Abuse of Spiritual Language to Exclusionary Ends
The abuse of spiritual language for exclusionary ends often manifests when individuals or groups use religious concepts or practices to marginalize others, rather than to foster unity or understanding. One common form of this abuse involves the misuse of spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues. In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the proper use of spiritual gifts, noting that speaking in tongues without interpretation is largely unintelligible to hearers and excites wonder rather than instruction [2]. The Apostle Paul applies Isaiah 28:11-12 to the spiritual gift of tongues as a sign of judgment to unbelievers, indicating that God may speak through "strange languages" or difficult circumstances to reach a hardened people [8]. When this gift is used to exclude, it can create barriers rather than build up the community.
Another aspect of exclusionary spiritual language can be seen in the concept of "selfishness" within a religious context. Selfishness is contrary to divine law, as indicated in passages like Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39, which emphasize love for one's neighbor [1]. The example of Christ condemns selfishness, as He did not seek His own will but that of the Father (John 4:34) [1]. When spiritual language is used to justify self-serving actions or to neglect the needs of others, it deviates from these core biblical principles. For instance, seeking undue precedence or living only for oneself, rather than for God and others, is identified as a manifestation of selfishness [1].
Theological discussions also touch upon exclusionary language, such as when Aquinas considers the phrase "The Father alone is God" [3]. He clarifies that if "alone" implies solitude in the Father, excluding the other persons of the Trinity, it would be false. However, if it means that the Father alone possesses the divine form, it can be understood as true [3]. This highlights how precise theological language is necessary to avoid inadvertently excluding aspects of divine truth.
Furthermore, the concept of excommunication, while a legitimate disciplinary tool in some traditions, can be abused if applied in an exclusionary manner that goes beyond its intended purpose. Aquinas discusses different forms of excommunication, noting that minor excommunication deprives a person only of sacraments, not of the communion of the faithful in all matters [4]. Calvin also addresses the jurisdiction of the church and the discipline of excommunication, emphasizing that it should be exercised with the knowledge and approbation of the Church, not by elders acting alone [6, 7]. He cautions against consigning a person to destruction, reminding believers that judgment belongs to the Lord alone [5]. The misuse of such disciplinary measures can lead to spiritual language being weaponized for exclusionary ends, rather than for the restoration or instruction of individuals.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:2: speaketh . . . unto God--who alone understands all languages. no man understandeth--generally speaking; the few who have the gift of interpreting tongues are the exception. in the spirit--as opposed to "the understanding" (Co1 14:14). mysteries--unintelligible to the hearers, exciting their wonder, rather than instructing them. Corinth, being a mart resorted to by merchants from Asia, Africa, and Europe, would give scope amidst its mixed population for the exercise of the gift of tongues; but its legitimate use was in an audience understan”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part (Prima Pars), Of What Belongs to the Unity or Plurality in God, Art. 4: Article: Whether an exclusive diction can be joined to the personal term? I answer that, When we say, "The Father alone is God," such a proposition can be taken in several senses. If "alone" means solitude in the Father, it is false in a categorematical sense; but if taken in a syncategorematical sense it can again be understood in several ways. For if it exclude (all others) from the form of the subject, it is true, the sense being "the Father alone is God"---that is, "He who with no ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of Communication with Excommunicated Persons, Art. 1: Article: Whether it is lawful, in matters purely corporal, to communicate with an excommunicated person? I answer that, Excommunication is twofold: there is minor excommunication, which deprives a man merely of a share in the sacraments, but not of the communion of the faithful. Wherefore it is lawful to communicate with a person lying under an excommunication of this kind, but not to give him the sacraments. The other is major excommunication which deprives a man of the sacraments of th”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 94: of the Lord, hoping better of them in future than we see at present, and not ceasing to pray to God for them. And (to sum up in one word) let us not consign to destruction their person, which is in the hand, and subject to the decision, of the Lord alone; but let us merely estimate the character of each man’s acts according to the law of the Lord. In following this rule, we abide by the divine judgment rather than give any judgment of our own. Let us not arrogate to ourselves greater liberty in judging, if we would not limit the po”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 93: 2438 CHAPTER 11. OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE CHURCH, AND THE ABUSES OF IT, AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE PAPACY. This chapter may be conveniently comprehended under two heads,—I. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, its necessity, origin, description, and essential parts—viz. the sacred ministry of the word, and discipline of excommunication, of which the aim, use, and abuse are explained, sec. 1-8. II. Refutation of the arguments advanced by Papists in defence of the tyranny of Pontiffs, the right of both swords, imperial pomp and dignity, foreign”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 94: them by the mouth of his priests. Nay, they ought rather to wish the priests not to spare them, in order that the Lord may spare. I here say nothing as to those by whom the jurisdiction ought to be exercised, because it has been said elsewhere (Chap. 11 sec. 5, 6). I only add, that the legitimate course to be taken in excommunication, as shown by Paul, is not for the elders alone to act apart from others, but with the knowledge and approbation of the Church, so that the body of the people, without regulating the procedure, may, as ”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 28:11: 28:11 God will have to speak through circumstances such as hardship, exile, and death in order to get through to his hardened people. • a strange language: In the New Testament, Paul applied this text to the spiritual gift of tongues as a sign of judgment to unbelievers (see 1 Cor 14:21-22).”