Theology of Communication

Question 1

Communication is?

Answer 1

1. Inescapable
2. Must be intentional
3. Is ALWAYS constructing

Question 2

How did God Create?

Answer 2

By communicating. God’s creation is a perfect act of communication. Communication is an act of creation.

Question 3

Why does God cease from creating & enter His rest?

Answer 3

Because it is our turn to create. How do we do it? Same way God did… we communicate. We create & share kingdom meaning in our communication

Question 4

What is the goal of communication?

Answer 4

Goal has to do with its creative (not replicating) character. 1.Kingdom expansion (Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven).
2. We speak not to make a point BUT to make a kingdom & temple.

Question 5

Through communication…

Answer 5

1. We Manifest & expand the kingdom of God on earth.
2. We proclaim & reclaim. “This is our Father’s world”

Question 6

Don’t be content c/just telling what you know…

Answer 6

God has given us communication so that we can:
1. Constantly be growing in our understanding and knowledge
2. Participate in the process of meaning production.
So much of communicating on the gospel focuses on “let me tell you what I know” IT SHOULD NOT.

Question 7

Communication is a matter of…

Answer 7

1. Creativity- We are constantly creating new meanings
2. Authority- We have the authority to name elements of creation.
   Our purpose is to expand what God created. God created the world c/potential. God gave humanity these.
   Gen 1:28= God was excited to see what Adam named the animals. He let Adam express his authority & creativity. He did not give Adam a cheat sheet to name the animals.

Question 8

The Garden of Eden & the Power of communication…

Answer 8

1.God created humanity as the pinnacle of his creation-his image
2.Humanity alone has the capacity for symbolic language
3.The arbitrary nature of language represents the creativity instilled within humanity
4. The naming of the animals is a task of authority & creativity (carrying God’s work)

Question 9

What is God setting humanity for in the garden?

Answer 9

To be fruitful & multiply, Name the animals,Do not eat of that tree. These are the steps that God gives humanity to succeed, to prepare, & to achieve.

Question 10

How does communication have power?

Answer 10

Words are powerful. Knowing that words can determine your outcome. For example Matthew 5:26. Jesus that we have done enough to be damned to hell.
Words do hurt as we have hurt & we have hurt others.

Question 11

What task did God give humanity?

Answer 11

The task of defeating evil (the enemy). Just say “no”. It was given to humanity to defeat Satan through communication. Where the first Adam fails the second Adam (Jesus Christ) SUCCEEDS. He knows & uses God’s words to defeat the enemy. Humanity didn’t defeat the enemy at the 1st tree, but at the 2nd tree Jesus did. B/c Christ said NO we have life and the task to further his new creation. Through the Spirit of God, our communication has the creativity and authority to produce God-honoring meaning…which will change the world.

Question 12

What does it mean to “communicate” the gospel?

Answer 12

Transmissional view: It is a matter of information sharing. It is easy. I am the preacher/ evangelist. You are the listener. I have the meaning (which was dictated to me), & I will give it to you.
Transactional View (CORRECT): It is a matter of life sharing. The point is to obey God, NOT ensure the person accepts God. It becomes more significant & less compartmentalized that recognizes the potential of mutual growth. I am not dictating the meaning to you; I am creating space for you and me to view and understand the meaning in a more significant manner.

Question 13

Sending meaning or Negotiating meaning? What comes first? The thought,
The word, The action, The character?

Answer 13

Ultimately, it is more a Chicken & egg scenario & less than a horse and cart scenario. Sending meaning and negotiating meaning happens at the same time.

Question 14

So it is with Communication…

Answer 14

Communication is not just a matter of, “I have an idea; now I am going to tell you.” It is a process by which even as we speak, we are working out the idea and the meaning. We don’t wait until our faith is complete and then share the gospel. Our commitment to the gospel is being worked out as we speak.

Question 15

James refers to the tongue as…

Answer 15

1. Bit. The thing in a horse’s mouth. It steers the rest of the body.
2. Rudder.
3. Spark. From that spark a fire can come & destroy thousands of trees.
4. Fire. The power of communication can destroy or build his kingdom.
5. Spring. Water spring/water well. With the same tongue we praise God & curse our brothers & sisters

Question 16

What is the point (James is making)?

Answer 16

1. As a person speaks (communicates) so she/he will be. The words you speak will produce who you are.
2. The tongue has great potential & is not inherently neutral; it is inherently wicked (it is a destroyer). Communication is not a neutral conduit that simply transports information that is formed in the mind
3. It cannot be partially clean. The tongue (human communication) has a profoundly creative capacity.

Question 17

Christ as a Model Communicator: What was his goal?

Answer 17

Christ’s goal of communication was to establish the Kingdom of God earth. To that end, it didn’t matter if anyone understood his message. He could’ve made everyone understand, BUT that was not the way to demonstrate his heavenly father. He wasn’t primarily trying to convince anyone in this world; His words were creating a New World! He communicated in a way of creating.

Question 19

Why do we communicate?

Answer 19

B/c we try to reduce differences among us. We persuade them to be like us OR to like us. B/s we are insecure. If they don’t like us, we feel bad about ourselves.

Question 20

Christ as Model Communicator:

Answer 20

1. He didn’t seek to master other people but gave them space.
2. He sought to listen & identify c/people
3. He recognized that humans must live by God’s words NOT our own. Jesus knew we could not live on bread alone. Know the word, so that the word may TRANSFORM YOU

Question 21

What did Christ focus on with his communication?

Answer 21

1. Christ cared about CONTENT. It matters what we say.
2. Christ cared about CONTEXT. It matters when & what we say. Sometimes the loving thing to do is sit & be silent & listen. It lets them know that you are there.
3. Christ cared about CONNECTION. He connects c/ his listeners. He understands connection is important. Do I care enough about the other person to craft my meaning/ words that relate to them. For example the fishermen.

Question 22

Christ & Language…

Answer 22

1. Christ understood the limitations of symbolic language: Words only say so much. Words can be cheap. We can say it & not mean it. We can say words that don’t have the backing of truth
2. Christ understood the power of symbolic language: Words say quite a lot. Words can hurt. Lord let every word I speak proclaim your name.