“Call Me Christian” (Smalltown Poets)
By Roger ~ May 18th, 2004. Filed under: Religion.
I actually have a completely different point I originally wanted to make yesterday, if I remember right, so here goes. When someone asks “what religion are you” they normally mean “what denomination”. This caused me to think of something I was told once. Anyone can feel free to correct any information I have wrong, and I usually don’t give much heed to hearsay, but I heard that Catholics are told that when someone asks if they are Christian, they are to say “I’m Catholic.” I’m uncomfortable with that. It’s a good thing I’m not Catholic.
The main point I wanted to make today was that I want to be known as a Christian. I know that the word has been twisted and enlarged to encompass a whole slew of people that I myself would never consider Christian, however I want my name associated with Christ. I’m not happy just to tell someone I’m Apostolic. I know that associates me with the beliefs held by the apostles, who were the first Christians, but I don’t want to be mainly associated with them. I feel like if I am, then I’ve stopped one step too short. I know denomination narrows down what type of belief system we have as a Christian, but I think it disassociates me too far from what I want the focus in my life to be. Even one step is too far for my tastes. It’s not that I think all people who call themselves Christian are in the Bible with their beliefs and we should all just drop the denominations; I’m not into ecumenicism. I don’t mind sharing what I believe, but I want to make sure everyone knows I’m not trying to disassociate with Christ.
I feel like I’m beating a dead horse (which I often do in my writing). How about I don’t restate it again. 
Christ needs to be the center or our lives. So for this, if you want to know what “religion” I am, don’t call me Pentecostal, don’t call me Apostolic, call me Christian.
May 19th, 2004 at 11:13 am
I like the original (Villanelle) version of the song better.
May 19th, 2004 at 1:02 pm
Hmmm, Smalltown Poets was the first time I had heard it. Are you a Poets fan?
May 19th, 2004 at 1:12 pm
Smalltown Poets were originally called Villanelle, and then they changed their name and their lineup a bit and released the Smalltown Poets album. “Call me Christian” was originally on their Villanelle album. I liked the STP album, but didn’t love the rest of their stuff. For some reason, their covers were always my favorite songs - “Beautiful Scandalous Night” and “The Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.” And of course, “Hold it up to the Light.”
May 19th, 2004 at 1:18 pm
You seem to know much more about them than I do. I like pretty much everything they did on the first 2 CDs. The third one…not so much. I’m awaiting the fourth, though to see if I continue to be a diehard fan or if I fade off.