Comments on: The Benefits of Christianese http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/ Making Theology Accessible Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:40:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Lisa Robinson http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8192 Lisa Robinson Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:28:42 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8192 Jason, yes I think that's much better. In fact, I have gotten out of the habit of using the word "saved" or "born again" and instead express my Christian faith as placing trust in Christ. I think this more accurately describes what believing in Christ or coming to him is about. But I'm afraid Mason does raise a good point that sometimes we are dogged with issues that our trust in Christ does not seem to resolve. Mason, I think one of the greatest misconceptions about the Christian life and that we will no longer want to sin. Unfortunately, that traitor inside all of us, known as the flesh, continues to lurk even after our genuine confessions of faith. It seeks self-rule and pleasure at all costs. Oh to be able to just wave a magic wand and have it all go away, right? These issues are tough indeed and I really appreciate your honesty. I have found that an indepth understanding of Spirit's role and work has helped me tremendously. That and honest confessions with trusted accountability partners that can walk along side of us, helping us along the way. Jason, yes I think that’s much better. In fact, I have gotten out of the habit of using the word “saved” or “born again” and instead express my Christian faith as placing trust in Christ. I think this more accurately describes what believing in Christ or coming to him is about.

But I’m afraid Mason does raise a good point that sometimes we are dogged with issues that our trust in Christ does not seem to resolve. Mason, I think one of the greatest misconceptions about the Christian life and that we will no longer want to sin. Unfortunately, that traitor inside all of us, known as the flesh, continues to lurk even after our genuine confessions of faith. It seeks self-rule and pleasure at all costs. Oh to be able to just wave a magic wand and have it all go away, right?

These issues are tough indeed and I really appreciate your honesty. I have found that an indepth understanding of Spirit’s role and work has helped me tremendously. That and honest confessions with trusted accountability partners that can walk along side of us, helping us along the way.

]]> By: Matt Turner http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8191 Matt Turner Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:11:37 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8191 We also want to keep in mind that this is influenced by people who are in leaders in the Church. This is why in James, it talks about how there should not be many who are preachers and teachers because a greater deal of responsibility is handed to us in guiding fellow believers out there. If preachers and teachers do a poor job (if at all, in some cases) in making the effort of guiding and developing believers out there, the responsibility falls on them. If they promote something that is "iffy" in biblical interpretation, that goes out the congregation and in turn, the responsibility falls on that leader. Thank you for writing this Lisa because I am an adult Sunday school teacher and I need to do a better job in this area. “Just ask Jesus into your heart and he will help you with your problem” I think I have a problem with this concept in the fact that it makes it sound like Jesus is a Mr. Fix-it. Frankly, I've had a pornography problem for most of my life and even though I've given it to Jesus, I still struggle with it in my mind because of temptation even after all these years. The salvation that Jesus offers is very much more complex than that and I pray we don't dumb it down. We also want to keep in mind that this is influenced by people who are in leaders in the Church. This is why in James, it talks about how there should not be many who are preachers and teachers because a greater deal of responsibility is handed to us in guiding fellow believers out there. If preachers and teachers do a poor job (if at all, in some cases) in making the effort of guiding and developing believers out there, the responsibility falls on them. If they promote something that is “iffy” in biblical interpretation, that goes out the congregation and in turn, the responsibility falls on that leader. Thank you for writing this Lisa because I am an adult Sunday school teacher and I need to do a better job in this area.

“Just ask Jesus into your heart and he will help you with your problem”
I think I have a problem with this concept in the fact that it makes it sound like Jesus is a Mr. Fix-it. Frankly, I’ve had a pornography problem for most of my life and even though I’ve given it to Jesus, I still struggle with it in my mind because of temptation even after all these years. The salvation that Jesus offers is very much more complex than that and I pray we don’t dumb it down.

]]> By: Jason C http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8190 Jason C Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:20:27 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8190 <blockquote>“Just ask Jesus into your heart and he will help you with your problem” I think is increasing in usage to define the salvation process but sadly is misaligned with what Scripture actually teaches regarding regeneration.</blockquote> Pledge allegiance to Jesus as Lord and voluntarily submit to His will and He will change you enough to deal with your problem. Better?

“Just ask Jesus into your heart and he will help you with your problem” I think is increasing in usage to define the salvation process but sadly is misaligned with what Scripture actually teaches regarding regeneration.

Pledge allegiance to Jesus as Lord and voluntarily submit to His will and He will change you enough to deal with your problem.

Better?

]]> By: JohnFOM http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8189 JohnFOM Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:37:59 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8189 Quite right! The benefits of learning the second language is not so we can speak to confuse our hearers, but as a vital element in strengthening our understanding of the culture that the second language is native to. To be bi-lingual, or multulingual is a beautiful thing, but there is little point in speaking our second language/s if: a) there are few or no speakers of the second language/s to hear it. and/or b) our own understanding of the second language/s are so limited that we mistranslate the nuances of what we are trying to say. Good post. Thank you for posting it. Quite right!

The benefits of learning the second language is not so we can speak to confuse our hearers, but as a vital element in strengthening our understanding of the culture that the second language is native to.

To be bi-lingual, or multulingual is a beautiful thing, but there is little point in speaking our second language/s if:

a) there are few or no speakers of the second language/s to hear it.

and/or

b) our own understanding of the second language/s are so limited that we mistranslate the nuances of what we are trying to say.

Good post. Thank you for posting it.

]]> By: luke g. http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8188 luke g. Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:48:59 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8188 I enjoyed this article. I find a need for the ever useful word "balance" to be important. As Christians, we could certainly do a much better job of explaining our terms. We take much for granted. And yet the other side of the coin is that I share the same concern that John S. (and yourself) expressed. I have found that the further we get away from biblical language, the easier it is to move away from biblical thought. This is to say that if we do not use (and define) the term "atonement," it would become easy to mislead and perhaps even <em>change</em> how the Scriptures express this wonderful truth. So, I'm happy to try to stay "balanced" in this area, as I'm sure that many others do as well. Unfortunately, I probably fail often :) Good post... I enjoyed this article. I find a need for the ever useful word “balance” to be important. As Christians, we could certainly do a much better job of explaining our terms. We take much for granted.

And yet the other side of the coin is that I share the same concern that John S. (and yourself) expressed. I have found that the further we get away from biblical language, the easier it is to move away from biblical thought. This is to say that if we do not use (and define) the term “atonement,” it would become easy to mislead and perhaps even change how the Scriptures express this wonderful truth.

So, I’m happy to try to stay “balanced” in this area, as I’m sure that many others do as well. Unfortunately, I probably fail often :)

Good post…

]]> By: Lisa Robinson http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8187 Lisa Robinson Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:59:42 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8187 John, don't forget propitiation, a very significant word that I think is declining in usage. And yes, I think the avoidance of terminology is unfortunate also, especially for an important word such as reconcile, which is what Christ did. I think my point was not to avoid terms but to reconcile :-) our terminology with the meaning in the text. So words such as you mentioned are incredibly significant and should be understood by all believers, I think. "Just ask Jesus into your heart and he will help you with your problem" I think is increasing in usage to define the salvation process but sadly is misaligned with what Scripture actually teaches regarding regeneration. John, don’t forget propitiation, a very significant word that I think is declining in usage. And yes, I think the avoidance of terminology is unfortunate also, especially for an important word such as reconcile, which is what Christ did. I think my point was not to avoid terms but to reconcile :-) our terminology with the meaning in the text. So words such as you mentioned are incredibly significant and should be understood by all believers, I think.

“Just ask Jesus into your heart and he will help you with your problem” I think is increasing in usage to define the salvation process but sadly is misaligned with what Scripture actually teaches regarding regeneration.

]]> By: John S. http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8186 John S. Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:01:17 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8186 Lisa, I thought your post was good, and important for really helping people that we'd like to see come to Christ. I guess my only problem is (and I've heard the term "Christianese" thrown around by fellow church members) that people tend go too far with it and not even want to discuss words like atonement, justification, penal subtitution, or their meanings. It makes me cringe when people even correct my Pastor at planning meetings for Christmas outreach and both the word 'reconcile' or it's meaning were asked to not be used. 'Just ask Jesus into your heart, and he will help you with your problems' is the message some want proclaimed. Lisa, I thought your post was good, and important for really helping people that we’d like to see come to Christ.

I guess my only problem is (and I’ve heard the term “Christianese” thrown around by fellow church members) that people tend go too far with it and not even want to discuss words like atonement, justification, penal subtitution, or their meanings.

It makes me cringe when people even correct my Pastor at planning meetings for Christmas outreach and both the word ‘reconcile’ or it’s meaning were asked to not be used.

‘Just ask Jesus into your heart, and he will help you with your problems’ is the message some want proclaimed.

]]> By: Scott Ferguson http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8185 Scott Ferguson Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:07:43 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8185 "when the language is utilized to communicate truths about Christianity with non-Christianese speakers" I have found that Christians and non-Christians are sometimes divided by a common language. :) Great point, Susan. I, too, have tried to explain the meaning of the words of the little songs we teach the 4 year olds. "This Little Light of Mine" has proved a challenge to their wee little minds. “when the language is utilized to communicate truths about Christianity with non-Christianese speakers”

I have found that Christians and non-Christians are sometimes divided by a common language. :)

Great point, Susan. I, too, have tried to explain the meaning of the words of the little songs we teach the 4 year olds. “This Little Light of Mine” has proved a challenge to their wee little minds.

]]> By: Lisa Robinson http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8184 Lisa Robinson Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:16:26 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8184 Thanks Susan. I have found that to be true also working with kids, although I haven't worked with ones so young. Interestingly, recently in my Bible Study Methods class, Dr. Hendricks indicated that if it were up to him, he would require all students to work with kids. It really does force you to think. Thanks Susan. I have found that to be true also working with kids, although I haven’t worked with ones so young. Interestingly, recently in my Bible Study Methods class, Dr. Hendricks indicated that if it were up to him, he would require all students to work with kids. It really does force you to think.

]]> By: Susan http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/11/the-benefits-of-christianese/comment-page-1/#comment-8183 Susan Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:57:24 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=1472#comment-8183 I find that teaching the three year olds at church is a great exercise in conveying spiritual truth in Christianese-free language. Good thoughts Lisa. It's good to give some forethought to expressing Biblical truth, and the Gospel, using common street language as much as possible. You really do have to understand the concepts well to avoid using theological words. I sometimes have a problem WITHIN the church understanding words which come into vogue in Christian circles. Does everyone mean the same thing when they use the word 'broken', or 'embodied' or 'flourishing'? I find that teaching the three year olds at church is a great exercise in conveying spiritual truth in Christianese-free language.

Good thoughts Lisa. It’s good to give some forethought to expressing Biblical truth, and the Gospel, using common street language as much as possible. You really do have to understand the concepts well to avoid using theological words.

I sometimes have a problem WITHIN the church understanding words which come into vogue in Christian circles. Does everyone mean the same thing when they use the word ‘broken’, or ‘embodied’ or ‘flourishing’?

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