Words matter. They do not simply describe reality—they shape it. The way we speak influences how we think, how we live, and how we worship. For Christians, words are a gift from God, entrusted to us for proclaiming truth, teaching the faith, and building one another up in holiness. Yet in our present cultural moment, many words have been stripped of their biblical meaning and refashioned according to postmodern ideology.
This reality presents a sober calling: we must reclaim our language. Surely, some people will probably disagree. That’s ok, but I believe that if we allow the world to redefine our vocabulary, we risk losing not only words but the truths those words carry. Three terms highlight this challenge in a striking way: patriarchy, winsomeness, and sanctification. Each of these words has been distorted by cultural pressures. If the church is to remain faithful, we must not abandon these words but recover their biblical depth and meaning.
Patriarchy: God’s Design for Order and Blessing
In today’s world, few words evoke more hostility than patriarchy. This term has become synonymous with abuse, oppression, and injustice. For many, patriarchy is a curse to be dismantled, and a system of male dominance that has no place in modern society. Even within the church, many Christians instinctively shy away from the word, fearful of its cultural baggage.
Yet in Scripture, patriarchy—literally “the rule of fathers”—is not presented as a curse but as a blessing. God designed human life to be ordered by households, with fathers bearing the responsibility of headship for the good of their families (Eph. 5:22–33; 1 Tim. 3:4–5). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are remembered as patriarchs not because they were flawless men but because they were called to lead their households in covenant faithfulness. It is the father who is called to lead his household by sacrificially loving his wife (Eph. 5:25), nurturing and guiding his children (Eph. 6:4), managing the family well (1 Tim. 3:4-5), and protecting them physically and spiritually (Ex. 22:2; Prov. 22:6).
To reclaim this word is to remember that God has entrusted men with a sacred duty: to lead with love, to reflect the headship of Christ, and to sacrifice their lives for the good of those under their care. Christian patriarchy is not tyranny—it is covenantal leadership marked by humility, faithfulness, and steadfast love. By recovering this truth, we declare that God’s design for the family and the church is good, wise, and life-giving.
Winsomeness: Grace Without Compromise
Another word under pressure is winsomeness. Historically, winsomeness has meant a gracious and compelling manner of living and speaking, marked by sincerity and care. Scripture commends this spirit: Paul instructs believers to let their speech “always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6), and he himself became “all things to all people, that by all means [he] might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22).
But in our time, the word has been hollowed out. Winsomeness has been redefined as the art of never offending, never confronting, and never contradicting the cultural lies that pervade our age. Instead of pointing people toward Christ, it becomes a strategy for avoiding conflict and securing the world’s approval.
True winsomeness, however, is not weakness. Jesus Himself was perfectly winsome, yet the world crucified Him because His truth could not be ignored. Genuine winsomeness is a Christlike posture—kind, patient, and gracious, but never at the expense of truth. To reclaim this word is to remind the church that we are called to speak with both tenderness and boldness. Our aim is not to tickle the ears of men but to please Christ, trusting the Spirit to use our witness in the hearts of those who hear.
Sanctification: Holiness, Not Therapy
Perhaps the most urgent term for the church to recover is sanctification. In many circles, the word has been softened into therapeutic language of “healing,” “wholeness,” or “brokenness.” These terms capture something of our experience in a fallen world, but they fail to convey the full biblical weight of sanctification.
Sanctification, in the scriptures, is the lifelong work of God’s Spirit in conforming believers to the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thess. 4:3). It is not primarily about self-discovery or emotional wellness, but about holiness—being set apart from sin and set apart unto God. It involves repentance, obedience, growth in grace, and the daily battle against the flesh. It is not optional, for “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).
When we reduce sanctification to therapy, we blunt the sharp edge of the gospel’s call. But when we reclaim it, we recover the joy of knowing that God is at work in us, disciplining us as beloved children and preparing us for Glory. Sanctification is nothing less than the Spirit’s gracious work of making us holy, that we might reflect Christ more fully in the world.
Missional: Sent by Christ, Not Shaped by Culture
In recent decades, missional has become a buzzword in church circles. Properly understood, it reminds us that the church is a sent people, bearing witness to Christ in the world (John 20:21). Every Christian participates in God’s mission to make disciples of all nations.
Yet in many contexts, missional has been redefined to mean cultural adaptation without theological boundaries. It often functions as a mandate to mirror the surrounding culture in hopes of relevance, sometimes at the expense of doctrinal clarity or faithful worship.
To reclaim this word, the church must remember that being missional is not about compromising to cultural trends but about living as ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). Our mission is not defined by what the culture values but by what Christ commands.
Flourishing: True Life in Christ
Another term reshaped by postmodern ideals is flourishing. In worldy conversation, flourishing is often framed in terms of personal fulfillment or material well-being. Christians, too, can fall into this shallow definition, treating flourishing as little more than achieving balance or happiness.
But biblically, flourishing is bound to life in God’s presence. The Psalms describe the righteous as “like a tree planted by streams of water” (Ps. 1:3), bearing fruit because they delight in God’s Word. Jesus defines true flourishing (or blessedness) in the Beatitudes, where the poor in spirit, the meek, and the persecuted are called blessed (Matt. 5:3–12). Flourishing is not about worldly success but about communion with God, even in suffering.
To reclaim flourishing is to declare that a truly joyful life is found only in Christ, not in self-expression or material comfort.
Contextualization: Clarity, Not Compromise
Finally, contextualization is another word at risk. Properly understood, it means communicating the timeless gospel clearly within a particular culture—using language and illustrations that help people grasp the message. Paul himself adapted his speech to Jews and Gentiles without altering the gospel (Acts 17).
But too often, contextualization is taken to mean reshaping the gospel itself to fit cultural expectations. The danger is clear: what begins as translation can slip into transformation, leaving us with a gospel that no longer saves.
To reclaim contextualization is to affirm that while methods may adapt, the message must never change.
Speaking God’s Words in God’s World
The church must not surrender her vocabulary to a world that denies God’s truth. When patriarchy is abandoned, we lose God’s vision for the family. When winsomeness is emptied, we confuse kindness with cowardice. When sanctification is reduced, we neglect holiness. When missional is distorted, we replace the Great Commission with cultural relevance. When flourishing is redefined, we seek life apart from Christ. Finally, when contextualization is abused, we risk losing the gospel itself.
Reclaiming Christian language is not about nostalgia but faithfulness. By speaking words with their God-given meaning, we guard the faith and strengthen our witness. As God’s people, let us take up this task with courage. By reclaiming our vocabulary, we reclaim our theology. And by reclaiming our theology, we proclaim to the world that the God who speaks is also the God who saves.