Taking Back Christianese: Challenging the Most Common Ways We Talk about our Christian #1: “The Christian Life is All about Being Transparent and Vulnerable”

Overall Introduction

“Just ask into your heart.” “ told me…” “It’s not my place to judge.” In the Christian world we use phrases like this (and many others) but often are confused about what they mean. And sometimes, phrases we use are theologically and biblically mistaken. This class will survey nine of the most misused and misunderstood Christian phrases, helping us think more clearly and biblically about the way we talk and think as Christians.

1) May 1: “Christian life is all about being transparent and vulnerable” (Kruger) 2) May 8: “Preach the Gospel; Use Words if You Have To” (Queen) 3) May 15: “God is always pleased with you” (Kruger) 4) May 22: “We have freedom in Christ” (Queen) 5) May 29: “Just ask Jesus into Your Heart” (Kruger) 6) June 5th: “God told me to…” (Queen) 7) June 12: “American is a Christian Nation” (Queen) 8) June 19: “It’s not my place to judge someone else” (Kruger) 9) June 26th “All sins are equal in God’s sight” (Kruger)

I. What Do People Mean by This Phrase?

A. Definition: “Christians should recognize how sinful they are and just be honest, real, and vulnerable about their sinfulness, openly confessing, talking about, and acknowledging how they fail. This will highlight how much we need grace.”

II. Where Did This Phrase Come From? Why Do Christians Use It?

A. Generational: Baby Boomers Were Less Transparent and Open

B. Circumstantial: Christians (and non-Christians) Are Tired of People Faking It

C. Theological: Reformed emphasizes our sinfulness, so why not own it?

III. What is Correct or Helpful about the Phrase?

A. Abhors Hypocrisy

Matt 23: 25-28 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

What are people’s motivations for hypocrisy? Why do they fake it?

B. There is a place for sharing our sins and burdens

1. The teaches that our sins are deeper than we think, so why pretend they are not there?

2. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

C. Recognizing our sinfulness does show us how much we need grace

Rom 5:20: “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”

IV. What is Problematic about This Phrase?

A. “Being vulnerable” sometimes is a replacement for repentance

B. “Being vulnerable” can imply there is no power or victory over sin

**Too much emphasis on vulnerability can create a culture where people are suspicious of holiness

** Too much emphasis on vulnerability can become a celebration of failure

You often hear: “You can’t keep the law. You’re failure just shows how much you need grace.”

C. “Being Vulnerable” is not always appropriate

**Scripture doesn’t say confess to everyone and anyone!

Can cause others to stumble: Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.