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Have you noticed something lately?
By Robert
It seems in the past several years, our language has been...softened. Words like "can", "shall", "will" "does" have been replaced by softer words, i.e: "could", "may", "might". It's as if people aren't sure what something is capable of, and want to cover themselves should an expected outcome not happen! Gone are firm declarations; now, language is filled with these words that denote the possibility that something may NOT turn out as promised, and that these are an implied proviso that should that happen, they can reply: "well, we SAID it "may". it was not 100 percent sure!!!!"
Additionally, instead of the plain language that we grew up with, today's language is filled with all sorts of snarls and snares that seem to obscure the meaning of sentences rather than make them clear. Instead of being able to say something in a sentence or two, a simple description of something can now take up to a paragraph if someone is really adept with this form of talking! Politics, in particular, is especially notorious for this, where they use language like clay. They leave it soft enough to reshape a their whim, and nebulous enough to confuse even Harvard law school graduates.
And it's not just politicians and advertisers.
An example taken from Tony Jones and Doug Pagitt:
"Christianity21 is less a conference and more a happening, an event—a gathering of voices and ideas that will shape the future of our faith. We live in a time of epochal change. Many find this change exciting; for others, it’s a challenge. Call it globalization, pluralization, or postmodernism, this change affects our economy, politics, government, and education—all of society. And, of course, our faith and our churches are not immune to change. So we have gathered 21 of the most important voices for the future of Christianity—21 voices for the 21st century—to speak into our future as people of faith in this age. They represent a diverse array of backgrounds, interests, and passions, and they will provide a wide range of innovative and challenging presentations. (Online source)"
(from: "THE NEW CHRISTIANS WITH CHRISTIANITY WORTH BELIEVING—NO SOLA SCRIPTURA: YES, WOMEN PASTORS AND QUEER CHRISTIANS", Apprising Ministries.com )
Apparently, the Emergent Church is taken with this type of language, which is structured as so not to offend anyone. That is, unless you disagree with them. Then they are more than happy to use words that are like salt on an open wound.
Perhaps this is why many churches have abandoned Sola Scriptura; because the language is too direct for them.
Example:
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8, KJV)
Would you believe that people in the Emergent Church would have a heart attack over that verse?
Or how about this one:
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:18-19, KJV)
No, instead, they want language like this:
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is." (John 3:16-21, The Message)
(yeah, I almost lost my lunch having to quote from that.)
My point is: the pure word of the Lord gets straight to the point, and doesn't pull any punches. But today's society is more concerned with appearances, and doesn't want to do anything to offend anyone UNLESS it's the "in" thing to do. Sadly, this has extended to many of the churches today, with a watered down feel-good gospel, and the Emergent Church in particular, which DOES NOT WORSHIP CHRIST but instead their own "god", which they make comfortable enough to carry around in their pockets.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, KJV)
(They would do well to remember the preceding verse, but that may offend them and ruin their day....)
Because of the jelly-fish consistency of the majority of "evangelicals" out there (there are exceptions), and the watering-down of the gospel to the point it is little more than stale kool-aid, we need to proclaim the PURE word of God at the top of our lungs whenever we have the opportunity. This world is dying, and all the soft language in the world is not going to do a thing to save it. This perishing little orb needs so desperately the words that came right from the lips of the Creator, and nothign else will do BUT them.
I bid you all peace.
YBIC,
-Robert
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