Why Is CCIH Christian?
Some have asked the CCIH Board why we are not an “interfaith” group,
urging us to consider becoming such a group. As an interfaith group we
could draw people of faith together and attempt to ease religious tensions.
Why do we continue to be Christian Connections for International Health?
This question deserves a thoughtful answer. We recognize that the word
Christian is somewhat out of fashion. It has an unpleasant sound to some
Western ears. It has historical connotations of intolerance. The word is
considered offensive to some other religious groups — although we do not
understand why, since we do not find the terms “Jewish,” “Muslim,” or “Hindu”
to be offensive, rather descriptive of other people of faith.
We suspect that it mostly offends non-religious people.
CCIH is Christian because it is our identity.
We choose to work with others based on what we do. The phrase “international
health” in our name shows our commitment to help the world’s poor alongside
others with a similar goal.
But as people of faith we identify ourselves by who we are. Moreover,
the object of our faith (not our having faith) determines our identity.
We are Christian because we believe in Jesus Christ.
Not that we view being Christian as a wall of separation against those
who are Jewish, Hindu, or pagan. We are Christian because we are allied
with Jesus the Anointed One (Ho Christos in the Greek of the Bible).
Given that we are Christian, our faith asserts itself. We are Christian
because we have been called to life by Jesus. With life comes the power
to love, to serve, to believe, and boldly to do miracles in His name.
The object of our faith is the source of our power. The power comes
from our unity. The unity comes from deep peace that is our gift from God.
God in our midst is our strength.
We do not mind specifying which God we refer to. The God among us is
the God and Father of Jesus Christ our Lord. The Spirit that works in us
is the Spirit of Jesus, the one who raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
We choose not to confuse the identity of that
Spirit with any other. It is the God witnessed to by the Bible and
by the Church.
These assertions are faith statements. But using faith, to paraphrase
Winnie the Pooh, is what people of faith do best.
How we work it out in real life varies. As individual members of CCIH
we express being Christian in different ways. Some claim a stronger alliance
to various theological strains, others to specific denominational groupings.
Some participate happily in interfaith worship, while others prefer not
to.
As members of different organizations we carry out various program goals
as well. Most of us cooperate easily with other faith groups in health
programs, particularly when the faith group is an integral part of the
culture in which we work. Most of us also work freely with those who claim
no faith, though we may doubt whether it is possible to maintain such a
position throughout life. All of us share a deep respect for others who
are different from us.
Why is CCIH Christian? Because it is the identity we choose. It is our
family name.
CCIH
is Christian because it is our identity.
It is our family name.
