Salvation
This morning as I was studying for some upcoming lessons I ran across a quote I loved from theologian John Stott’s book “Understanding the Bible”
“…the word “salvation” has become for many a source of embarrassment, even an object of ridicule. We need to rescue it from the narrow concept to which we have often debased it. For “salvation” is a big and noble word…Salvation is freedom. Yes, and renewal too; ultimately the renewal of the whole cosmos.”
This challenged me today. Not because I do not believe him but because I begin to really think about how the word salvation has been squandered by many Christians. It would seem there have been many planned and unplanned things Christians have done to screw up the PR of the word salvation.
As a full time minister I have been to lots of seminars and heard lots of nationally known speakers talk about using more “seeker” friendly words in church services. What they asses is that many non-Christians are not familiar with the often used vocabulary of Christian circles. We use all kind of very important sounding words. Words that are common in circles of faith hold little or no understood value in other circles. If you have ever been around Christians long you know what I mean. Over centuries they have developed their own culture. They have their own bookstores, their own music, their own website, even their own clothing brands. Christians have inadvertently retreated into their own “safe” world.
For me I agree and disagree with people who propose we use more “seeker” friendly words. I agree that we need to come out our Christian ghetto (as many call it). I agree that we need to be sensitive to those who do not know our “lingo” but I also fear that in our zeal to be more understood we have watered down some very important biblical principles. The word salvation sounds very churchie, but is in fact one of the main themes of the bible. Salvation has a much deeper meaning than merely forgiveness from sin. Salvation is God’s plan to redeem the very culture that rejected Him. Salvation is the deliverance from sin (a life outside God) to holiness (a life in God).
So let’s be careful which words we choose to stop using and let’s remember that helping others understand our unique words and phrases does not mean we have to stop using those words. Let’s reclaim the word salvation from the pile of words we perceive as outdated and use it to transform all of Gods creation into a redeemed creation.
May you understand God is perusing you. May you feel His breath on your neck as he peruses you wherever you wonder. May you never deny His love for you. May you accept His salvation for you all the days of your life. May you never be afraid to talk about your salvation, even if you have to use “unpopular” words.
“…the word “salvation” has become for many a source of embarrassment, even an object of ridicule. We need to rescue it from the narrow concept to which we have often debased it. For “salvation” is a big and noble word…Salvation is freedom. Yes, and renewal too; ultimately the renewal of the whole cosmos.”
This challenged me today. Not because I do not believe him but because I begin to really think about how the word salvation has been squandered by many Christians. It would seem there have been many planned and unplanned things Christians have done to screw up the PR of the word salvation.
As a full time minister I have been to lots of seminars and heard lots of nationally known speakers talk about using more “seeker” friendly words in church services. What they asses is that many non-Christians are not familiar with the often used vocabulary of Christian circles. We use all kind of very important sounding words. Words that are common in circles of faith hold little or no understood value in other circles. If you have ever been around Christians long you know what I mean. Over centuries they have developed their own culture. They have their own bookstores, their own music, their own website, even their own clothing brands. Christians have inadvertently retreated into their own “safe” world.
For me I agree and disagree with people who propose we use more “seeker” friendly words. I agree that we need to come out our Christian ghetto (as many call it). I agree that we need to be sensitive to those who do not know our “lingo” but I also fear that in our zeal to be more understood we have watered down some very important biblical principles. The word salvation sounds very churchie, but is in fact one of the main themes of the bible. Salvation has a much deeper meaning than merely forgiveness from sin. Salvation is God’s plan to redeem the very culture that rejected Him. Salvation is the deliverance from sin (a life outside God) to holiness (a life in God).
So let’s be careful which words we choose to stop using and let’s remember that helping others understand our unique words and phrases does not mean we have to stop using those words. Let’s reclaim the word salvation from the pile of words we perceive as outdated and use it to transform all of Gods creation into a redeemed creation.
May you understand God is perusing you. May you feel His breath on your neck as he peruses you wherever you wonder. May you never deny His love for you. May you accept His salvation for you all the days of your life. May you never be afraid to talk about your salvation, even if you have to use “unpopular” words.
posted by Paul at Tuesday, February 14, 2006
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