In the Beginning Was the Word: Language--A God-Centered Approach [Paperback]

Vern Sheridan Poythress (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2009

Language is not only the centerpiece of our everyday lives, butit gives significance to all that we do. It also reflects andreveals our all-sustaining Creator, whose providential governanceextends to the intricacies of language. Writes Vern Poythress, "Godcontrols and specifies the meaning of each word-not only in Englishbut in Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Italian, and every other language.When, in our modernism or postmodernism, we drop him from ouraccount of language, our words suddenly become a prison that keepsus from the truth rather than opening doors to the truth. But wewill use our words more wisely if we come to know God andunderstand him in relation to our language."

It is such biblically informed insights that make In theBeginning Was the Word especially valuable. Words areimportant to us all, and this book-written at a level thatpresupposes no knowledge of linguistics-develops a positive,God-centered view of language. In his interaction with multipledisciplines Poythress offers plenty of application, not just forscholars and church leaders but for any Christian thinkingcarefully about his speech.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

VERN S. POYTHRESS (PhD, Harvard) is professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he has taught since 1976; editor of the Westminster Theological Journal; and the author of numerous books including Crossway's Redeeming Science: A God-Centered Approach. He was also a member of the ESV Translation Oversight Committee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books; 1 edition (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433501791
• ISBN-13: 978-1433501791
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vern Sheridan Poythress is professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary. He has six earned degrees, including a PhD from Harvard University and a ThD from the University of Stellenbosch. He is the author of numerous books on aspects of biblical interpretation and science.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God The Alpha and Omega of Language, January 8, 2010

By 

Mike Robinson "Mike A Robinson: Apologetic An... (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Beginning Was the Word: Language--A God-Centered Approach (Paperback)

I get it: all meaning presupposes and requires theism. From "In The Beginning Was The Word: Language A God-Centered Approach," there's seldom a cease-fire during Vern Poythress' cogent, erudite musings on language. While his apologetic chops are impeccable in this well-crafted philosophical volume, the weighty and powerful essays cry out for apologetic application regarding the subject of language.

Vern Poythress (esteemed and longtime Westminster Theological Seminary professor) argues that language necessitates Christian theism: "God is personal, and man is clearly personal. As an aspect of his personal character, God is able to speak and use language. Human beings likewise are able to speak and use language ... Human language and human use of language come about only because God has created human beings" with the capacity to use language. (p. 29).

Human language flows from God's ontology and economy as "The Father is the speaker, the Son as discourse, and the Spirit as the hearer" (p. 33). Because of sin there is a division of languages and the gospel is the means to overcome those "barriers" (p. 137). All ethnic groups and cultures can find their unity, not by mere utilitarian methods, by having faith in the truth of Christ (pp. 140-141). Dr. Poythress contends that the unity in diversity within humanity is a finite replication of the triune God forasmuch as the Trinity is the solution to the problem of the "one and the many" (pp. 148/166, etc.).

"In the Beginning Was the Word: Language: A God-Centered Approach" features work including:

- Translation Theory
- Diction and Syntax
- Literary Theory
- Cultural Reconciliation
- Logical Positivism.

The author also discusses at length the notion that all myths are mini-stories of God's work of redemption and the stories of truth within scripture (pp. 195-240 - he covers the work of C.S. Lewis and Bultmann that touch on the topic of myths). Poythress rightly contends that language must convey truth and those who deny such fall into self-impaling assertions (considering that they must employ language as meaningful, to deny that language is meaningful). Poythress adds: "Language when God uses it has a certain ontological primacy" (p. 256).

Spoken truth retains its truth "only because God is continually present" (without the Christian worldview one is faced with Hume's problem of Induction and this problem also surfaces in the dynamic of language. Additionally it can be utilized to demonstrate that mathematics, identity, and countless truths have permanent aspects to them only because God is always present and continually sustains them. An always-in-flux material cosmos lacks the capacity to guarantee a retention of anything over time, even a short duration of time. Hence the non-theist cannot account for the truth that 2 + 2 = 4 even five minutes after it was asserted. The omnipotent and always present God has the capacity to guarantee truths can retain their truth in the future).

Furthermore the author argues that universals require God and connectivity presupposes and requires God (pp. 256-260).

This significant book provides various outstanding graphs that add precision and comprehension. Chapters include:

- Language and the Trinity
- God Sustaining Language
- God's Rule
- Imaging
- World history
- Speaking and Writing
- Truth as a Perspective
- Modernism and Postmodernism
- Doubt
- Platonic Ideas
- Reaching Out to Deconstructionism
- and numerous additional useful and intriguing topics.

This dynamic volume has been endorsed by John Frame, C. John Collins, and Wayne Grudem. Frame extols this work: "God is not merely a possibility, not merely a conclusion, but the starting point for any understanding at all."

This is a necessary and important resource for philosophers, epistemologists, ministers, logicians, linguistic scholars, missionaries, translators, and other people in disciplines which actively rely on the study of language.
The writing is splendid and accessible; an outstanding presentation for the non-scholar or the academician.
"One Way to God: Christian Philosophy and Presuppositional Apologetics Examine World Religions" ASIN:1432722956
or
Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity
"Christianity Today" opined that Poythress in his "theology of language leaves no stone or relevant Scripture verse unturned."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, September 20, 2011

By 

Jacob Sweeney (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Beginning Was the Word: Language--A God-Centered Approach (Paperback)

Language is a neglected discipline. The American Public education system attempts to reverse that cultural trend. But, with the rise of electronic communication and text messaging the downward spiral of language has rapidly increased. There are many reasons for this - some cultural, some social, even some theological - but a significant one is simply the assumption of language.

Have you ever stopped to consider the fact that humans in every place at every time have communicated with one another through sounds created in the throat and by the tongue and teeth. Particular sounds are given specific meaning, but that meaning is contingent upon the language. "Apple" is meaningful in English only. "Apple" is not a meaningful word in French or Spanish. They have another word which refers to the object English speakers understand as an apple. Language is a system of symbols given meaning.

There are many implications of this sort of reflection. Many fascinate me. Vern Poythress has written a book exploring the nature of language. "Language reflects God in his Trinitarian character" and it "confirms what the Bible says" (9). God uses language to bring a universe into being and interact with his creation. He uses it to reveal himself to humanity. He uses it to describe himself (John 1.1-14). Language matters.

This book is more than a biblical exposition on the subject of language. Poythress even examines the nature of language, rhetoric, grammar and syntax. All of the uses and qualities of language demonstrate a Trinitarian creator.

I found this to be a fascinating study by a capable teacher. I have read a number of Poythress' books and they all demonstrate excellence in critical thinking and clarity of presentation. Here is a theologian who demonstrates taking thoughts captive to Christ and does it well. This is a must read for any preacher, teacher or counselor.

NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the Federal Trade Commission I would like to state that I received a complementary copy of the aforementioned text for the purposes of review. I was not required to furnish a positive review.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, June 27, 2011

By 

Ryan Shue (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Beginning Was the Word: Language--A God-Centered Approach (Paperback)

Being a christian with a strong interest in language (majoring in linguistics) I had to read this book. I have to say that Poythress is simply genius in his insights into the source, purpose, and goals of communication or "language". Language is really what sets us apart from the beasts and gives us access to each other and God. Language is integral to God himself. These ideas are explored in this book in amazing clarity and depth of insight. The style is not overly technical, but I think that someone lacking any familiarity with the subject may find some of the ideas somewhat opaque. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to any christian as I think something can be gained from it by anyone.