It's Not Just Semantics Folks!

March 30th, 2006
In the past, I've clumsily tried to edit other people's theological grammar to suit my own. I hope and pray that was mostly a product of my own immaturity and misplaced zeal. However, people always claimed that most differences were purely semantics and word choice and didn't mean anything. However, since one's theology can turn based upon a simple prepostion or slight word change, perhaps it is more important than we realize or want to care about in our world which lauds lazy scholarship and sloppy thinking. The following is a quote from an early Church father on the use of speech. At stake was the Church's orthodox doctrine on who the Holy Spirit is. Basil wrote this after he became bishop of Caesarea in 370AD.

"Those who are idle in the pursuit of righteousness count theological terminology as secondary, together with attempts to search out the hidden meaning in this phrase or that syllable, but those conscious of the goal of our calling realize that we are to become like God, as far as this is possible for human nature. But we cannot become like God unless we have knowledge of Him, and without lessons there will be no knowledge. Instruction begins with the proper use of speech, and syllables and words are the elements of speech. Therefore to scrutinize syllables is not a superfluous task. Just because certain questions seem insignificant is no reason to ignore them. Hunting truth is no easy task; we must look everywhere for its tracks. Learning truth is like learning a trade; apprentices grow in experience little by little, provided they do not despise any opportunity to increase their knowledge. If a man spurns fundamental elements as insignificant trifles, he will never embrace the fullness of wisdom." Basil the Great from On the Holy Spirit.

Honor Him who is Lord with your choice of words.

KJ