Comments on: Strange Things Christians Say

Comment on Strange Things Christians Say by: sean

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 04:48:47 +0000

I love Eugene Peterson!
I read the Message sometimes and think to myself: This guy really gets it!! The gospel is really as simple as he explains it!

I am a musician and I would be honored if you would check out my music. Its all free for download on my site. Anyway, I just thought that I would share.

Thanks,
-Sean
________________________
www.SeanDietrich.com
“All my music is free.”

Comment on Strange Things Christians Say by: Trevor

Thu, 11 May 2006 07:36:27 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Ruth. It is OK to use biblical terms with unbelievers but we must explain them and unpack them; and we might have to find modern words. terms and analogies first, before the biblical terms, as an initial point of connection.

Trevor

Comment on Strange Things Christians Say by: Ruth Carlson

Wed, 10 May 2006 22:29:44 +0000

I agree that clichés or worn-out phrases make causal the glory of God’s Kingdom and power. But I am tempted to say that using Christian lingo with unbelievers is an equal offense because by definition people are unfamiliar with what they do not know. I am branching out from your initial post, as Mr. Peterson points to the lack of passion in commonly used phrases by Christians, which result in a passionless response from Christians. But what about non-Christians who encounter those terms?

Christian lingo includes worn-out phrases and clichés, but it also includes terms that are only familiar to those who read the Bible. For example, when I’m talking to unbelievers, I wonder what they think when I say “I’m in a discipleship program,” “My purpose is to extend God’s Kingdom,” and “God is righteous.” I’ve learned I need to explain terms like “discipleship,” “God’s Kingdom,” and “righteous” because they just don’t make sense any more than worn-out phrases like “born-again” and “Are you saved?” to unbelievers.

I don’t think it possible to avoid using the terms in the Bible to describe what it is in the Bible, which is why I also agree it is unfair to suggest not using phrases like “God is love.” However, I think the root of the issue is in the first line of the email: “jargon without thinking.” Most people, including most Christians, commonly do not think about what they say or whether what they say really lines up with what they believe.

As Christians, if we learn to be precise in our thinking and consider our audience, then jargon not be jargon, but powerful tools for the Kingdom.

Comment on Strange Things Christians Say by: Gavin Deakin

Mon, 08 May 2006 13:34:56 +0000

“The Holy Spirit showed up”
(where did he come from?)

“Ask Jesus in to your heart”
(I believe, he is sat at the right hand of the Father)

“Jesus is my personal savior”
(wow! You must be really important)

“Worship was really good”
(how was it measured)

Comment on Strange Things Christians Say by: Cameron

Mon, 08 May 2006 10:25:12 +0000

going through a ‘wilderness experience’
covering someone in Jesus’ blood
fellowshiping

Comment on Strange Things Christians Say by: ml

Sat, 06 May 2006 14:05:34 +0000

There’s a ’strange one’ in the article: lectio divina.
Esoteric, but it simply means ‘divine reading’. Why use Latin? Are highfalutin terms worse than cliches? (At least most cliches are understandable.)

Comment on Strange Things Christians Say by: Jonathan ABDY

Fri, 05 May 2006 14:17:50 +0000

Trevor,

Always found your use of the word “finally” quite strange but my current favourite is when someone complains that people kept their eyes open during prayer.