Weblog Entry - 09/09/2002: "Robot Evangelism"

09/09/2002 Entry: "Robot Evangelism"

There's a very fine post at Locust Eater titled Robot Evangelist. (Thanks to blogs4God for the link)Here's a quote:

The thing is that language defines and limits the possibilities of thought. If the content of the Christian message is reducible to a few glib, compact statements, then one must wonder if such a message is able to address the complexity and diversity of human experience in any meaningful way

Quite so. Part of the genius of the early church was to take existing words and filling them with new and unexplored meanings. AGAPE is a good example of this. But one of the things I quickly discovered whilst visiting Florida is that sometimes people use words which sound the same but which can carry very different meanings. "Pants" is an obvious example. This can make conversation hard to follow. It gets worse when you realise that people sometimes express the same truth in very different ways, so that that they may not notice that they are in agreement.One danger of a certain kind of Christianity (found in both conservative and liberal camps) is that all those whose words do not sound exactly the same as mine, must by definition be mistaken. There is no room for nuanced thought because everything is "cut-and-dried". I wish there were more respectful listening between Christians of different traditions: real conversation rather than shouting across the divide. This would surely be truer to our saviour's intention for us.

Replies:

Hi Bill."Pants" are 'underclothes'Bonnet has both of the meanings you suggest. The other end of the car is the 'boot'.

Posted by Richard @ 09/16/2002 11:44 PM CST

Now you've really got me curious. What are "pants" in your neck of the woods? You cited an example with no explanation. I would like to submit "Bonnet" as another example. To us on our side of the pond it is a hat worn by ladies fastened down by a ribbon tied under the chin. You folks refer to the hood of the car as a bonnet. May I extrapolate this thought and assume your automobiles are of the female persuasion?

Keep up the good work. Also, you might want to check out this WEB site regarding 9/11/01. It takes a while to load but is very moving.http://www.politicsandprotest.org/

Bill Gube

Posted by Bill Gube @ 09/16/2002 01:45 PM CST

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