I'm seriously considering

dropping the title of Christian.

Now, before you start throwing stones at me, hear me out.

There was a conversation in my civ class about Locke's social contract theory. Locke was a Christian, but he believed that humans aren't inherently good nor evil when they're born. A student questioned how Locke came to that conclusion from the Bible, as she subscribes to the Doctrine of orrigional sin.

The conversation isn't important to this post so much as the ending of it. Our teacher said "That's the thing I find so interesting-and disturbing-about Christianity and Judaism and Islam. They can't seem to get away from each other. They constantly intertwine because of their shared origens."

That got me to thinking. Ya know, at least with Judaism and Christianity, he's right. We do share similar origens. We do have a LOT in common with our teachings. What's the difference?
Well, of course, it's Jesus. I believe he is the Messaiah, the son of God, and that he took away the penalty of my sins.

But aren't there also Jews that believe this? They're called "Messianic Jews."

Christianity is simply the continuation of Judaism after the arival of the Messiah. So why are we called Christians? Why aren't we called Messianic Jews, like the Jewish people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah?

Part of me likes the idea of changing our title to Messianic Judaism because it's got a sort or ancient feel to it. Theres some intangible romantic (literary sense, not as in love) feel to it, some undefinable epicness about it that's just cool. Plus, it doesn't take any emphasis away from the fact that I believe that Jesus is the lord, the Messiah, and the son of God. I wouldn't be breaking any Jewish laws, because even Rabbis believe that in the Messianic age they will all be fulfilled and they won't be required to follow many of them any more.

And as a Christian, haven't I been "grafted onto the tree of Israel?" In Romans, Paul says, "And if a Gentile obeys God's law, won't God declare them to be his own people?" and "No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumsicion is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's spirit," and "For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, 'I have made you the father of many nations.'" I am a descendant of Abraham. I am one of God's people. Why am I not a Jew?

So, I'm seriously considering dropping the term "Christian" in favor of "Messianic Jew." Christianity is the continuation of Judaism after the arival of the Messaiah. Why not call ourselves Jews? Even if I call myself a Christian, all that really means is that I'm a convert to Messianic Judaism, so why not call it that?