A Rose By Any Other Name

William Shakespeare's famous line, " that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet," indicates that the name of something doesn't matter nearly as much as what that something is. Was Shakespeare correct, or are names just as important?

In Christianity we use a lot of terms that are widely familiar like salvation, faith, repentance, and sin. Yet, when we use those terms do our listeners or readers understand how we are using those words? Once upon a time, in our American history, our culture was so steeped in Christianese that everyone understood those words in a similar manner. Today, this is not the case. Many are now coming from cultures and places that are unfamiliar with the the words' uses that Christianity has applied to them. Also, how many cults and other religions use the same words, but have very different meanings? For example, when I first heard the word "missional," I assumed it had to do with missionaries and going out and witnessing, but the term has become much more broad. It has more to do with the "mission" of the church and living in a manner consistent with that mission. Sin is also another word that many do not fully understand. Pastors preach on our "mistakes," "errors," and how we've "messed up", instead of the wrong bent and evil actions that humans display.

To prevent misunderstanding do we need to stand with a dictionary in hand or state the meaning of every Christian word we use? I believe this will take some finessing. While defining every potential problem word is unreasonable, defining those most likely to cause misunderstanding would be helpful. We also need to learn to ask, "How are you using the word, _____?", if there is some confusion. Often, fault finding and misunderstandings can be mitigated if we clarify how a particular word is used.

At the same time I think we need to reduce our sensitivity to others who use words differently than we do. My example is the phrase, "I don't have religion, I have a relationship." Since I am a believer in Yeshua, I have a wonderful relationship with Him. I understand that this can be very different from an "institutionalized" religion and can be a beneficial help to an unbeliever who has been very turned off by "religion." Just think of all the crimes perpetrated in the name of "religion." Indeed, a relationship sounds a whole lot better. Yet, "religion" is defined as, "a set of beliefs...." by Dictionary.com. So no matter how you want to look at it, or want to convince yourself that you don't have "religion", you really do! Everyone does! Even an atheist has religion! I believe this is a case where we need to lighten up and not worry so much about what "religion" means.

Even the word, "Christianity" can become problematic. The other day I was listening to the radio in my car when I heard on a Christian radio station a man who was taking Christians to task because of the overall view that the world has of Christianity. He claimed that the world views Christianity as a religion of do's and don'ts. He thought this was terrible because Christianity was so much more. Think "relationship"! Was this man right? Or was he using the word "Christianity" in such a narrow sense that he became a nit-picker? Doesn't it seem natural that the Christian would be viewed as someone who didn't steal, use bad language, harm others, or didn't cheat on their spouses because their Master told them not to? Wouldn't we be ecstatic if Christians were viewed as perfectly good people? Unfortunately, I think Christians themselves have bought into the idea that "we don't have to be perfect." But that is the goal. We fall by a mile, but that shouldn't stop us from the attempt.

Words that we use in Christianity are complex and sometimes easily misunderstood. We should try to make our words understandable as best as we can. Some of these are so important that we can't afford to convey them improperly, yet there are others that we split hairs over and may not be as important as we think. May God give us a clear understanding of when our roses, by whatever their names may be, smell sweet and when a rose must be a rose or we've destroyed its essence!