Fellowship Christianese

[SpiritPsalmist]

Here is a definition of the word Christianese from Wikipedia:

• Christianese (or Christianeze) refers to the contained terms and jargon used within many of the branches and denominations of Christianity as a functional system of religious terminology. It is characterized by the use in everyday conversation of certain words, theological terms, puns and catchphrases, in ways that may be only comprehensible within the context of a particular Christian sect or denomination. The terms used do not necessarily come from the Bible itself. They may have come into use through discussions about doctrine, through the social history of the Christian church at large, or in the unique history of a specific denomination or movement.

From my own observation I have seen people ask very simple questions only to have someone come in and give the most complicated answeres which generally do not even answer the question asked. I often scratch my head, and I'm an old-timer, and say "Huh?"

Why do we do this? Should we be concerned that the way we talk may be leaving people in wonderland...wondering what the bejeebers we're talking about? Do we think it makes us sound smarter and more knowledgeble of something we are unable to simply explain so that a 5 yr old could understand? Is it important that the 5 yr old be able to understand?

I know that's a lot of questions packed into one thread, but just curious?

 

[Dave-W]

Why do we do this?

It is a natural function of being in a sub-culture.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

Some of the questions that people pose may not have a clear cut answer. Therefore we, as individuals coming from different perspectives, try to explain things and things can get technical.

 

[jiminpa]

To quote Steve Taylor

Their language it was new to me, but Christian-ese got through to me; now I can speak it fluently - I want to be a clone.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

To quote Steve Taylor

That brings back fond memories as Steve Taylor was my introduction to Christian Rock back in oh gosh 1980? I did get to see him and Sheila Walsh (I believe that is her name) in college.

 

[jiminpa]

That brings back fond memories as Steve Taylor was my introduction to Christian Rock back in oh gosh 1980? I did get to see him and Sheila Walsh (I believe that is her name) in college.

I Want to be a Clone" came out in 1982. Steve and Sheila toured together probably around 1984/5. I love satire, especially in a Christian vein, so I can't just leave Steve's music in the past.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

I always liked Steve Taylor

 

[mourningdove~]

It is a natural function of being in a sub-culture.

I would tend to agree with this.

Shortly after moving to a Bible Belt areas here in the U.S., I was born again.
And I lived there 25 years.

'Christianese' was very popular there … there were many professing Christians there.
And so, it was common … 'the cultural norm' … to speak in such a way.
You could say, we 'understood' each other!


I no longer live there … am no longer in a Bible Belt location.
So … rarely now do I hear the "Praise the Lord!"s … the "Amen, sister!"s …
rarely do I hear the Scriptures quoted …
rarely do I hear the testimonies of the great things God has done ...
the "Glory to God!"s …
rarely … do I hear Christianese.

I miss living in the Bible Belt. I did love being surrounded by 'Christianese' …
it can be very encouraging to one's walk, very uplifting.

But this journey isn't all about 'us' … 'me' …

If we want to communicate … communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ …
and particularly to new believers, unbelievers …
I do believe we need to try to speak in such a way so as to be understood within the culture in which the Lord has planted us.

It can be a very real cultural adjustment, moving from the Bible Belt to a more secular location. But any 'adjustments' needed are very possible, if one remains receptive to the Holy Spirit and willing to follow His lead ...

 

[lismore]

• Christianese (or Christianeze) refers to the contained terms and jargon used within many of the branches and denominations of Christianity as a functional system of religious terminology. It is characterized by the use in everyday conversation of certain words, theological terms, puns and catchphrases, in ways that may be only comprehensible within the context of a particular Christian sect or denomination. The terms used do not necessarily come from the Bible itself.

Hello SpiritPsalmist. When I was attending AOG, there was a lot of what I would call jargon in the sermons. Phrases that came from speakers and their books. If you weren't into the latest fad then the sermon was hard to follow. I underlined the last line in your paragraph. The use of jargon I think comes when churches spend more time reading/preaching the word of man than the word of God. God Bless