During the last century, philosophers have given a great deal of thought to the nature of language. Ludwig Wittgenstein once said, “A new word is like a fresh seed sown on the ground of the discussion,” and the growth which that new word or combination of words yields can be unexpected and surprising. If you subscribe to Urban Dictionary‘s Word of the Day, you know what I mean.
In a recent article on the power of language, The Wall Street Journal asks, “Do the languages we speak shape the way we think? Do they merely express thoughts, or do the structures in languages (without our knowledge or consent) shape the very thoughts we wish to express?” As spelled out in the article, the answer to these questions is undeniably yes.
For church leaders in the arena of media, we have to come to grips with the power of language. The articles we write, the books we produce, the films we make, and the experiences we create shape the way people see the world. They provide a way of describing, engaging, and understanding reality. And the ultimate goal of our media production is to put forward a message that is truthful and permeated by the One who is Truth, Jesus Christ. This is no easy task, for the challenge of faithfulness in our own generation is ever evolving, demanding depth in our spiritual life, careful discernment, and a constant posture of listening to both our world and the whispers of the Holy Spirit.
What examples can you share of instances where the power of language has been particularly evident in your art and/or ministry?