Christian Lingo?

Is Christian Lingo Unproductive? NeedEncouragement.com

Would You Like To Speak With Someone? Click Here! When people understand the lingo spoken, that is one thing, but when only the speaker understands, that is another. That is where communication breakdown happens. ~ Unknown

Does Christian lingo build bridges or build walls with new believers?

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or need some encouragement.

I have experienced Christian friends talking in ways that only they know since they have been Christian for so long (I too at times do not know what they are saying even though I have been a Christian since 1986).  When communicating it is best to speak in a way that is understandable by most everyone instead of using slang, or lingo only understandable to a few select few people. Learning the definitions of many standard Christian terms is an incredibly enriching journey that opens up a whole new world of understanding and connection. These Christian terms have been referred to as Christianese since only Christians in their own circle of influence know what they mean. This is not helpful or productive for evangelism, because communication must be clear to be effective.

Within The Tapestry Of Christianity, There Are Many Christian Terms, And There Exists A Wonderfully Unique Language Known As “Christianese.” It’s Like Having A Code, Filled With Expressions That Convey Truths And Experiences. (Christianese Is Not Always The Best Language For Those Who Don’t Understand.)

Hosea 4:6: ” My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

 

5 Theological Words To Know!

 

 

Speak Clearly…

While the above terms may at times seem elusive or difficult to grasp for those unfamiliar with them, it is essential to remember that our words hold power.

Therefore, as followers of Christ, we should strive to speak in a manner that transcends linguistic barriers and reaches the hearts of all people, regardless of their religious affiliation or background. By doing so, we create an atmosphere where understanding flourishes and bridges are built between diverse individuals seeking meaning and purpose in life’s journey. ~ Bill Greguska

 

 

 

 

 

A Few Of The Common Christian Terms!

Some Common Christian Terms! NeedEncouragement.com

 

Ten Ways To Discover Encouragement:

  1. Encouragement for Relationships
  2. Encouragement to End an Addiction
  3. Encouragement for Your Faith 
  4. Encouragement from Many Topics
  5. Encouragement to Pray Daily
  6. Encouragement from our Ideas List
  7. Encouragement via Chatting
  8. Encouragement from our Sitemap 
  9. Encouragement from a Free Bible
  10. Encouragement from My Book

Find out what God’s Word says about your situation and what to do about it. ~ Click here.

 

 

 

What is Christianese?

“Christianese” is a term made to describe Christian jargon and phrases. In short, it’s Christian jargon that people outside the Christian community wouldn’t understand.

We must be aware when we’re speaking Christianese, especially to those unfamiliar with the terminology. I’ve found this to be an issue in evangelism.

 

 

Christianese!

 

 

Christian Words!"Common

Here are Christian terms and definitions. Each word is also linked to another website for better understanding.

  • Baptize: When someone says “baptize” or “baptism,” they often mean water immersion. This is a practice Christians use to declare their faith in Jesus publicly.

  • Born again: Being born again means God has saved you, and you’ve become a new person. Jesus speaks to a man named Nicodemus about being born again (John 3:1-15).

  • Christ: Christ isn’t Jesus’ last name. It’s a title meaning “Messiah” or “anointed one.” The Old Testament speaks of someone who would be a savior and deliver (e.g., Isaiah 42:1, 61:1-3). Jesus fulfills this Messiah role. That’s why he’s called Christ.

  • Church: Most people know what Church means when referring to the building. However, in the New Testament, we learn that “Church” refers to the people, not the building. As Christians, we are the Church.

  • Depravity: Depravity isn’t a word we find in the Bible. It’s a theological word used to describe our human nature.

  • Disciple: Disciple means student. In that period, this conveyed a student who would follow their teacher and 

  • Doctrine: Another word not found in the Bible. It’s a theological term referring to teachings or beliefs.

  • Evangelism: Evangelism means sharing the gospel, which is the good news of Salvation.

  • Faith: Faith isn’t wishful thinking or unquestioning belief, as unbelievers may think. We’re told what faith is in the Bible. It states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

  • Fornication: Fornication is premarital sex. This isn’t limited to sexual intercourse – any sexual interaction between people before marriage. Fornication is a sin.

  • Grace: Grace means unmerited favor. It’s a favor the person doesn’t deserve.

  • Hedge of protection: Funny enough, this phrase isn’t in the Bible. You can argue the concept is located in the Bible, though. When people say this phrase, they typically pray that God will protect them/others.

  • Idolatry: anything you love and put above God. Anything can become an idol.

  • Messiah: see Christ for definition.

  • Repentance: Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward Christ. It’s a complete 180.

  • Righteousness: Righteousness is doing what’s right in the sight of God. We’re called righteous when we put our faith in Jesus.

  • Salvation: Salvation means you’ve been saved and delivered from sin and its ultimate destiny – hell.

  • Saved: Being saved means God has saved you. You have been made right in God’s eyes and are in good standing with him because of Jesus. (see also born again for definition).

  • Sin: Most would profess to be a good person, but we’re all bad people when it comes to it. Sin means missing the mark. We all sin – no one is perfect except God.

  • Son of God: To be the Son of God means to be of God. Jesus is the Son of God in that he is of God. He has the exact nature of God because he is God.

  • Sovereignty: The word is often used to describe God. God is sovereign in that he’s in control of everything. He has the power to do whatever he wills to be done.

  • Theology: Theology means the study of God.

  • Washed in the blood: This phrase isn’t found in the Bible but is used by Christians to refer to God’s sacrifice for us on the cross.

  • Worship: Worship doesn’t simply refer to music but to reverence for God. We worship Him through the way we live our lives.

By: Allie

 

 

AD And BC Explained!

 

Christian Terms:

A

* Abraham: The Father of the Jewish nation. He and his group left Ur and started a new life in Canaan. He is also called the Father of all those who have faith
* Adam and Eve: The first people, according to the book of Genesis. They lived in the Garden of Eden
* Amen: The final word of a prayer; it means “so be it” in Hebrew
* Apostles: The twelve followers of Jesus; means “a person who is sent to preach the gospel.”

B

* Blasphemy: Blasphemy is the act of swearing using God’s name, saying bad things about God, or doing disrespectful things against God
* Blood of Christ: Jesus Christ died on the cross, taking the penalty of death for sins. His blood being poured out (shed) on that cross is what covers sins. We are “cleansed” of our sins by His blood. [Romans 5:9]
* Born again: (also reborn) To be spiritually born after being physically born. When one enters into a relationship with Christ, a new life begins. The old life is past. [John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17].

C

* Communion: (also The Lord’s Supper; Last Supper) The sharing of bread and wine to remember the death and sacrifice of Jesus. The bread represents His body, and the wine His blood. [1 Corinthians 11:23-26]
* Commandments: Laws of conduct written on stone and given to Moses by God at Mt. Sinai
* Confess: Confess is used in two significant ways in the Bible. The first type of confession is the confession or admission of sin. The second kind of confession is the confession of faith. This is where the Christian declares their faith, usually publicly, or declares their faith as a part of witnessing
* Covenant: A legal promise between two people or groups. Some covenants apply equally to both sides, like a marriage, while others apply only to one side, like God’s promises.
* Covenant: An agreement or pact. In the Bible, it refers to a contract between God and man. The Old Testament Covenants included the rules that Jews were to live by to remain in God’s grace. In the New Testament, there is a new covenant; our Salvation is now the acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins
* Cross: Representation of Christian faith, Jesus died on the cross to take away all sins.

D

* Disciple: A disciple is a student and follower – Christians are disciples or students of Christ.

E

* Epistle: A letter. Most of the New Testament consists of letters from apostles to churches and from apostle to apostle. The letters of Paul are called the Pauline Epistles.
* Eternal life: To have a relationship with God that never ends. It cannot be earned or bought. It is a gift through faith in Christ. [Romans 6:23].

F

* Faith: To trust or believe in something or someone. Often mistakenly portrayed as being blind or as needing to give up rational thought. The only way a person can be forgiven of their sins is through faith. [Acts 10:43, Ephesians 2:8]
Faith = faithfulness/loyalty to God or trust in God, depending on the context.
* Fast: Process of denying the self-body of food for a specific period; usually done as repentance of one’s sins or for the love of Christ.

G

* God: Creator of time and space. Christians believe there is one God but three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All are God equally. They are not separate or smaller parts of God. [John 1:1-5, Matthew 28:20]
* Gospel: Word of the Lord

* Grace: Receiving something we don’t deserve. God forgives sins and gives us His love through His grace, even though we don’t deserve it. We cannot earn His grace; it’s His gift to us when we accept Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross.

Grace = the merciful kindness of God and His blessing that turns people’s hearts to Christ and teaches them how to change and conform to Jesus.
* Guardian Angel: An angel that guards over you.

H

* Heaven: The ultimate paradise, God’s kingdom
* Holy Trinity- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This makes up the Godhead – there is only one God.

I

* Incarnate: (to take on a bodily form) Jesus Christ became fully human by being born in the flesh. He did not stop being fully God. He is both fully God and fully human. [John 1:14]
* Iniquity = inclination towards sin, lawlessness, unrighteousness.
* Intercede: (intercession, intercessor): To go between two groups of people against each other and prevent one from harming another. To plead on behalf of another before a judge or king. An advocate or defense lawyer. [Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25].

J

* Jesus Christ: God; Became fully human to save us from everlasting death. Both are completely God and completely man. We know He was fully man because He died on the cross. We know He was entirely God because He rose from the grave. He conquered sin and death for us
* Justification: The process of being made perfect. To be justified is to be correct. Jesus makes us right with God. And this cannot be accomplished by works (good deeds). [Romans 5:1, Galatians 2:16].

L

* Lamb of God: Jesus refers to Himself as the Lamb of God several times in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrifices, and their blood was used to wash away sins. Jesus came as the final sacrifice, taking the place of the lamb
* Lord’s Supper (Communion): The night of His arrest, Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. This is known as the Last Supper. He offered them bread as a symbol of His flesh that would be sacrificed for us and wine as a symbol of the blood He would shed for us. When we take the sacrament of communion, we do it to remember Christ’s sacrifice for us.

M

* Martin Luther: A major revolutionary who brought about a significant change, ushering in the Protestant Church
* Mediator: Someone who works out disagreements between people or organizations.[1 Timothy 2:5]
* Mercy: Not receiving what we deserve. We don’t receive punishment for our sins because of Jesus. Mercy = God’s compassion towards believing Christians provides them a measure of time to survey their lives and recognize what they need to do to change and conform to Jesus. The Lord gives us the time to realize what sin we have and repent of it.
* Messiah: The Anointed One from God. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah [John 1:41]
* Missionary: A person who preaches the Christian faith.

O

* Omnipotence: Having all power; a characteristic of God. There is nothing as powerful as God. All the forces of the universe combined do not even come close to His power.
* Omnipresence: Having all presence; a characteristic of God. He can be everywhere at once. There is no place that God cannot go.
* Omniscience: Having all knowledge; a characteristic of God. He knows everything that was, is, or ever will be.

P

* Passover: A festival celebrating the liberation of the Israelites from the Egyptians
* Patriarch: A father. Biblical patriarchs refer to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are considered the fathers of the Hebrew nation
* Pentecost: Pentecost is a Jewish feast day celebrated 50 days after Passover. It has significance to Christians because the first Pentecost after the crucifixion was when the Holy Spirit was sent to the Christians as the Comforter
* Pharisees: The Pharisees were a group of devout Jews intent on obeying Moses’s Laws. Their error was in failing to grasp the spirit of the laws. Today, when Christians talk about someone being like a Pharisee, they are talking about a person who is rigidly applying the Scripture to their lives and missing the spirit of love that Jesus wants us to have
* Propitiation: To turn away wrath or punishment. Jesus turned away the wrath of God. [Romans 3:25]
* Protestant: Christians who do not accept the Pope as the head of the Church; they have a few different beliefs from Catholics. It was initially started by people who protested against the wrongdoing of the Catholic Church.

R

* Reconcile: To reconcile is to restore a relationship. We are separated from God by our sins. When we accept Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins on the cross, we are reconciled with God. Reconciliation is an integral part of Christian doctrine. [Colossians 1:20-22]
* Redeem: (Redemption) To receive something in exchange for something else. Our sins were exchanged for eternal life. [Ephesians 1:7] To redeem is to purchase for a price. The price paid for our redemption was Jesus’ life. We didn’t have to pay the cost of our sins; Jesus did it for us. He is called the Redeemer for this reason
* Remnant: Remnant refers to a small, leftover portion. It generally refers to the small group of Jews who remained faithful to God through the Old Testament times. In the Book of Revelation, it refers to those who become or stay loyal to God during the tribulation
* Repent: Repent means turning away or turning around 180 degrees. When Christians talk about the need to repent of sin, they say we must turn away from those things we know offend God. Repentance- Feel sorry/to make up for wrongdoings – people do not become Christians without this step.
*Repentance = a decision to change, as in one who repents of a purpose they have formed in their heart or of something they have done; it begins with sorrow and regretting and hating one’s sins and then determining to change in one’s life.
* Resurrection: The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of Christianity. When Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross, He shed His blood for our sins. When He came back to life, He proved that He had conquered the penalty of sin, death. It means coming back to life and never dying again. [Romans 6:9].

S

* Sabbath: Seventh-day of the week, a Saturday or Sunday for most countries
* Sacrifice: Giving up something valued by a person or offering an animal to God for special favor or a sign. To make an offering in payment for a debt. [Hebrews 11:11-16]
* Salvation: Salvation is God’s gift of eternal life. To claim the gift, we accept Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins. We ask Jesus to wash away our sins so we can come before God blameless. The price of sin is eternal death, but the gift of Salvation is eternal life. By taking the penalty for all our sins, Jesus can offer us the gift of Salvation. [John
3:14-17] Salvation = being saved from sin and its consequences, being saved from dangers, adversities, and tribulations, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, being healed from disease, and having the gift of eternal life with God.
* Sanctification = separating ourselves from the nasty things of this world, consecrating and dedicating ourselves to God, and then purifying ourselves from sin through repentance and renunciation to renew our soul and cleanse our soul-spirit.
* Savior: A person who saves or rescues others from danger or death. [2 Timothy 1:10]
* Scripture: The inspired word of God. The Bible. [2 Timothy 3:16]
* Sin: Missing the mark. Sin separates us from God; it’s those things we do that we know are wrong but do them anyway. As Christians, we aim to eliminate sin from our lives, hit the mark every time, and do things that please and honor God. Sin is turning away from God’s love, doing something wrong, and disobeying the command of God.
Sin = disobedience to God and transgression of His Law; anything not from faith.
*Synoptic gospels = the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because they include many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence and similar wording, and present the narrative of Christ’s life, ministry, etc. from the point of view held in common by all three. Synoptic comes from the Greek syn, meaning “together,” and optic, meaning “seen.”

T

* Testament: A witness or evidence is given for belief. The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament is about events that took place before Christ, and the New Testament is about the advent of Christ, during Christ’s presence, and after Christ.

W

* Worship: To pray to, to give honor and acceptance to God in Jesus’ name
Contributions.
With contributions from the Bible Gateway, Gospel Communications Network, Teen Reach Out, and several others. Thank you.

Additional Christian Terms And Definitions!

 

Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:

John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Leviticus 20:13 ESV

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

Leviticus 18:22 ESV 

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Romans 5:8 ESV 

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Genesis 2:24 ESV 

Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

 

 

Find Hope And Encouragement From Our Links!

  1. If you just started believing in God, we have a page specifically for you.
  2. If you are dealing with anger, stress, or depression, we have information to help you.
  3. We have phone helplines, website links, and YouTube videos.
  4. Learn more about us, our goals, and our purpose.
  5. If you have a drug/alcohol problem or want to get right with God, you are at the right place!
  6. If you need to talk to someone right away, you can call 800-633-3446 or click here.
  7. Finally, if you have any questions or want to get on our email list, just let us know.

 

For Encouragement, Call 800-633-3446 or Chat.