Editorial Policy

Our mission

ChristianSlang.com exists to make the vocabulary of Christianity accessible to everyone — whether you're a curious outsider, a new believer, or a lifelong churchgoer who just never asked what eschatology actually means. Every editorial decision flows from that mission: clarity first, depth second, never at the expense of accuracy.

How terms are selected

A term earns a place in the dictionary when it meets at least one of these criteria:

• It is widely used in English-speaking Christian communities and likely to be encountered by a newcomer.
• It has a meaning inside church culture that differs from its everyday meaning (or has no everyday meaning at all).
• It has been submitted by a reader who encountered it and found it confusing.
• It represents a significant theological concept that shapes how Christians think and speak.

We do not include terms that are purely denominational trade names, proprietary program titles, or phrases so obscure that only a single congregation would recognize them — unless those terms have crossed into broader Christian use.

How definitions are written

Every entry is researched and written by an ordained minister with formal theological training (M.Div.). Primary sources include Scripture, historic creeds and confessions, recognized theological reference works, and pastoral experience across multiple traditions.

The entry format is intentional:

1. Plain English first. The one-sentence translation is written before the theological nuance — so that someone with no church background can get the gist immediately.
2. Depth follows. The full definition adds theological, historical, and cultural context for those who want it.
3. Real examples. Definitions are grounded in how words are actually used in conversation, not just how they appear in textbooks.

Theological perspective and cross-denominational coverage

ChristianSlang.com takes a broadly Christian perspective. We are not the voice of any single denomination, tradition, or theological school. Where significant differences exist between how, say, a Catholic and a Baptist would define a term, we note those differences rather than picking one and ignoring the other.

Tradition tags on each entry (Evangelical, Reformed, Pentecostal / Charismatic, Catholic, Ecumenical, etc.) indicate where a term is most commonly used. They are descriptive, not prescriptive — they tell you where you'll encounter the word, not which tradition is correct.

We affirm the historic Christian faith as expressed in the ecumenical creeds (Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian). Within that broad framework, we treat theological diversity within Christianity with fairness and respect.

The Lighter Side

The Lighter Side section covers informal, colloquial, and occasionally humorous Christian vocabulary. These entries receive the same research and care as any other — we take the cultural anthropology seriously even when the subject matter is a side hug.

The goal is gentle humor that Christians themselves would recognize and laugh at — not mockery of faith. If an entry punches down rather than celebrates the quirks of church culture, it doesn't belong here.

Corrections and updates

We take accuracy seriously. If you believe an entry contains a theological error, a significant omission, or a misrepresentation of how a tradition uses a term:

• Use the Suggest page and note it's a correction.
• Or email [email protected].

We review correction requests and update entries when warranted. We don't suppress legitimate criticism — if we've got something wrong, we want to know.

Affiliate relationships

Some entries link to Bible study tools, books, and resources through affiliate programs (including Logos Bible Software and Amazon). These links are marked, and we earn a small commission when you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Affiliate relationships have no influence on what gets included in the dictionary or how terms are defined.

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