Part 4:  What Confusing Words and Phrases May Non-Christians Hear the First Time They Attend Church?

Evangelists Jim Petersen observes that Christian evangelists are: “given to extremes. Either we say nothing and let an opportunity slip past us, or we say too much and drive people away.” (Evangelism as a Lifestyle, 110)  I want to add a third communication problem: We don’t use ordinary language. We use words and phrases that are understandable primarily just to other Christians. Let me illustrate how baffling this can be.

Let’s say you invite non-Christian friends to church who have never been to church before. Put yourself in their shoes and try to imagine what it may be like to them.

First, let’s look at prayer. Non-Christians will notice an immediate change in people’s voices. They will often sound more reverent and supplicatory than in regular conversations. Phrases like “bind Satan,” “Lord, touch his body with your healing hand,”  “fill us with your Spirit,” and many other (to a non-Christian) strange soundings utterances are spoken. “Father,” “Son,” and “Holy Spirit” may be used interchangeably.

What word pictures do you think these metaphors may conjure up in an unbeliever’s mind? Three Gods? A lassoed and cinched-up Satan? A bodily God with magic fingers? An apparition moving into a person’s body?

Next, consider the songs they may hear. Many of the lyrics will have no meaning to unbelievers because of the Christian metaphors used: “Standing on holy ground.” “Washed in His blood.” “Blind but now see,” and so on. Again, what strange images can these conjure up in the unchurched?

Then comes the sermon. Once again, an unbeliever may hear numerous unconventional expressions: “You must be born again.” “Living sacrifice.” “Led by the Holy Spirit,” and so on.

Now, I’m not saying these expressions shouldn’t be used. They clearly express our Faith and feelings of love and gratitude toward God. We can’t expect church services or home Bible studies not to use ordinary Christian vocabulary. Nor can pastors and teachers take the time to explain every word or concept that may sound foreign to an unbeliever.

What I am suggesting, however, Christians should try to be selective in the words and phrases they use when engaged in evangelism or apologetics. Indeed, some of the words we employ can convey an entirely different meaning to unbelievers than Christians intend. For example, if someone says they have the “gift” of teaching, an unbeliever may assume he went to college for free. If someone says God “led” them to such and such a decision, a non-Christian may wonder if the Christian actually heard God speak.  My point is, we need to communicate with Non-Christians using everyday language or synonyms—or at least define our terms when they may sound foreign to them.

Next week’s blog will list common Christian words and phrases that may sound strange and ambiguous to non-Christians. I will include suggested alternative terms, synonyms, and phrases that carry the same meanings but will be more understandable to non-Christians.