Unwholesome Talk from the Pulpit

[pastor's wife]

(04-20-2011 03:15 PM)leaving Wrote:  I have to wonder what makes something a "bad" word in the first place. I mean, who gets to decide which words are "bad" and which ones aren't? And why do we let society dictate what words are "bad" and what words are "good"?

First, the Bible does refer to "filthy language" so there are obviously words that are filthy or bad. The question then becomes how to identify which ones are bad because some must be.

The Bible gives us a clue when it says not to use coarse jesting. Also Paul mentions that in the Corinthian church there was a sin so bad people wouldn't even mention it. So it appears that sexual matters are areas that would be considered inappropriate to talk about in rude ways (not medical ways, for example).

For specific words, we look to our culture. Words and their meanings change so we need to use words that communicate to the world we are in. The Bible tells us to be full of love, joy, and peace and as much as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men. Living peaceably would indicate that we don't purposefully use words that would insult or hurt others (whether they be the R-rated words or just "mean" words like "stupid" or "shut up"). We are to speak with grace, which to me means not choosing words that to the majority of our culture are offensive. When God tells us that we are not to be "like the world", I don't think He meant for us to ignore the conventions of polite society.

An example would be the word "sh*t". Our society deems that unacceptable today. Whether or not it was common in the Middle Ages, it is considered vulgar today. For some reason, the word "poop" is OK (unless you're my mom! She doesn't like any references to bodily functions!)

I just know that I want my presentation of the Gospel of Christ to be unhindered in any way. If people take offense, let it be at the Gospel itself (that Christ is the only Way to heaven), not because used the rudest words possible to refer to them.

[TomK]

(04-20-2011 05:45 PM)Elijah Craig Wrote:  Uneducated people are not morally inferior.

Highly educated people often cuss like sailors.

Why are you putting down sailors?

[Elijah Craig]

(04-20-2011 05:49 PM)TomK Wrote:  

(04-20-2011 05:45 PM)Elijah Craig Wrote:  Uneducated people are not morally inferior.

Highly educated people often cuss like sailors.

Why are you putting down sailors?

I don't think cussing is a sin and therefore I am not putting down sailors.

[chris1000bc]

(04-20-2011 05:49 PM)pastors wife Wrote:  First, the Bible does refer to "filthy language" so there are obviously words that are filthy or bad. The question then becomes how to identify which ones are bad because some must be.

I agree with some of what Don said here. I would understand that passage more as describing a way of speaking that does not give grace to the hearer than giving a list of words we cannot say.

Also, I would see this issue as something that would fall under the principles found in Romans 14. Maybe one person can curse, but they should be sure not to do it in front of someone they know it will offend. And I don't think it is a good idea for a minister to curse from the pulpit.

I know a lot of people on here don't care for Paul Tripp, but I think his video on this is helpful (to me at least). If you will be offended by swearing, you shouldn't watch this video because there is swearing in it.

[hac84]

Feces Occur. You should read some of the things Luther said.

[Mommy2Kids]

[pastor's wife]

(04-20-2011 07:16 PM)hac84 Wrote:  Feces Occur. You should read some of the things Luther said.

That made me laugh.

As for Luther, I imagine him as a bit of a prophet - saying shocking things to get the attention of his listeners. Or maybe things just sound more shocking to us a few hundred years and a different language later. Then again, after reading his comments about the Jews, I'm certainly not going to admire him unstintingly.

[Mommy2Kids]

This one just kills me every time I watch it.

[RobMille]

I've never been to a fundy church where blue language was ever acceptable. Met some guys at PCC that would use the excuse that it's in the Bible to try to get away with pushing the language limit.

I have heard it in other circumstances. I think the most famous one was when Tony Campolo went to a Bible College back in the 80s or 90s, and was explaining the impact of poverty in Africa in the number of children dying daily to little or not interest, and said "and you don't give a shit about it", and the followed up with, "most of you are more concerned with the word I just used than you are about the 30,000 African children that died last night". I think that's a totally appropriate use of language by a preacher. What seems to be described in this thread isn't.

[RobMille]

oops. I got censored.