Letter 1
" Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church."
Propaganda vs the Church
How do you define jargon and propaganda, which to me are similar. Well here is one attempt from Mr. Webster.
Jargon-special words that are difficult for others to understand.
Propaganda- ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are spread in order to help a cause.(Merriam Webster)
True arguments demand facts not just opinions. When dealing with facts you eventually have to make a decision about those facts. When the church sticks to propaganda or jargon, which seem similar, it fails to capture that heart of God. The church should be the place of truth, that is God's truth. We do not need to allow jargon or propaganda rule the day. Let that be for the politicians of the day.
In today's political world, jargon or propaganda rules the day. If you listen to one side or the other you would think the worst of the opposing side. There might be some truth to the statements but eventually the bias comes out.
So let's stop the propaganda in the church. Stop the spin. Don't tell people everything will be okay once you have Jesus I your heart. The problem is that in saying this you most likely are talking about he eternal aspect of things. The hearer is trying to find money to pay the rent.
Some verse to ponder.
1 Thessalonians 2:5 "For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives..."
2 Timothy 2:16 "But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness."
Lewis is right. People will be turned off by propaganda in due time. It happens in the world and it will happen in the church.
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