What does that mean?

One of my favorite things to do - though it can drive my wife crazy - is to ask, "What does that mean?" I can find a way to ask it about almost anything. For extra fun, I'll put the emphasis on different words. ("What does that mean?" "What does that mean?" etc.)

Today I considered the phrase "I believe in..." which is commonly ended with Jesus, God, science, myself... what you will. I asked myself, "What does it mean to believe in something?

It means nothing! It is an incomplete thought. Belief is a perception about how things really are, a statement about what is true or false. For instance, I believe that the sky is blue. I believe our dog will mess on my carpet (again) by the end of the weekend. I believe I can do a push-up. I believe I cannot run a full marathon.

It makes no sense to say, "I believe in the sky," unless I add, "as something that is blue." Nor, "I believe in my dog" unless qualified by "as a willfully naughty pooper." To state a belief in something requires qualification, if you want to understood accurately.

Of course, we English speakers often use shortened or modified phrases in place of longer, but more complete, ones. I do. It works because we have a common understanding of what the modified phrase is intended to convey.

However, I object to oversimplification at the expense of clarity. When I hear someone say, "I believe in God," I assume the speaker means, "I believe that God exists." I assume this is what most people would understand, but it does require an assumption on my part. The speaker could also be meaning, "I believe in God to get me out of my awful situation," or, by contrast, "I believe in God as a figment of people's imaginations." Same phrase, three possible meanings.

The more clear offender is, "I believe in Jesus." I believe in Jesus to what end? That he existed? That he is God incarnate? That is was a mere man? That he saves people from their sins? That he died and was raised to life? As a political revolutionary? As the new high priest? As a worker of miracles? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT PHRASE???

Similarly inconclusive is, "If you believe in Jesus/God, then you will go to heaven," or "Believe in yourself."

I urge everyone - especially Christians seeking to communicate the gospel with people who do not necessarily assume the same meanings of certain common Christian phrases as you! - to use language effectively, not casually. Speak to ensure that your hearers understand you!Misunderstandings are inevitable, and should not be used as grounds to judge or look down on anyone. And let it be known that I try very, very hard to avoid the arrogance of elitism, that even now I am afraid you may be hearing in my words.

But at every possible opportunity, be clear in your speech! Take nothing for granted! It is better (in my opinion) to assume others does not know exactly what you mean, than to assume they do. The negative consequences of the latter assumption are far greater than those of the former!

And let's not judge someone just based on what he/she says. Words are windows that are sometimes cracked or opaque.

I realized this morning I tend to do this with certain famous evangelists/televised Christians. So I will try to do the same.