See all 7 Discoveries HERE.1. POSITIVE IS THE NEW BLACK
2. ASK ONE QUESTION, OR EXPLORE ONE ISSUE
3. MAKE YOUR POINTS ACTUAL POINTS
4. WE NEED TO OPEN DOORS, NOT CLOSE THEM
5. AVOID 'SOCIETY THINKS X'...
Avoid it, unless you can humbly and legitimately show that you have an insight that we haven't yet seen or discovered.
If one makes a huge statement like 'Society thinks X', or 'Post moderns believe Y', or The World say Z', my immediate questions as a listener are: Is that really true? And how do you know? And how has this preacher become an expert in culture and society?
There are, of course, ways to moderate cultural assessments that don't have hubris embedded in them. Show your 'working out'. Saying 'It seems to me that...' is very helpful. Or trying reading someone else's quote about society and interact with that. There are many ways to critique and pull apart culture in ways that we will believe you. That's better than pronouncements.
___________________
7 comments:
Ah yes - this one really bugs me when it's non-Christians think... As I find myself thinking the only person who thinks all non Xns are selfish, immoral, people with no interest in God is obviously someone who doesn't know many non Xns, and perhaps not the best person to be telling us what non Xns think and how we should respond.
This is taught to any student who writes essays. I remember it being drilled at uni. It's as bad as "They say..."
Unsubstantiated nonsense.
@Chris and GC: INdeed. Indeed.
Hi Justin. Haven't been by in a while, but I followed a link from another blog here. I'm enjoying the series.
Spot on Justin. Amateur sociology.
Just to be clear: you mean, I presume, to apply this only when X is not blindingly obvious, right?
Otherwise, I'm really guilty here!
Hey mate, followed a link from Em Liddell - like your blog - keep it up.
Tim
Post a Comment