The children's saying "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me" is an idealistically contrived statement for children to learn, but we know that the teaching is not truthful.
Words have power, at least the power that the communicator gives the words he/she communicates. Linguists and communication specialists certainly understand this power and seek to harness and utilize such power to more effectively and efficiently communicate.
Historically, over time, perceptions of words are altered and then the usage of those words changes dramatically.
The term "evangelical Christian" conjures unique perceptive insights and conclusions for different individuals. A movement, primarily among the younger generation of the Church, has concluded that to combat the negative connotations potentially perceived by the term evangelical Christian, other verbiage should be used to define one's faith, i.e., "follower of Christ," "disciple of Christ," etc.
The divisions within the Church are already well established along denominational lines, and more internal divisions seem to be created in the wake of this movement of redefining.
Instead of the abandonment of the classical term "evangelical Christian" or even "Christian" for that matter, the power of the term lies not in the one who perceives its definition, but by the one who demonstrates its power. Thus, it is prudent not to abandon a historically conclusive term based on relative perceptions.
It is my aim not to provide an alternative definition of my faith, simply to appease the prevalent misuse and damaging connotations of the term. Rather I seek utilize a term that is historically identifiable and demonstrates the power of my incomplete and yet beautiful definition of faith.
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