I really enjoyed the challenge Vanessa Singh brings to readers in addressing the topic of speaking (or not speaking!) Christianese. It’s a good reminder that a lot of the lingo we use in church circles doesn’t make much sense to those who haven’t grown up with it.
We all know what it’s like to be confused by language others speak naturally. Over the years, I’ve become fluent in the language of football (you might call this ‘soccer’, or simply ‘The Beautiful Game’). But, I’m totally stumped (get it?!) by most of the words used in cricket. I mean, just what am I supposed to conjure up in my mind when people talk about a ‘googly’, an ‘edge’ or even a ‘crease’ (as someone who does more than her fair share of ironing, you’d think I’d understand that last one).
For homework, my 14-year-old daughter had to ask me this question the other night: Why is language so important? Well, it’s really because language is crucial to understanding and building community. If we can’t speak the same language, we can’t easily communicate. We therefore can’t express our needs or understand others’ needs, and it’s not easy to find a way to resolve conflict or challenges. When we share a common language, we can more easily develop understanding, empathy and kindness—assuming we listen as well as talk, of course.
There are tribal dialects within many languages. I suppose ‘Christianese’ is one of these. I’ve just started reading Speaking Christian by the late Marcus J. Borg. He uses a quote attributed to the news broadcaster CNN that says, ‘Speaking Christian correctly may seem like it’s just a fuss over semantics, but it’s ultimately about something bigger: defining Christianity … When Christians forget what their words mean, they forget what their faith means.’ Borg says the Christian language has become a ‘stumbling block’, seriously misunderstood by Christians and non-Christians alike.
Perhaps you’d like to consider Vanessa’s translated words in this edition, and then think about how you communicate Christian concepts to your friends. It really is time to reclaim the deep and wise meaning of Christianese for the 21st century.
Christina Tyson
Editor
Philippians 4:4
‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!’
Piripai Waiata 4:4
‘Kia hari tonu i roto i te Ariki: ko tāku kupu anō tēnei, Kia hari!’