These articles describe “Christian-ese” terms that may not be immediately familiar or meaningful to those outside or new to Christianity.
Christian, tell me why do we have so much conflict when all religions claim to be about peace? Even Islam is said to mean “peace”, and their arch-enemy Israel is all about “shalom”, also meaning peace. In that case, why doesn’t the world HAVE peace?
Christian, tell me what do you mean by calling God “the Alpha and Omega”?
Christian, why does every prayer end with the word “Amen”? Why do people sometimes shout “Amen” in the middle of a sermon, interrupting the speaker? What does the word mean?
Christian, tell me why is the Bible compared to a sword? The book isn’t sharp and pointy, is it?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about the “armor of God”? Do you think you are a medieval knight headed off to battle or something?
Christian, tell me why is God called “the God Who Sees”? What is special about seeing?
Christian, tell me why do you compare Jesus to a seed? That’s an odd way to refer to someone that you worship!
Christian, why do we call someone who does a good deed a “Good Samaritan”? Where does the term come from?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about “spiritual gifts” or “gifts of the Spirit”? What kind of gifts do you mean?
Christian, tell me why do you keep saying that people are all sinners? Sure, there are plenty of sins, but not everyone commits them.
Christian, tell me why do you say that you have a “Great Commission” to spread Christianity? Isn’t it arrogant to try to force everyone else to believe like you do?
Christian, tell me why do you celebrate Palm Sunday the week before Easter? What does it mean?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about the “fear of God”? Why do you worship if you’re afraid of him?
Christian, tell me why did Jesus refer to himself as the “Son of Man”? Was he claiming to be simply a man?
Christian, tell me why do you call Jesus “the Light of the World”? What does that mean?
Christian, tell me why is Jesus referred to as the “Bread of Life”?
Christian, tell me why did Jesus say He was the source of “Living Water”? What is meant by that?
Christian, tell me why do you use the term “Pharisee” as derogatory? What does it mean?
Christian, tell me why do you call yourself the “hands and feet” of Christ? What do you mean by that?
Christian, tell me why is the Bible divided into an “Old” vs. a “New” testament? What is the difference between the two?
Christian, tell me why do you sing something called a “Doxology”? What is that?
Christian, tell me why do you refer to God as a rock? You sing songs like “Rock of Ages” and “On Christ, the Solid Rock”. What do you mean by those?
Christian, tell me why do you call your leaders “deacons”? Why do some churches not allow women to be deacons, but others do?
Christian, tell me why are some Bible folks called “Apostles”? What does that mean?
Christian, tell me why does the Bible talk in such formal, old-fashioned language? What’s with all the “thee’s” and “thou’s”?
Christian, tell me why do you talk and sing about “crossing the river” to the “Promised Land”?
Christian, tell me why do you refer to Jesus as your “Savior” and ask people whether they are “saved”? Saved from what?
Christian, tell me why do you say that you “worship” or “glorify” God? What do you mean by that?
Christian, tell me why do you refer to Jesus as a “cornerstone”?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about “atonement”? That’s an awfully church-y word. What does it mean?
Christian, tell me why do we have so much conflict when all religions claim to be about peace? Even Islam is said to mean “peace”, and their arch-enemy Israel is all about “shalom”, also meaning peace. In that case, why doesn’t the world HAVE peace?
Christian, tell me what do you mean by calling God “the Alpha and Omega”?
Christian, why does every prayer end with the word “Amen”? Why do people sometimes shout “Amen” in the middle of a sermon, interrupting the speaker? What does the word mean?
Christian, tell me why is the Bible compared to a sword? The book isn’t sharp and pointy, is it?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about the “armor of God”? Do you think you are a medieval knight headed off to battle or something?
Christian, tell me why is God called “the God Who Sees”? What is special about seeing?
Christian, tell me why do you compare Jesus to a seed? That’s an odd way to refer to someone that you worship!
Christian, why do we call someone who does a good deed a “Good Samaritan”? Where does the term come from?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about “spiritual gifts” or “gifts of the Spirit”? What kind of gifts do you mean?
Christian, tell me why do you keep saying that people are all sinners? Sure, there are plenty of sins, but not everyone commits them.
Christian, tell me why do you say that you have a “Great Commission” to spread Christianity? Isn’t it arrogant to try to force everyone else to believe like you do?
Christian, tell me why do you celebrate Palm Sunday the week before Easter? What does it mean?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about the “fear of God”? Why do you worship if you’re afraid of him?
Christian, tell me why did Jesus refer to himself as the “Son of Man”? Was he claiming to be simply a man?
Christian, tell me why do you call Jesus “the Light of the World”? What does that mean?
Christian, tell me why is Jesus referred to as the “Bread of Life”?
Christian, tell me why did Jesus say He was the source of “Living Water”? What is meant by that?
Christian, tell me why do you use the term “Pharisee” as derogatory? What does it mean?
Christian, tell me why do you call yourself the “hands and feet” of Christ? What do you mean by that?
Christian, tell me why is the Bible divided into an “Old” vs. a “New” testament? What is the difference between the two?
Christian, tell me why do you sing something called a “Doxology”? What is that?
Christian, tell me why do you refer to God as a rock? You sing songs like “Rock of Ages” and “On Christ, the Solid Rock”. What do you mean by those?
Christian, tell me why do you call your leaders “deacons”? Why do some churches not allow women to be deacons, but others do?
Christian, tell me why are some Bible folks called “Apostles”? What does that mean?
Christian, tell me why does the Bible talk in such formal, old-fashioned language? What’s with all the “thee’s” and “thou’s”?
Christian, tell me why do you talk and sing about “crossing the river” to the “Promised Land”?
Christian, tell me why do you refer to Jesus as your “Savior” and ask people whether they are “saved”? Saved from what?
Christian, tell me why do you say that you “worship” or “glorify” God? What do you mean by that?
Christian, tell me why do you refer to Jesus as a “cornerstone”?
Christian, tell me why do you talk about “atonement”? That’s an awfully church-y word. What does it mean?