Fussin’ about cussin’
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I think the current furor began earlier this year when it began to circulate that John Piper, theologian par excellent, used “profanity” in a message at Passion 07. I wrote about it here. Then there’s the “cussin’ pastor,” Mark Driscoll who leads Mars Hill Church. Mark and many of his lead team apparently use some language that might be deemed offensive, especially here in the Bible Belt. However, his church consistently reaches those previously “unchurched” and bears remarkable fruit.
Piper later apologized for his language and said,
On the one hand, I don’t like fanning the flames of those who think it is hip and cool to swear for Jesus. That, it seems to me, is immature. On the other hand, I want those hip people to listen to all I say and write, and I hope that the Lord may get a hold of them and draw them out of immaturity and into the fullness of holiness. But it backfires if one becomes unholy to make people holy. I suspect there was too much of the unholy in my heart at that moment.
Profanity is a non-issue in much of our culture today, but for the disciple of Christ, scripture indicates that even our language needs to be submitted to the scrutiny and fire of holiness.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4.29)
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5.4)
Of course, you see secular shock jock Don Imus dismissed earlier this year from his job for ill-conceived comments. However, former Dallas Theological Seminary head and pastor/author Chuck Swindoll was also dismissed from a VCY radio broadcast for using “vulgar” language (including buns, heck, crap, balls).
Now tallskinnykiwi’s blog has an engaging commentary about much of the fussin’ about cussin’. He offers three observations:
- In Premodern times, the most offensive words were excommunicatory in nature.
- In modern times, which is where many people still live, words that cause most offense affront our personal and private sensibilities.
- In our postmodern times, as the voices of the margin dwellers and powerless have been given consideration and brought to the center, it is exclusionary language that causes most offence.
I know we’ve already commented extensively on this blog on this issue, but here’s an additional thought: Why does this issue continue to make sound waves across our culture?
Some of my thoughts are:
- In order to effectively communicate, I think perhaps that you must certainly consider the culture you’re in before opening your mouth.
- One should never push the bounds of what is considered offensive on a regular basis or risk losing your influence on the culture you’re trying to reach.
- Even in cultures which permit or allow language that might be considered vulgar in other cultures, one must still consider whether it’s wise to “go there.” After all, in today’s global communication network, what you say travels aorund the world, on blogs and through podcasts. Wouldn’t you want your words to have as much power and impact in all cultures? Why neuter your influence by the use of language that is unnecessary?
- Young and immature Christians as we all are, we tend to seek to find “substitutes” for profanity. I continually hear the use of the word “freaking” which seems to be a sub-in for f**king. I find myself saying “darn” or even the more Gomer Pylish “dadgummit,” which are also replacements for damn.
I guess the larger question is “why?” Why do we even feel the necessity of inserting such exclamations into our speech? And how should the follower of Christ seek to communicate? Does the need to be “relevant” or “connect” with the unchurched really demand that one alter one’s speech?
June 7th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I feel that one reason we ‘feel the necessity of inserting such exclamations into our speech’ is because God made us to be expressive. Consider David’s psalms. I couldn’t imagine going a day with expressing myself in some way whether I am shocked, scared, excited or surprised! It is the Christian’s resposibility to be sensitive to the culture they are in. I don’t think God created us to be un-expressive. Life is full, fun and something we should experience at the most. Dangit!
June 7th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Being a “young-un” myself,I believe that one’s speech might have to be altered a bit to draw in the larger crowd.Many “unchruched” find christians so sanitized that they feel inferior for their own flaws/and or sins therefore, are intimidated by christians and are less likely to attend services as a result.On the other hand,I also think that if any church leader were to frequently use profanity,it would also send the wrong message about christians and defeat the purpose.I think you have to find the happy medium.
June 7th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I have listened to hundreds of hours of Driscoll sermons and I have barely heard him say anything that could be considered ‘Cussing’
He does describe the vulgar culture that much of his congregation lives in quite frankly.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I thought I would add my two cents worth of language expertise to the comments, but am glad to find that Carolyn has already, immediately hit on the answer to your question. The strong exclamations of which you speak are “powerful” words in that they carry out explosive expressions and emotion with a lot of force. We are emotional beings and the desire to vent strong, explosive emotions quickly is, in some circumstances, overwhelming.
As a friend of mine once stated, “When I get up for a glass of water in the night and stub my toe in the dark, ‘golly gee darn’ just doesn’t cut it.”
On the other hand, I believe that any civilized person (Christian or not) understands that self-control is a valuable asset in life. Consequently, swearing in a public forum is often looked down on because it is seen as a character flaw. Nobody expects Hollywood celebrities to have much character (though some do) so there’s not much reaction when they swear in public, but when a politician, or media professional, or (heavens no!) a spiritual leader shows a weakness of character, that IS a big deal to people, as it should be. Such people have built a reputation upon character, and a lack of self control is quite a character flaw.
I’ll try to control my mad typing now and end this comment.
:)
June 7th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
All of you, GREAT comments, but I still like Caro’s the best. My wifey always surprises me with amazingly wise responses in such few words.
And Josh R., I cannot personally say I’ve ever heard Driscoll “cuss,;” it’s all just word-of-mouth. However, there are enough accounts of him and Mars Hill folks doing so that I tend to believe that he perhaps at times does so.
Here are some links that refer to his use of inappropriate language:
June 9th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I remember discussing this on another post some time ago (don’t remember where). Sometimes I don’t really know what to think about the whole issue. I’ve heard preachers try to use “hell” out of context in the pulpit and for some reason it just doesn’t set right. Is it sin to use strong language? We tend to think so. Mark’s example of the guy stubbing his toe is a good one. I think what you said, Jeff, about us using replacements like “friggin” “oh, crap”, etc lays out the hypocrisies in our thinking. If it’s wrong to use an expressive strong word, what makes the word “crap” and cleaner than the alternative? They’re both words for “poop” which we all can agree is not clean.
Outside the pulpit:
I think its all about balance and correct choice of vocabulary. The other day I was on a cable install, and the customer was trying to talk about something. but I have no idea what it was because the “f-bomb” was being dropped as adjectives for every noun he described: “the ****ing tv never picked up a ****ing thing when a ****ing thunderstorm came over when I had that ****ing satellite”. How intelligent is that? Is this becoming of someone whose mind has been “transformed by the renewing of the mind”?
What about when you’re staring death in the eye in a near fatal accident? What comes out of your mouth: “oh s**t!” or “Jesus help us!”?
Just my contribution to the subject. Can’t say I haven’t done my share of “go somewhere by myself and have a good cussin’”. I don’t justify it, but I’ve been there and I understand the frustration of life that leads to it. When you someone cussing a lot, I believe that they are looking for a release that will never come if they don’t lay their problems at Jesus’ feet.
September 4th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Wow, stumbled on this by accident! Glad I did. I see you refer to much “stronger” language useage than what Chuck Swindoll and others have been accused of using. Biblically, we are to be careful what comes out of our mouths, as it is always headed straight into the ears of others. And yes, there should be no obscenity or foolish talk…in a perfect world. We are not a part of that perfect world yet. The website I found before yours lists the “7″ deadly words of Chuck Swindoll (or there abouts - who’s counting anyway?) I doubt if these people examined themselves with equal scrutiny, they would be found any cleaner. Isn’t there also a verse which reminds us that we will be forgiven by the same measure with which we forgive? I allow most people, like Chuck Swindoll to be capable of choosing their language to fit their audience. We would do much more good to spend our time plucking out our own logs and allowing the Chuck Swindolls of life to worry about their splinters.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Great input, Charm! We’re “charmed” as a result!
September 5th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Oooooh yeah that was good!!!
September 29th, 2007 at 8:43 am
In response to another’s comment— I don’t understand why I, as a believer,need to be sensitive to my culture. I am sensitive to their need of a savior and salvation. I aware that they need an example of Christ, which is suppose to be me. (be an example of Christ) Cussing isn’t the only thing that seems to have be an “okay” thing in the belivers life these days. Christian are pushing all the limits and supposedly falling just below the line of being like the world. It is almost as though we are shaking hands with the world and making a truce. If I speak, dress, and react the same as them, what makes me different? I am not talking about dressing in an archaic fashion, or speaking in thees and thous or shunning people. I am saying what is wrong with not showing cleavage, speaking clean and clear, or reacting in kindness instead of profanity and anger. Scriptures testify that there was all of this in Christ’s time and it also encourages us to be different. What will be next? A little adultery, some stealing, a small amount of coveting, it is part of culture you know!
September 29th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Michelle,
This was a great response, and I believe you’re right. It’s not just a our language that is slipping. Any compromise with culture can never affect just one area of our lives.