Reformed. Christianity. Evangelism. Modern Culture.
I have always thought the Bible was right in saying Christians are saved from the wrath to come and they have become born-again and are new creatures (the old man has passed away ) on the basis of the completed work of Christ on the cross. Well, I must be out dated since …
Tim Stevens
An Indiana megachurch pastor says he is annoyed at the word “saved,” especially when used among Christians to describe someone that has made a commitment to follow Jesus for the rest of their lives.
In one of his recent blog posts, Granger Community Church’s executive pastor, Tim Stevens, asked readers, “Does the Word ‘Saved’ Bother Anyone Else?”
Stevens told The Christian Post that he also has a problem with the phrase “born again.”
“I have similar hesitations with ‘born again’ probably because it’s also an insider term,” Stevens said. “’Born again’ for the world at large is somewhat of a misunderstood term.”
Good call, Tim! You may as well strike out the word “sin”, “grace”, “church” and “Christian” so that your group of socialites can feel comfortable.
Eeeesh! Who likes hearing that we are born sinners deserving God’s wrath? Which seeker sensitive mega -church pastor likes seeing people run away from the Bible when you can give them affirmations, positive confessions and self esteem tips? Go ahead Tim, ban those words any way as they don’t mean much to you and your flock.
A Twisted Crown of Thorns ® 
Goats hate the Gospel – says so in the Book! That’s the problem with so many mega-churches: they fill up with goats and then pander to them.
Of course “born -again ” is confusing to those we who are not born-again. That is why Jesus used it in John 3 to Nicodemus! However like Nicodemus, it may bug them enough to make them realise that it is vitally important to be born-again and then maybe they wil be born-again and SAVED!!
Of course there is a problem with people who think they speak in tongues and are born again when really they have just joined a cult! But that’s another issue.
My best old friend always used to say “Are you saved?” as soon as she met anyone who was obviously NOT saved. It annoyed them usually but some were saved in spite of being annoyed! Others will continue to kick against the pricks until they are saved too.
Not only saying “i am born again” is counter cultural but also repulsive….the same goes to saying one is “saved” or “elect” or “christian” and these words always stop the hearer and more often than not provoke them to challenge the status quo. They are words found in the bible and are good conversation starters. They shouldnt be watered down to neutral adjectives that sink in well or blend well with the culture.
We don’t change what the rules of football are called too make it easer for the ladies to understand what they mean. If you want to understand football then you have to learn what things mean. You are becoming part of something that has been around a long time. The terms don’t chage because you don’t get it. Am I wrong? Can you imagine this conversation getting anywhere?
“We should not call it ‘Delay of Game’, because that makes some people uncomfortable. It also has a negative conotation. Let’s come up with a better term to describe it. Perhaps it can be called “You are Awesome, let’s try it again! That way people still feel good about themselves and everyone understands that!”
We don’t do that in the real world, but in the church we have to change things to make other feel more comfortable. We don’t use the word ‘atonement’ because no one understands it. But it is the perfect word. Explain it and then they will.
Sadly, many of the churches I have visited in the last 3 years have gotten rid of the cross as a symbol in the sanctuary. It is offensive. Many have gotten rid of communion because it too is offensive. Many of the new ‘worship’ songs we sing don’t mention the cross, or the work of Christ, because that is offensive to some.
At some point, if you keep removing the core symbols and words of the Christian faith, you will end up with something that outwardly calls itself the church but hs become something totally different. Wait, that may already be happening.
Amen!