Let’s start with “woke.” Stumble across this and you can guarantee that you’re in a conversation beyond reclamation. Used by hipster wannabe crotchety old codgers blogging in their basements or some Twitter idiot who thinks he’s an enfant terrible. I’ll update my opinion on this to note that one on the SBCV team has explained how the term seems suitable for him. I respect that but still scratch my head over it.
“Loath” and “loathe.” Obviously, folks don’t know the difference between the two. I loathe the Yankees, any peanut butter dessert, and the use of the words “woke,” “season,” and “safe space.” I am loath to drive in Atlanta or to listen to a pastor who doesn’t know the difference between a prayer and a sermon. Let the people who know what they’re doing handle these terms. Everyone else drop them and step away.
“Unpack.” This is so 2015, brethren. No one thinks you are kewl. Just explain or analyze. Same for “granular” or “pixelated.” Spare me.
“God’s Man” but Adam Blosser already covered that. Can’t be said often enough that this hoary appellation should be deep sixed.
My old friend wrote, “...the gospel as revealed in scripture is supposed to be esemplastic.” Old word with Greek origin. Very unusual though impressive. I doubt it will make much of a comeback unless a cadre of academicians is fond of its use. Same for “quotidian,” although I always appreciate throwing out words so obscure that they are either ignored or lazy readers are made to expend effort looking them up. Twitter and blogs can be depressingly jejune.
I think I’ve read, sometimes superficially, about every article on Wartburg Watch (although the endless comment streams are too much for me even in retirement). While I don’t share all of their goals in regard to clergy sex abuse, I do appreciate the irreverence shown towards celebrities, self-appointed authorities, and experts. Thus, their use of “TM” and “the Matthew 18 Brigade” makes me smile.
Yeah, and all this stuff about “staying in your lane” is to be ignored. Everyone knows SBC preachers are experts on everything. Simple observations over the years confirm this.
An underused phrase in SBC life: forensic audit.
And an obscure word tossed into a conversation is like an intellectual shot across the bow…but like the great Gray Allison said, when you are preaching use words your hearers can understand.
____________
Have a great Lord’s Day.
