to pray, and to obey the calling of Jesus. 

My Thoughts
The premise of this book is simple. If we claim to believe something, not only must we know what we believe, but we need also to know why we believe. Following that, we help ourselves make sense of our own faith. Giving us seven statements to enable us to know the contours of our faith, Rainer has condensed Christianity to some of the most basic statements of faith. Meant for popular reading, each chapter guides readers with stories, Bible references, contrasts with cultural beliefs, and discussion questions at the end of each chapter to facilitate further study. 

I like the way the author starts with a basic question and closes with an augmented understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Many people claim to be Christian but when probed, their faith is often mixed up with cultural adaptations and personal preferences. We need books like this because we all need some common framework to understand what we believe in. Many creedal statements arose out of controversies. In the early centuries, the Early Church faced lots of persecution and religious threats from false teachers. In order to address the controversies and confusion created, the Early Church came up with creeds and doctrinal statements to help people distinguish the orthodox faith. 

Do not be deceived by the simplicity of the book. Sometimes, the most profound things can be expressed via simple statements. I believe everyone who claims to be Christian will at some point of their faith find this book a valuable reminder or a wake-up call.

THOM S. RAINER is the founder and CEO of Church Answers, a former pastor, and a bestselling author. With nearly forty years of ministry experience, Thom has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of the local church and its leaders. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and earned an MDiv and PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife live in Tennessee.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.