A couple of months ago I highlighted a biblical story about the use and power of names. God used two names, Ichabod and Ebenezer, to proclaim both a rebuke and a blessing upon the nation of Israel. These names were a reflection of the corporate heart of the people. As they rejected Yahweh and his teachings he labeled them “the glory has departed.” When they repented of their sin and returned whole heartedly to God he gave them the name “God our help.” God had His purposes in taking these naming actions. He did so out of His own moral perfection. We must be much more cautious.
Names, labels, and definitions carry great power, to bless or to shame. Leaders wield great power when they use their voice to do so.
Currently, the team that I serve on within my ministry is working hard to carefully and precisely define some terms that we hope will open new horizons of missional work. These names will reflect paths of service that our staff will use. It matters that we are able to choose carefully names that will honor their work and the audience we intend to serve. These pathway names will in some way become markers of these people’s identities. We want these names to be visionary, accurate, and honoring. We hope these names will draw people in to even greater commitment and service for God’s glory. Therefore, we are spending much time in prayer, discussion and in getting feedback to arrive at the best choices possible. That’s how much it means to us to get the names right.
Contrarily, I have been somewhat surprised, and rather appalled, at Christian leaders flippant use of labels, definitions, and names in seeking to justify their arguments with one another. I recently returned from five years of living on mission in another country. So maybe I am simply behind on the nature of U.S. Christian culture and its war of words. Here is a case in point. For years the argument has raged concerning the biblical role of women in the church. For many of those years two terms were used to describe the primary positions: complimenterianism and egalitarianism. But I have observed how one side is now upping the anty by making use of some new terms to describe the other side’s position: heriachalism and patriarchalism. I have to be honest, I was shocked when I saw these terms in use over and over again. The very nature of their use seems to be for the purpose of creating a caricature of how they wish to portray the other side, regardless of the truth–or even fully understanding all the implications of what these terms communicate. I have lived in a highly patriarchal culture and I guarantee you that most of these people have little understanding or experience with what this term really means or looks live lived out. When we, as leaders (those with influence), determine to label people or positions with a motive of only belittling . . . it seems to me that true dialogue is evaporating and that the new terminology is only acting as a larger barrier to a civil discussion.
The more I read Christian blogs and magazine articles, the more I listen to some preachers and teachers, the more I am noticing that this type of naming and defining has become a popular pastime. I see Christians calling other Christians “crazy”, “insane”, “ignorant.” The blessing of the internet is that we have the opportunity to share information at a greater rate than at any time in history. We have more opportunity to communicate the gospel to more people than any time in history. But we also have a virtual wall to hide behind while we lob verbal grenades towards our brothers and sisters in the faith. I am all for defending orthodox doctrine when it is being weakened and attacked. But I am finding far less raw courage for that and far more gumption for belittling others over minor issues of the faith. There are significant positions in the faith that deserve constructive debate and dialogue. Make sure that happens. Don’t try and supplant your “enemy” before you even understand him or her. Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians is worth a second look:
Ephesians 4:17-31
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way youlearned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self,[f] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt throughdeceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
What has been your experience?
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