Chris’ Considerations

A few considerations here today, it’s nice when they “meet in the middle”.

Consideration One: Good Words

I read a brilliant article today in the September 2007 edition of The Briefing entitled Take care: Words at work, A brief theology of words for preachers by Michael Jensen. The author explains the importance of using the right words, specifically when preaching, but the implications are much wider.

From the beginning, words were essential to our capacity to relate to one another and to God. … We wrestle to find the right way to express something … but the wrestling is creative–a delightful task … (Michael Jensen, “Take care: Words at work,” in The Briefing, September 2007, (Matthias Media), pp.24-25)

There are loads of really important Biblical and theological words that we need to grow to know, for example: creation, fall, redemption, glorification, sin, wrath, grace, cross, penal substitutionary atonement, repentance, justification, faith, Jesus, Christ, Lord, Saviour, glory, God, alone.

Consideration Two: Good Sentences

When you rightly arrange good words together you get good sentences. I was struck by a couple of posts over at Mason’s Musings where Andy Mason explained in Starting the Day Right:

I’m a great believer in distilling the essentials truths of the Scriptures into simple propositions that I can remind myself of and meditate on every day.

Here are nine such simple propositions I’d commend to your reading:

• Four Important Principles (17th July 2007)
• Starting the Day Right (22nd September 2007)

This reminded me of something Bob Kauflin wrote about reading books, (HT: Tim Challies). He explained in What – Me Read? the significance of sentences and how it is often a good sentence within a book that makes an impact.

So therefore…

God willing, over the coming days I’m going to try to post some good words arranged in good Bible-based, Christ-centred, God-glorifying sentences.

315 words.

Updated: 26/09/07