More than Christians: Practicing Gospel-Shaped Community with the Language of the Early Church

by Norman Hubbard

Transform Your Relationships with the Power of Words

What do we call each other? It’s a deceptively simple question, because how we refer to one another is how we understand our relationships.
Not recognizing the power of our words makes it harder for us to trust and serve one another—to love one another. In More than Christians, Norman Hubbard explores how the early church used common words in uncommon ways to make sense of their relationships with God and with one another. His research and contextualization of the cultural background to the New Testament is as practical for today as it is urgent.

Before we were called Christians …We called each other brothers and sisters;We saw ourselves and one another as saints—set apart by God for God’s purposes;We understood ourselves and one another as beloved by God and therefore worthy of love.These and other names defined us at the very beginning of Jesus’ transforming ministry. They still define us today. We can celebrate our identity as Christians. But we are more than Christians. Experience the transformative power of the Gospel as you practice life together in the fullness of your identity as the people of God.

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Elaine Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book through NetGalley. The premise of this book is to look back at the early Church & pay attention to the way that believers would address each other. The author theorizes that one of the ways that this brand new church made up of a wide variety of peoples was able to achieve such radical unity was through the way the members addressed each other. They called each other names such as brother or sister, beloved, fellow laborer. Each of these names reflects a different aspect of their new belief in Jesus & emphasized their unity over their many differences. Hubbard believes that if we call each other by such names, we would also be taking a big step toward Gospel unity & community. I appreciated his approach & the way he reflected on & honored our fellow believers in those early days of the Church. The book was enlightening in regards to Church history & encouraging in how those early brothers & sisters lived out the truths of the Gospel in practical, everyday faithfulness.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hubbard starts by pointing out that many people overlook in scriptures the consistent theme of our new family in Christ and what that meant for early disciples. I have to admit I was overlooking this! I really enjoyed the survey of scripture in this book and the pulling to the forefront this beautiful reality and gift. It has changed my perspective especially about the idea of loving my local church members.

There was an opportunity for Hubbard to bring more application in different spheres, and also to really celebrate the beauty and joy more. So this would be a great group study to not only discuss how to live out the scriptures together in growing to be more like the early church.

[Lyndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known for awhile thatwe cannot transpose 21st centruy life on the biblical story, or do the same in reverse. We need to consider when the books were written and who they were written for. "More Than Christians" adds to the richness of scripture by showing how the meaning and use of cerain words have changed through time, and how reclaiming their original meaning and use can change how we relate to fellow Christians and the larger society.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a short book, but good, about what Christians are and how we should act in light of that.  With examples from the New Testament and more modern times, he talks about how we are brothers, we are a chosen people, and more.  God has made us that; we should act in light of it.

I can use that reminder and that encouragement.

[Linda Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book changed the way I look at my friends and fellow believers in Christ. They are my brothers and sisters. We are saints and beloved. We are Christians.

[Sean Gladding · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book pre-publication and wanted to like it more than I did. I think if the author had waited ten years and written from the perspective of someone who has practiced the exhortations he makes in its pages, the book would have been far more interesting, and probably compelling. As it stands, I had little sense that this was more than an interesting intellectual exercise, even if passionately believed. I realize what I wanted was testimony.