Am I Speaking Christianese?

For as long as I can remember, I have lived in a sort of bubble in which those around me speak in something that is jokingly referred to as “Christianese.” Christianese is a made-up term for a made-up language that predominately consists of code words and phrases that make ordinary sayings sound more spiritual or cryptic. For example, a native Christianese speaker may say, “We were pouring into those kids. On the mission trip, we really loved on them. Many people got saved and became believers."

Overtime, I’ve become somewhat immune to even noticing when I, or other Christians, are using this cryptic jargon. I say all this not to condemn or mock Christianity, but to really take a closer look to examine what is being said in these instances. What is the motive behind using “Christianese” phrases? Are we actually representing the claims we are making in Spirit and in truth? Does the Christian phrase still hold the same meaning it first had when it was created?

There are dozens of phrases I could dissect and discuss, but for now I will focus on the term “believer.” According to Merriam-Webster’s definition, a believer is “someone that is sure that a god exists or that their religion is true.” Notably, the Etymology Online Dictionary states that the word believer originated in the 1540’s with the definition “one who has faith in religion,” which later changed to “one who gives credence (to anything) without personal knowledge, one firmly persuaded of the truth of something.” The Bible also frequently refers to Christ’s followers or people of faith as “those who believed.”  

Historically speaking, the phrase “believer” holds a significant weight. In the book of Acts, the people who heard the Gospel and submitted their own knowledge and understanding to a belief in the authenticity of God would later be referred to as believers. In present day, a believer is understood as someone that has great confidence and assurance in something or someone.

All of this background information and study of one simple word really challenges me to identify whether or not I, as a follower of Christ, am truly representing the significance and weight that is held within the word “believer.” Am I really trusting God with everything? Am I truly submitting my personal knowledge and understanding to a belief that there is One who is greater and can do all things? Have I, overtime, forgotten the power in believing?

Moving forward, it is my desire that I always use “Christianese” with caution. If I claim something, I need to mean it. As someone who identifies as a “believer,” it is my goal to start acting on this claim by exhibiting complete faith and assurance that God is the CREATOR of all things and can DO all things.

Likewise, I challenge those of you who fall into the category of “Christianese-speakers” to do a similar self-assessment. What is your motive behind using certain words or phrases? Furthermore, are you truly representing the claims that are held within these phrases? If not, I challenge you to recalibrate and find Biblical truth that refreshes your mind to God's purpose and how it relates to your life today.

Until next time,

Tamara