Category: Quotes (Page 1 of 10)

Using Language Without Regard for Truth… Or Not

February 20, 2025 / Joseph Ginder

In the 1992 American edition of his book Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power (first published in German in 1974), Josef Pieper commented that advertising in modern societies damages language. Words are “perverted and debased to become a catalyst, a drug, as it were, and . . . as such administered. Instrument of power may still seem a somewhat strong term for this; still, it does not seem so farfetched any longer.”

Of course, in these days, this thought strikes me as deeply relevant. What is evidently false is claimed to be true – outright lies! Spoken by those in positions of great responsibility and power. And what is true is denied and suppressed. All in the name of influencing and controlling other humans for some presumed “good” end. Not all words are like this – yet? – but so many seem to believe what is simply false and damaging. And so it continues. Straight talk is hard to find.

Pieper, in this book, insists those who care for truth must stand solidly against such twisted and twisting use of words. Quoting Pieper…

This implies also opposition to anything that could destroy or distort the nature of the word as communication and its unbiased openness to reality. In this respect we are well able to pronounce the general principle and at the same time to be very specific: opposition is required, for instance, against every partisan simplification, every ideological agitation, every blind emotionality; against seduction through well-turned yet empty slogans, against autocratic terminology with no room for dialogue, against personal insult as an element of style (all the more despicable the more sophisticated it is), against the language of evasive appeasement and false assurance… and not least against the jargon of the revolution, against categorical conformism, and categorical nonconformism…
Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power by Josef Pieper

How to oppose such words spoken for purpose without regard for truth? I mean, how to oppose such with integrity for Jesus’ teaching and love for even those who behave as enemies? It often seems difficult. Muddy. And yet, scripture has true words that speak profound wisdom to those who will listen….

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5.37, New International Version of the Bible

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.
Ephesians 4.25, New International Version of the Bible

When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 10.19, New International Version of the Bible

These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.
Zechariah 8.16-17, New International Version of the Bible

May I be found faithful with my words.

“Go Slow and Repair Things”

January 5, 2025 / Joseph Ginder

I read the Christianity Today article by Tish Harrison Warren of this title some time ago, and reread it this morning after hearing her speak near the close of the Esau McCauley podcast. In being away from my normal place and thinking of the new year and beyond, this thought strikes within me a lingering chord as a word for today… for the particular time in which we find ourselves. It is speaking in part as reaction to the approach of our times that purports to represent the silicon valley, er… mode? ethos? You’ve heard it, “go fast and break things.”

Check the short article out for yourself. Hopefully you won’t hit the paywall obstruction: Go slow and repair things. Perhaps you will find it helpful as a starting thought moving into a new time, as I am.

What if what you’re growing is not actually the Church?

November 20, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

. . .this theme of church Unity across ethnic boundary lines was absolutely vital in the New Testament and not a sort of odd add-on thing and see I’m I’m deeply suspicious in my own country as well as in America of this idea that oh well homo homogeneous churches grow faster undoubtedly that may be may have some truth to it but what you’re growing is not actually the church because according to Paul very very clearly… Galatians, Ephesians, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians… it’s the community of all believers and in Revelation chapter 7 it’s a great community of every nation and language and tribe and tongue and that’s not for some future date.
N.T. Wright

I was listening to the Holy Post Podcast today. Skye Jethani was interviewing N.T. Wright. And N.T. Wright said something that made me sit up straight. It was quite encouraging to me, coming from someone I respect so deeply!

Over the years, I was hammered with the “homogeneous unit principle” so many times… And my response was that it wasn’t Jesus’ teaching or New Testament teaching, and that I couldn’t, in good conscience, embrace it. It seemed to me that the Spirit amplified to me quite the opposite approach. And it was more difficult. And so worth it. Frankly speaking, it remains more difficult today!

That comes across as self-serving, I suppose. It is not, I hope. It wasn’t my insight or wisdom. It is God’s purpose in the church, of which I am only a follower. It is good news for all humans everywhere – for the nations.

You can listen to the entire Holy Post episode here, or catch this particular segment with N.T. Wright here jumping in near the end of the episode on YouTube.

You can find more N.T. Wright on YouTube or read written material from him on this page.

Brian Zahnd’s Christian Voter Guide

October 22, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

Brian Zahnd wrote a “voter guide” for Christians some 12 years ago. (I’m writing in 2024 so that would be 2012.) It was a breath of fresh air – an encouragement to Jesus people! What he entitled BZ’s Ten Point Christian Voter Guide 12 years ago is quoted below.

1. The political process, while necessary, has little to do with how God is saving the world.

2. The fate of the kingdom of God does not depend upon political contests.

3. Don’t be naïve, political parties are more interested in Christian votes than they are in Christian values.

4. The bottom line for political parties is power. The bottom line for a Christian is love. And therein lies the rub.

5. While in pursuit of the Ring of Power, you are not permitted to abandon the Sermon on the Mount.

6. If your political passion makes it hard for you to love your neighbor as yourself, you need to turn it down a notch.

7. Your task is to bring the salt of Christian civility to an ugly and acrimonious political process.

8. To dismember the body of Christ over politics is a grievous sin.

9. Exercise your liberty to vote your conscience and conviction, while accepting that other Christians will do the same and vote differently than you.

10. It’s more important that your soul be filled with love than it is for your political team to win the game.

A few days ago in his online blog, BZ published his guide once more, and included some, shall we say, supporting texts. It’s quite a good meditation for us who say we intend to follow Jesus. It is called Election Season and Your Soul. I highly recommend it.

“We order our lives around the rhythm of our relationship with God”

September 27, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

The Long Beach Church Collective sponsored a leadership luncheon with Pastor-in-Residence for 2024 Bishop Kenneth Ulmer. The luncheon was held at Antioch Church in downtown Long Beach. Bishop Ulmer shared a number of helpful observations from his lifetime in ministry. I wrote down a comment he made as he quoted a Dominican Catholic nun speaking in a class he was in at Oxford University. Here it is:

We order our lives around the rhythm of our relationship with God.

Bishop Ulmer used this comment as a springboard for a number of profound observations about his life in ministry. I’m still thinking about it. It was a blessed time and event.

Jacob’s Ladder Climbing into Today

September 25, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

Hmmm. This morning I read a roughly 2000 year-old thought that seems particularly relevant for today. Here it is:

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3.13-18 [NIV]

Jacob’s ladder? Climbing right up to today?

Note: "James" is how the name "Ya’akov," (or the Greek version of the same name, "Iakobus") was translated into English by John Wycliffe back in the 14th century. Most translations into non-English languages use a version of what would be "Jacob" in English as the name of the New Testament book most often called "James" in English translations. Here's an article for further reading.

“The Infinitely Compelling Christ”

August 28, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

A friend sent me a link to this short video comment by David Bentley Hart. (Thanks, AJ!) I appreciated it a lot. You can see it here or watch below inline.

I’d simply add that the experience of the risen Christ is not only an infinitely compelling historical event. It isn’t only for the likes of Paul, but for Jesus’ followers today. I don’t mean to imply that Hart thinks or said otherwise. However, just to clarify, the experience of the risen Christ is central to following Jesus today. It is what makes faith impossible to abandon for me and many others.

May you also experience Him – “the presence of God in time” – in spite of the all too prevalent personal and institutional shortcomings of those who claim to be his – including my own.

Rich Villodas’ Big Picture Gospel

July 10, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

My kind of big picture definition of of the Gospel is I believe that the gospel is the good news that the kingdom of God has come near in Jesus Christ, and that in his life, death, resurrection, and enthronement the powers of sin and death no longer have the last word, and the primary fruit of the Gospel is a new Humanity. This is Ephesians 2: the dividing wall of hostility coming down, a new Humanity, a new community, a new family.
Rich Villodas, speaking at the Long Beach Church Collective, July 8, 2024

Prayer, Persuasion, Service, and Suffering

July 9, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

I was listening to an interview of John Dickson today on the Holy Post. The way he characterized the means by which Christians are called to change the world stuck with me. It wasn’t that his was a new thought. It was that his simple way of saying it was helpful. I found it worth remembering… and sharing! So, check out the three quotes below regarding our call to prayer, persuasion, service, and suffering.

If Christ is on the throne and He has poured out His Spirit, then prayer, persuasion, service, and suffering are more than enough. They’re the only tools Christ gave His people to change the world. Early Christians took hold of them and exercised them in the power of God’s Spirit, knowing that Christ had already won. They overturned the world with those four things.

I freely acknowledge that I have no special privileges in society. Christians have no right to tell the nation what to do. Persuasion, service, and prayer are all we’ve got, and all we really need… Christ showed us how to profoundly love and profoundly disagree at the same time. I am looking forward to fresh opportunities to embody this twofold ethical feat in His name.

Believers have one course of action when confronted with opposition. They are to follow the Lord Jesus in enduring suffering, refusing to retaliate, and committing to love enemies.
John Dickson

I was refreshed by his clear comments when so many Christians are invested heavily in politics, as if winning elections or seating judges is how Jesus changes the world! It was good to hear him remind listeners that even if Christians are in the majority [and even if all the Christians agree, I would add] our calling is not to coercively legislate those who disagree with us into oblivion, but rather to persuade. Such fresh air!

Quaker Testimonies

June 5, 2024 / Joseph Ginder

I often read Johan Mauer’s fifth day commentaries on CanYouBelieve.me. Recently his writing included an excerpt listing “Quaker Testimonies” taken from the developing Faith and Practice of Sierra-Cascades Yearly Meeting. I found it refreshingly…. er, Quaker?

I mean that in contrast to the drift of many Friends groups toward generic American evangelicalism, abandoning testimonies historically valued by Friends. I’m not advocating a stance that ignores the times in which we live in favor of some idealized past. (Frankly, our past has never been ideal!)

However, these are testimonies that faithfully represent Jesus’ character and teachings that Friends have tried to seriously pursue and embody. They remain Jesus’ teaching and character; they are not obsolete! If we are to follow Him, we try to live these testimonies in an age of 21st century technology and in the face of an often violent global society where living and worshipping in these ways remains relevant and necessary as the life to which Jesus calls.

But let me get to the testimonies! You can read the whole commentary by Johan here. The testimony portion that I want to highlight (by quoting) follows.

We understand the Quaker testimonies as a call:

to live simply and sustainably;

to seek nonviolent responses to conflict, and refuse participation in war and preparation for war;

to speak the truth and keep our promises;

to make common decisions based on our community’s practice of prayer and discernment rather than majority rule or force of personality;

to regard each other—and all people—with a commitment to equality and equity, rejecting all false distinctions based on social, cultural, or economic status;

in the wider world, to support, advocate, and initiate efforts toward peace, justice, care of Creation, and relief of suffering in ways that are consistent with these testimonies;

in all things, to put Love first.

As we set forth these values and commitments, we acknowledge that they are to some extent aspirational, not an inventory of our successes as of today.