In this new series of Soul Stirrings, Paul is joined by a co-host, Brandon Knight of William Carey University, to discuss God Talk and the manipulative uses of  spiritual language. Many Americans can easily recount some of the historic atrocities committed by Christians in the “name of God." But God Talk is also used in less atrocious, yet still manipulative, ways in everyday communication with family and friends, clients and co-workers. After some basic definitions are offered, several examples of God Talk will be analyzed in hopes of discovering solutions that seek to honor the name of God as well as the agency of our neighbors.

Ep. 2: God Talk- The Price Tag of God Talk

“Soul Stirrings” is Dr. Paul Patton’s 5-7 minute attempt to provide clarifying, maybe even inspiring, nuggets of insight about faith, communication, and culture along the journey of our existence. Paul is Professor Emeritus of Communication and Media at Spring Arbor University in Michigan, a former pastor, theater practitioner, author, and playwright. This podcast, certainly assuming Judeo-Christian presuppositions, draws steadily from the biblical witness. The concept of “soul stirring” is readily tied to Jewish rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s insight that moments of inspiration come and go, yet “having been inspired never passes” (Heschel, Man Is Not Alone, Harper and Row, 1966, p. 78). In other words, if one can retrieve the inspiring insight from literature, from performance art, or even the memorable quip of a friend as circumstances invite clarity and depth, one has an oasis of the mind whenever it is needed. A “soul stirring” is a truth, an insight, an observation that stirs the soul to reconsider its assumptions and reflect on its current course.

The topics covered include the “Fruits of the Spirit,” as laid out in Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians, nine virtues cultivated over a lifetime in the garden of one’s life. Another over-arching theme is the wise engagement with the title-wave of pop culture, technology, and media entertainment offerings that can inadvertently move us away from a healthy balance of work and rest. As the podcast’s introduction asserts, “where all things regarding faith, communication, and culture are considered.