The Language of Planet Zion
Why people today wonder what on earth we're talking about.
By Ron Martoia
April 1, 2004
When you hear the phrase "old barn," a variety of images may come to mind depending on your experience. The image may be from your childhood when you and a friend explored an abandoned farm. Maybe you have no first-hand knowledge of an old barn, but your recent reading in Architectural Digest on what they are doing with old barns was fascinating. The image may come from TV or the recent movie Cold Mountain. But most people have some reference point for the phrase "old barn." What is true of "old barn" is true of the language we use in Christianity. Words carry all sorts of definitional freight, and we can't assume our words conjure up the same images in everyone's minds. Most people know what a barn is, but what about "gospel," "conversion," "church membership," or the myriad other words unique to the church? What are we hoping they think when we say these words in a weekend talk for instance? (Notice I didn't say "sermon.") We need some dialogue on the Christian lexicon. Many of the words we use are words our people inside the church have only vague understandings of, and worse yet, those outside the church have little, if any, accurate reference point. Their minds will fill the gaps with explanations from People magazine or a rerun of Friends. For example, at Westwinds we have opted to strike from our vocabulary two of the most foundational words for any church interested in the Great Commission, "evangelism" and "discipleship," because people have such different understandings of them. For the Baptist migrating into Westwinds, "evangelism" conjures images of altar calls and ushered trips to the counseling room to seal the deal they just made. For the unchurched person, "evangelism" conjures images of mounds of hair and ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
