The Cambridge Dictionary defines “nominal”: in name or thought but not in fact or not as things really are. Therefore, a “nominal” Christian is someone who is Christian by name or thought only. Hence, they are not a LEGIT Christian. If we’ve ever been labeled as such, it’s a title that should force us to look into the mirror and make sure that’s not what we reflect. A nominal Christian is someone who is a Christian by name only. Someone that might say they believe in God, and that Jesus died on the cross, but fails to support that claim of a name with their life. Perhaps, it’s somebody that claims the name “Christian”, because of their upbringing or nationality. Yet, there is no proof of their Christianity, the only way you would know that they’re a Christian, is if they were forced to tell you. Similarly, the term “notional Christian” is someone who likes the idea of being a Christian and might claim to be one yet fails to prove it with the workings of their life. In 2004, the Barna Group released a research study about faith and its effects on people’s lives. In reference to the notional and nominal Christians, the study states:
“These individuals were more likely to behave in ways that characterized non-Christians than to reflect the behavior of born-again adults. In other words, their faith does not seem to be a defining factor in many of their lifestyle choices. For instance, this group is more similar to born again Christians on matters such as recycling and the likelihood of discussing political matters. However, they are more similar to non-Christians on matters such as the likelihood of discussing faith matters, volunteering, turning off offensive television programs, discussing moral issues, gambling, using tobacco, having sex outside of marriage, getting drunk, and passing on encouragement to others.”[1]
The findings of the study may have seemed obvious to folks in 2004, and still more commonplace today, but Jesus was clearly ahead of the time in calling out the very same problem. Too many “Christians” want the name, but nothing to do with the transformed life that should accompany it. Our belief in Christ should be independent of our forefathers, tradition, or nationalistic roots. The past few years have made it clear that many “Christian” Americans think that Christianity means holding to a set of political ideals rather than living a life that proves their faith in Jesus Christ. If we claim to be Christian, if we claim to have faith, we MUST live a life that backs it up. The Jews whom Jesus is speaking to needed to have their world rocked with this reality: 1.) You are slaves. Slaves to your sin. 2.) Your upbringing and past lives can do nothing to free you from that slavery. 3.) If the son sets you free, then you are free indeed.
They had their hearts set on their ancestry, but failed to remember who the true father of their ancestors was. They loved the name, association of their heritage, and seemingly nominal beliefs, but they failed to live in freedom. They still lived as slaves to their sin, even as they clung to the ‘faith’ they were raised in. Real belief, real faith, produces real freedom and real change in our lives. If you claim to have the name, “Christian”, if you claim to have faith in Christ, if you claim to be freed from your sin, then you need to walk in that freedom.
Do you know who does a good job living what they claim to believe? Atheists and secular humanists. Those who believe there is no God, no moral absolutes, no purpose in this world but to get the most out of life, no life after death, no rhyme or reason to anything, these people have no trouble proving their beliefs with their lifestyle. Yet here we are, so-called “Christians”, unable to work out our faith with a life that shouts: I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sin! I believe that Jesus rose again! I have eternal hope! I have a purpose in life! I was created by God and for God! My heart is changed! My desires are made pure! My mindset is transformed! Every fiber of my life is different because of the hope I have in Christ! Our Christianity ought to impact more than our political and social views, our faith should be the defining factor in ALL of our life’s choices! Because a faith that doesn’t have an effect upon our freedom, may not be faith after all… “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."[2]
[1] “Faith Has a Limited Effect on Most People's Behavior,” Barna Group, accessed July 24, 2024, https://www.barna.com/research/faith-has-a-limited-effect-on-most-peoples-behavior/.
[2] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jn 8:35–36.
“These individuals were more likely to behave in ways that characterized non-Christians than to reflect the behavior of born-again adults. In other words, their faith does not seem to be a defining factor in many of their lifestyle choices. For instance, this group is more similar to born again Christians on matters such as recycling and the likelihood of discussing political matters. However, they are more similar to non-Christians on matters such as the likelihood of discussing faith matters, volunteering, turning off offensive television programs, discussing moral issues, gambling, using tobacco, having sex outside of marriage, getting drunk, and passing on encouragement to others.”[1]
The findings of the study may have seemed obvious to folks in 2004, and still more commonplace today, but Jesus was clearly ahead of the time in calling out the very same problem. Too many “Christians” want the name, but nothing to do with the transformed life that should accompany it. Our belief in Christ should be independent of our forefathers, tradition, or nationalistic roots. The past few years have made it clear that many “Christian” Americans think that Christianity means holding to a set of political ideals rather than living a life that proves their faith in Jesus Christ. If we claim to be Christian, if we claim to have faith, we MUST live a life that backs it up. The Jews whom Jesus is speaking to needed to have their world rocked with this reality: 1.) You are slaves. Slaves to your sin. 2.) Your upbringing and past lives can do nothing to free you from that slavery. 3.) If the son sets you free, then you are free indeed.
They had their hearts set on their ancestry, but failed to remember who the true father of their ancestors was. They loved the name, association of their heritage, and seemingly nominal beliefs, but they failed to live in freedom. They still lived as slaves to their sin, even as they clung to the ‘faith’ they were raised in. Real belief, real faith, produces real freedom and real change in our lives. If you claim to have the name, “Christian”, if you claim to have faith in Christ, if you claim to be freed from your sin, then you need to walk in that freedom.
Do you know who does a good job living what they claim to believe? Atheists and secular humanists. Those who believe there is no God, no moral absolutes, no purpose in this world but to get the most out of life, no life after death, no rhyme or reason to anything, these people have no trouble proving their beliefs with their lifestyle. Yet here we are, so-called “Christians”, unable to work out our faith with a life that shouts: I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sin! I believe that Jesus rose again! I have eternal hope! I have a purpose in life! I was created by God and for God! My heart is changed! My desires are made pure! My mindset is transformed! Every fiber of my life is different because of the hope I have in Christ! Our Christianity ought to impact more than our political and social views, our faith should be the defining factor in ALL of our life’s choices! Because a faith that doesn’t have an effect upon our freedom, may not be faith after all… “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."[2]
[1] “Faith Has a Limited Effect on Most People's Behavior,” Barna Group, accessed July 24, 2024, https://www.barna.com/research/faith-has-a-limited-effect-on-most-peoples-behavior/.
[2] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jn 8:35–36.