Please forgive me, but someone has to say it. Well, here goes. A lot of Christians are . . . uh, how shall I put it, uh . . . weird. There, I've said it. A lot of Christians are just plain weird.

Please don't misunderstand. I am not for a moment trying to foster a critical attitude toward the hurting or troubled individual. On the contrary, it is especially these types whom believers should freely embrace. The poor, the destitute, and the disadvantaged ought to feel welcome among us. Indeed, more times than not, God chooses "the foolish things of the world in order to confound the wise." Thus, the weirdness about which I speak is not a reference to the wounded or disenfranchised.

Nor am I denying that Christians themselves may, in the opinion of some, seem quite different from the norm. This is why in one place in the Bible we are described as "a peculiar people." As such, it is inevitable that we will at times be misunderstood, falsely accused, or categorized as otherwise curious.

Of course the peculiarity about which the biblical writers speak concerns godly behavior, moral integrity, selflessness, unconditional love, and similar things. Our commitment to these matters will sometimes bring scowls to the faces of those with different agendas. As a result, our conduct might appear strange to them.

But the peculiarity I want to address is of a different sort. It has little (if anything) to do with Christian commitment as such but has a lot to do with our comfort zones, extreme views of separation, and silly traditions. What I want to talk about is best classified as weird.

In what ways, you ask, are some Christians weird? Well, my own observations would include the following:

* Many Christians dress as if they live in another era. Though no one is suggesting immodesty, on the one hand, or fashion expertise, on the other, the clothing choices of some believers appear quite odd to our non-Christian contemporaries.

* A good number of Christians define life in overly black and white terms. While it is true that some things are either right or wrong (and some are gifted at being able to distinguish these), other matters are not so easily determined. Indeed, one of the great challenges for all conscientious followers of Christ is the application of ancient texts to a contemporary setting. The fact that Scripture is a revelation of God does not automatically make our appropriation of it easy. At the very least, it must be admitted that life, even the Christian life, is not always "black and white."

* Some believers are drawn to conspiracy theories, often based on far-out notions of the "last days." Of course we should not dismiss every theory out of hand. Then again, it is usually best to remain skeptical about ideas that are overly speculative.

* Easy-money schemes seem to attract many Christians. Part of this, I think, is a result of a genuine desire by many to honor God with their lives. In some cases a family opts for the mother to stay home with the kids, which is a fine thing to do. But this can also lead to financial struggle. When this happens, it becomes tempting to buy into (pun intended!) anything that might be a source of more income. Unfortunately, some Christians so exaggerate the monetary potential of the latest scheme that they fail to recognize the harm they may be doing to their reputations.

* The musical tastes of many believers are often outdated. This is not to deny the beneficial nature of some older songs, for God certainly continues to utilize the great hymns of the past. But the fact remains that many people, especially among the youth, think it rather strange to observe a bunch of people singing archaic songs, featuring words like "thee," thou," and "thine."

* As an extension of the previous thought, many churches conduct their affairs in such a way that a visitor who enters their doors will feel like he or she has entered a time warp. Not only the music but the overall atmosphere is years, if not decades, behind the times. This, I would argue, is odd.

* Some Christians have an overly critical view of the culture. Thus, most, if not all, movies are bad. Television is a menace. Secular novels are the devil's playground. Athletic events are a waste of time. Indeed, anything that is popular must, according to some, be viewed with suspicion. While it is true that many of these things can be a source of harm, or even idolatry, they can also provide a point of contact with the people of our society.

* Quite a few believers have opted for a type of isolationism. Though it is always necessary to detach ourselves from that which harms us, extreme versions of separation can only lead us away from the very people we need to reach with the gospel.

* Many times it is the case that women have been (sometimes unintentionally) demeaned by some Christians. No one would put it so bluntly, but many Christian men are guilty of treating their wives as inferior, as little better than glorified servants. Whatever the proper roles of husband and wife, the equality and dignity of women should never be questioned.

Lest anyone get the wrong impression, it is important to note that some will undoubtedly dispute the above statements. The analysis provided here is not free from ambiguity. Furthermore, the "criticisms" offered are not intended so much as an attack on others whom we believe to be guilty of these practices but a reminder to us all (this writer included) that we must steer clear of foolish attitudes and extreme behaviors.

So, what's the point? Well, it is this: While followers of Jesus Christ are to pursue holiness with all their might, and though godly behavior will sometimes bring us into disrepute with the people we encounter, it is nonetheless true that our holiness should, as much as possible, take on a form that is appropriate for the setting in which we live. At the very least, this implies that we should be fully conversant with our culture, and that we should adapt ourselves to our social setting as much as biblically permissible and humanly possible. Paul taught and modeled this kind of lifestyle. His words are powerful: "I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some." Within the context of God's revealed will, the specific shape this will take is between you and God. But however you engage this world, make it a point to do so in a normal and acceptable fashion. God desires that we be like His Son, which includes the idea of living wisely. May He equip us to be simultaneously holy and normal. Let's hear it for holy normalcy!