More Than Christians

Practicing Gospel-Shaped Community with the Language of the Early Church

By: Norman Hubbard

Narrated by: Benjamin Little

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.

©2025 Norman Hubbard (P)2025 NavPress

Solid, practical and convicting.

Norman does an excellent job of exploring how the early church understood and used language to shape their identity—not just in relation to Christ, but in their relationships with one another. His explanations are clear, humble, and solidly grounded in Scripture.
This is not some lofty theological or dry academic discussion. Norman clearly has a strong grasp of biblical language and history, but he doesn’t stay in the realm of theory; he shows how those words still form the backbone of real Christian community today.
This is absolutely worth the read.

Worth a listen

Deep, insightful, compelling exploration of the Word of God on His body being our family through Him and how that should shape our speech and actions today towards one another.