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Popular phrases or expressions heard in Christian churches or groups that now identify as “churchy” or Christianese and now sometimes annoy the heck out of those of us who have been hurt in church.
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This is Sunday and some of you/us may have difficulty going to church for a number of reasons. The other day I was at praise and worship practice and heard an expression that I realized embodied churchy lingo. The leader asked for us all to gather for a “word of prayer.” A word of prayer? Why “a word?” Prayer consists of a lot of words. Anyway, it was just an expression that just smacked of Christianese. It made me wonder why we have strange lingo that outsider might not understand? Why do we have to be so “churchy?”
And then I was thinking about the fact that some church phrases annoy me for other reasons. Here’s one: “with every head bowed and every eye closed.” Why did they want all of us to close our eyes? What was going on in the church when my eyes were closed? I had to know. Sometimes that phrase doesn’t bother me, but at other times, it does. It takes me back to a time in my childhood at an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church that was quite legalistic. I got in trouble because my dress was too short. I was very tall and growing like a weed. My mom worked full-time and it was hard for her to find clothes to fit me. I felt humiliated and embarrassed, so sometimes, when I hear that phrase, it takes me back to that time and it feels very uncomfortable. I wish that phrase never existed. It really isn’t necessary to have every head bowed and eyes closed. That’s just extra nonsense.
I thought of a few more that might yield similar results:
Accept Jesus as your personal Savior
Ask Jesus in your heart
Let’s have a word of prayer
Offering plate
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Spiritual Sounding Board 
How about, “Jesus LIVES!”
. .. .ahhh. .. no, he doesn’t. . . 🙂
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“Do something in our land Lord!” (Does our landlord have a problem?)
“Lord. we JUST ask you…”
“Everybody here within the sound of my voice, give the Lord a clap offering”
“If you can’t see what I’m saying you need to ask for revelation”
a time of sharing / a time of worship / staying in the presence of God
“The anointing’s all over me, can you feel it?”
ministry time
“Let’s minister to one another”
“brother, I say this in love”
“Are you walking with God?”
“Are seeking the plans and purposes of God in your generation?”
“The Lord showed me a verse”
“Do you have anything in your spirit about this?”
“That doesn’t witness with my spirit.”
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This is not a negative church experience…but I first became a Christian as a young teenager, and a short time before that I remember being told that I, or my sins, must be “washed in the blood” or “washed away by the blood of Jesus.” I had absolutely NO idea what phrases like “washed in the blood” were supposed to mean. Sounded pretty creepy to me, and only needlessly confused me. I determined never to speak Christianese because of this.
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“The Lord disciplines those He loves” (while being rebuked by narcissistic minister)
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“I can really sense a spirit of oppression here”
“We need to storm the gates of Heaven”
“We need to do battle with the principalities and powers”
“If you are not spiritual, you will not understand this”
“And all God’s people said….(obligatory response:) AAAmen!
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Oasis,
When I was fairly new in my former cult, there was an entire sermon on this passage of scripture in Deuteronomy about nailing a slave’s ear to the doorpost. I still remember the feeling of dread that gripped me. I mean, these people were so legalistic about following the Bible, I wasn’t sure if they were going to follow it literally or not.
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“You have a critical spirit!” (What about the person making that accusation?)
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@BeenThereDoneThat
If you are not willing to have your ear nailed to the doorpost you clearly have issues with rebellion in your heart.
Repent.
😉
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“Pray through” (Supposedly meaning to pray until you had “the mind of the Lord, but usually meant to pray until you agreed with the minister.)
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Chris R,
🙂
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This week was particularly tough with triggers, mine were all in music. My pastor called to ask me to sing on Thursday afternoon, I wanted to approach the group, but he said to play by myself, then called back and said to come in on their Thursday practice after it was over. Then my husband was concerned about me singing even though I’ve sung for years. And a close friend of mine said that the pastor doesn’t want me doing secular songs, even though I was a music minister in the Catholic Church, and I know literally hundreds of songs. Good thing God has faith in me, because my family and friends sure don’t!
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BeenThereDoneThat
I suspect you are out from under the Lord’s covering.
Obey those who are over you in the Lord!
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Chris R,
What denom were you in? You’ve nailed the Pentecostally flavor of my former cult.
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BTDT – I read your question to Chris as, “What demon were you in?” – makes sense, when you think about it. .. 🙂
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BeenThereDoneThat, wow, how awful and scary!
These phrases trigger me very, very, very, very badly:
“God’s got a plan!”
“God is in control!”
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Carmen,
That’s probably because you know where I come from. 🙂
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Well, BTDT – I MUCH prefer to think of where you’re headed . .. . grin. . . .
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Oasis,
I know, right? Like all of your past, awful experiences were part of “God’s plan.” They were not.
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Wow, while I’m sleeping you guys are going to town. Love it! Chris, you have a lot of them and they are sure bringing back memories at charismatic church we attended. I forgot some of them.
One that drives me crazy is:
REPENT!!
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“God will never give you more than you can handle.”
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BeenThereDoneThat, right, they seem innocent and harmless, but to some of us, hearing those words, or even the mere sight of them, hurts more than anything in the world… 😦 Thank you for saying they were not. 😀
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Julie Anne, I haven’t been to sleep yet. 🙂
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Gospel. Gospel marriage, Gospel kids, Gospel quit smoking programs, etc, etc.
The word “Gospel” is meaningless anymore.
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Oasis – “Get to bed, then!” (preferably with someone else) . . wink. ..
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“God is in control”.
Yes Oasis, that one triggers me. I now have the nerve to speak back on that one. I ask why they think God to be such a monster? And that blows their mind. Well watch the news. Is God really controlling all that…..making it happen or looking the other way? You know what? Most people have not thought it through at all. They just accept the platitudes they hear. Like I did.
Hmm. Perhaps their view of God is distorted. Maybe God wants US to be in more control over ourselves and help others. Maybe God wants responsible grown up children instead of ones who throw it back on Him.
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“God will never give you more than you can handle.”
Yes! Talk about taking a proof text and twisting it to shreds.
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Here is another one said to me by a mega church pastor who has a fortress office and body guards:
“God will protect you”
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LOL, carmen, silly! Hey, it’s only 9:30ish in the morning. While Julie Anne is away, the rest of us can play!
Except, wait, she’s back…
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“The Lord disciplines those He loves” (while being rebuked by narcissistic minister)
HA! Seems the narcissistic minister did not think that one through. Yep, heard this one a lot.
How about the mega church pastor who is constantly saying, “The Lord loves a cheerful giver”. In other words, you are not tithing enough and my high six figure salary is in jeporady because we always have to pay the $20,000 mo electric bill for this place no matter what. So hand over the money (there are giving kiosks in the atrium that take credit cards so no excuses) joyfully.
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This post reminded me of this video:
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“This is not a negative church experience…but I first became a Christian as a young teenager, and a short time before that I remember being told that I, or my sins, must be “washed in the blood” or “washed away by the blood of Jesus.” I had absolutely NO idea what phrases like “washed in the blood” were supposed to mean. Sounded pretty creepy to me, and only needlessly confused me. I determined never to speak Christianese because of this.”
They take something in hymns and which is metaphorical in scripture and beat it to death. And it has no meaning to us today. But it had much meaning to those in the 1st Century. It was a military metaphor and meant that one had vanquished the enemy when they appeared “washed in their blood” from battle.
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If you’re on Twitter, I’ve created a hashtag: #ChristianeseTalk and also just spammed my followers’ (man that sounds cultish) newsfeed w/some of your #ChristianeseTalk. https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ChristianeseTalk&src=typd&f=realtime
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…and all God’s people said!…..
you aren’t gettin’ this. if you were you’d be shoutin!
If you don’t speak in tongues, you ain’t filled…
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Lydia, you are speaking my language. I agree that most have not thought it through. People close to me sometimes speak that language, and when they do, a quiet panic starts within me, and no one knows my mind is screaming, “NO!” I know to don a poker face and leave the room, or walk away. There’s no escape when we’re in a car, though. Maybe someday I will become stronger, able to handle these situations better, so that I can stay and talk with them, without being overtaken by panic and pain. Hoping.
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“But it had much meaning to those in the 1st Century.”
Wow, never knew that. Thanks for explaining that one. 🙂
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“BELIEVE IN JESUS”
Yes, but “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James 2:19
So often the soft Gospel speaks much of “grace” and “belief” but does not speak of the true repentance required to be a true disciple of Christ, thus we have churches producing false converts; full of abusive doctrines. There is no accountability for abusive behaviour because everyone is considered saved and you dare not question anything that appears to be contrary to the infallible Word.
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How about inserting “Father God” every phrase while praying…
I’m also trying to figure out around my area why women go on “retreats” while men go on “advances”.
One my wife uses… “It’s a God thing…”
@Julie Anne – You nailed several…
@Christ R – Bingo on “Just ask you…” and many others.
@BeenThereDoneThat – A friend of mine who at his 7 year anniversary of being a youth leader had his ear pierced. Not with an awl to a door but….
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Oasis, I think one of the hardest things to do is to stop speaking the language. And when you do become aware of how triggering it is, it is almost impossible to explain. Of course, that depends on who one is talking to whether it is worth it or not to even try. I always do it with a smile and am not trying to confront. Just get them to think or at least stop with the Christianese when talking to me.
How about this one:
“Jesus will carry all your burdens”
Really? Will He pay my mortgage? (wink)
Again, people take metaphorical biblical language (and in many instances understood differently to a 1st century person) and apply it literally.
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“BELIEVE IN JESUS”
Yes, but “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James 2:19
So often the soft Gospel speaks much of “grace” and “belief” but does not speak of the true repentance required to be a true disciple of Christ, thus we have churches producing false converts; full of abusive doctrines. There is no accountability for abusive behaviour because everyone is considered saved and you dare not question anything that appears to be contrary to the infallible Word.”
Bingo Anonymous! Yes, the demons “believe in God”. The demons believe Jesus is God. There has to be more, right?
From my research I am starting to think the problem lies with the “Syllabus Jesus” that church history has promoted. The “creedal” Jesus which teaches us what to believe but not how to live as the kingdom now. What about all that stuff inbetween? What Jesus did. What He did not do. etc.
I am not trashing creeds but they are a “Syllabus Jesus” and leave out the most important part. How we live as believers NOW.
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“But it had much meaning to those in the 1st Century.”
Wow, never knew that. Thanks for explaining that one.
”
Yes, I had a Eureka moment when I read that one. But it makes metaphorical sense when viewed in light of the Cross and 1st Century thinking. Jesus ended evil’s (the enemy’s) hold over us IF we choose Him.
I guess folks can tell I don’t buy into penal substitutionary atonement theory. (wink)
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JA, I am embarassed at how ignorant I am with hastags, etc. Does that mean people go to the hashtag site and post their thoughts? I have never understood the hastag site thingie on twitter. I am #trestwitterignoramous.
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“God has a plan to use you mightily.” Frankly I don’t want to be used by anyone.
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Joelfrederick, love the video!
“God will never give you more than you can handle” is the phrase that most bothers me. How anyone can be so cruel as to say this to people suffering grievous losses is absolutely mind boggling to me.
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Carmen
What demon? Lol
BTDT
My background is UK housechurch (new start-up in the 80’s) No affiliation with any specific demon (!) but bought heavily into shepherding and Word of Faith, with a lot of pentecostal thrown in there for good measure, as we were attracted to anything vaguely charismatic!
Very much into Kingdom relationships, Kingdom giving, Kingdom authority and general, all-purpose Kingdom principles.
I think that meant we didn’t do things the way ‘the world’ did them. (?)
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Lydia, Twitter hashtags become a hyperlink. So in this case, if you are at Twitter and click on #ChristianeseTalk on one of my tweets, it will bring up other tweets (from other people, too, if others have joined in) with that hashtag. Sometimes these hashtags can take off and go viral on Twitter. I saw you on Twitter. Why not test it out with a phrase here and see! I’ll
RT it (retweet).
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Chris – sounds like someone borrowed heavily from the Jehovah’s Witnesses. .. .’cause, you know, us ‘worldly’ peeps are straight from satan. . .Sssssssss. . . .
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“It’s a season in my life”
“I’m not worthy”
That’s all I can think of P.C. (pre-coffee).
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“Of course, that depends on who one is talking to whether it is worth it or not to even try.”
Yes, sometimes this can be something like casting pearls, which are then ignored or trampled upon… And yes, I know someone who is trying to stop speaking that language. Seems to be a hard habit to break.
Wondering…how much prayer makes one a “prayer warrior”?…
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JA, Thanks! I have to say this thread was a brilliant idea in many ways. We can share triggering phrases. And it is too funny, too. What a great way to heal folks.
For example, I used a word earlier in a comment that probably triggered Chris R in some way but he is kind not to point it out (hanging head in shame). Kingdom. I hate it when that happens but I am learning. I actually stoled it because I learned that when the phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used in the NT, it actually refers to believers living at the time. It was a metaphorical understanding of “bringing heaven to earth” because believers are living here now. But another Gospel uses the phrase “Kingdom of God” which means the same thing. The word “heaven” was sometimes used because some Jews would not write “God”
Ok, gotta think of one for the hastag….
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“how much prayer makes one a “prayer warrior”?…”
Hee Hee. Years back a big thing around some megas was “prayer walking” and prayer driving (JA, don’t bow your head and close your eyes, please)
You pick an area and walk or driving while praying for that area. (It obviously does not work if you sit at home?)
Now, I have no problem with the concept as my mom used to have a map of the world in our study where we put pins in and would pray for that country where missions we were involved in were going on.
But we did not have to travel to China or Africa to pray for them? We believed God heard our prayers where we were.
Another one: One mega, before they finished their huge church and carpeted it, had pew sitters come in and write in marker all over the huge sanctuary floor that seated 10,000 people, bible verses so they would be “standing on the word” when at church. You cannot make this stuff up.
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I’m at the church building right now. My ears are engaged. Lol. Might be live tweeting/blogging if the spirit moves.
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How about this one:
“Jesus will carry all your burdens”
Really? Will He pay my mortgage? (wink)
Again, people take metaphorical biblical language (and in many instances understood differently to a 1st century person) and apply it literally.
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” MATT 6:31-33.
I teach my children that all of the sustenance we enjoy as a family comes from God because Jesus promised us in these verses that our material needs “shall be added unto” us if we seek Him. And I thank Him for providing for my family as do my children and wife. Jesus pays our bills. And we don’t live in the 1st century.
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“But we did not have to travel to China or Africa to pray for them? We believed God heard our prayers where we were.”
Haha! EXACTLY. I remember when a group I was a part of wanted to go prayer walking. So…went walking with them. They prayed, I enjoyed the scenery. I just could not force myself to pray that way, on demand – could not do it sincerely.
Bible verses all over the floor…and Julie Anne. Oh, gosh…this thread is cracking me up.
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A Christian Father/Husband,
I wonder if you’re related to a former roommate of my daughter’s the first year she went off to University. Every time we went to visit, this poor girl would be on her knees by the bed praying. I asked my daughter, “What’s going on with her”? My daughter said that she had come all the way across the country following her boyfriend, with no tuition money. She was praying for it – continuously. One day when I called, I asked what the roommate was doing. “Praying – again!”, came the reply. I said to my daughter, “Tell her to ask for some socks – you need some”.
I think most of you know the ending to this little story. At the end of September, her roommate went back – after not even trying to get a part-time job (as my daughter had to do) because Jesus did not come through.
I really hate to point out the obvious here, Father, but I know – as does everyone else reading this – that YOU are the one who is providing for your family. Get down off the pulpit. And PEACE.
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I’m so sorry—I’m about to break up the fun. 😦 I’m a killjoy like that some times. 😛
About five years ago, I’d just lost a set of twins to miscarriage, and was terrified of losing my next pregnancy. A good friend said, “Well, you know if you lose the baby, it was God’s will.”
I did NOT lose my temper!! 😀 Go me!!!
I still heard that EXACT PHRASE regarding miscarriages and lost babies overandoverandover again over the next few years.
The whole, “Anything bad that happens is really just God’s will” thing is soul-crushing, because a separate, contradictory belief is usually worming its way through the church–if you just prayed harder, followed God more closely, had a “daily quiet time,” or did exactly what God wanted you to do, you’d be successful, healed, fulfilled, own a Volvo, etc.
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“I teach my children that all of the sustenance we enjoy as a family comes from God because Jesus promised us in these verses that our material needs “shall be added unto” us if we seek Him. And I thank Him for providing for my family as do my children and wife. Jesus pays our bills. And we don’t live in the 1st century.”
I would love to know how you do that without working/earning a living. Do tell! Does Jesus put cash in your bank account for you? :o)
And how do you explain Christians who live in poverty or starve to death like Lottie Moon did because she was giving what little she had to others who were starving? Seems she did not “seek Him enough”? (If you know her story you know that is not true)
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“A good friend said, “Well, you know if you lose the baby, it was God’s will.”
Well, I will lose my temper for you. I HATE this ridiculous junk. God is not doing evil to us!! His “will” is NOT evil for us for crying out loud. Who can worship such a monster god?
With friends like that you don’t need enemies, I am afraid. But I know it is usually ignorance that says such things without really thinking. Do people really that is comforting?
Why can’t people just come sit beside us and mourn with us? We could learn from the Jews in this respect.
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taylorjoyyoung… I agree… it’s not God’s will…
Here is another that has puzzled me for years….
“Biblical family/marriage”.
I have yet to see an example of marriage or family in the Bible that looks like what those who use the phrase mean.
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“Biblical men” when spoken of/by current pastors, authors or street preachers. The adjective “Biblical” sounds like nonsense, it is so overused. These men’s names MAY be written in the book of life, but they aren’t in my BIble now.
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“The whole, “Anything bad that happens is really just God’s will” thing is soul-crushing, because a separate, contradictory belief is usually worming its way through the church–if you just prayed harder, followed God more closely, had a “daily quiet time,” or did exactly what God wanted you to do, you’d be successful, healed, fulfilled, own a Volvo, etc.”
Oh this is seeker mega church doctrine. God will also supply botox and plastic surgery for breast implants. (Nevermind you are a corporate lawyer making 6 figures…God supplied that, too)
I call it Darwinian Christianity. The survival and prosperity of the fittist. Good things happening to you? God is doing it. Bad things? Well, something wrong with you.
Dying of cancer? Well, you are expected to be smiling all the time and project joy or don’t bother coming around us. We are smiley face successful people.
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taylorjoyyoung: I really, really, really get the soul-crushing thing. This kind of issue is my life’s cry. Never been pregnant myself, but the same basic lie, “Anything bad that happens is really just God’s will,” nearly cut me in half. It still tries to torture me every now and then, and I am forced to fight away the darkness. Because these statements turn God into the “orchestrator” of even sin, including child abuse, which I experienced. Never in my life have I heard such disgusting, evil [censored by me]… I could not and never will accept such horrifying and blasphemous B.S., and have no reason to believe it is true – quite the opposite.
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Oh, I just thought of my hashtag Christianese saying that WORE ME OUT at the seeker megas:
#ChristianeseTalk Seeker mega’s love: “It is a God thing”
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“I have yet to see an example of marriage or family in the Bible that looks like what those who use the phrase mean.”
Yeah, that Abigail was not exactly the poster girl for comp marriage, was she? Or how about Joanna galivanting around the country with Jesus paying his bills while her husband was managing Herod’s palace. And how would a “biblical” husband like to be married to the likes of Jael? Yikes. Be afraid, very afraid. :o)
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“All things work for good”
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lydiasellerofpurple (love that handle)…
I’d challenge you a bit on your analysis of the “anything bad…” philosophy.
First, I would suggest it is a bad interpretation of Romans 8:28. Some of it likely comes from a “sovereignty of God” misapplication as well. The thinking is if God is sovereign, then he has a hand in everything. Romans 8:28 says that all things work for good for those that love God. I have issues with both ends, however.
First, although i do believe God is sovereign, there are still forces of evil that are trying to thwart God’s will. How I read the Romans 8:28 is that when those things happen, God can work them out for his glory.
A recent example to me was when my Mom lost her battle with cancer. In no way do I believe cancer is Gods will for anyone. At the funeral, however, I saw a dying church (fundamentalist) filled to the brim with people who wanted to honor her and who did hear about God’s love.
Second, I think your categorization may be a little broad on who preaches this, generalities are not always fair. I know a mega-church (whchurch.org) who has preached against this sort of thinking several times. Of course, the pastor there would be labeled a heretic but… Here is a sermon given by a woman who lost her child given at that church. http://whchurch.org/sermons-media/sermon/triumph-by-testimony
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“All things work for good”…aah, leslie, that is another one I hate, constantly taken out of context, in my opinion. And for some reason this is sometimes said with glee, by someone who loves to see the already suffering hearer squirm.
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Yup, “All things work for good” is one of those, “Now, please shut up” phrases. Condescending, and definitely a conversation stopper. grrrrr. .. .on the same level as the one about “God’s will”. It’s that , “Must be your fault” that’s implied.
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“My background is UK housechurch (new start-up in the 80′s) No affiliation with any specific demon (!) but bought heavily into shepherding and Word of Faith, with a lot of pentecostal thrown in there for good measure, as we were attracted to anything vaguely charismatic!”
No wonder your Christianese sounded so familiar to me. (Ha! Does that mean there are different dialects of Christianese? 🙂 ) Mine was also technically a non-denom. Started out as a UPC mission church, now is a combo of Pentecostal and Anabaptist. (It was started by former hippies, so I think that has more to do with the “back-to-the-land aspect than Anabaptist.) It also is VERY shepherding.
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“I sense a Jezebel spirit in you” is probably the worst one.
There’s also: “I want us to give the Lord the biggest praise offering you’ve ever given!” Even though the same thing was said the previous Sunday and the Sunday before. Apparently we were supposed to somehow transcend the maximum human vocal capacity by a bigger margin each time.
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A friends husband died of cancer in his 30’s. My friend was told he died because they didn’t have enough faith. UGH.
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“If you don’t speak in tongues, you ain’t filled…”
won’t tell,
I listened to a recording of a Sunday meeting from my former cult a few weeks ago. The founding elder starts berating someone about not raising their hands during worship. He said if this person couldn’t raise their hands to the Lord in worship then he doubted they were even saved. Knowing what I now know, I’d tell him that if he’d put his reputation or the reputation of his “church” above molested children, then I doubt he’s even saved. It’s just a little above my pay grade to make that call, though.
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joelfrederick, I love being challenged, so thanks. I usually try to remember to put SEEKER in front of mega. Perhaps I did not make the distinction? That is my range of reference.
As to Woodland Hills, one of the series I saw on Reknew and then again in a sermon series was with Jessica Kelly who has a great testimony. The one you linked to. Evidently they were awash in the God will everything all the time doctrine. Dear God. How can a mother believe that while watching her child die? She couldn’t and thank God for that.
And as to Woodland Hills, how many seeker megas do you know that turn part of their building into a homeless shelter? Whether one hates or loves Boyd’s doctrine, they seem to be actually living out what they believe there.
As to Romans my position is that it is a dangerous letter to proof text. It is a culminating argument concerning the Jew/Gentile dichotomy in the 1st Centurty church in Rome. My personal belief is that it was written with the backdrop of banished Jews (under Claudius) returning to Rome and those who were converts were coming into church which had been mostly Gentile. And the absolute hatred of Non converted Jews for Christianity. We can only imagine the problems that caused for understanding. Gentiles who think like Plato and disapora Jews hanging on to tradition? Recipe for chaos.
So I read it with that filter and wait till the end. :o) I usually point out Romans 9:
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[m]
And chapter 12:
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
But I love chapter 16 where he lists all those women laboring in the Body. Even the small a apostle Junia. :o)
In other words, I don’t think Romans can be rightly understood outside of it’s historical complex context. And much damage has been done proof texting it to try and prove a monster god who damns you to hell because you have no volition.
Finally, I am so sorry your mom suffered. I miss my mom more than I can even articulate. It was as if the Holy Spirit left our family when she died. (I know that is not true but it is very compelling when one is so filled with the Holy Spirit and then gone. You never realized it before).
God “worked it for good” because of Jesus Christ within the context of that letter. I am very leery of the typical explanations to those who were molested as children while total innocents. Too many pastors doing this and I won’t go there. There is evil in this world that is paralyzing for some. No way am I giong to tell them that God will work it for good here.. It cannot be taken back, that evil. Although I would love to see their molesters in jail for life. The ONLY way it can be worked for good is when they are in their glorified bodies on the renewed earth. And only through Jesus can that happen. Meanwhile, we need to stand by those who were treated so horribly as innocent children. No way should we make excuses for molesters or those who protected them. No way.
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BTDT
Can’t raise hands…not saved.
Identical dialect if you ask me! Beginning to suspect a close relationship, or perhaps some inbreeding.
A few more:
“You can tell who’s in rebellion in this church. They are the ones who are not at this meeting”
“Not attending meetings is spacing out on your brothers and sisters – and Jesus says, ‘whatever you do to the least of these you do to me’. So you are spacing out on Christ Himself.”
“If you leave, you place yourself in Satan’s territory. You are unprotected. Unless you ‘stay with the ship you cannot be saved’.”
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Kristen, I hear my name: Jezzie Belle
Lol
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I think besides indicators of Christianeze, there are sindicators too. For instance, the oft-heard phrase, “Bless his/her heart …” is a sindicator warning of gossip about to ensue, or as a euphemism used instead of the more rude but less veiled, “What an idiot.” [P.S. You never hear, “Bless my heart,” because how often do we euphemize our own stupidities. And you also rarely hear it said directly to another person, as in, “Bless your heart …” Unless from your Aunt Bertha, of course. Because that’s just who she is, and it’s what she does.]
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Thanks lydiasellerofpurple. Actually you did mention “seeker” but your and my experiences don’t match. I agree with what you say about Woodland Hills and Romans (I’d lump most of the Bible in that “dangerous to proof text” but that’s just me.
In the last few years, I heard a theory that Romans was really written as a diatribe where Paul was trying to anticipate his detractors and arguing against them… In some ways it explains so much.
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“For instance, the oft-heard phrase, “Bless his/her heart …” is a sindicator warning of gossip about to ensue, or as a euphemism used instead of the more rude but less veiled, “What an idiot.” ”
Brad, Have you been visiting the South? :o)
“Sindicator”. Can I steal that?
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Actually you did mention “seeker” but your and my experiences don’t match.”
Probably not. I come from behind back stage and saw horrible evil and deception the pew sitters would never see in a million years and would never believe. And it was “business as usual” which freaked me out. Their “normal” for Jesus. It is a systemic problem and the larger a church gets the harder it is not to succomb to the manipulations it takes to maintain the system and pay for it all. The larger it is, the easier it is to hide the evil. Unless there is total transparancy and everyone allowed to see detailed budgets, it can get pretty bad.
“In the last few years, I heard a theory that Romans was really written as a diatribe where Paul was trying to anticipate his detractors and arguing against them… In some ways it explains so much.”
That is interesting. But I am not sure he was not arguing against his “current” detractors in the letter. He is definitely making a persuasive argument in Romans, though
“
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Lots of little words out there that are like mental golf carts to get you around the world of ideas without thinking, with the result that thinking doesn’t get done.
What do “conservatives” want to conserve? What progress do “progressives want? Shouldn’t we be clear on wht kind of progress we have in mind?
Could someone tell me what they mean by left and right in politics?
Could someone tell me the biblical basis for asking Jesus to come into their hearts? I don’t see Jesus or the apostles ever recommending that.
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I feel that Holy Spirit is purging the church of that which is hindering the growth of the church. (from the preacher that just run the family off that questioned something he did)
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“You’re just listening to the devil.” (Used to denigrate someone’s critical thinking.)
“You’re being washed by the word.” (I once had a cashier at Walmart remark that “the church folks already bought their beer and gone home.” You could tell she didn’t think much of them. And these were the ones that had just been “washed.”)
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lydiasellerofpurple — April 6, 2014 @ 10:36 AM — said, “Sindicator”. Can I steal that?
Why, yes you may. I appreciate how you realized that if you’d just stolen it without really asking, then the use of the word will be an illustration of its meaning, to which all could then say, “Why bless her heart … she stole that ‘sindicator’ word!”
And if you stole it and trademarked it, you could be known as Lydia the Sindicator Syndicator, which has sort of a double meaning. (Just stick with the purple commodity, methinks.)
[I do wonder if more than three cuppsa coffee ought to be disallowed for me …]
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“[I do wonder if more than three cuppsa coffee ought to be disallowed for me …]”
Oh, no. Drink more. I love it when you’re on a roll.
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“God has a wonderful plan for your life!”
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By the way, that sign in the photo makes Jesus look like a thug.
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Brad, LOL!!
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Being told by the chairmen of the deacons my last Sunday as pastor–“you will always be welcome in our church”–knowing full well because of him and other deacons in that church I would never be welcome to come back.
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The way I understood the “every head bowed and every eye closed” instruction was so any other kids who were self-concious about it could feel comfortable coming forward down the aisle to get saved. Oh, and salvation was explained primarily as asking Jesus to come into your heart. I grew up Christian and Missionary Alliance, and they tended to borrow a lot of things from the Baptist world and broad evangelicalism in general.
There are certain hymns that to this day I cannot sing, like “In The Garden” with its overly romanticized, sentimental, syrupy Jesus-is-my-lover type lyrics. Or some of the contemporary praise and worship stuff with similar flaws. Right now I’m having an issue with the fact that our new PCA church, while wonderful in many ways, has long had an affinity for Stewart Getty/Pete Townsend songs in worship. Some of it brings back bad memories…
and there’s the overuse of the word “just”, as in we JUST want to praise You…
“You are the great physician”
awesome-as in, “awesome God”, “You are awesome in this place” “Let’s have some awesome worship!” etc.
“I covet your prayers”
“bachelor till the rapture!”
pot blessing, pot-providence, etc…
somebody was in need of “traveling mercies”
One that used to drive me nuts was “I have an unspoken.” Why the heck are you mentioning it then???
and finally, “christianity–it’s not a religion, it’s a relationship!”
For more, go check out dictionaryofchristianese.com
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“For more, go check out dictionaryofchristianese.com”
🙂 “excommunitweet” lol! I have to go grocery shopping now, but I know what website I’ll be reading this evening. Thanks for the link!
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“Christ has risen!” I didn’t know I was supposed to respond with, “He has risen indeed!” I said, “Uh, yeah.”
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LydiasellerofPurple, I’ve seen your comments here and on Wartburg since I started following these guys last summer, and I just love reading your stuff. {{hug}}
Vyckie Garrison at NoLongerQuivering had this pic on her facebook feed just now, but I’m not sure if I can make it show up:
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I see your “hedge of protection” and raise you one “lead, guide and direct.” 🙂
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I’ve been tweeting your ChristianeseTalk quotes. Here’s one someone tweeted:
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William – oh my, that hedge of protection thing always cracks me up. I might burst into a fit of laughter the next time I hear that – haha!
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I fixed it so the image shows, taylorjoyyoung. That’s hilarious!
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Ok, William just tweeted this. This YouTube is a must see on hedge of projection. Just had a laughing fit on my back patio.
https://twitter.com/WilliamBrownII/status/452912090794434560
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Maybe a “word of prayer” is like a “word from our sponsors.” 🙂
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“So where ya fellowshippin’ at?”
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Oh, I’m getting in late on this, but:
* “SCRIPTURE(TM)!” (All too often used as a Party Line beatdown.)
* “End Times”, “Prophecy”, “Rapture”, etc. (PTSD from the Gospel According to Hal Lindsay; who will restore the years those locusts have eaten?)
* “One World fill-in-the-blank” (See End Times/Prophecy above)
* “Discipling, Discipleship” (PTSD from involvement in a high-control Shepherding group)
* “Fellowship” used as a verb.
* Anything to do with a Jack Chick tract.
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Shannon, the “Christ is Risen” response originates in the Russian Orthodox Church centuries ago. I’m not sure what other congregations use it. Also,not exactly on topic, but does anyone remember “The Prayer of Jebez” book? Some guy took a few verses from the OT about a man praying for his land to be enlarged and turned it into an “ask God for anything and he will grant it to you” prayer. I couldn’t understand how anyone could take a specific prayer, from a specific person for more land, and then claim that God will bless anyone with what they want if this prayer is repeated. My “Christian” friends told me I was not mature enough in my faith to understand! I figured, if we need an example of prayer, the Lord’s Prayer would be more instructive. Who knows? Maybe Steven Furtick used this prayer to get his $3 million dollar home!
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