the Unexpressed Advantage

One of the interesting things I heard about Law School is that it trains future lawyers to not only research and argue more effectively than others, but also to speak more effectively than others. Apparently the idea is that Lawyers learn how to use a different vocabulary than other professionals. Using many words that others don’t understand, they then are able to exert influence by coming across as more intelligent and intimidating.

I don’t know if that’s true, but I thought it was really interesting. If it was the case, it would probably be pretty effective.

Even more interesting is the intersection of a similar type of practice that I’ve found in my studies of theology up here. Theology as a discipline is in many ways similar to philosophy (although it borrows from many disciplines including history, literature, etc..). And I think what theology and philosophy have in common with law (which oddly I’ve been told is a discipline that intersects greatly with history) is that use of unfamiliar terminology to raise the discussion (in theory) to a higher level. I’m not saying that theological schools would teach one to use new vocabulary for the purpose of intimidating others; safe to say that practice would make more sense to law – given common assumptions about lawyers – if it is a true practice. But it is intriguing, albeit at times irritating, that by the time you finish a theological degree you have a whole new vocabulary.

In a lot of ways this can be an irritating practice. It has been for me and others I’ve talked to, and I’m sure it may have been for you at times. I even have some friends who specifically avoid using certain theological “buzzwords” because they feel that the words make them sound pompous and arrogant.

I tend to be drawn to this type of conclusion as well. I felt pretty dumb the first few months I was here, constantly looking up words that I’d never heard before; or I’d heard them but didn’t know what they meant in the context of discussion. It’s funny to watch my peers as they subtly work these words into their vocabulary though. I often find myself tempted to use the words as well, even when there is a more common word available that means the same thing. In some cases I think I may have even forgotten the original words.

Hear are a few examples of my favorite seminary type buzzwords that get thrown around most of the discussions I’m involved with. In most cases there’s an easier word that would probably make more sense to most people.

Polemic – basically means argumentative in writing or discussion. As opposed to informative

Pejorative – means derogatory, as in a pejorative viewpoint on an individual

Postmodern – I really still have no idea what this means. A definition of our current era, or perhaps the era directly preceding our own.

Hegemony – I think a better word might be oppression or dominance – expresses the idea of one person or group of people having a dominant position over a people or people group.

Pedagogy – the practice of teaching. If something is done pedagogically it is done from a teacher’s perspective.

Ontology / Ontological – describes the nature or being of something. Something is ontological at its most basic pre-existential form. Often used to describe one aspect of the trinity (ontological as opposed to a functional, characteristic defined understanding.

Existential – a focus on individual experience and subjectivity; experiential.

Metaphysical – beyond the physical realm; dealing with the realities outside the realm of science.

Nihilism – the idea that good and evil do not really exist. I like that one, I still don’t really know what it means

Pantheism – God is everywhere in the universe and is composed of everything.

Pluralism – the idea of many different claims to truth in one common setting. Many religions all co-existing in society. Also speaks to cultural terms over and above religiosity.

Teleology – purpose or direction

Unitarianism – universalism.

Arianism – teachings of arias that Jesus is not one with the father

Pelagianism – teachings of pelagias, similar to Armenianism; idea that we have unequivocal free will and choice. No original sin.

Well, there’s a few. I hope they’re interesting. Perhaps you’ve heard a few of your own. Wonder why so many start with the letter P.

Enjoy. – Dan.