Christianese
Anyone besides me hate "Christianese"?
Some time back, I was in a Bible study group where one of the participants said something to the effect of, "Well, we just need to step out on faith, get out of the boat, and learn to walk on water!"
I didn't say anything, but I thought, "Do you even know what it is that you're saying? Do you even know what all of that means?"
This is my problem with what we call "Christianese". These are the words and phrases that we throw around that make us sound spiritual, but in reality, when pinned down for a definition, we couldn't give one.
My number one "beserk button" is the phrase, "God is in control." Before the 2008 Presidential election, I said that I was really scared, and immediately, two people chorused, "God is in control." I thought, "Of COURSE you can say, 'God is in control.' Your candidate is going to win!"
"God is in control" is one of those phrases that people say when they want to sound spiritual. I agree to an extent that "God is in control," I believe he will watch over us and work things out for good, that my needs will be met somehow and that we will be taken care of. But sometimes, I think it's used as a throwaway cliche, or as a "thought-stopper". It's what people say when they're not comfortable with our questions, our doubts, and our pain, but they know they need to say something that sounds encouraging. So they'll say, God is in control, and they have fulfilled their Christian obligation and they don't have to acknowledge the pain that the other person is dealing with.
"Give it to God" is another one. I mean, what exactly are you doing when you do that? The picture I get is of someone opening their hands and holding them up to God, saying, "Okay, God, I give it to you." Then they sit back and do absolutely nothing while God magically solves the problem.
And "The Lord will provide" also lands on the list. I read a FB thread about working on Sunday, and at least one poster didn't believe that people should take a job that would require them to work on Sunday because it would interfere with "the assembling of the saints". When asked, what is the person supposed to do if the only job they can find requires working on Sundays, the poster responded with, "The Lord will provide." I nearly saw red. I understand the need to be with fellow believers, but is the person saying, "The Lord will provide," willing to contribute to the financial support of that believer just so they can worship on Sundays?
If anyone has any other "Christianese" examples, feel free to share!
- 2
8 Comments
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now