The Cussing Christian?!?

Article by Phil Johnson
http://teampyro.blogspot.com/search/label/language

Cussing is back on the table for debate again, it seems. Last week I was twitted by Twitterers, poked by Facebookers, IMed by chatmongers, and berated by bloggers on this subject. (Apparently there's a gang of angry people prepped and ready to throw down any time I breathe a sigh of disapproval about cussing—especially if some Christian celebrity is the one doing the cussing.)

Anyway, although we've dealt with that subject several times in the past, every time it comes up, the same tired arguments get trotted out to defend the casual use of crude slang, profane language, or perverse speech by Christians. The most popular arguments in favor of cussing seem to be 1) that to cuss or not to cuss is purely a matter of Christian liberty, not a biblical issue; 2) that cussing is necessary these days in order to contextualize our message and prove to the world that we're not "legalistic"; 3) that compared to being disagreeable, cussing is practically a virtue; and 4) that a more lenient attitude toward cussing would prove we really do care that AIDS and hunger are killing large numbers of people in Africa.

That fourth argument is the one that baffles me most. I'm not sure why anyone would think liberalizing our tolerance for vile language and recreational profanity among Christians might ease the AIDS crisis or do more to cure poverty than recruiting more people to serve alongside the thousands of non-cussing evangelical missionaries and relief organizations who are already providing medical services, food, and clothing for sick and impoverished people worldwide. But evidently some very vocal people are convinced that liberal use of scatology is the only valid badge of authenticity for one's social concerns. Bono was a pioneer in the use of such verbal emblems, of course, but Tony Campolo is the one who brought it into the evangelical mainstream and made a whole generation of students think of cussing as practically a sacrament. Now Derek Webb has canonized the idea in a song.

We often hear people suggest that because the apostle Paul used the word skubalon, (translated fittingly as "dung" in the KJV), scatology has thereby been sanctified. Have at it. If Paul could say that, nothing should be taboo. Christians nowadays likewise try to justify even worse kinds of crudeness on the grounds that Paul spoke harshly and indelicately about the Judaizers in Galatians 5:12. (He hinted that since they believed circumcision makes a person holier, they ought to take their doctrine to the next level and emasculate themselves.) I've responded to those arguments—repeatedly.

But notice what Paul himself said about lewd and off-color language. He classifies it as impurity in Ephesians 5:3-6, where he treats indecent language as one of several worldly substitutes for love. The Greek term Paul uses is akatharsia, a word that refers to every kind of filth and pollution—"uncleanness" in the KJV. Paul is talking about real spiritual uncleanness, not ceremonial defilement, but moral filth.

And when he gives some specific examples of akatharsia in verse 4, all of them have to do with the misuse of language: "obscenity," "foolish talk," and "coarse jesting." He is talking about the words we use, the things we talk about, and the spirit of our conversation. He covers all the bases.

Now, you might well wonder, if the context is dealing with genuine love vs. counterfeit love, how do smutty words, base conversations, and vulgar jokes fit into any category of phony love?

Think about it; those are the peculiar characteristics of worldly companionship: "filthiness . . . foolish talking . . . coarse jesting." Those are the main emblems of membership in any carnal brotherhood. Look at any of Satan's strongholds; any place where wickedness operates unrestrained; wherever you find a band of thieves or a federation of scoundrels—from the juvenile gangs that roam our streets to the old-men's club that hangs out at the neighborhood tavern. "Filthiness . . . foolish talk [and] crude joking" are always their main stock in trade. That's what will consume the leisure time they spend together. Because those are the main badges of fleshly fellowship, and that is the glue that substitutes for authentic love virtually every worldly fraternity. That is exactly what Paul is describing, and he says, Don't let such things characterize your fellowship with one another.

In order to obey the principle Paul sets forth here, we you need to be intentionally counter-cultural, because our culture values evil companionship much more than wholesome love. Have you ever considered the degree to which this is true? "Filthiness . . . silly talk, [and] coarse jesting" are virtually the trademarks of secular society. Vile language, crude subject matter, silly talk, and sheer folly are the main currency of the contemporary entertainment industry. The corrupt notion of brotherhood Paul is attacking here is exactly what most of our culture has substituted in the place of real love.

That's why movies are filled with dirty words and smutty themes. That's why contemporary comedy is so dependent on vile language and filthy subject matter to get a laugh. Situation comedies on television used to feature families and plot lines. Now they are shows about nothing dealing mainly with relationships between friends who are unmarried, unattached, and lacking any discernible direction in their lives. "Filthiness . . . foolish talk[, and] crude joking" describes about 99 percent of the content of programs like that.

Our culture insists those things are perfectly benign, but Paul says they are not. Carnal camaraderie is practically the antithesis of true, godly love. Crude language, filthy joking, and risque entertainment are "not fitting" for Christians. They have no place in the Christian's walk. Verse 12: "For it is a shame even to speak of those things which [they do in secret]." Keep those things out of your life. More than that, keep references to things like that out of your conversation, Paul says.

And notice this: he categorizes spicy talk about frivolous subject matter along with some of the most serious of all sins. Don't get addicted to that brand of language and humor, and especially don't allow that kind of companionship to characterize your own life.

What are you reading?

It has been some time since my last reading report. I must admit I have not been reading as much as i can/should lately. Too much TV i guess. What good books have you read lately?


Books I've recently read

1. Heroes by Iain H Murray
2. Jesus Christ: the Prince of Preachers by Mike Abendroth
3. Revelation 20 and the Millennial Debate by Matt Waymeyer
4. The Rapture: 3 Views by various authors

Books I'm currently enjoying

1. Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin
2. Various Revelation commentaries and journal articles
3. 9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
4. 10 Questions to Diagnosing your Spiritual Health by Don Whitney
5. The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott
6. The Seven Last Things by David J Macleod
7. Toward An Exegetical Theology by Walter C Kaiser

Preaching Revelation

I have been the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Freeport for close to a year and a half now. After a short topical series on "biblical preaching" i decided to take my new congregation through the book of Revelation. The most common response i get when sharing that bit of information with others is "Are you crazy, stupid, or a little bit of both, son?" OK not really, but i can see what many Christians are thinking when i tell them what I just told you.

When Christians talk about Revelation they often think of two common things: a very obscure New Testament book and lots and lots of prophecy charts. Yet the book of Revelation is one of the most Christ-centered books in all the Bible. Chapter 1 begins with a picture of Jesus Christ in all His post-resurrection glory! Chapters 2 & 3 are immensely practical instructions to the 7 churches (real churches that represent the type of churches/church goers that exist in every century of church history). Chapter 4 pictures Heaven's worship of the Sovereign Creator. Chapter 5 highlights the great Hero of Heaven, Jesus Christ. Some of the most theologically rich details about the gospel are presented in this magnificent 5th chapter. Chapters 6-18 describe the awful Tribulation period that is yet to come. Chapter 19 highlights the majestic return of Christ (as righteous Judge, Holy Warrior, and as KING of Kings and LORD of Lords). Chapter 20 describes the millennial Kingdom and the final judgment of all God's enemies. Chapters 21-22 showcases the New Heavens and the New Earth.

Last Sunday I preached my 48th sermon from this lengthy letter (I've preached 8 sermons on chapter 1, 23 sermons on chapters 2 and 3, 11 sermons on chapters 4 & 5, 2 sermons on chapters 6-18, and 4 sermons on chapter 19). My last message covered the famous battle of Armageddon (Rev 19:17-21). Instead of getting lost in the minutia of this final battle i tried to emphasize what I believe is a major theme of this section; Judgment without mercy. Those who reject the mercies of God in Christ will one day experience God's judgment without mercy. Talk about relevant sermons.

With that said, I have tried to walk a very thin line in preaching through this neglected Prophesy. I don't want this series to be an information drop that simply tickles the fancy of those prophesy chart pundits (you know who you are). At the same time i don't want to ignore the rich theology of the Apocalypse either. In other words, just because it is en vogue right now not to have strong convictions with regards to eschatology does not mean those major themes should/can be ignored when preaching through this inspired letter. For example, does Revelation 3:10 promising deliverance from the Tribulation? Does Revelation 6-18 describe a 7 year period of unparalleled evil (the Day of the Lord, the future Tribulation) or something else? Is the binding of Satan in Revelation 20 future or present? Is the First Resurrection physical or spiritual? Is the reign of Christ in Revelation 20 on earth or in heaven?

Bottom line: Pastors should consider preaching through the book of Revelation because of this book's profound Christology. The more I talk with unbelievers and the more I minister to American believers the more I see a need to preach the REAL Jesus. After all He is the Lion of Judah and the Lamb that was slaughtered to purchase a covenant people. He is Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the righteous Judge, the Holy Conqueror, & the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.