Would I Still Be a Christian if…
I had not been born into a Christian family?
My parents are Christians. My dad is a preacher. Both sets of my parents’ parents were/are also Christians, as well as my great-grandparents. One of my great-grandfathers was a preacher. My grandfather is, or at least has been, an elder at his church. Does Christianity eventually start to run in the blood?
Even further back into my ancestry are French Huguenots that came to what is now the U.S. in order to escape persecution against their protestant beliefs. I don’t know the exact year they arrived, but it was many ago. So now you know what I mean when I say I was born into a Christian family—we’re talking at least several hundred years of Christians in my bloodline.
And I often wonder, what if you replace my Christian roots with Islamic roots? What if I were born to Muslim parents whose lineage of the Islamic faith went back just as far as my family’s lineage of the Christian faith. Odds are, I’d be a believer of the Islamic faith too. Right? Would I be as fervent about my faith as I am fervent about the one I was actually born into?
Is saying “I was born into Christianity” even accurate? I chose this, I remember the day I chose this, but I was young and had little idea of the vast religious options that were out there.
Honestly, I don’t want to talk about this question anymore, but I know I won’t stop thinking about it, and I hope you don’t either. It’s just as important to know where you come from as it is to know why you have or have not decided to carry on your family’s legacy.
(I have a few more “Would I Still Be a Christian If…”s coming down the pike, so stay tuned.)
Speaking as one hoping to establish a legacy, it is questions like these that will help us found such legacies on the rock of Jesus, rather than the sand of tradition.
If He blesses me with children, I want them (and their children) to be faithful disciples of His, regardless of where that takes them.
I love the honesty of your writing… thank you for sharing your discomfort with us 🙂
in HIS love,
nick
Here is a link to a study I found interesting as it relates to salvation and the sovereignty of God. http://bible.org/seriespage/sovereignty-god-salvation-romans-91-24
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you” (John 15:16).
“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Eph 1:11)
Yep, He chose you and you are blessed…how he got you to embrace Him is His own delightful plan. But here is someone not born into a christian family who was also chosen — Abram, better known now as Abraham. He came out of a long line of idol worshipers but He is the one God chose to bless with a whole line of God worshipers. Ah, its wonderful to know that God has it all figured out and there are just some things “too wonderful” for me to know. How He works together His sovereignty and my responsibility is a wonder and a joy to me. Perplexing at times — yes (course, doesn’t take much to perplex me :0) ) but wonderous nontheless.
This is a great question, and I’ve wondered the same thing.
I have to believe that we would have sought our Lord and Savior no matter who are parents were. Or maybe, like Debbie said above, God chose us and knew we needed to be born to our parents in order to know Him and bring Him glory. He picked out our lineage.
On the flip-side, it’s interesting how many Christian-raised young adults from our generation rebel and turn away from God in spite of their upbringing. It’s not as common in Texas as it is in other parts of the nation. Where I grew up in Arizona, I was the youngest person there… my mom was the second youngest.
This was a wonderful post, and you are a brilliant writer — just like your dad.
Thanks for commenting, Danielle. I completely agree with God choosing us to be born into certain families. I think he knew I had a tendency to let my beliefs stray and only a strong grounded family was going to keep me focused. I am so so grateful for that!
I have often thanked God for putting me in a (mostly) Christian family. I think it’d be a lot harder to follow Him without the support of a family and friends who also know the Truth.
Katie
hello there..
I was Born to be a a roman catholic.. my parents are catholic. my neighbors are mostly catholic. I was 18 when I decided to make a life changing decision that I know will have a great impact on my life and the future. I became a baptist.. I was happy how God Worked in my life. How He showed unto me the right path. Its my own personal choice and I dont want to down grade other religion.
Iba iba ang siguro kung paano magpakilala satin ang Panginoon. Dapat lang maging bukas tayo sa mga kumakatok sa pinto natin. Malay natin ang Panginoon na yun.