Jul 30, 2009
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I don’t have the wherewithal at the moment to do a diachronic* linguistic usage survey of the word “they.” (Or rather, like most bloggers, I lack the willingness to let such a survey delay rushing this blog into, eh, print.) But I am qualified to do a synchronic* survey, because my job is to read contemporary English for most of the day.
So I’m happy to agree with the two linguists filling in for William Safire at his New York Times column, because they’ve added historical weight to my case that “they” is okay. They’ve argued that “they” had long been used as a gender-neutral singular pronoun before it was ever pronounced permanently plural and replaced by “he.”
This historical weight is ultimately unnecessary to my case, because what matters for “they” today is current usage. Mark it down: if someone will keep their ears open, they will hear a singular “they” used in formal speech. I’ve heard it from the chapel platform at Bob Jones University, preached by one of our most formal and stentorian homileticians.
And you’ve heard it recently, too.
1.) Other attempts at gender neutrality (the generic she, s/he, hum, etc.) and 2.) Bible translations are separate issues.
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*Diachronic = a survey of a word’s usage through (dia) time (chronos).
*Synchronic = a survey of a word’s usage at any given time—like now!
Jul 30, 2009
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iMonk shares some trenchant blogosphere insight, well worth a read for bloggers and those who love them.
A “Blogging Philosofesto” is percolating, fermenting, and languishing in my own queue at this moment.
Jul 28, 2009
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To echo the words of Matthew 1:18, Μy wife “has been found in stomach having” (εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς).
Just yesterday we saw our baby for the first time. We witnessed an on-screen dance sponsored by General Electric, and we were both amazed how well-formed our baby is after just nine weeks gestation!
We’ve been praying daily that our child would be regenerated early and that he or she would be physically healthy.
Jul 24, 2009
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Recently I spoke to a man from the depressed neighborhoods surrounding my church, a man who, sadly, had utterly no understanding of the gospel—and a man who recently became a baptized member at the nearest Southern Baptist Church.
Many leaders of the SBC have been troubled by this widespread problem, too, and the recent “Great Commision Resurgence” document is part of their response. The document recognizes that parts of the SBC are in danger of losing the gospel. I pray that the GCR call to Bible and gospel fidelity will be heeded.
Of course we Independent Fundamental Baptists must be just as mindful, lest we lose the gospel ourselves. Here’s a Twitter tweet I recently read from the feed of an IFB college president, an elder brother who stands significantly to my right:
He was relating the testimony of someone who was on a mission trip to the southeast Asia. But does that make it more or less likely that 200 public school children were truly and miraculously regenerated?
Jesus let the rich young ruler go. And He said the kingdom of heaven was like a treasure for which you are eager to give up everything. But the gospel this man preaches has been co-opted by or mingled with an easy-believism which refuses to let go of those who won’t heed Jesus’ all-encompassing call of discipleship.
Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit in regeneration is like a wind blowing where it wills (Jn 3:7-8). God’s Spirit can blow life into the hearts of 200 public school kids through one translated sermon. I pray that He has. But I cannot in good conscience claim that “there was over 200 saved” until it’s clear that those 200 aren’t merely those who “anon with joy” received the word but those who “bear fruit” (Mt 13:18-23).
And what is fruit? It’s the evidence in progressive sanctification of the regeneration which God’s Spirit has brought about. It’s the thoughts, affections, and actions which God promised would spring from the heart of every member of the New Covenant. It’s obedience to the one who said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
I’ll be preaching to about 20 public school kids tonight. I pray that God would bring fruit for His glory from those hearts, fruit that remains.
Jul 23, 2009
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Here are two arguments I took down from a conversation I had with a musically oriented older man who has significant seminary training. I offer them for your consideration; I thought they were wise:
- When people are dancing and acting without inhibition at a rock concert they’re not dancing to a cultural association. And it’s probably not primarily the text that’s driving them.
- If someone says that the Scripture says anything about musical style, you might ask whether or not there are any dancing styles they consider wrong. The Bible says nothing about bad dancing styles.
