A
few weeks ago, my friend and I were having a delightful conversation at the
pub. We were chatting about addressing God. (Oh yes, friends, I'm super fun to
chat theology with on a Friday night!)
At
any rate - my friend (and colleague) indicated a hesitancy to maintaining some
of the previously used language when we are educating and pastoring a younger
congregation. Specifically, we were debating the "Thee" and
"Thou" and "Thy" formalities of a bygone era, within the
context of the Lord's Prayer.
My
friend makes a good point: in no other place do we use such language; even to
address royalty one uses "Your" majesty/highness/excellency. The
world has changed; the language has changed. Trying to teach a younger generation (including baby
boomers, by the way) to use the highest formalities necessitates an awareness
of archaic linguistics. (It was written before Shakespeare, and we all know how delightfully clear that language is to understand!)
And
yet, for so many in our midst, the Lord's Prayer just isn't the Lord's Prayer
unless it does use those words.
Our
pub decision was that this was a conundrum that would not be easily solved; yet
we acknowledged two truths... first, as polyglots (having at least rudimentary
knowledge of more than one language), we identify that English provides
linguistic limitation in it's absence of formal address provision (which other
languages automatically include: for example, Vous vs Tu in French).
Secondly,
we agreed that come judgment, when we stand before the Throne of Grace, we hope
that we will be wise enough to bow before God's majesty and acknowledge the
source of love and life with the utmost respect and authority. If God wants to
hear a "Thee" from me, I will not refuse!
Fast
forward to this week, when we briefly revisited the topic, this time within the
context of Imago Dei, a theology
based on every human bearing the image and likeness of God. The conundrum
deepens... if we, looking at the presence of Christ in one another, are
comfortable using the informal "you", then to differentiate with God
in heaven as "Thou" seems to deny that Imago Dei in language, and possibly beyond.
A
very valid concern with broad-reaching implications!
Yet
I countered with my friend by turning the question: However we address God,
have we ever considered how God addresses us?
Does God use the language of the King James Bible with us? Or one of the
ancient Biblical languages? Or modern English to prevent confusion? Does it
matter, so long as we are continuing conversations with our Creator?
It
is my belief that God's language speaks into our hearts in such an intimate and
loving way that it celebrates the Imago
within, delights in the whispers of our hearts, and communicates perfect grace
to every aspect of our soul. And when that happens, it transcends all human language
- in all its versions.
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