I like your take on this, not that I understand all of which you speak, but it was interesting and I liked hearing the definitions of post-structuralist, which I hadn’t heard before.
I pay attention to word use, especially words that become overly popular and at the same time nearly meaningless Maybe we should all just follow Horton’s language, “ I meant what I said, and I said what I meant… an elephant’s faithful 100%!” Nice work!
I love this, Griffin. Thanks for sharing your story and your thoughts with us. Well written and thought provoking as always!
As a sacred artist, I find myself wrestling with the same issue applied to visual vocabulary: why must we always rely on EXACTLY the same imagery and only that imagery to realize the vast and unimaginable image of the invisible God?
But I recognize there’s also danger in the murky waters that can come from being too free with your imagination. It’s all to easy to find yourself creating something extra-Biblical or even sacrilegious because you honored your imagination over your pursuit of unchanging truth.
I love the deep and layered beauty that comes from emulating those who came before me, AND I want to put beauty out into the world that ministers with specificity to today’s culture. I like your word choice of elasticity.
In your next essay you'll want to explore the power of poetry and music to 'go beyond words' in expressing the inexpressible. Your Fuller colleagues in the Brehm Center will be glad you did.
Love this piece and how you tie your personal re-awakening to the power of language. It is a troubling thing how we are living in the wake of post-structuralism and the many other trends today which is emptying so many of our words when it being co-opted in so many ways. It is an immense responsibility as you put it to "(not) neglect the arsenal of classical Christian terms. It’s like drawing water from a deep well: locating the originality in old words and making adjustments when dry words need animation, always on the hunt for new ways to say old things rather than new concepts to reshape old ideas. To borrow biblical language, we are always putting old words in new wineskins—remembering that the beauty of treasures in old chests is evergreen and not simply nostalgic." God help us all.
This was excellent! I was “born again” in 1973 and joined the Catholic Church 3 years ago. My spiritual language and conversation is anchored on the RSV translation of the Bible which has provided a remarkable and consistent reference over 50 years of faith (or should I say belief)? I still get excited when I hear the words “plenteous redemption” in Ps 130:7!
Griffin, thanks for sharing your journey. My story is a bit different, but I have also struggled with "Christianese". I have heard that vocabulary used to manipulate and harm others for much of my life. I have to wrestle with the truth in the words versus my cringe reaction to them. I feel much more comfortable talking about God in laymen's terms. I think that is why I am drawn to the parables of Jesus.
What a luminous piece of writing. I love the point about language being the connective tissue of the masses. I think of how the Word (by which the worlds were framed) was with God and was God -- the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. That's something to keep turning over in the leaf mold of my mind ...
"Theologian Marcus Borg pointed out that spiritual vocabulary loses both its meaning and power due to “spiritual illiteracy.” People no longer hear these terms as if they’re resounding out of their ancient origins. Rather, they only hear their contemporary distortions."
Kind of ironic, don't you think? Marcus Borg of the Jesus Seminar thinks you can gather a group of ultra-liberal academics and determine what Jesus said by voting.
Rock and roll! The movement from cynical atheist to grateful believer is a daily thing for me. I tend to wake up the former and by noon I’m the latter. And so much of it has to do with language and who’s using or misusing it. It’s frightening what we’ll be hearing for the next leg of our national journey. Lord, steel our hearts and train our tongues well.
Your comment on words as signifieres caught my thoughts. I think it's very true that our troubles are often sourced in making the word the thing and the thing itself is then lost. Thanks for your thoughhts.
What a moving testimony, Griffin!! I’m glad you shared this. I love how your writing makes me think more deeply about my relationship to God, to the church, and even to words I sometimes take for granted. What a gift you have, truly!
You’re a gifted young man. Thank you for sharing these insights.
God’s love to you, and our own,
Br. Kevin
My curiosity peaked, and I was rewarded with an interest in your writing.
I like your take on this, not that I understand all of which you speak, but it was interesting and I liked hearing the definitions of post-structuralist, which I hadn’t heard before.
I pay attention to word use, especially words that become overly popular and at the same time nearly meaningless Maybe we should all just follow Horton’s language, “ I meant what I said, and I said what I meant… an elephant’s faithful 100%!” Nice work!
I love this, Griffin. Thanks for sharing your story and your thoughts with us. Well written and thought provoking as always!
As a sacred artist, I find myself wrestling with the same issue applied to visual vocabulary: why must we always rely on EXACTLY the same imagery and only that imagery to realize the vast and unimaginable image of the invisible God?
But I recognize there’s also danger in the murky waters that can come from being too free with your imagination. It’s all to easy to find yourself creating something extra-Biblical or even sacrilegious because you honored your imagination over your pursuit of unchanging truth.
I love the deep and layered beauty that comes from emulating those who came before me, AND I want to put beauty out into the world that ministers with specificity to today’s culture. I like your word choice of elasticity.
Thanks so much Annica! So glad you liked it :)
Griffin -
In your next essay you'll want to explore the power of poetry and music to 'go beyond words' in expressing the inexpressible. Your Fuller colleagues in the Brehm Center will be glad you did.
Ron
Love this piece and how you tie your personal re-awakening to the power of language. It is a troubling thing how we are living in the wake of post-structuralism and the many other trends today which is emptying so many of our words when it being co-opted in so many ways. It is an immense responsibility as you put it to "(not) neglect the arsenal of classical Christian terms. It’s like drawing water from a deep well: locating the originality in old words and making adjustments when dry words need animation, always on the hunt for new ways to say old things rather than new concepts to reshape old ideas. To borrow biblical language, we are always putting old words in new wineskins—remembering that the beauty of treasures in old chests is evergreen and not simply nostalgic." God help us all.
Griffin, this blew me away! Thank you for telling this story. God has given you a gift, and I’m grateful you’re willing to share it.
Thanks so much Kristin :)
This was excellent! I was “born again” in 1973 and joined the Catholic Church 3 years ago. My spiritual language and conversation is anchored on the RSV translation of the Bible which has provided a remarkable and consistent reference over 50 years of faith (or should I say belief)? I still get excited when I hear the words “plenteous redemption” in Ps 130:7!
Thanks Chuck!!
Griffin, thanks for sharing your journey. My story is a bit different, but I have also struggled with "Christianese". I have heard that vocabulary used to manipulate and harm others for much of my life. I have to wrestle with the truth in the words versus my cringe reaction to them. I feel much more comfortable talking about God in laymen's terms. I think that is why I am drawn to the parables of Jesus.
Thanks so much Crystal !
What a luminous piece of writing. I love the point about language being the connective tissue of the masses. I think of how the Word (by which the worlds were framed) was with God and was God -- the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. That's something to keep turning over in the leaf mold of my mind ...
"Theologian Marcus Borg pointed out that spiritual vocabulary loses both its meaning and power due to “spiritual illiteracy.” People no longer hear these terms as if they’re resounding out of their ancient origins. Rather, they only hear their contemporary distortions."
Kind of ironic, don't you think? Marcus Borg of the Jesus Seminar thinks you can gather a group of ultra-liberal academics and determine what Jesus said by voting.
Rock and roll! The movement from cynical atheist to grateful believer is a daily thing for me. I tend to wake up the former and by noon I’m the latter. And so much of it has to do with language and who’s using or misusing it. It’s frightening what we’ll be hearing for the next leg of our national journey. Lord, steel our hearts and train our tongues well.
So glad I got the chance to read your testimony! And our pastor was just talking about signifying and symbols in Revelation!
Thanks Sakari!
Your comment on words as signifieres caught my thoughts. I think it's very true that our troubles are often sourced in making the word the thing and the thing itself is then lost. Thanks for your thoughhts.
What a moving testimony, Griffin!! I’m glad you shared this. I love how your writing makes me think more deeply about my relationship to God, to the church, and even to words I sometimes take for granted. What a gift you have, truly!
Thanks so much !! That’s so kind of you to say.
Thoughtful words on the words we use as followers of Christ and how they can still hold weight the more we contemplate their meanings.