Thursday, 24 May 2012
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No Hablo Christianese
Every profession, academic discipline, social group, and Harry Potter fan club has its own vocabulary or “jargon.” For example, when a friend of mine who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience talks about her discipline I wrinkle my forehead and nod knowingly, despite the fact that I don’t have a clue what she’s talking about. That’s because I know nothing about neuroscience, although I believe it has something to do with your head.The problem with jargon is that it often comes off as pedantic or exclusionary. I think this is especially true of “Christianese.” I’ve been thinking about this lately because I’ve noticed that many of the comments on Revelife are written in Christianese. That’s ok; most of us know what these folks are talking about because we are fluent in Christianese. In fact, that’s pretty much the only language I spoke for many years.
I’ve made a concerted effort, however, to step outside of that paradigm over the last decade or so and my ears have finally begun to hear Christianese the way someone who is not familiar with that language might hear it.
In other words, it’s started to sound pretty silly.
Let me give you some examples. One of my favorites is; “I just received a word from God.” For those of you who routinely use that phrase it sounds normal, but try to imagine how that phrase sounds to someone who did not grow up in church.
It sounds like the person saying it is completely nuts.
In fact, when someone says that to me today I’m tempted to respond with something like; “and what was that word? Porcupine? Pogonotrophy? Perambulator? Did you get any words from the Increase Your Word Power page in last month’s Reader’s Digest?
I’m tempted to say things like to people because I am (as one of the commenters on a recent post so eloquently put it) an “a$$hat.”
Christianese becomes really confusing when someone strings several patented Christianese phrases together such as; “I feel led to intercede for you because of the chasm that exists between you and the savior due to your iniquities. I pray that you will heed God’s call to repent and seek his face as you accept his invitation to become a born again and spirit filled believer.” Huh?
Come on now, those of you with a background like mine; you’ve said something very close to that, haven’t you? You know you have, you can admit it.
So, to all of my fellow Christians out there, allow me to speak some Christianese directly to you: If you really want to be “salt and light”, stop talking like a televangelist with a bad suit and big hair. Just speak English.
No hablo Christianese.
Are you guilty of speaking in "Christianese?" What are some "Christianese" phrases you're guilty of saying? Do you think we ought to evaluate the way we communicate from the perspective of those who might not be Christian? What are some changes you might be willing to make to way you write or speak in order to be more accessible to people who aren't Christian?
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- From: ColdSkivvies@xanga
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- Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
- About Me: Have you ever noticed that the "featured content" on the Xanga main page is all from people 25 and younger? Do they not think that those of us over 50 have something to say?! Well, I certainly do, and I'm going to say it as soon as the orderly here at the nursing home wipes the drool off my chin and wheels me over to the computer!
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Comments (14)
Cult speak is not "Christianese".
The authentic language of Christianity is philosophy. It was developed over centuries as Christians encountered people of various cultures and beliefs and needed a more effective way of communicating.
The Christianese that you describe in your post is more akin to bastardized English forms such as Ebonics or pigeon.
And it comes from people who have closed themselves off from the rest of the world in ways that are antithetical to authentic Christianity.
@PrisonerxOfxLove@xanga - Thank you. I rest my case.
some of it OK most of the things you mention are ppl copying the person/s who taught them... but this Jesus thing does sound nuts. & He said they would basically treat you/us the same way, we sound not of the world bc we get something Bigger. I plain talk & I still will sound weird to ppl who aren't Saved' bc what was blind in me now sees & what was deaf now hears, it's not off the charts for someone with new eyes , & ears to speak differently.
But I get your point...
And btw I don't hear or see many ppl sounding like this except on TV....maybe you should move *tongue in cheek*
@ColdSkivvies@xanga - And what case might that be? All you've done is admit that you belonged to a cult all your life and that you blame all of Christianity for your experience.
Thus your use of the useless term "Christianese."
And far from discrediting Christians, you've discredited your own experience.
Authentic Christian experience is positive and life giving and it must not be confused with experiences like yours.
In time, as you get to know yourself better you will find that you are actually an atheist who is trying to rationalize your journey to the Dark Side.
@PrisonerxOfxLove@xanga - Ok, just for fun, I'll play along. I grew up Southern Baptist, attended Oklahoma Baptist University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I served on the staffs of Southern Baptist Churches from 1976 to 1993 at which time I served for a couple of years at a Methodist Church and then became part of the Disciples of Christ. I've been on the staff of a DOC church ever since. Are you saying that Southern Baptists, Methodist, and Disciples of Christ are all cults? Are you saying that the Catholic Church is the only church that isn't a cult?
@ColdSkivvies@xanga - Unfortunately, yes he is. He once told me that "No Protestant was ever annointed [sic] by God [to be a pastor]."
@ColdSkivvies@xanga - You came to my site and ejected a load of such filthy, hate laced language that I had to ban you.
In Christianity, it's your attitude, conduct and beliefs that define you, not your credentials or who you had to hoodwink to achieve a position of authority.
Another indication of your spiritual pathology is that your post and your comments are all about singing your own glory, not about teaching the Gospel or witnessing something authentic.
Atheists worship themselves just like you do because they have no God. That's why I say you are using Christianity to justify your trip to the Dark Side.
In time you will become a raging, unapologetic atheist.
@PrisonerxOfxLove@xanga - Come on now. You didn't answer my question. Are you saying the the Catholic Church is the only church that isn't a cult? If you believe that, just say it.
@PrisonerxOfxLove@xanga - By the way, are you sure you haven't been watching too many Star Wars movies?
Christianity is a cult ......and that includes all of the various sects not just Catholicism.
I understand Christianese, but don't speak it. It's annoying when people say stuff like "do you know Him?"
@ItIsAllGravy@xanga - I recommend responding by saying, "Yes, in the Biblical sense." And then wink knowingly.
@PrisonerxOfxLove@xanga - I thought you believed in upholding the truth. I thought you were the type of Christian that would gladly be a martyr for his faith. I thought you were the type of person who felt it was his moral obligation to stand against apostasy wherever you see it. Apparently I'm wrong because I can't you to answer a simple direct question. I'm going to ask it one more time: In your opinion are all protestant denominations cults? You said above that I've been a member of a cult all of my life. Be man enough to answer the question directly.
It depends on our target audience and the situation. "Intercession", "Prophesy", "Eucharist", "Extreme Unction" and even "Trinity" are all Christianese. Sometimes, these vocabs are needed to get the message across. Would you rather be "baptised" or be "dunk into water and brought back up for spiritual cleansing" LOL?