Few things are as important to Christians as language. Our faith and our characters are revealed in and defined by our choice of language. We judge based on the use of foul language. We approve
based on the use of “Christian” language littered with references to how blessed we are and what is “on our hearts.” Christian language norms inform the way we pray; do we start with Father-God
or Dear Jesus? Do we end with ‘in Jesus’ name’ or ‘all God’s children said’? Words are important to us. One word can either offend or define us. To be a Christian is to use a certain set of phrases and terms, because what we say to one another is influenced by a belief system in common with other Christians and different from non-Christians. Our entire religion is based on the text of a book. Pastors and speakers are constantly analyzing and re-analyzing paragraphs, sentences, words. If something is unclear, we look to the original Greek or Hebrew, and suddenly we understand; tiny reinterpretations make all the difference. Language matters.
Equality also matters. From the moment Jesus said “What you did for the least of these,” Christians have been rooting for the underdog. We feed the hungry. We house the homeless. We smuggle Bibles into places where Bibles are banned. Wesleyans in particular have been known to work towards equality on multiple levels, by opposing slavery and ordaining women. In these areas as well, Christians use certain language. When we go into missions it is because God called us to do so. When we encounter a situation we cannot control, we leave it in God’s hands. We care about the well-being of all, because all are God’s children.
There is nothing wrong with this way of speaking. Our belief system is different from others, so we talk differently than others. No matter if some of these phrases have become overused or spoken only out of habit, when they were first said, they were said because they were believed. However, Christians are not the only group of people who care about equality and justice. Obviously; just as much activism is carried out by secular organizations as is by Christian organizations. We’re nothing special, really. We are all working towards the same end. But there remains a disconnect between being a Christian who values equality, and being a secular person who values equality. This is due in large part to language. We both fight for justice, but we come from two completely different places, and therefore sometimes support opposing sides. For example, when the world says “It’s my body,” the Christian hears “I don’t care how my actions impact the lives of my child and those around me,” and when the Christian says “All are created in the image of God,” the world hears “God is a narcissist who doesn’t care about the long-term well-being of His children.” We speak different languages.
Christian language is an important part of our life and faith. It is also important to connect with others who share our same values and goals. With more people working together towards improving the world, more can be accomplished. Perhaps we need to address where our words are helpful to our faith, and where they only add confusion to those we might hope to reach.