I have no real issues with labels. Kind of handy at times 😀

When I met that certain, unnamed lady and her husband from Aussie homeschool board while I was staying at Heidi’s farm, we spent a good deal of time exploring each others doctrinal views – and in cases such as that one, labels save a lot of time!

I do, with one of your readers above, have issues with the “pastor, reverend, father” titles. Just don’t go with anything more than “Mr”.

Okay! It’s still lovely to ‘meet’ you. I’m in the same city as you are! And yes, we homeschool. Great idea that you are giving yourself plenty of time to read, investigate and learn.

You might like to consider joining one of the largest Aussie homeschool forums on the ‘net. You can find it at aussiehomeschool.com and there is a FB page if you are interested in keeping up with links.

Let me know if I can help you in any way,

nope, just a Christian in Adelaide thinking seriously about homeschooling my eldest daughter next year. I’ve given myself a year to read, cruise the blogosphere and network 🙂

Hello there Danny,
Lovely to have you here! I enjoyed reading your musings. Are you a friend of Katie’s from FB, by any chance?

You sister in Christ, Saint Susan

Why thank you m’dear Rulie. Rulie is my affectionate name for you. Do you mind it?

Well I’ve only just landed on this site and barely explored at all, but I just had to reply to Katie because I agree with her completely! I too have begun to disassociate in my own mind from the historically loaded term ‘Christian’ (check the Bible – did the apostles and other writers of the NT call their addressees ‘christians?’ In fact, the term ‘christian’ is only used 3 times in the NT, and was the label given to the church by pagan opponents).
I too think that the most biblically appropriate term to describe a follower of Jesus is ‘saint’, and have begun to refer to myself in this way. Katie is absolutely correct in saying that this term refers to ALL of God’s faithful followers, OT and NT. Because of this, ‘saints’ also reminds NT believers that they share the same spiritual heritage / lineage as all those who had faith in Messiah without actually knowing him – i.e. the heroes of Hebrews 11. It reinforces the ‘Jewish root’ of Christianity.

Lately I have started to identify and use the word “saint” a whole lot more. Because so called “Christians” (not born again) are giving us real ones a bad name in today’s world ;). But mostly I like saints because it covers both the NT and OT saved. All of us!

Then there is the issue of titles. On many forums people call each other brother and sister. Which I think is nice and friendly. But then they put it in front of their name like Sis Katie. I don’t mind that, but don’t use this way of talking myself. One thing that I have picked up with titles is that in the bible no-one was called “Pastor Peter” or “Pastor Greg”. A term of respect, or an elevation of position? The Apostles and Disciples didn’t do that for an example in the bible, so I lean against this also now.

Some of my BEST friends are anti-pentecostal Christians……so we very wisely refuse to label ourselves and just say we are Christian friends………after all Jesus is our focus not doctrine…….that is the bottom line. Even with my lesbian oldest best friend (who is a confessing Christian………now that is a scary thought) I will always use love not doctrine with her…..love will impact not law or a doctrinal statement.

Just some thoughts…………….