Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Say what!?

   Have you ever had a conversation with a doctor after which you walked away totally clueless about what he just told you? Or maybe you've listened to a science teacher who was supposedly explaining something, but it made no sense to you? What is it about those kinds of interactions that makes them so hard to understand? It's usually the terminology or lingo that they use. It makes perfect sense to them but how many people actually know what words like "somnolence", "xerostomia", "oligosaccharide" or "borborgymi" mean!? They could be sharing valuable and truthful information with you but the meaning gets lost in translation. As a result, the attempt at communication becomes frustrating and unproductive. 

   Have you ever considered that we as Christians may be guilty of this same kind of communication? We use terms, that while biblically accurate, are often lost on those who are not familiar with the Bible or well versed in theology. The reality is that we can simplify the terms without watering down the truth. For example, consider the medical & scientific terms I used earlier. They sound like complicated things, when in fact they aren't at all. Somnolence means sleepiness and xerostomia means dry mouth. Oligosaccharide is a carbohydrate with only a few sugars in it and borborgymi refers to your stomach growling. Those terms make perfect sense now and it is not any less true for a doctor to tell you that you have dry mouth than it is for him to say you have xerostomia. In the same way, telling someone that they have a Father who loves them and wants a relationship with them is no less true than saying that God does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance.

   Think about this! We have the most valuable truth in the world! Don't we want it to be clear!? Yes, the Bible uses words like predestined, justified and sanctified and there is great value in the Christian knowing and understanding the truth represented by those words. But if we really understand God's truth we should be able to communicate it in ways that those who have never read the Bible could grasp. Even phrases like "divine appointment" and "a hedge of protection" are going to sound foreign to a lot of people and yet most people would understand us saying that we believe God is in control of every circumstance or that God promises to send angels to protect His children. Clearly, there is nothing wrong with using theological terminology or "Christianese" phrases but don't get so caught up in those things that you miss out on opportunities to share God's love and truth with those around you. Be willingly to enter into the world God has kept us in, not with lofty, self-righteous communication but with loving, personable conversation. He kept us here for a purpose...to love Him and love others the way He does. In every conversation, those two things should be made clear! 

   "Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." 
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23)