Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Arius: (b. ca. 250/256, Egypt or Libya – d. 336) Arius was a priest in Alexandria who taught that Jesus was a created being, a man elevated to deity through his obedience to God. His teachings were declared to be heretical.

Zaccheus: Zaccheus was the chief tax collector at Jericho. In Luke 19:1-10 his story is told. As a very short man, he couldn’t see over the crowd so he climbed a tree in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus called him down from the tree by name and ate that night at his house. Zaccheus responded to Jesus’s call by more than paying back anyone he had ever cheated and becoming a benefactor rather than a taker. Roman Catholic tradition says he was also named Mathias and took the place of Judas Iscariot among the Twelve Apostles. He was possibly the first bishop of Caesarea.

Master of the Playing Cards: (fl. 1430-1450, Germany or Switzerland) An engraver, painter, and printer named for his 106 known engravings.

Rich Mullins: (b. 1955, Indiana – d. 1997) Quaker, songwriter, singer, musician. All profits from his recordings and concerts went directly to his church, from which he drew only a small salary. He died in a traffic accident.

Marva J. Gersmehl: (b. 1948, Ohio, aka: Marva J. Dawn) Theologian, educator, musician, author. She teaches that small acts of faith can have profound consequences on the world. She believes that “entertainment based” worship services are not true evangelism or true worship.