What do you mean when you say "Christian"

Rejoice! Our hurricane fizzled out!

I spent some time today on the site of The Barna Group http://www.barna.org. They are a Christian research organization. They survey Christians and others to obtain a picture of what people are saying and believing. Their methodology appears sound, and their conclusions are stated rationally. If you are looking for an excellent example of being Christian and being thoroughly professional The Barna Group is a good one.

In a recent survey they discuss how Americans see themselves. They contrast the responses of Born-again Christians with those who don't acknowledge that status. If you think you know what your community or congregation is thinking, reading the results of this survey may be enlightening. the closing paragraphs of each report disclose the criteria which were used in defining and reporting the results.

When you have finished reading the Research Details section of a report you will have a clear understanding of how The Barna Group defines Christian and Born-again and Evangelical. The meaning of their research will be clear. This can not be said about a lot of what is called Christian thought. They should be commended!

When you have finished reading the few paragraphs of Research Details ask yourself how well they apply to you. Would you have answered the questions the same way? Does the clear cut definition your reading describe you? A lot of us describe ourselves as Christian or Born-again or Evangelical or Charismatic or Pentecostal, but the criteria we use to define those terms are really quite sloppy.

What do you mean when you say "Christian"? How's your hermeneutic?