The word "supernatural" is not biblical.

There are ministers, pastors, who often talk or write about the “supernatural” from the pulpit or use it in other platforms, e.g., their books, Facebook. Why? Is the word, “supernatural” a word found in the bible? No, it isn’t. The first use of the word, according to etymonline.com, was in early 15thcentury. It refers to something unexplainable—above nature. It often refers to ghosts, monsters, etc. 
 
There is a television show that is called Supernatural, about two brothers who hunt down monsters, demons; supernatural creatures. My point is that Hollywood or the pop culture often has an impact on our words. Our words, as ministers, pastors, or Christians, should reflect that of our beliefs, which would hopefully come from our spiritual literature-the bible.  
 
Should we, as ministers of the Word, allow Hollywood or the pop culture to influence our speech or beliefs? I don’t think so. Supernatural sounds more exciting, it sounds more relevant compared to what may seem boring. What is more real, authentic? The fantasy of the word, “supernatural?” What is the correct word to use if “supernatural” should not be part of our professional language?
                                                                                               
The appropriate word that we should use as professionals is the word, “spiritual.” It may sound more boring than the word, “supernatural.” However, the word is more realistic coming from the pulpit or from words on paper; a book. After all, are in the spiritual business of ministry, pastoring. 
 
Paul uses the word, “spiritual” many times, as well as other writers. Peter uses the word in the encouragement to crave pure “spiritual” milk which, figuratively, is the Word of God, (1 Peter 2:2). He also states that “[we] are being built into a ‘spiritual’ house to be a Holy priesthood,” (1 Peter 2:5).
 
The words we use, e.g., “supernatural” vs. “spiritual” is not a reason to dis-fellowship. We should be mindful of the words we use. Why? Because we represent the Word of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord. And how we look at the meaning of those words may impact how we conduct ministry. In fact, ministry is all about words; our preaching, our teaching, impacts lives. 
 
We may have church members in our congregation that has mental health problems. Perhaps others may have an addiction. I know some pastors and ministers will call certain diseases or addictions a curse or blame it on demons; a spiritual being. The ideas "curse" or "having a demon" is not correct when it they refer to mental health issues. That comes from the idea of the word “supernatural.” Some Pastors and  ministers are correct when they refer to issues of mental health and addiction as spiritual struggles. By the way, you don’t have to have mental health or addiction problems to experience a spiritual problem. You can be sick or experience some other problems in life and it can lead to spiritual problems. 
 
Our calling in ministry, or even as laity, has spiritual meaning—not supernatural meaning. Again, the word “spiritual” is biblical. The word “supernatural” is not biblical. The word “supernatural” can be a marketing tool! 
 
© Dan Kinjorski, 2019