Talking the Walk: Letting Christian Language Live Again

Father. Hell. Atonement. Discipleship. Let's be honest, these words haven't been winning any popularity contests lately. In fact, they have become strangely embattled in today's conversations about faith--variously ignored, overused, or flat-out misunderstood. Besides, hasn't culture taught that "Father" is exclusive, "community" promotes conformity, and "doctrine" is intellectually naïve?In her probing new book, Marva Dawn challenges these assumptions, encouraging readers to ponder these embattled words, and indeed all words, before they dismiss them. Dawn looks at the significance of this language in the history of the Christian faith, arguing that words are events and the ways in which they are spoken can influence other's behavior. As she eloquently argues, "churches cannot flourish if the names are corrupted."Written for all Christians, this book will particularly serve pastors, who grapple with words and language-based choices every day.