Jargon Watch

(Proverbs 13:5 KJV)  A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

One bit of jargon I have heard in education is the term “authentic assessment”.  It seems like a no-brainer but keep in mind that jargon is often used to disguise the real meaning.  I see the deception in education.  I have come to expect it in politics and the media.  What disturbs me is that I see it more and more in the church.  In philosophy it is called “deconstruction”.  It means putting whatever meaning you want in words.  Usually it is an ego issue of putting ourselves above the eternal.

For instance the Bible clearly condemns adultery.  At the same time we have people who call themselves Christians claiming that the exception is when you really love someone.  The Bible does not give that safety valve.  We see the same when it comes to honesty in business or in figuring our taxes.  God has standards that will not admit to wiggle room.  God can forgive weakness.  He forgives when we are genuinely repentant.  For those who want to play games with the meaning of words He will have a special surprise.  Believe me, you do not want that surprise.

So?  Live upright lives.  Take the high road.  There is truth.  We are given that truth.  We are not to be editors of that truth.