Unplain Talk

Dan S. Shipley was the author of this piece which appeared in the April 1972 edition of Plain Talk which was published by the Oaks-West Church of Christ in Burnet, Texas. Robert F. Turner was the editor.

Man has nothing more valuable than his own soul (Matthew 16:26) and can learn nothing more valuable than how to save his soul. That is why gospel truth is the most important thing any man can learn or be taught. And that is why all who teach the word of God should remember the extreme seriousness of their task as emphasized in James 3:1. "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." So, teaching God's truth is not something to be taken lightly. In fact, all Bible teaching should be flavored with the realization that, unlike other teaching, it is wrought with eternal consequences for both teacher and student. No math or English teacher ever had that kind of motivation!

But effective Bible teaching involves more than just talking about the Bible. It must be plain talk; teaching that is understandable. Paul stated that principle in connection with speaking in tongues. "So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air" (I Corinthians 14:9). Without plain talk in our Bible teaching there can be no understanding in things that need most to be understood. Worse, there can be misunderstanding and confusion.

Regrettably, unplain talk is dispensed in several hard to understand varieties, one of the most popular being ambiguity. This involves the use of expressions and terms that are susceptible to different interpretations or that might convey more than one possible meaning. The learner must understand words in the sense intended by the teacher. Unwitting ambiguity may result with the use of such common terms as "church," "baptism" and "Christian" depending on the learner's background. Failure to understand such terms in their Bible sense may cause them to appear as nonsense, as with the brother who taught that an elder could not join a labor union because he was to be, "no striker."

Generalization is another kind of unplain talk hindering good teaching. While it is true that men must do the will of God to be saved (Matthew 7:21), His will consists of specifics to be known and obeyed. Sin cannot be effectively dealt with generally, simply because sins are not committed "generally." Speaking out against Speaking out against immodesty is one thing; mini-skirts and swim suits are something else. Being a slave of bad habits generalizes. Being the slave of tobacco is specific. Everybody believes in the autonomy of the church, until you get down to specifics. Over generalizing is like "speaking into the air" for all the good it does. Souls are at stake. Understanding is essential. Be specific!

Unplain talk may be impressive, entertaining and eloquent without being instructive and that's the whole point of teaching. The real measure of effective teaching lies in its being understood and remembered; not in the plaudits it may receive from men. Teachers, what greater service can be rendered to others than helping them to understand and remember God's truth?