Do you speak Christianese?
I started out so sure of the Christ path I would take.
But then it looked too difficult. My strength I had to fake.
The people strange, the rules unclear, I stumbled on some more.
I couldn’t seem to fit in so, why the open door?
The language was all funny, the words so hard to say.
I couldn’t get my tongue around the topic of the day.
The Greek was all a blur of words, the Hebrew, just as bad.
I tried another version and it was just as sad
I struggled on, until I saw I’d found the perfect place.
I was on the common pathway. I’d joined the Christian Race.
So even though I hadn’t yet learned all the Christian-ese,
I determined to remember how hard it was to please
New ones follow Christ each day. They too are lost, in dazes.
I speak the language clearly now but still remember when
The phrases were all weird to me
So I help others, when I can.
As a new Christian, I was bewildered by phrases like washed in the blood. Imagine how stunned a non-Christian must be. Let’s take care to use phrases others can understand or at least explain them.
I have told you these things in parables (veiled language, allegories, dark sayings); the hour is now coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I shall tell you about the Father in plain words and openly (without reserve) (John 16:25, AMP).
Prayer
Lord, help us to translate the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection for others who are new to it. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
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Brenda J. Wood
A popular motivational speaker, Brenda, of Barrie, Ontario is known for her common sense wisdom, sense of humour and quirky comments. Brenda especially enjoys speaking at women’s retreats and conferences, community events, Mops, World Day of Prayer, and Stonecroft Ministries.
A prolific author, her current books include:
The Big Red Chair: a children’s book dealing with the loss of a grandparent.
Meeting Myself: Snippets from a Fractured Mind: the author’s recovery from abuse and eating disorders.
Hearts Under Construction: A motivational cookbook designed to feed both body and soul
Heartfelt: 366 Devotions for Common Sense Living.
God, Gluttony and You: a Bible Study dealing with our relationship to food.
The Pregnant Pause of Grief: the first trimester of widowhood
Read more at:
http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com
facebook – www.facebook.com/brendawoodspeaker
Thanks Brenda – I loved your post and will begin to follow your blog. Thanks.
Thanks Brenda. Your poetic mews sounds a clear message. Yes, it’s true. Our Christianese terminology and language, while understood and grasped by those who’ve spent a lot of time on “the inside,” do sound foreign and strange to those on the outside or who are new to our circles. I don’t think we should discard all those meaningful terms, but we do need to provide alternative ways of expressing beloved truths we hold dear, and in language that clarifies and connects. ~~+~~
I agree Peter. I use hedge of protection in my prayers but wouldn’t say it in front of non-believers. Language does need to connect.
Blessings
Janis