In Need of a New Approach
This past Friday we dove headfirst into the deep waters of our Christian lexicon. We looked at the potential need to re-lexicon some of the words and phrases we use in our attempts to communicate our faith. Several questions come to mind that I would enjoy reading your input.We said that words really have no raw meanings, only the mental containers we create for them. Do you agree with that statement and how might you illustrate it?
When we use words like gospel, repentance, sin and salvation, do you think that Average Joe has a concept of what we mean by those words?
What do you think of my suggestion that we've reduced the message of salvation to a simple transaction where the result of the transaction is a seat at the heavenly 50 yard-line? How does a transactional model reflect the biblical model? What are the inherent dangers of viewing salvation through a transactional mindset?
Reply away!
posted by CrossPointeDave @ 8:34 AM
4 Comments:
Paragraph 1-It was weird Friday night that some thought a can of worms had really been opened, and others thought it was a good "over arching" concept but not really applicable to us in a specific sense. The take away seems to be that the words and phrases we use are very important and can make or break reaction received to what we say on any subject.
Paragraph 2-Yes, words have "raw meanings" but trend and experience can twist or totally change them. For example "gay" in 1970 meant "joyous" and was my friend's name! It has a much different meaning in 2007.
Paragraph 3-I don't see any reason why "average joe" should be familiar with definitions of those words (gospel, etc) any more than I have a good concept of what The Shahada is to a Muslim or what "au bleu" is to a cook. I'd probably be frustrated and just turn them off if they spoke to me in a bunch of those terms I didn't get.
Paragraph 4-I know there are many who have reduced their interraction about God in their life to a sales deal, but I HOPE that's not what WE'VE done! It's never about a transaction at all...it's about a relationship...that takes months and years of time together to develop. God doesn't "sell" us...he has a relationship with us. We can only do the same.
Wow! Sounds like I a missed a good one! I think that there are many issues to unpack here -
Let's start with a biggie: We say that we say we are in a relationship with Jesus, or God,or are "spiritual" but I think that even that word "relationship" has a taint to it in the non-Christian world, because most people experience relationships as temporary, broken and/or sterile interaction. There is very little sense of permanence, let alone awe. The larger issue then beomes, not just the base meaning in words, but how to restore the emotional heft behind them, which would in turn imbue them with meaning for the listener.
Nancy makes a good point in that biblical language is now seen as specialized knowledge, as opposed to a unifying cultural touchstone as the Western World used to know it. So the real challenge is how do you communicate with those who don't know your language? Start simply, with shared human experiences that each side recognizes, and gradually add greater depth and complexity as your knoweldge of each other grows. For example, most people today acknowledge that there is more than the physical component to life. They may say they are spiritual, or moral, seek the good in all, believe in a higher power, etc. So we have to meet them there. Ask: Why do they think that? What experiences have lead them to that conclusion? Hear their story. It is only when we find that first bit of common ground that we can proceed to the uniqueness of Christ.
Finally - I will add more fuel to this fire: I think we are all guilty of "selling God", and the Christian community has traditionally approached it from a place of fear and negativity. "If you die..., Don't do this....Take a stand against.( books, music, thoughts, etc)
Why do we do this? Because it is easier for human beings to label those who are different from themselves and put them in boxes marked "other". That makes us feel "right" and powerful. But what are we winning? Not people. In reality, we are demonstrating that we are insecure, fearful, and hope people won't see through us to the real truth- that we don't know everything - and who wants sign up for that? It shows a decided lack of trust, joy and love in our lives and in our God.
Also, by dividing ourselvesd into an us vs them mentality, we diminish the very things that God has called His Beloved - people. All shapes and sizes, color and creed, who are sinners, JUST LIKE US.
So we have to trust in God's ability to use our very humanness; share our weaknesses and flaws, our joys and pain, and find common causes with others. Only then will bridges of understanding be built.
I don't think it is just our view of the Gospel that is transacational. We view everything that way! Just listen to our language...
We "budget" our time. We "invest" in a relationship. We "value" friendships.
Is that just an American thing because we are so commerce-driven or does it have a wider net?
Great insights from all three of you. We are definitely guilty of selling God and viewing our lives in transactional terms.
I might challenge you Nancy to consider your argument further from paragraph 3. I would argue that average joe is bombarded constantly with "christian" terms and definitions. Especially here in the Bible belt. If you lived in a Muslim country, even if you were an average joe, you would know what the Shahada is and if we were living in France, I bet we would all know what au bleu is all about.
Just a thought!
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