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by Jerry Thacker
Semantics. It's both art and science. It's art because stringing together a series of sounds that become words that have meaning requires skill. It's science because words have meaning only within certain societal contexts.
In this issue, we discuss the use of words as symbols. Those who believe we should have the "right" to take the life of the unborn have very skillfully used the word "choice" to cover a multitude of sins. In reality, the only choice given many women who pass through the doors of abortion clinics is the date and time for the appointment to end a pregnancy.
Even the word "love" has been so prostituted that many equate it only with the physical act of sexual intercourse. Love means so much more. And when you put the word "unconditional" in front of it, an entirely new depth is expressed.
Only those who know the eternal love of God -- a love that included the highest sacrifice, the death of His Son -- can know the deepest love. (Having three people in our immediate family facing possible death from HIV/AIDS and having lost a son to pneumococcal meningitis at age 16, I understand in some small way the death of a son and the preciousness of life. See www.scepter.org for details.)
May God help each of us to choose our words and symbols with care. May our words be edifying to the hearers and spoken truly from a heart of unconditional love. And may God's love shine forth through us as we seek to glorify Him, take care of our families, and help others.
Jerry Thacker
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