I think I am becoming liberal…

I think I am becoming liberal… well, not really. Liberal is just another label. I was surprised to find out that I get labeled just like I label others. OUCH! Recently I was reading (fortunately it wasn’t to my face) a description of a Fundamentalist Christian. Well, never been one of those (I always called them Funny-mentalists because Ron Anderson who I pastored with in Washington State called them that, and Ron was a real Baptist so if he thought they were funny, I was betting he was right!)

However, as I was reading this description, written by a Liberal, I discovered he was calling me a Fundamentalist. Me? I love VW Bugs (I’ve had nine) and I wear Birkenstocks. I used to smoke pot and I wear Birkenstocks. I live in Eugene, think Saturday Market is cool AND I WEAR BIRKENSTOCKS! Me? A Funny-mentalist? ME?

I don’t think it’s a compliment. Worst of all, he may be right. And he may not even really be judging, just observing, so I can’t quote Matthew 7:1.

You know, I don’t want to be a Fundamentalist. I don’t want to be a Liberal either (or a conservative.) I don’t think I really care to be called a Democrat or a Republican. I don’t want to be ‘labeled’ as Messianic, nor charismatic, nor dispensational, nor Calvinistic (heaven forbid), nor even as a Calvary Chapel guy — whatever that really means. I’m not particularly fond of being identified as much of anything. Oh, except a Jesus-lover.

Jesus formed in me — exactly what Paul was talking about in Galatians 4:19. Yes, I am a follower of Jesus. Jesus is my identity.

And it is possible that He wore something very much like Birkenstocks.