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Words and symbols can prompt action. Advertisers bank on this. A Christian agency would think long and hard before sending any of its representatives into an Arab land today under the name The Crusaders. Nor is it necessarily helpful for us to use "war talk" or culture-war rhetoric in this country at a time when a tiny minority of Americans have been talking about the "imminency" of a very real and violent civil war. It is incumbent upon us to refrain from rhetoric that might unwittingly inflame passions, needlessly discourage, or wound. We exercise this self-restraint regarding certain speech because we adjudge specific words inappropriate for particular times and circumstances.

If there is any group of Americans who should take the lead in promoting civility in discourse, while at the same time standing up boldly for Christ, for righteousness and justice, it should be Christians. Francis Schaeffer reminds us: "We are to love our fellows, to love all people, in fact, as neighbors. All people bear the image of God." Moreover, the Christian knows that he or she will be held accountable for words uttered. Our speech is often a window into our souls (Matt. 12:34-37).

It is true Christ used vipers and other such expressions. But for us, these terms are less viable. Christ knew the hearts of those whom he described. Moreover, he wept over Jerusalem. He may have had a tear in his eye when he used strong speech. We, however, are not graced with our Lord's omniscience. Sometimes our use of strong language can cloak bitter feelings against our enemies, the very ones we are called to love (Matt. 5:44). Our rhetoric can erect unnecessary barriers between us and them.

In his classic discussion of how spiritual pride can blindside us and hinder the advance of spiritual awakening, Jonathan Edwards discusses those who "speak of almost every thing that they see amiss in others, in most harsh, severe, and terrible language." He writes: "Oh, say they, we must be plain hearted and bold for Christ, we must declare war against sin wherever we see it, we must not mince the matter in the cause of God and when speaking for Christ. … What a strange device of the devil is here, to overthrow all Christian meekness and gentleness. … How far off shall we soon banish the lovely appearance of humility, sweetness, gentleness, mutual honour, benevolence, complacence, and an esteem of others above themselves, which ought to clothe the children of God all over!" (Thoughts on the Revival, part IV, section 1).

Unfortunately, we evangelicals do not always enjoy a sterling reputation for "the lovely appearance of humility, sweetness, gentleness, mutual honour," or the loving of our neighbors as ourselves or the using of temperate speech. Many of us, despite our actual beliefs and attitudes, are falsely portrayed as angry and mean-spirited.

Unfortunately, some Christian spokespersons have, in fact, provided the media and the American public with genuine examples of mean-spirited rhetoric. Dr. James Dobson calls upon me to give their names. During recent years, the media have often done this work of identification for us, and in Technicolor. Like Dr. Dobson in his response, however, I decided not to name names so that no particular ministry would be hurt. Rather, I had hoped that by raising to a more conscious level the importance of how Christians speak before a listening world, the leadership of these organizations might be prompted to reflect more seriously upon their choices of rhetoric.

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June 19 1995, Vol. 39, No. 7