The Church Family and Religious Speak

Image via WikipediaDid I use jargon?  I am guilty your honor!  In the title this week, I used the term, “church”, which could appear to be “religious speak”.  Why did I use it? 

 Because, it was one word and most readers have seen the term on a building or in print.  In using “church”, I assume that readers understand the term the same way I understand the term.  In all probability, many have different ideas.  After all, some will think I am talking about a building, others about a particular “brand” of Christianity, a few will think that this references any group, assembly, or even a mob, and others somewhere in between those concepts.

For now, let us assume a definition of “a group of followers of Jesus of Nazareth who was born near Jerusalem just before the first century CE”.  Wow, you can see why jargon becomes so widely used.  If the speaker found it necessary to spell out the intended meaning each time, most would be bored before hearing the main point.  On the positive side, we have created a better foundation for building toward what I want to communicate. 

Jargon is quick and easy but it is a barrier for those outside the church and it can be just as great an obstacle to those who are within the church.  This is not a new 21st century obstacle.  During the first century, there was another term that referred to a group of people.  Today in the New Testament that is usually translated synagogue.  Both church and synagogue refer to a “group” and the early writers sometimes interchanged the terms.  By the close of the first century, writers began to use the terms to distinguish a Christian group from a Jewish group.  In other words, the generic terms that meant “a group” became a shortcut to distinguish the two Christian groups from Jewish.

Today the terms have only a religious usage with varied meanings (group, building, etc.).  As a result, those inside and outside our community of believers may find themselves wondering what we mean.  Those outside the church may see it only as the building and not the people.  People inside the church may be confused at a phrase in the Bible such as “synagogue of Satan”.  (Rev 2:9)

Leave your comments if you have thoughts on how to recognize jargon and overcome the barrier it creates.  Have a wonderful week as you seek the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.  (Phil 4:7)

 Bruce

Positive note: Where context and usage appear to be clear, modern translators help us out with overcoming first century jargon.  Examples of this can be seen in James 2:2 where James really used the Greek word for synagogue, and Acts 19:39 where Luke really used the Greek word for church.