A year and a month later, here we are again. I'm going to try a different tactic, so we'll see how it goes. It may be I need to move to a new blog; if that happens, well, I'll post the new URL here.
So much to say. I have posts on novels, classics, history books, philosophy, research on the Himalayas, and a dozen other things. So many subjects to write on, so little time. What's a writer to do?
Well, I'll be brief, for now.
Communicating the Word of God
I grew up predominantly in a SBC tradition with a hearty side dish of Presbyterian. I love the way this book my mom read ages ago, back when I was in jr. high, put it: Baptists tend to be really good at learning and teaching the word, but tend to forget the Holy Spirit. By contrast, the book suggested that the Pentecostal/charismatic movement tended to be great at heeding the Spirit but not at knowing the Bible itself (don't flog me; I am not saying one is better than the other; the whole point of the statement was to say that each denomination is strong on one point but weak on another, the majority of the time. That's all it means.). I'm a denominational mutt, in the end, but I walked across the high school graduation platform with two things:
- The word of God is a living sword. It is precious and of great value. And it is a high honor, a privilege, to speak the words of God and teach people to understand them.
- Everything you say or do must edify, encourage, or exhort the body of Christ. If it does not help the body, it is useless at best and harmful at worst. A single word brings life or death to the hearer.
There's obviously more, but they aren't on subject. The point is, early on I knew, if not fully understood, the weight of daring teach the word of God (which is...honestly why I was terrified of ever becoming a teacher).
So I find myself torn between a deep grief and a white-hot anger toward carelessness. Hey, I understand not everyone has a degree in English. I don't expect everybody to be like me. But I do expect personal excellence. For too long there's been this idea that grammar and spelling and decent essay-writing don't matter outside of English class, and that seems to have crippled a whole generation who is otherwise very intelligent and has plenty to say.
Here's my plea: Anyone who wishes to be a pastor, teacher, missionary, small group leader, or anyone else who intends to communicate the most excellent word of God, please, please, please understand that the ability to compose a coherent - I did not say perfect - blog post, or article, or email, or essay, or note to your second grader is imperative. Please, please, don't be sloppy or careless, or decide it doesn't matter. The absolute last thing you want is for someone to not take you seriously, or be unable to read it and understand it, or to completely misinterpret it, because you didn't take the time to get it right. Everything unto the Lord, right? I just think Jesus liked to build tables right. So, in the same way, we should build our communiques right.
Okay. I'm glad this didn't come off as angry blogging; it's been on my mind far too often of late. But today, remember this: God has graced us with his name and graced us with privilege of speaking and acting on his behalf. How truly wonderful is that?
1 comment:
I agree. I believe this applies to writers as well. Quality is so important in our writing, really thinking through what we write before we say it especially anything to do with the Word of the God. You have a good point. It didn't come across as angry, just firm, as it should. ^ ^
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