Comments on: Using Labels

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:53:00 +0000

some years ago I began to find the phrase ‘non-Christians’ quite difficult to say.
(others thought I was being too fussy).
It began to feel like I was saying ‘non-people,’ or something.
Anyway, if I have to refer to some in that category I sometimes say/write ‘not-yet Christians’ (which I suppose could be seen as optimistic or presumptuous ) – I don’t know, but it feels better saying it than ‘non’ something.

By: Amie

Amie — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 19:47:00 +0000

I really appreciate this post. I've been a career visitor for most of my life and have experienced the alienation which results from unconsidered communication.

As well, I'm concerned with the words coming out of my own mouth.

It is so very important to consider everyone!

By: Lydia

Lydia — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:33:00 +0000

As a culture we have attempted in recent years to move away from offensive labels or ones that objectify others.

I think that we've also moved into the idea that labels should be chosen by the people or groups who will wear them, and that it's almost always not ok for an outsider to pick one for them.

In some circles there have also been attempts to reclaim what were - and for some still are - very hurtful words. Although even then, the words are only to be used by those inside the group.

By: Jemila Monroe

Jemila Monroe — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:31:00 +0000

How about just humans made in the image of our Creator? Even the term Not-yet-Christians has a sort of an uninentional presumptive connotation…to me it implies that “I know something you don’t, and you should be where I am.”

I may genuine feel I have something to offer someone else in the way of pointing a fellow beggar toward Bread, but that doesn’t mean they should be where or what I am…if that makes any sense. Like if I call myself a Christian and think someone else should be one too, it puts the emphasis on me and my version of what it means to be a Christian rather than just being open to God working in and through us as well as others.

By: Dianne

Dianne — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:01:00 +0000

Good post. Ever since reading “The Shaping of Things to Come” (Hirsh & Frost) recently, I’ve been trying to think of those who don’t know Christ as “not-yet Christians.” In my mind, of course – I don’t call them that. But it helps me to remember that we’re all created in God’s image, and there’s not much difference between us except for God’s grace . . . which of course is nothing on my part. It also reminds me that although I may not see it, God is most definitely working in people’s lives and I need to make sure I don’t hinder his work in anyway.

ANyways, I was never quite comfortable with the term “lost” – kind of implied I was better than someone else.

By: Candace

Candace — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:31:00 +0000

I find this to be such an ironic coincidence that you make this post following my weekend visit with a peer who kept referring to herself and the members of her church as “the saved.” The phrase was thrown in the conversation quite liberally throughout the day (along with “the lost”) and I just couldn’t help but to mentally fixate on those phrases. I found the phrases to have such a negative connotation rather than a redemptive one; as Nancy states they truly are exclusive. Why does it always come down to “us” against “them?” I suppose it is human nature to identify and associate with those like us and to want others to be like us – but it seems that to do so in this context is hypocritical.

It was such a difficult conversation to participate in as the focus of my beliefs are on following in the path of Jesus rather than achieving the “saved” status – I have never been able to draw a distinct identifying line between the saved and the lost (even with the best of intentions), and I do feel slighted when such a label is placed on me by another.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:57:00 +0000

Julie: I’ve struggled with that one myself…the language is “exclusive” and it hurts more than helps.

By: Jemila Monroe

Jemila Monroe — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:27:00 +0000

Beautiful observations, thank you for calling them to our attention. I couldn’t agree more.