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!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The Most High God - Daniel 3:8-12
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What happened after King Nebuchadnezzar set up the large image and commanded that all bow down in worship before it?
Daniel 3:8-12 (KJV)
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
What group of people came to the king? Some Chaldeans came to the king. These were some of the highly born members of Babylonian society. Why did they come to the king? They came to accuse the Jews. With which Jews do you suppose the Chaldeans were having a problem? Likely, the Chaldeans were jealous of the high positions that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had been given in the government. Notice the greeting that they used in verse 9. "O king, live forever" seems to be a great way of playing up to the king's grandiose ideas of himself. This may have been a standard greeting that any visitor to the king was required to say. What was the purpose of verses 10 & 11? The Chaldeans were "reminding" the king about his decree. They wanted to make sure that the king understood what the Jewish men were guilty of and what the decreed punishment was. They didn't want the king to find any escape for the Jews. What were the three men guilty of (verse 12)? They had not "regarded" the king. They were not serving the king's gods nor were they worshiping the golden image. Notice how the Chaldeans mixed a little truth in with a lie. The three Jewish men undoubtedly paid much heed to the king, but the Chaldeans didn't want the king to think that there may have been any other reason to disobey than rejection of the king. Notice, too, that Daniel is missing from the indictment by the Chaldeans. Perhaps Daniel was away on government business at the time and the Chaldeans used that absence to attack his friends who probably were not as well known to the king as Daniel. If Daniel had been accused maybe the outcome would have been different.
How will King Nebuchadnezzar react to the Chaldeans' accusation? We will find out next time.
Next:
What happened after King Nebuchadnezzar set up the large image and commanded that all bow down in worship before it?
Daniel 3:8-12 (KJV)
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
What group of people came to the king? Some Chaldeans came to the king. These were some of the highly born members of Babylonian society. Why did they come to the king? They came to accuse the Jews. With which Jews do you suppose the Chaldeans were having a problem? Likely, the Chaldeans were jealous of the high positions that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had been given in the government. Notice the greeting that they used in verse 9. "O king, live forever" seems to be a great way of playing up to the king's grandiose ideas of himself. This may have been a standard greeting that any visitor to the king was required to say. What was the purpose of verses 10 & 11? The Chaldeans were "reminding" the king about his decree. They wanted to make sure that the king understood what the Jewish men were guilty of and what the decreed punishment was. They didn't want the king to find any escape for the Jews. What were the three men guilty of (verse 12)? They had not "regarded" the king. They were not serving the king's gods nor were they worshiping the golden image. Notice how the Chaldeans mixed a little truth in with a lie. The three Jewish men undoubtedly paid much heed to the king, but the Chaldeans didn't want the king to think that there may have been any other reason to disobey than rejection of the king. Notice, too, that Daniel is missing from the indictment by the Chaldeans. Perhaps Daniel was away on government business at the time and the Chaldeans used that absence to attack his friends who probably were not as well known to the king as Daniel. If Daniel had been accused maybe the outcome would have been different.
How will King Nebuchadnezzar react to the Chaldeans' accusation? We will find out next time.
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