Learning to Speak Christianese, Part 1

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt...” ~Colossians 4:6

Perhaps the language of the church is second nature to you. You grew up attending Sunday school, matured in the faith through family worship and Bible studies, and have been singing hymns since the time you learned to walk. You even leave your hymnal in the pew back when it’s time to recite the Nicene Creed! When the pastor says things like “Redemptive History,” “covenant fidelity,” and “justification,” you simply nod and follow along. But can you imagine what it must be like for the person who has only recently started attending church? It’s probably similar to taking a semester of Spanish and then going on a trip to Mexico. There’s some familiarity, but you’re only picking up bits and pieces.

We (I) use the language of the church casually. We (I) throw around words many Christians know, especially by those in the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition. But our "Christianese" can sometimes leave new Christians and unbelievers feeling a bit like outsiders. I, for one, need to work on this in my preaching! So, as a way to help us all, we’re going to spend a few weeks defining some common Christian vernacular in order to help us all stay together in worship and in conversation.

“Redemptive History” is a term used in the Reformed tradition (I should probably define this next week!) to describe God’s plan to save His people and the actions He takes in human history to work this out according to the counsel of His will. In this scheme, God is an active player in history, not merely a passive observer, making all history intentional. Since all history is “His-story,” it should go without saying that He is the One driving it to its appointed end, which is the summing up of all things in Christ to the praise of His glory.

Throughout the course of Redemptive History, God does some particularly remarkable things that keep the plan moving along. The calling of Abraham is a key moment in Redemptive History. At that event God chose the family through which Messiah (another term!) would come. The return of Israel from the exile is another such moment in Redemptive History. The first advent (or appearing) of Christ is the fulcrum of Redemptive History, for in Christ all that happened before was fulfilled and all that has happened since was set in motion.

Redemptive History, then, is shorthand for God’s specific plan and actions in the scope of human history that have led to, and are leading to, the consummation of all things in Christ. For the Christian, this gives great comfort, as it shows us He is working all things together for our salvation and for the glory of Christ. The question for you is this: are you aware of God’s intentional involvement in history, working it for your redemption, and does this fill you with gratitude? It should! He has worked all of His-story together for your salvation.

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor of Teaching & Spiritual Formation