The advice C.S. Lewis offers on how to communicate the Gospel to the man on the street in light of the difficulties in communication is invaluable. Our modern age has more channels for communication than ever before, but that means the scope for misunderstanding and confusion increases also. Furthermore, given human nature, if a statement can be misunderstood in a negative way, you can bet someone somewhere will do so.
It can be difficult to communicate even simple things with clarity, but to communicate the Catholic faith is a complex task — not only because of the vast nature of the faith, but also because of people’s assumptions about the world, religion and Catholicism.
The difficulties and the complexities, however, only make it more necessary to tackle the job at hand. Our society needs effective evangelization now more than ever.
C.S. Lewis was a master of communicating difficult concepts to a general audience. His book Mere Christianity is a classic success story in attempting to do just that. Lewis wrote an essay in 1961 about the basic principles of communication for those trying to talk about the Christian faith with ordinary people. He says those who are specialists have to "translate" the faith into everyday language. Catholic priests, theologians and scholars use specialized "insider" talk. Even ordinary-in-the-pew Catholics use a special language when talking about the faith. Non-Catholics don’t understand our lingo, and an increasing number of Catholics don’t either.
We use five categories of religious language, and the good evangelist and apologist will understand them and not only avoid the special language, but will translate it for his reader or listener. The first category of religious language we use is theological. We toss terms about like "Immaculate Conception" and "double procession of the Holy Spirit" or refer to the filioque clause. This won’t do. We need to use simple language and explain what these terms mean.
The second category of language we use is liturgical language. People don’t know what an ordo is and don’t much care about the difference between a tunicle and a dalmatic. They don’t know what the "epiclesis" is and don’t know what we’re talking about when we spout words like ad orientem or versus populum. When we talk about our worship, we need to use ordinary language. The same is true when we use devotional and spiritual talk or the jargon of canon law and the intricacies of the Church hierarchy.
In addition to getting rid of insider jargon, Lewis says we must watch out for highbrow language, academic references and literary and cultural allusions. It’s not much good trying to communicate the faith if we quote Jean Paul Sartre in French, refer to "the Greek text" and refer to the novels of Dostoevsky. These references are often included so the communicator can show off, and when he does, his listeners are intimidated and put off the message.
Lewis says we must try to translate all this religious talk into a language that the plumber or house cleaner would understand. I might add that if we get the plumber or cleaner to understand, the banker and the lawyer might just understand as well.
I have recently rewritten a book where I have tried to take Lewis’ advice to heart. In Catholicism Pure and Simple, I set out to explain the existence of God and move through the story of Jesus Christ, the Church and sacraments in a way that everyone can connect to. I avoided "churchy" jargon, theological lingo and highbrow references. There are no footnotes or academic references. It’s Catholicism straight and true.
As I wrote and rewrote, something happened, which Lewis pinpoints: He says that this process of "translating" the faith in a "pure and simple" way helps us to understand how communication works. First of all, it makes one grateful for the jargon and specialized lingo. The lingo has a vocabulary that is useful, and one can answer the question briefly and simply. Translating and explaining takes up a lot more words. So, for example, the term "Immaculate Conception" properly understood says in two clear words what you might need two paragraphs to explain simply.
Secondly, in the process of "translation," you come to understand and appreciate what you are communicating in a much deeper way. They say the way to learn something is to teach it. So it is with translating religious language for others: As you go through that process, you come to know what you’re talking about. Lewis says, "If you can’t explain what you believe to a sensible, ordinary person, then you don’t really understand it very well yourself."
Lewis observes elsewhere that it is comparatively easy to study a bit and learn the insider jargon and have discussions at an academic level about theology, liturgy, spirituality and church life. The real challenge is to translate all that for others in a motivating, encouraging and down-to-earth way. It’s complicated and messy. It’s difficult to communicate without being misunderstood. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, the effort to make Catholicism pure and simple is rarely pure and never simple.
Father Dwight Longenecker
is parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in
Greenville, South Carolina.
Check out his book
Catholicism Pure and Simple at
DwightLongenecker.com.
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“if a statement can be misunderstood in a negative way, you can bet someone somewhere will do so.”
“it is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood” Karl Popper
It is probably best to couch everything in terms of scriptural references. That is why the Catechism is so valuable - scripture is referenced throughout.
Also, (fearful of using one of those ‘technical’ words) we ought to evangelize around the kerygma - the basic message of salvation history. If Catholics were able to communicate to others the basic message of salvation, there would be far more Catholics sitting in those pews (and lines for confession).
I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying, Christian.
Deacon Ed: I agree we need to focus on the basic message of salvation history. To quote from the Old Testament Book of Hokey Pokey: “That’s what it’s all about.”
However, regarding Scripture (I mean the real Scripture, not the Book of Hokey Pokey), I’ve found that couching “everything in terms of scriptural references” is often not very effective. When speaking with someone who thinks the Bible is just a weird old book (or worse, if they’ve been indoctrinated to think the Bible is a racist, sexist, homophobic Hate Manual), citing chapter and verse doesn’t help at all. Personal testimony can be quite effective—relate the positive changes in your life once you put your faith in Christ. And of course, humility and gratitude and joy must be present.
C.S. Lewis rocks!
“Be of good cheer!” (John 16:33)
http://www.MerryCatholic.com
The title of the article doesn’t carry through since it fails to help us speak like Lewis. Reading all the way through, it just seems to me to be an ad for purchasing Father’s book, which I’m certain is wonderful but this is not what I subscribe to NCR for - I’m looking for answers not advertisements.
An excellent commentary and I will use it in my own ‘communications’ and apply same to bioethical issues. I especially appreciate his warning re. trying to show off. I would add a little qualifier to his comments , which is to not try to make religous belief and science-related issues “too cute” or overly simple as that can have a negative effect. The gospel of John is very theological and mystical and,as someone noted, its shallow enough for a child to wade in and yet deep enough for an elephant to drown in.
The “preaching about” salvation & redemption has always been the easier part between the “Teaching & preaching”! This,I think,was always “Brother” Lewis’ strong point and his unique ability to master both which I might point out few have achieved even in todays world!The real “Elephant In The Room” concerning these subjects is & always has been the sad fact that most of our church leaders have failed their congregations in the areas “Brother” Lewis pointed out so clearly. My lonely mentor always reminded me of these three facts which have served many of the older members of the Clergy well:#1.Keep things simple in the places of worship & on the “streets”. #2.NO one can effectivly teach that which they do not understand themselves.#3.Infect your listening audience with a positive attitude NO matter what. “Laus Deo”
I absolutely can relate to this! I entered the Catholic Church from a hostile atheist background. Anything remotely Christian was thought to be naive or nothing but an attempt at manipulation and control. The journey was arduous and confusing. My conversion came on a few fronts and to go into detail would be much too lengthy for this forum. Simply, a fellow student involved in a music outreach ministry who invited me to one of his concerts. We had never much discussed religion. I had no clue this was a Christian venue. Afterwards, I remember commenting on a particular song, Where do you get this from? That is exactly how I feel. Exactly what I believe!” He told me “It’s from the Bible ” and directed me to the Psalms, I was shocked! ” No way! ” That lead me to an interest in Scripture. An internet search connected me to a site hosted by Loyola Press “People for Others “. This particular blog spoke in simpler ways than most sites, relating the Catholic Faith in a way that I could understand. However, the first time that I mustered my courage and walked into church on Sunday, was very nearly the last! I did not understand even half of what was going on. Small things confused me, like “Why do they kneel before they sit down?” or “What is the book that they’re parading up and down the aisle? ” The list is long. Point being, the whole experience was intimidating, especially for an eighteen yr. old with no exposure, there alone. I might has well have found myself dropped from a plane into China! A priest from that same blog, responding to my frustrated comments sent me Henry Nouwen’s Book, “Life of the Beloved ” which spoke in a way that I understood. I had to beg the bard who had first awoken me to go back into the Catholic Church with me and explain what the heck was going on. Through my search, the lapsed Catholic returned home. Three years have passed since I heard that first song. We both are now in full communion with the Catholic Church. But, how many don’t understand? How many are lost, seeking and turn away because they’re expected at the beginning of their inquiry to enter as if they’re prepared for grad studies? It’s no different than expecting a student who has not had first year algebra to be able to understand quantitative chemical analysis. That student would leave and never return. So, the crazy Catholic Boy, the one that I gifted with a “mercy date ” is now my husband. Neither of us ever “sends ” anyone who expresses an interest in our faith to church. Not ever. We invite and accompany them. With some support and a friend by their side, hopefully they won’t be treated as unwelcome strangers, but welcomed as very special guests!
I could not agree more with Father . We need to explain in the simplest way our beliefs to others. Sometimes the simplest way is not always the shortest in words. This might be that part of explaining is listening. I believe I have read this in Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles. Question and answer, again and again. I agree that if you read enough of a writer with a particular style and you understand what he is saying then you will take on some of that style yourself.
I look forward to getting Father’s book as we need every tool we can get our hands on to make the year of Faith a crowd getter.
When I sat down and read the Bible, focusing on the New Testament Gospels and the Letters, I found Paul’s letters to be very easy to understand. What Paul wrote is so clear, so simple. Most especially: Romans.
I pray that someday, churches all over America & the world, will have clergymen that are able to teach Paul’s 13 letters, in a verse-by-verse, expository fashion, exposing the simple truths that Paul shared with the early churches of his day. What he wrote about it relevant to us today.
God help us, everyone, if Paul’s writings continue to fall by the wayside, read at Sunday Mass, but not preached about, or read in context.
I was a non-believer who found faith through some evangelical Christians who were biblically centered. I became Catholic by meeting some Catholics, members of an Ecclesial Movement, the Focolare Movement who lived the Gospel better.
Preach always. Sometimes use words. Actions speak louder.
There is no lack of either eloquence or precision, nor unfortunately hypocrisy.
There are many Saints, few Doctors of the Church. We are not called to become the latter. For those who want to ascend, they can sometimes find the path in the writings of the doctors, but the Sermon on the Mount is not at all subtle, complex, or impenetrable. Even Mark Twain commented that it was not the hard passages of the bible but those whose meaning was clear and plain that gave the greatest difficulty.
Lewis himself missed the Papacy and most of Marian dogma. Providence likely allowed it as if he was “Catholic” he would not be read by most protestants. Yet being able to explain something clearly does not mean what you are explaining is either complete or correct.
I think that our problem in communicating the Faith is that our actions often do not match our words. Is the pagan not converting because the message of Jesus was never proclaimed to him by a credible witness?
If our actions show Christianity, others will notice.
TeaPot562
I guess all this is OK but what happened to those catholics that are now separated from the Church yet claim to be catholic, especially those in positions of power? The Kennedys, Pelosi, Durbin, Kerry, Leahy etc all had the opportunity to learn their faith. They came from the time when we still had Catholic Schools. Now most only have Sunday morning to be exposed to Church Teachings but in the over 70 years on this earth, I can’t remember many homilies that were really a teaching moment. Of course, using only Sunday morning is no excuse but a reality, especially for those who most need it. During the time of our Nation’s founding, the pulpit was used a lot to educate and teach.
“It’s complicated and messy. It’s difficult to communicate without being misunderstood.”
In business this is called the “insider’s competitive advantage.” I thought the secrets of the kingdom of God were revealed to the simple and childlike? Maybe that provision of the “law of love” was abrogated by canon law as well.
Seems odd that the author would use a non-Roman Catholic for his example of good tools for Evangelism.
To Pablito: “mysterious grace!”
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