Mind Your Language

Speaking three languages on my part has, once in a while, put me in trouble.This is not to say that speaking one language is any less of a trouble. Rather , that language as a resource for individual and community can be utilized for ill or for good. Instances of using language for personal interests are not uncommon. This is what I was reminded of in the just concluded study of Quentin Skinner's book, Visions of Politics vol. 1. Basically, our humanness in language becomes reflected in how we create, utilize, transform, manipulate, and otherwise govern the language we use. Now, speaking as a young person, female, white, black, Asian, elder, student, professor, will obviously influence my language. This will be further influenced by other dimensions as social, religious, economic, political.
Given these complexities of language, I can only imagine the trouble the Creedal Committees went through in the early church period. They tried to use language to explain whom it was they believed in as God. It was hard! But they believed in THAT ONE whom they had difficulties explaining. In the end they came up with a language of their faith, in a statement or Creed. Today, I often find myself at a loss for words on matters regarding my faith. I do find myself at times just getting along, sometimes becoming fascinated by the "rhetorical trick" of the "innovating ideologist."But Praise be to God! for those occasional "heartwarming" experiences that visit me in unexpected places and times, such as in a Skinner's class.