Do you speak Christian?

[homasse]

Do you speak Christian?

Have you told anyone “I’m born again?” Have you “walked the aisle” to “pray the prayer?”

Did you ever “name and claim” something and, after getting it, announce, “I’m highly blessed and favored?”

Many Americans are bilingual. They speak a secular language of sports talk, celebrity gossip and current events. But mention

Comments

[iconnu]

I haven't even read the entire article yet, I'm just here to say ♥ Marcus Borg. =^_^=

eta: This was an interesting read, thanks for posting it. I found the remark about evangelicals referring to themselves as "Christ followers" to be interesting, as I know quite a few non-evangelical, liberal Christians who refer to themselves as "Jesus followers" b/c they feel that the evangelical denominations, particularly the fundamentalists, have so publicly warped what Christianity represents that they aren't comfortable self-associating with the label.

[lykomancer]

*pours out more Borg love* ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[promethea4]

Just adding to the Borg love.

[sophiedegrouchy]

Booooooooooooooorrrrg!

I wish I could make Reading the Bible Again for the First Time required reading for everyone ever.

[romp]

So a progressive Episcopalian is explaining evangelical concepts? Anything that helps people understand the ideas behind the power grab. They're not going to like being called elitist tho'.

[livinghope]

I understand--and have used--all of these phrases. I remember that when I went on a ~mission trip~ to New York City (lol), they warned us to not speak "Christianese" when evangelizing to people, because nobody outside of evangelical culture would know what the hell we were talking about.

[cpsings4him]

Same...except I never went on a mission trip. We did regularly go door to door, though. Oh god. >.

[executivehpfan]

This was an interesting read. I always hear "saved" in my community, often used in conjunction with "sanctified and holy-ghost filled". It sounds like an advertisement when people say it.

[stormqueen280]

"sanctified and holy-ghost filled" made me blink like crazy. My English is usually very good, but this one is rather strange.

[fog_dancer]

Holy Ghost comes from the King James Bible. For a long time, the meaning of "spirit" and "ghost" were different to what they are today. They basically switched their meaning somewhere around the 18th century.
So if that's what sounds strange, there you go. Most modern text have turned to using Holy Spirit, since most modern readers won't immediately get the now obselete meaning of ghost.

[stormqueen280]

I had actually heard 'holy ghost' before (though I appreciate the lesson, I like learning about how words change meaning over the centuries). I don't know, I think even 'holy-spirit filled' would have sound strange, it really doesn't translate well to Portuguese.

[fofomazuzu]

I remembering reading a Christian sign in town that said 'The Rapture: Separation of Church and State'.

I was sideeyeing so hard.

(lol my icon feels so appropriate)

[browneyedguuurl]

I would've burst into flames. Omg, the stupid!

[mingemonster]

lmao, that's actually pretty funny