Abraham Heschel, a Jewish theologian, once said (as quoted by his daughter):
“Words, he often wrote, are themselves sacred, God’s tool for creating the universe, and our tools for bringing holiness — or evil — into the world. He used to remind us that the Holocaust did not begin with the building of crematoria, and Hitler did not come to power with tanks and guns; it all began with uttering evil words, with defamation, with language and propaganda. Words create worlds he used to tell me when I was a child. They must be used very carefully. Some words, once having been uttered, gain eternity and can never be withdrawn. The Book of Proverbs reminds us, he wrote, that death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Heschel's words have long since haunted me. They remind me that the character of who I vote for matters just as much, if not more, than their party or proposed policies. Because words create worlds.
His words also remind me, as a believer, that what I say and how I say matters. My engagement—whether on social media, one on one interactions, teaching, leadership, parenting marriage or whatever—is shaping the worlds of those around me. There are no neutral words. Words are incredibly powerful and must be stewarded with regard for that power.
Thanks for your voice and the way you steward words.
Thank you Jen, for courageously speaking in truth and with boldness. Christ is our leader, and we continue to pledge full allegiance to Him first and only. Blessings on you as you continue to be a voice, using the power of words to proclaim Gods' Truth.
So many have put our faith in politics and decided that the kingdom of God will be served best by defending or defeating a candidate. Fear blinds us to the truth.
Excellent article Jen. Thank you for your words of truth which are few and far between today. As Christians, we must stand for truth, and for the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, not on unsubstantiated rumors and lies. I don't like debating politics, but I must proclaim truth!
Well I wrote a long reply, let my phone go quiet and lost it. Ugh.
Thank you for this. I look forward to reading your political rule. I have caught myself in resentment towards immigrants. It’s a very frightening situation. This mass migration could well undo our country. There’s no point in a double drowning.
Your work with Mauritanians and your community’s work trying to help the noncitizens is to be commended and perhaps that way our communities can redeem this very difficult situation.
I will look forward to reading your political rule of life. I for one try to avoid comments on politics unless I feel safe. People tend to pile on. And I have beloved people on the other side of the aisle, who see things differently. And I don’t have a mind for these kinds of conversations that can go on and on.
The bomb threats came from a foreign source. You can find it if you Google it. If I get the link back I’ll lose this.
Wow Jen. Thanks for this. And especially the ending. "And as a Christian, I don’t believe in scarcity of resources but abundance. As a Christian, I am not beholden to fear."
I couldn't agree more.
I am saddened that even though I live within 5 miles of Lockland I did not know about the Mauritanians. Of course, Springdale and the Princeton School District are dealing with similar issues.
My husband and I have been saying this exact same thing since 2015. Evil starts with words. Genesis shows Satan telling our ancestors that somehow “God has more” , and then, taking out of fear. Cain and Abel. Fear you have more, are more than me-murder. Joseph- his brothers jealousy that he has “more”.
Why are pastors ignoring these sins and spending hours and hours on so- called culture wars?
Words create jealousy, envy, fear, snd eventually violence.
We forget that Jesus talks about the "Good Samaritan", not the "pet eating" one...There is so much potential in every person who has the courage and stamina to get into our country...
Abraham Heschel, a Jewish theologian, once said (as quoted by his daughter):
“Words, he often wrote, are themselves sacred, God’s tool for creating the universe, and our tools for bringing holiness — or evil — into the world. He used to remind us that the Holocaust did not begin with the building of crematoria, and Hitler did not come to power with tanks and guns; it all began with uttering evil words, with defamation, with language and propaganda. Words create worlds he used to tell me when I was a child. They must be used very carefully. Some words, once having been uttered, gain eternity and can never be withdrawn. The Book of Proverbs reminds us, he wrote, that death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Heschel's words have long since haunted me. They remind me that the character of who I vote for matters just as much, if not more, than their party or proposed policies. Because words create worlds.
His words also remind me, as a believer, that what I say and how I say matters. My engagement—whether on social media, one on one interactions, teaching, leadership, parenting marriage or whatever—is shaping the worlds of those around me. There are no neutral words. Words are incredibly powerful and must be stewarded with regard for that power.
Thanks for your voice and the way you steward words.
Thank you for sharing Heschel’s words! So powerful!
Jen. This is powerful.
From a Canadian up here north of you, we pray for peace. But also for good words.
Talk. Debate. Listen. Choose wisely. But look to Jesus as Lord and King.
Thank you for praying!
Will be doing that for sure. 🙏🙏
Yes and amen.
♥️
Well said, and I agree wholeheartedly.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you for standing up and using your voice for this message. ❤️
Thanks for reading!
Excellent piece! Bless you for speaking out!
Thanks for reading!
Thank you Jen, for courageously speaking in truth and with boldness. Christ is our leader, and we continue to pledge full allegiance to Him first and only. Blessings on you as you continue to be a voice, using the power of words to proclaim Gods' Truth.
Full allegiance to Christ, yes!
So much here that is helpful. Thank you for having the courage to put these thoughts down. 🙏🏻
Thanks for reading!
So many have put our faith in politics and decided that the kingdom of God will be served best by defending or defeating a candidate. Fear blinds us to the truth.
Fear blinds us, yes!
Thank you for your wise words and your gracious spirit. May the God of peace use what you have written here.
Thank you for reading!
Excellent article Jen. Thank you for your words of truth which are few and far between today. As Christians, we must stand for truth, and for the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, not on unsubstantiated rumors and lies. I don't like debating politics, but I must proclaim truth!
Thanks for reading!
Well I wrote a long reply, let my phone go quiet and lost it. Ugh.
Thank you for this. I look forward to reading your political rule. I have caught myself in resentment towards immigrants. It’s a very frightening situation. This mass migration could well undo our country. There’s no point in a double drowning.
Your work with Mauritanians and your community’s work trying to help the noncitizens is to be commended and perhaps that way our communities can redeem this very difficult situation.
I will look forward to reading your political rule of life. I for one try to avoid comments on politics unless I feel safe. People tend to pile on. And I have beloved people on the other side of the aisle, who see things differently. And I don’t have a mind for these kinds of conversations that can go on and on.
The bomb threats came from a foreign source. You can find it if you Google it. If I get the link back I’ll lose this.
Godspeed to you in your work. And thank you.
I understand the hesitation to comment on political posts. And I do think these conversations are best in person, in trusting relationships!
Wow Jen. Thanks for this. And especially the ending. "And as a Christian, I don’t believe in scarcity of resources but abundance. As a Christian, I am not beholden to fear."
I couldn't agree more.
I am saddened that even though I live within 5 miles of Lockland I did not know about the Mauritanians. Of course, Springdale and the Princeton School District are dealing with similar issues.
And I'm praying God's care for all.
Thank you again.
It’s crazy, isn’t it, that we can have populations living close to us and not realize it? I’m glad you know now!
My husband and I have been saying this exact same thing since 2015. Evil starts with words. Genesis shows Satan telling our ancestors that somehow “God has more” , and then, taking out of fear. Cain and Abel. Fear you have more, are more than me-murder. Joseph- his brothers jealousy that he has “more”.
Why are pastors ignoring these sins and spending hours and hours on so- called culture wars?
Words create jealousy, envy, fear, snd eventually violence.
You’ve really made a good start on a biblical theology of words! That you!
We forget that Jesus talks about the "Good Samaritan", not the "pet eating" one...There is so much potential in every person who has the courage and stamina to get into our country...
Thanks for sharing!