Yours is a fair and frequently asked question. At issue is someone’s definition of a Christian. There is, however, no commonly accepted definition of a Christian.

Merely labeling people “Christian” or “non-Christian” is not helpful

By some definitions, 75 percent of Americans are Christians; by other definitions, five percent or less are Christian. Why the discrepancy? Many define Christians as people who consider themselves to be Christian. That would include you and me. Others narrow the definition and require assent to certain doctrinal statements or participation in certain church rites. At this point you and I will part ways. Because there is no agreed-on standard of how broadly or narrowly “Christian” or “Christianity” should be understood, merely labeling people is often a waste of time.

Defining and appraising the basis and content of belief is more helpful

People with differing religious convictions should review what each believes, noting what is the same or downright different. What is the source of doctrine? For Lutherans it is the 66 books of the Bible. For Mormons it includes additional writings, the Book of Mormon, plus hierarchical ongoing pronouncements. You believe that God is not finished revealing his truth. Even our definitions of who the true God is and how he is to be defined are not the same. Our understanding of who or what Jesus Christ is, what he has done, and why he did it are also different.

Maintaining that “Christ is the center of everything we teach and believe” does not make one a Christian. Using his name, even on a repeated basis, is not enough (as Jesus made clear in Matthew 7:21-23).We owe it to each other to examine, explain, and clarify more precisely what we actually believe and teach. Identifying and clarifying these similarities and differences will not immediately resolve the issue of who is “Christian” or “non-Christian,” but it will allow convictions and concerns to be aired. Then we can do what is even more valuable.

Focusing especially on the person and work of Christ is most helpful