Labels

"...we all stumble in many ways, if anyone is never at fault in what they say, they are perfect people, able to keep their whole body in check’…"

James 3.2 (NIV inclusified)

On Sunday, I completed my last workshop on "Words that Confuse – Children of God?" (John 1:12-13) with a very responsive group at Church. We discussed the imagery associated with the word ‘child’ in our own personal contexts and looked at the associations with "childlike" and "childish". We also looked at the implications of references in other biblical passages that used non-adult terms; like "babes"– in the often quoted text "out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise". One conclusion affirmed that the patriarchy and heterodoxy, inherent in the cultures of the Old and New Testaments, had affected our perceptions of the word’ child’ but this was redeemed through more contemporary interpretations in modern translations of the Bible. We explored how twenty first century family relationships differed from the tribal power relations in the New Testament. Then we concurred that our relationships affected how we perceived our connection with God which then influenced our awareness of our status with God. For example, being raised in a one parent family may engender an image of God that favours that sole parent. And for those raised outside of family groups, without an identifiable mother or father, God may become a more flexible being, without clearly defined characteristics of either parent; a genderless Spirit. The discussion concluded with the acknowledgment, that whilst the parent-child analogy was beneficial, there were occasions where we needed to "grow up" and appear before God as mature adults; responsible and accountable for our own actions.

Earlier on in the week, before the workshop, I had been working in a cathedral town in Wiltshire. A few days prior, I had an "encounter" with a local minister of religion, who was standing as an independent candidate in the National Elections. The vicar had acquired a certain popularity/notoriety through his enthusiastic evangelism, which allegedly, involved a low flying aircraft over a housing estate and a megaphone…similarly his homophobic utterances had (again allegedly) resulted in several court appearances for disturbing the peace. In enquiring as to his fate, I was informed that he felt that as God was on his side; he would be duly elected as the town’s member of parliament and win a seat in Westminster . I queried this ‘anticipation’ as the minister was campaigning in a very safe seat of an established party, with a history of sustained voter allegiance. I was informed that if he lost in the election, he would probably interpret this as a sign that God was not ready. I made the comment that he needed to stop acting like a child, grow up and accept responsibility for his own actions & outcomes and not hold God accountable. Namely; his personality and policies were the main reasons for his non-election and not his inability to accurately discern God’s will. Then, I inwardly hoped that no one would assume I gave tacit support to his theology or approved his actions as I was a fellow "minister" and "Christian"’.

Labels are words of wounding and also words of healing. Being politically correct (all the time) is a minefield; particularly when once established terms like "brain storming" are no longer PC and have been replaced by a "blue sky event" (also heard on the BBC news) One speaks at one’s peril! I have always had problems with "people of colour" as the onus is on me to be identified and not supposed "people of no colour"- in an age where traditional terms of abuse are being reclaimed and redeemed, it can be bewildering. It has been acceptable, for a long time, to use the words "nigger" and "queer" providing one was a member of the respective communities. Recently, the notorious insult "slut"’ has been reclaimed and redeemed. Its appropriation, by those involved in polyamorous relationships, has transformed it, into a word to describe one’s self positively - as an "ethical slut".

So if we had to label ourselves and in an ideal world we should not have too, what words would we want to reclaim and redeem? What words that previously lowered our self esteem, could be used to make us feel positive about ourselves, with just a little shift in our understanding and intent?

Think about it and you may surprise yourself.

"…a word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.." - Proverbs 25.11

Never settle for other people’s descriptions and labels of who you are…define yourself…and be empowered by the Holy Spirit of God.

back