This is another post relating to the subject of profanity.  This is a 12 minute video where Doug Wilson answers the question of whether it’s appropriate to – as a writer – make use of cuss words and for what purposes.  The question takes a different angle than Thomas’ question to Pastor in episode 18 (i.e. a writer’s perspective, not a consumer’s as Thomas’ was), and the answer – which is perfectly in harmony with Pastor’s – is thus a different angle on the topic as well.

Cussing Characters

This post is directly tied to Pastor and Thomas’ conversation in episode 18 about the proper translation of the Greek word “skubalon” used by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:8 (discussed in the broader context of the Christian approach to “cuss” words).  Among Christians, Daniel B. Wallace is considered one if the premier Greek and New Testament scholars of our time; he wrote an article on this subject some years back, and it seemed right to link to it here.

Word Study on Skubalon

For those who simply want to get the gist without reading Wallace’s entire article, I give you his conclusion:

In Phil 3:8, the best translation of skuvbala seems clearly to be from the [dung/excrement] definitions. The term conveys both revulsion and worthlessness in this context. In hellenistic Greek it seems to stand somewhere between “crap” and “s**t.” However, due to English sensibilities, and considering the readership (Christians), a softer term such as “dung” is most appropriate. The NET Bible, along with a few other translations, grasp the connotations here, while most modern translations only see the term as implying worthlessness. But Paul’s view of his former life is odious to him, as ours should be to us. The best translation, therefore, is one that picks up both worthlessness and revulsion, and probably a certain shock value.

Presenting… “The Twilight Zone: The Obsolete Man“, as discussed on the most recent Count Joy episode.  It’s a great episode of a classic show that deals with… well, that would be telling.  Well worth watching!

Doug Wilson has some good words today on the issue of “American exceptionalism” – a phrase that has seen much play since Russian president Putin’s op ed last week.  It’s full of salient points like the following:

“The exceptional things we have (in truth) been given can be counted as blessings from the hand of the only true God, who requires us to name Him as the only source of any such blessings. The quite ordinary conceit we have displayed, sharing it with Ozymandias, is our refusal to do so. The longer we have gone on in this vein the more the sham has become apparent. Is America exceptional? Well, why don’t you ask one of the millions of Americans who were chopped up in little pieces in the womb because the ghouls on our highest Court found the right to such wickedness hiding under a penumbra? Is America exceptional? Well, the reply comes back from the dead child. ‘I really am not in a position to know . . .'”

An American Drubbing

Well worth the read in its entirety!