What do you call people who are not Christians? Have you ever thought about the terms we use, and how these terms are either (1) condescending and rude, and\/or (2) biblically inaccurate?<\/p>\n
The words\u00a0we use to describe people who have not believed in Jesus for eternal life reveal a lot about our theology, what\u00a0we think of them,\u00a0and how we will interact with them. It could be argued, I suppose, that we shouldn’t have a title or term for those who don’t believe in Jesus. We are all just “people.” But I think some sort of term is appropriate and necessary to give Christians a sense of community, and to help help differentiate ourselves from the rest of the world, while at the same time inviting them to join us in our mission.<\/p>\n
Whatever term we use, it must not reveal an arrogance about our present condition, but must be loving and kind. It should also reveal an openness to other people joining us. If possible, it should also be biblical. Below are a few terms I have either used or heard others use, and why they should not be used. I will conclude with two terms that I am currently trying to use. Tell me what you think!<\/p>\n
Pagan Non-Christian Pre-Christian Target Sinners Unbelievers
\n<\/strong>I have never used this term, but I’ve heard some Christians use it. I think this is a slanderous term and should not be used.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I have used this one, and sometimes still do, but it has negative overtones. Also, most ‘Christians” are nominal (in name only) and so while they claim to be Christians, they really aren’t. So how do you classify them? Are they “non-Christians” or not? Besides, it’s not biblical.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I once had a pastor friend who used this term all the time. While it does do away with the negative connotation that “non-Christian” has, and does seem to indicate that others are welcome to join us, it is not very precise or biblical. Furthermore, it is terribly arrogant and condescending. It assumes that everybody is on their way to becoming a Christian and once they become full-fledged Christians, they have truly arrived. I detest this term.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Wow. What can I say about this? I hear this one used by door-to-door evangelists and street preachers a lot. I guess when they see a “target” they take aim with their gospel guns and start firing.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This one is\u00a0negative and judgmental.\u00a0Yet people use it (and I have too) because it seems to have some biblical basis.\u00a0However, I don’t use this any more.\u00a0In Scripture (and in experience) everybody is a sinner – even those who have believed in Jesus. Anyone who sins is a sinner, and since we all sin, we are all sinners. So aside from being negative and judgmental, it is imprecise and unbiblical. All of us are sinners. If we call a certain group “sinners” it gives the wrong impression that we don’t sin any more.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>For a long time, this was my preferred term.\u00a0Though it has a negative connotation, there is some biblical basis to it.\u00a0Furthermore, it brings out the main difference between people who have believed in Jesus for eternal life and those who have not – belief! However, I don’t use this term any more. This partly because of the negative undertones, but primarily because it is inaccurate.\u00a0Everyone is a believer. Everyone believes in something. Even atheists are “believers” in that they believe there is no God. I have been called\u00a0an “unbeliever” by Muslims, and my immediate thought was, “Hey! I believe; I just don’t believe like you believe.” Furthermore, there is much more to the Christian life than just believing the right things.<\/p>\n