“Woke” is a dog whistle, a red flag signal; a brainless, thoughtless, mindless, vapid bit of freshman frat boy drivel. If the word is snarled out in a comment it’s a lead pipe cinch that the comment is a flash of drive-by nonsense.
There are good arguments for and against renaming SBTS buildings. “Woke” or lack thereof isn’t one.
Editors here differ on some of these questions. Contributions are welcome for and against. If we were gamblers there would have been heavy odds that this piece by DMcK would generate a record number of trashed comments. We’re ultimately on the same side, or so some optimist would say.
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This is my opinion only and one of my shortest articles. May have to resort to SEC football superiority as a welcome diversion.
Exactly William. Exactly. To those who say “we are on the same team”, I am not. I am just being honest here. Not even in the same game.
Are you saying you view those Christians who disagree with you on controversial issues as the enemy? I hope I am reading your comment incorrectly.
Believe there was a reference to “on the same side” in my short piece.
You did same same side William.
Scott: When it comes to racism Scott, in a way yes. Monuments and such not necessarily, but on racism, calling someone a Marxist, which is calling me a Marxist or woke is an enemy, certainly not a friend.
Scott: In a perfect world Christians shouldn’t be enemies, but this isn’t a perfect world and Christians backbite all the time. Calling someone a Marxist or using the word Woke as an insult and untrue statement to besmirch and literally destroy someone’s reputation is by all defining definitions an enemy.
Debbie,
Thank you for answering and clarifying who exactly you were talking about. I can understand being offended when you feel you have been slandered and I definitely wouldn’t think of that person as a friend.
I do think we go too far when we consider people as enemies rather than as hurting people who hurt others that need to be prayed for. That’s easier said than done and I struggle with that myself.
Scott: Someone who hurts someone is an enemy. I don’t choose them to be an enemy, that is their choice. I know exactly what I am writing, and I do not apologize nor seek to change it. BTW Thank you for your civil tone. Being a Christian does not mean I allude reality. Disagreement does not make one an enemy in my opinion. Conversation is a good thing in disagreement. Shouting, bullying, Lies, slander with the intent to destroy is not, and that has been done far too long by those who call themselves Christians. Here is the definition according… Read more »
In all honesty, you do realize how incorrect you are right? Eric Mason ring a bell? The word does reflect a set of beliefs. The word does reflect a set of presuppositions. The word does reflect a theological framework. The word even reflects a worldview and approach to ministry. Some may not like the word, or how it is used, but to suggest it is merely a code word is either uninformed or dishonest. Grace.
It’s a code word.
It is a meaningless insult
To the extent its a code word – its clearly one on both sides of the debate – if you will.
Woke is as woke does.
This?
Btw, it’s not my word. It’s a word coined in the secular world by people describing an awakening to suffering, especially in a racial context.
I have never cared for the word.
I find it particularly inappropriate to use a grammatically butchered word to refer to racial suffering.
But nobody asked me when that word was coined.
I applaud your denunciation and encourage you to continue denouncing the word and its use.
Amen!
Have to agree. Every once in a while a word comes along that is overused until it becomes void of meaning. Now it’s being used as an insult. Throwing it out there doesn’t invite useful dialogue.
Yep
Fact is, yes, it has the idea of having your eyes opened to suffering and injustice. It has become so overused as to be pointless.
Woke now means “Don’t acquiesce to the Founders/anti-justice folks.”
It is like Cultural Marxism, CRT, and other buzzwords that just lose meaning.
Now, basically, it means, “How dare you disagree with us…”
It’s character assassination. Something Southern Baptists who are political are very good at.
For better or worse it is a word that has passed into common usage. One may not like the word, but it exists and is frequently used, even in Christian circles (see the book cover Louis posted above). Also, Mark’s initial reply to this article was an accurate description of the way the word is commonly used.
Sorry William. I don’t often disagree with you but this time I must.
My, my. Disagreement that is kind. Thank you my old friend. Will have your comment bronzed and put in the Voices trophy case.
I am disappointed not to have been commended for my stellar example of alliteration.
I certainly agree with my fellow Bulldawg fan on all things football and SEC superiority , but he fumble the ball here. Woke is certainly a descriptive term that fits the bill( no pun intended).
Perhaps you can share a SBC Voices dictionary and words that you feel are not triggers.
And there it is. I think most of you who have commented have just proven Williams point. Thanks.
“Mark” – you get one more chance. If you didn’t hide behind anonymity I would be more patient.
Your last comment accused us of opposing salvation by grace through faith – basically of denying the gospel of grace.
Your next comment will a) be substantive and b) devoid of all insult.
If not, you will join the ranks of the banned at Voices.
Join the conversation or not. Your choice.
I wanted to post a comment to support Dr. McKissic’s post but my opinion is more in line with this post. I was taught by my dad how to use rhetoric and argue. There are certain triggers that get my attention. Woke is one of them. It has moved from it’s original meaning to an ad hominem attack. When I see it I understand that the user doesn’t have a strong argument and needs to distract us from that. Same (and perhaps more so) with ‘whataboutism’. When Dr. McKissic argues against honoring slave holding founders and I see ‘what about… Read more »
I had an interesting discussion with my 20 year old daughter about this word. She loves Jesus and spends her life pursuing Him and believed this word to be entirely positive. She doesn’t watch the news or read the news. Her perspective comes from her friends, mostly Christian peers, and Instagram. She thought my wife and I were completely wrong when we reacted to it as a negative word. The discussion went well, and I think we do need you understand how different the world looks for people of her age.
I would ask that any discussion be directed to specific issues. Needless to say, not many 20 year olds here. When someone slings the word here, it’s an insult, an attempt to stifle conversation. Glad fathers can have positive conversations with daughters. Thanks for the comment.
The meaning of a word is based on the context of how it is used. In the SBC blogworld and twitterverse, it is used as a dismissive insult. That it means something else in other contexts is kind of beside the point.
Are you saying that when it’s used to describe someone’s position, and in a way in which there is obvious disagreement, it’s a “dismissive insult”? Or worse, “a brainless, thoughtless, mindless, vapid bit of freshman frat boy drivel”? The context could be accurate, yet opposed – so is that allowable?When I say “woke” I mean that that person can be accurately described by certain beliefs and allegiances.
The word and intimations of “racist” is likewise used. Both in culture and within some Christian circles. .
Has that word lost its meaning and/or become simply a demeaning/dismissive insult?
Or the silencing efforts toward those who have different approaches regarding issues surrounding race by suggesting they are “anti reconciliation” or being “against justice”?
William et. al, While I understand the spirit of keeping debate or comment open and free from conversation-killing buzzwords, language policing of terms like woke, cultural Marxism, Critical Theory, CT is, to put it mildly, chasing the wrong rabbit down an impossibly convoluted hole. You’re sweepingly designating these words as “code.” That means that they are part of a racist sub-cultural lexicon and that is demonstrably false. For example, Neil Shenvi has written an entire book on the subject of Critical Intersectional Theory and its collision with the faith. He is neither racist nor supremacist in any sense. His book… Read more »
James, I rarely post here for a variety of reasons, but your comment intrigues me. I think your perspective assumes that those who use these terms use them as they are defined, without any ulterior intent. However, I’ve seen them used to discredit Christ followers who are simply trying to navigate the culture faithfully. In many places, having the terms “woke”, “cultural marxist”, or CRTI applied to you is to say you have no interest in “communicating the gospel”. Genuine question here with no ulterior intent, how do you apply your perspective when many use these terms in this way?
Jeff, really appreciate the question and tone of your reply. Thank you. I would say applying my perspective would require what I added in my post. The patience to continue discussion and flesh out what someone means by putting a loaded phrase like “Cultural Marxist’ in a discussion. Ask questions in a manner similar to what you have done. I’ve seen what you’ve seen as well and when it is clear that someone is simply spoiling for a fight, moderation by the site’s leaders is appropriate and necessary. I’ve also seen the flip side and someone label it as hurtful… Read more »
You said: “ You’re sweepingly designating these words as “code.” That means that they are part of a racist sub-cultural lexicon and that is demonstrably false.”
No. In SBC discussions to be so labeled is code for liberal, not believing in the sufficiency of Scripture, and possibly a Democrat. Watch and see.
Thanks for pointing that out, William. I will simply reply that whatever the “code” intended, more harm is done by policing language in a forum rather than policing attitudes.
William, Appreciate you, bro. Sadly there are multiple instances of “insultive – you must agree with me or I will deride and or dismiss you completely. Might even blackball you to others” afoot in the SBC. You do not seem to ascribe to such divisive ridiculousness. I have stated multiple times that I do not buy into or ascribe to the accusations of Marxism toward orthodox Southern Baptists. Its silly. Russell Moore, the most frequent focus of that accusation, is wrong, IMO, on numerous applications of sound theology – but as much as I know personally – he holds to… Read more »
Will the term NLS be approved?
( no longer sleeping)
“ Lighten up Francis”. Er William ( anytime anyone can make a bill Murray movie reference on a baptist blog should, and I did say should pass the censor board ???????
That’s so rich. If it walks woke and talks woke, there’s a pretty good chance that it really is woke.
…and, there it is.
Par…meet course.
Since “woke” is a real thing, then it’s not logical to assume that it’s always being used in the way you posited above. It doesn’t follow.
Woke is a real thing. No one knows exactly what it is, though, except in SBC life where it is a dog whistle.
William, please refrain from using the phrase “dog whistle.” My beagle said it hurt her feelings.
Give Fido my humble apologies…I’m scheduled for a canine re-education camp to excise such micro-aggressions.
Hahaha, well played!
Check out Wikipedia. (Everything there is true, you know). “Woke”, as it is now being used, is just a made up word.
William, Yes, there are good arguments pro and con for removing the statues at SBTS. And yes it is never justifiable to call someone a derogatory name. However the discussion ( from another post) cannot rationally be done in a vacuum. The issue of what to do with statues, memorials, the anthem, and even the flag is taking place within a larger social context which unfortunately brings “woke” advocates and the “ unwoke” into the forefront. That is not to say that the “ woke” all think alike on these things or the un woke likewise, but it is hard… Read more »
This is the way discussions should happen, Woody. Thank you for that. I’d reply that woke and unwoke are unavoidable but undefined to an extent that any rational discussion is impossible.
So, SBC Voices publishes a cancel culture piece on Monday and then follows that up with an anti-micro-aggression piece on Wednesday. Ain’t no tellin’ what’ll come on Friday! #StayWoke
Calvinism
At the risk of ruining the great quip-ending of this thread…
…some thoughts on “woke.” Words do trigger thought bubbles. I wonder if, as Christians, our thought bubbles are mostly cultural, or mostly Biblical? Culture and our use often taint good words.
Awake is such a good, bracing Biblical word. I have a goal this summer: recovering Biblical meanings of words co-opted by culture. “Woke” wasn’t on my list – I don’t and won’t use it – but now I’m curious to go through the Bible and transform my mind on being awake. So thank you for the prompt!