Three times today I heard colleagues use the term "come to Jesus meeting" to describe meetings where one person has to set another person straight. I've got conflicting views about the usage of the term. On one hand, it's an appropriate descriptive phrase and not really blasphemous in the sense that they are not saying something untrue about God. The term is used in the context to describe someone being set on the right path, someone getting the truth handed to them. This subtle phrase declares that Christ is the right way/the truth. Can't really argue with that.
On the other hand, obviously the phrase is not used in a religious context. Using Christ as you would use any other adjective is in fact using the Lord's name in vain, no? And the people using the phrase aren't reading into the meaning of the phrase, aren't stopping to consider the comparison they are making. I've written before about the danger of faith that is too casual. And certainly this is one perfect example.
Some would argue that we really need the faith to be clearly demarcated from the larger culture (to be out of the world). Others would argue that we really need faith to be part of the larger culture. I'll rest on the knowledge that God can make use of good and bad for His purposes, and leave it at that.
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