In this seminal work on the declining vocabulary of faith in America, one of this generation’s most prolific and respected religion writers breathes new life into ancient expressions and helps readers communicate their beliefs in fresh ways.

When religion writer Jonathan Merritt moved from the Bible Belt to New York City, he ran into an unexpected language barrier. Whenever conversations turned to faith, his words became stilted. Words, both ancient and modern, that Jonathan had used for decades to describe matters of the soul no longer translated to those he encountered.

In an America rapidly transitioning to a secular, more pluralistic society, many modern believers struggle to talk about faith and their relationships with God, when understanding of terms like grace or gospel can no longer be assumed. Some words, like sin and hell, have become so negative they are nearly conversation-enders. The desire to express faith more clearly sends Jonathan on a quest to excavate anew some of the most meaningful words in a believer’s dictionary.