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The Captive Christian

by Kathy Brown on August 21st, 2009 | 5 comments

 

(The following information is taken from Barna’s book, Seven Faith Tribes:  Who They Are, What They Believe, and Why They Matter)

 

Perhaps it would be helpful to describe the main characteristics of the seven tribes listed in Barna’s book:

 

1.        Casual Christian:  driven by a desire for a pleasant and peaceful existence

2.        Captive Christian:  focused on upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths they glean from the Bible

3.        Jews:  coalesced around their sense of community

4.        Mormons:  identifiable by their family centeredness

5.        Pantheists:  resigned to the acceptance of their reality

6.        Muslims: characterized by commitment to faith-driven behavioral standards

7.        Skeptics:  known to be highly independent

 

Every tribe will rightfully reject these singular descriptions because each category is more complicated than just the one attribute. 

 

So, looking now at the Captive Christian . . . The lives of Captives are defined by their faith; their worldview is built around their core spiritual beliefs and resulting values.  Success is obedience to God, as demonstrated by consistently serving Christ and carrying out His commands and principles.  They are motivated by extreme devotion to their God regardless of the worldly consequences.

 

The important question raised for anyone who calls themselves a Christian is:  am I a “Casual” or a “Committed”?  The basis for the answer has to do with one’s worldview.  The Foundational Presupposition Chart provides a beginning check-list for anyone interested in assessing their faith. The application of these foundational beliefs is another matter, which involves both mind and heart.

 

What difference does it make, personally and corporately, which worldview is lived out?  Barna’s book has a lot to say about that, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This website was established by Kathryn M. Brown. Kathryn was commissioned as a Centurion in 2008 after participating in BreakPoint’s Centurions Program. This is a study program founded by Chuck Colson of BreakPoint and Prison Fellowship to equip Christians to train others with a biblical worldview and to turn the world right-side up through biblical thinking and living. For more information, visit www.breakpoint.org/resources/centurions.