Christian Jargon - Part 1 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a group of people using jargon that related to their particular trade or profession? Did you feel left out or put off by the conversation? If so what was it that made you feel that way? It could be that you could not understand or appreciate what they were saying. Everyone uses jargon of some kind; the problem is that it can tend to exclude others.

This can also be the case amongst Christians who often use jargon that the person on the street cannot understand. This jargon has been nicknamed ‘Christianese’. There are even websites that attempt to address this matter.[1] Why do Christians use these terms around those who do not know what they are talking about? I would like to make four possible suggestions about why this might happen.

Firstly, they so comfortable talking to other Christians that the jargon becomes second nature. Secondly, it enables them to explain a biblical idea or concept with accuracy. Thirdly, it can give them an air of superiority or pride. Finally, it is possible that they do not really know what the terms mean and so use jargon. Do you use Christianese, and if so, which reasons above best explain your purpose for using it?

Out of the four reasons suggested above only the second one would carry any credibility. The first reason needs to be dealt with by those using the jargon. The third reason is just not acceptable at any time. The final reason is the one that I would actually like to address in this series of blogs. I would like to take some biblical terms and try to review them so that we can use the biblical idea or concept in everyday conversation, and hopefully not leave others out or put them off. To begin it is important to know what these terms mean.

The terms that will be dealt with come from Romans 3:24-26. These great verses state,

²¹ “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶ for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:21-26 New American Standard Bible).

As you read these verses, there are terms used that you may not be able to explain to someone who has not heard of these before. It is these that I will explore over the coming blogs. Stay tuned...

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[1] “Christian Jargon Explained.” http://www.newchristian.org.uk/jargon.html (24^th November 2015). “Christian Jargon Explained.” http://www.yorkst.com.au/?page_id=140 (24^th November 2015). “Dictionary of Christianese.” http://www.dictionaryofchristianese.com/faq/ (24^th November 2015).