Did this man have to die?

This past week (January 5) was the anniversary, noted in Wikipedia's "On this Day", of the death of Felix Manz. I think it is appropriate that most Christians who enjoy the things he died for do not know who he was. His name is written where it really counts. At the same time, we can be strengthened and encouraged by knowing about key people. I have been encouraged in recent years, for example, by re-reading about Hudson Taylor, 50 years after being introduced to "Spiritual Secret"

Manz, along with a few friends, was a pioneer in standing for separation of church and state, baptism of believers (in contrast to Martin Luther and John Calvin). He actually was baptized 3 times, first as an infant, then as a believer, and finally as a martyr in Lake Zurich. Killed by Protestants because he practiced believers' baptism. As part of his defense he said that he wished "to bring together those who were willing to accept Christ, obey the Word, and follow in His footsteps, to unite with these by baptism." Pretty serious offence huh? Definitely worthy of capital punishment.

Let's go for it

Let's go for it. This is for Christians. That is, people who are followers of Jesus Christ. I believe there was a time, centuries ago, when, if someone was known as a Christian, it may have meant ostracism or being subject to many kinds of injustice, but people didn't have to ask the question, What kind of Christian. Just like, if I say, I grow olives, the characteristics and uses of this product are well understood. Experts, of course, will distinguish between specific kinds of olives, or between trees that are well cared-for or abandoned, but you get what I mean. There are Christians of different sizes and shapes and cultures and levels of education, but being a Christian not only is something, but there are other things which it is not.

I would like to see the word "Christian" recovered. This not only has to do with movements toward "unity" (Read John 17 to get an idea of what Jesus has in mind), but with giving the world around us and those who call themselves Christians and are not a clear idea of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We are his people. Let's go for it.