“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Exodus 20:7 NIV
For several reasons, which I will explain in this post, the subject of God Talk has been on my mind for a considerable amount of time. The catalyst for finally writing at this time is an increasing assertion or implication in public discourse of God’s blessing and/or communication .
This post is intended to establish structure for additional posts.
Why GOD TALK HAS been on my mind…
- My religious heritage was mostly devoid of belief in communication by God other than through the Bible. After moving to Wilmore and regularly encountering believers who boldly assert hearing “ a word from God” or “God said…” et al, plus my own spiritual journey, I do not hold with my heritage’s belief; however, its vestiges have left me with a healthy skepticism. Understanding how God communicates has been and continues to be an important part of my spiritual formation. Im still learning.
- I discovered ideograph 1 An ideograph is a word or phrase with a vague definition which represents an ambiguous and vast set of ideas. This causes ideographs to be able to be used without sending a specific message while still appealing to pathos. In other words, when audiences encounter an ideograph, they aren’t usually affected by it because of its definition, but because of how the ideograph makes them feel. This means ideographs can be very useful for rhetoricians because of their ambiguity. Not only can they be used as substitutes for complex ideas, but since ideographs tend to have several different connotations attached to them, they have the potential to increase the effectiveness of a rhetorician’s pathos. The term was first used by Michael Calvin McGee in 1980 to describe certain words used in political discourse.While they are not limited to politics, some of the more commonly used ideographs are frequently used in political discourse. Terms such as ‘liberty’, ‘freedom’, and ‘equality’ all refer to an ideology, but to no specific referent. This allows ideographs to persuade with emotions without necessarily having a significant purpose or meaning. I began to recognize words and phrases frequently used in church and conversations among Christians as ideographic. That was concerning. I should be quick to clarify, I have no reason to believe anyone is purposely using those words and phrases as rhetorical tools for nefarious ends. However their effectiveness is independent of good motives. They are simply a part of colloquial religious speech.
- Recent lessons and reflection on the 10 Commandments, particularly #3
- Contemporary political rhetoric invoking God.
My primary purpose is personal, to gain clarity about what it means to misuse the name of God and apply that understanding to my communications to, with and about God.
Definitions:
Using the term GOD TALK several meanings are possible. For example:
“God-talk” refers colloquially to Religious-sounding Speech, often spouted in religious cliches and bromides that sound holy but are empty of real meaning.2 God Talk by Peter Lang
GOD TALK could refer to “Talking About God” i.e. Describing, explaining God.
GOD TALK could refer to “God Speaking ” i.e. God told me… God said… I heard God…
GOD TALK could refer to “the Word of God” i.e. Scripture, the Bible.
GOD TALK could refer to “Prayer”
It is my intent to write a post about each of the nuances of GOD TALK above.Perhaps other meanings will emerge in that process.
Questions:
Does God speak to individuals, audibly or otherwise?
What does not mean to misuse God’s name?
Because of God’s radical Otherness in relation to creation, we cannot use language univocally in relation to God. That is to say, words cannot mean the same thing when we apply them to both humans and to God. Our language about God cannot be literal. 3 Richard Beck
What can I say about God?
Maybe you have questions to add…
O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?” 4 Romans 11:33-34
STILL ON THE JOURNEY
- 1An ideograph is a word or phrase with a vague definition which represents an ambiguous and vast set of ideas. This causes ideographs to be able to be used without sending a specific message while still appealing to pathos. In other words, when audiences encounter an ideograph, they aren’t usually affected by it because of its definition, but because of how the ideograph makes them feel. This means ideographs can be very useful for rhetoricians because of their ambiguity. Not only can they be used as substitutes for complex ideas, but since ideographs tend to have several different connotations attached to them, they have the potential to increase the effectiveness of a rhetorician’s pathos. The term was first used by Michael Calvin McGee in 1980 to describe certain words used in political discourse.While they are not limited to politics, some of the more commonly used ideographs are frequently used in political discourse. Terms such as ‘liberty’, ‘freedom’, and ‘equality’ all refer to an ideology, but to no specific referent. This allows ideographs to persuade with emotions without necessarily having a significant purpose or meaning.
- 2God Talk by Peter Lang
- 3Richard Beck
- 4Romans 11:33-34