A lot can change in a short amount of time. For instance, in 2024 (and in years leading up to last year) brand name corporations bent over backwards to roll out their rainbow logos. If you don’t remember, just take a look below. But today, many of the same corporations are not showing the colors of pride.
Photo Source: TechPost (June 21, 2019)
Equally, Target—that ever-progressive department store who has long-assaulted its June shoppers with its Pride apparel—has also changed its colors. After many Christians boycotted Target in 2023 for their ostentatious LGBT children’s apparel, many stores moved their displays to the back of the store. Then, in 2024, Target “scaled back” their Pride month paraphernalia, removing it from some stores entirely. And now in 2025, the front page of the Target website celebrates Father’s Day, instead of Pride month.
In all, this change is a vast improvement, and one for which give thanks to God (that debauchery is not being celebrated in every store!), but we should also raise our voices (or our tweets) to support the change. While slowing down Target’s descent toward Sodom doesn’t mean revival has swept the nation—they still do whole-heartedly support the LGBT agenda—it doesn’t mean nothing, either. As a nation is known (and catechized) by its celebrations, Target’s willingness to change in response to outspoken Christians is a lesson: using our words wisely really does have an impact.
And lest we fall into the trap of thinking that our words must only and always preach the gospel (and nothing but the gospel), the boycott of Target, which was driven by posts, tweets, and viral videos, reminds us that our words can be used to effect positive change and remove perverse celebrations of sodomy and transgenderism. And such efforts should be commended and amplified, for as Michael Carlino has noted, it is good and right (and even Baptistic), to seek a culture that is conducive for conversion.
Going further, the words of President Trump have also served to make space for biblical truth in our culture. As many of his Executive Orders have brought sanity to a world hell-bent on mass confusion and manipulation, we should acknowledge how his administration is codifying speech that promotes many aspects of biblical truth. For instance, in Executive Order 14168, Trump reasserted the definition that men and women are defined by their biological sex. Likewise, in Executive Order 14202, Trump issued a protection for Christians who have experienced all manner of anti-Christian bias. And to stop at three examples, Executive Order 14151 aimed to rid the government of “radical and wasteful government DEI [so-called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] programs and preferencing.”
In each of these executive orders, the president has asserted his will and used his words to promote a vision of America that runs along the grain of the world God made. Whereas the previous administration mocked God when they festooned Washington D.C. with rainbow colors and allowed men with silicon breasts to go topless on the White House lawn, the current administration has returned to the federal government a modicum of moral sanity.
And how did the White House do that?
By the use of words—words that reflect reality, instead of words that sought to create a false reality. Indeed, for all the debates we could have about Donald Trump and his current presidency, the change between 2024 and 2025 is undeniable. And in my reflection here, I am highlighting the way that words have been used to bring a positive change to our culture. As Proverbs 18:21 puts it, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Truly, all who are wise know how to use words to bring life instead of death. Simultaneously, the wise celebrate speech, signs, or solicitations that point to life and not death. And that is why we should support the removal of the rainbow at the store with the Red and White circle, and why we should celebrate the return of the Red, White, and Blue in the Oval Office. To repeat, these changes do not evidence a revival—at least not yet—but they do reveal a vibe shift that gives Christians free range to bring the Word of God into all areas of public life.
And thus, we should pray for God’s Word to go forward and we should labor to make the best use of our words. For as we have seen in the last year, change does not come by way of timid silence, but by way of bold speech. And knowing that words have come in many sizes, shapes, and colors, we have labored to provide a month of resources that touch on all aspects of words and their workings.
Wise Words: Simple, Salty, Sacred
Moving from the world out there to the content in here, this last month included more than a dozen and a half articles, essays, and one super-longform. Indeed, for all the words describing this month—simple, serrated, sage, salty, sacred, sublime, and so forth—nothing was said about short! And thus, we have articles that range from Charles Spurgeon to Martin Luther, and from Speech-Act Theory to Preaching Plainly.
Additionally, our two long forms touch on types of speech that do more than nicely and neatly convey propositional truths. In Clinton Manley’s longform, he gives ten reflections on the use holy satire. Then, in my longform (that was also made into a PDF), I outlined ten types of speech, associated with ten fingers. For reference, you can see the nice graphic that Michael Carlino put together, to illustrate the essay.
On top of these longer essays, the rest of our concise articles looked at various parts of Scripture, from the Proverbs to the Apostle Paul, from speaking with gentleness to Jesus’s use of mockery, and from taking our thinkings captive to making sure we preach our own words. Indeed, Ethan Jago and I submitted a proposal to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Resolutions Committee, but for reasons that have not been disclosed yet, our resolution against pulpit plagiarism was not accepted.
Nevertheless, the need for honest speech is not only becoming of a pastor, but it is the foundation for all Christian speech. And hence, to improve the straightness and the effectiveness of our speech, we offer this month to you. Indeed, the ultimate reason for honing our skills in speaking is not just to convince department stores to carry clothes we like. Far more importantly, we long for the Word of God made flesh to speak to all his elect and draw them to himself. And knowing that God uses our words to magnify and offer his Word, seeking wisdom with our words is something we must do. And we pray this month will help.
For all the essays, articles, podcasts, and even a PDF, see the list below (with the longforms essays bolded).[1]
1. N.B. The PDF of my essay, “Ten Words about Words: Getting a Grip on Godly Speech,” previews a project we are working on—namely, the digital collection of every month. As the Lord allows, we hope to have digital downloads available online in the fall. And for a small donation, you or your ministry team will be able to use those.
- The Serrated Edge of Scripture: How God Uses Satire by Clinton Manley • Concise Article • Can satirical humor be holy? The biblical authors and our Lord Himself are no strangers to loving, cutting speech.
- How Then Shall We Mock? Ten Principles for Wielding the Sword of Holy Satire by Clinton Manley • Longform Essay • Properly wielded satire can be a weapon of exposing sin in the hope of reform. What are its rules of engagement for Christians?
- 4.20 “How Then Shall We Mock? Ten Principles for Wielding the Sword of Holy Satire” by Clinton Manley • Longform Reading • Properly wielded satire can be a weapon of exposing sin in the hope of reform. What are its rules of engagement for Christians?
- Speech Act Theory, Scripture, and The Holy Spirit by Gregg Allison • Concise Article • What is speech act theory? In what ways is its framework helpful in interpreting scripture? And how then can Christians use it as they minister?
- Clear as Christ: Why Direct Communication Is Vital for Christians by Jonathon Woodyard • Concise Article • What happens when our speech is too eloquent and our tweets are too clever? Our followers are entertained, but the gospel is obscured. Learn how to recover Christian clarity in communication.
- The Prince of Preachers on the Art of Speaking: Spurgeon’s Use of Language by Tom J. Nettles • Concise Article • Charles Spurgeon’s preaching wasn’t great merely through Bible study, talent, and passion. He was also devoted to the art of language. Learn how Spurgeon counsels one to speak in normal conversation, in impromptu speeches, and behind a pulpit.
- How Proverbs Helps Us to Speak Wisely by Scott Callaham • Concise Article • How would you speak—and not speak—if the Book of Proverbs was your guide? And what about the seeming contradiction of Proverbs 26:4–5?
- When Public Figures Err with Words by Drake Isabell • Concise Article • Andy Stanley and Alistair Begg’s LGBTQ+ comments prove that we need more than just three tiers of theological triage to evaluate professing Christian teachers.
- 4.21 “How Then Shall We Mock? Ten Principles for Wielding the Sword of Holy Satire” by Clinton Manley, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • Listen in as David Schrock and Trent Hunter interview Clinton Manley on his Christ Over All essay: “How Then Shall We Mock? Ten Principles for Wielding the Sword of Holy Satire”
- “Not Quarrelsome But Kind”: A Brief Reflection on Our Speech During Times of Controversy by Michael A. G. Haykin • Concise Article • How do teachers of God’s Word live up the call to correct in gentleness? When are firm words that fight error appropriate?
- Take Thinkings Captive: How Much Should Current Issues Concern the Pulpit and Pew? by Andrew Ballard • Concise Article • The strongholds of idolatrous ideas, narratives, frameworks, and ideologies must be torn down that Christ might be seen. Pastors and church members need to do this before and among the flock.
- The Two Voices Every Preacher Needs by Josh Daws • Concise Article • One voice gathers the sheep. Another voice scares away the wolves and thieves. Pastors must have both voices—and never mix them up.
- Ten Words about Words: Getting a Grip on Godly Speech by David Schrock • Longform Essay • Here is a handy way to think about speaking in the full range that God would have us speak. [And here is a pdf of this essay!]
- 4.22 “Ten Words about Words: Getting a Grip on Godly Speech” by David Schrock • Longform Reading • Here is a handy way to think about speaking in the full range that God would have us speak.
- The Courage to Believe by David F. Wells • Concise Article • The Church must find the courage to recover both the language and understanding of sin. It must reinhabit the universe of meaning given in Scripture.
- A Theology of Language: From Creative Word Spoken to the Word Incarnate by Ardel Caneday • Concise Article • This is a brief story of the universe—from the word that creates to the Word that redeems—told through the lens of language.
- 4.23 “Ten Words about Words: Getting a Grip on Godly Speech” by David Schrock, Trent Hunter, Stephen Wellum • Interview • Listen in as Trent Hunter and Stephen Wellum interview David Schrock on his Christ Over All essay: “Ten Words about Words: Getting a Grip on Godly Speech”
- In Praise of Clarity: Martin Luther Against “Studied Ambiguity” by Michael E. Pohlman • Concise Article • In an age of hedging, unbiblical nuance, and verbal rabbit tricks, Martin Luther’s clarion call for clarity rings out with contemporary significance. Let’s be more like Luther in this regard, and less like Erasmus.
- Speak More Persuasively: Redeeming Rhetoric with Augustine of Hippo by Michael Longerbeam • Concise Article • Augustine of Hippo thinks that if you are a Christian, you should study rhetoric. Find out why.
- Restoring Integrity to the Pulpit: An SBC Resolution to Fight Pastoral Plagiarism by Ethan Jago, David Schrock • Concise Article • Plagiarism has crept into the Southern Baptist Convention, and it needs to be driven out. This is a first step.
- Which is It? “Whitewashed Wall” or “Most Excellent”? by Brian J. Vickers • Concise Article • How do Christians understand when to speak, when not to speak, and even how to speak? We can learn from Paul how to adorn Christ with our words.
The Paterfamilias: Making Fatherhood Great Again
Moving into June, we are combatting Pride Month with Paterfamilias Month. Indeed, while we appreciate all the attempts to retake this vile month—including offers like Fidelity Month or Humility Month—we are offering The Paterfamilias. As you may know, paterfamilias is a compound Latin word: pater means father, and familias means household or family. And together, paterfamilias carries the simple idea of head of household.
Now, to reveal my ignorance (and my non-classical grade school education), I first heard the word in the movie Oh, Brother Where Art Thou? As expressed by George Clooney’s character (Ulysses “Everett” McGill). Everett identified himself as the paterfamilias when attempting to reclaim his place in the family that was estranged to him. As the story goes, through his law-breaking, jail time, and follies inside and outside the jail, his family was threatened to come apart. Presented humorously in the Coen brother’s rendition of the Odyssey myth, Everett’s claim to the paterfamilias was both right—and also riddled with problems.
For consider two things. First, to be the head of the household is not something that a man achieves or attempts to claim. Rather, this is his position. As many have observed, the New Testament doesn’t command the man to be head of the household. He just is. In Ephesians 5:23 and 1 Corinthians 11:3, the reality of the husband’s headship is an indicative (a natural, God-given fact); it is not an imperative (a command or position to achieve). Accordingly, even someone as faulty as Everett McGill was indeed the paterfamilias.
Yet, second, Everett’s foolish example is one that is too often repeated today. Sadly, in too many families, the father has R-U-N-N-O-F-T—to use another Oh, Brother Where Art Thou? reference. And today, there is deep need for children to have fathers who are both present and pursuant of their children. At the same time, other fathers have been run off by their wives. As the acids of feminism have mixed with no-fault divorce, today’s modern women initiate divorce more than men.[2] It would take a whole month to address the plight of marriage today, and if the Lord allows, we will take up that subject in the future. But clearly, truant fathers and disrespectful wives, combined with plain old sin, make the goodness of fatherhood lacking today.
2. As Scott Yenor, “Challenging the No-Fault Divorce Regime,” reports, “When the no-fault regime was adopted, most were concerned that men would run away with younger women. Marriage was thought to stabilize or civilize men, and destabilizing marriage, many worried, would further destabilize men. . . . [Yet] to the surprise of many, it turned out that women file for a majority of divorces in every country that has no-fault divorce. Overall, women file for nearly 70% of divorces in America.”
It is good that Target is celebrating Fathers this month—for I have always believed that the commercials, in less than sixty seconds—do more to shape our social imaginaries than any heavily-annotated textbook. So, we should use our words to encourage fathers in public spaces, public libraries, and public schools. Still, if we are going to have any effect on the world out there, the church of Jesus Christ needs to recover biblical fatherhood too. And really, this is a project that men must lead and women must follow. Only when the whole household of God affirms the man as the head of the house—and means it!—will lasting change be made.
Yet, that is our aim and our prayer this month. With essays that range from the Fatherhood of God to the ways fathers should play with their kids, this whole month is devoted to dads. So, come along for the month, share these resources with old dads, young dads, and those who want to be dads. And may, by God’s grace, he make fatherhood great again, because he is making some great fathers.
Christ Over All News and Notes
In conclusion, let me highlight a few areas:
First, it was great to see many of you in May.
In May, Christ Over All had a booth at the Kings Domain conference, hosted by Michael Clary at his church in Fort Thomas, Kentucky (just across the river from Cincinnati). It was great to meet many new friends and see many familiar faces. Thanks for coming, and please consider connecting with us at the next conference.
At that conference, I had the chance to join C. R. Wiley, Joe Rigney, Tom Ascol, Michael Foster, and many others. If you are looking for some edifying messages to listen, consider these sermons on “Future-Proofing” your faith. I preached a message on three changes to theological education that I see as needed in the next generation. And C. R. Wiley’s two talks on Artificial Intelligence complement and extend all that we have said on that subject. Check them out.
Second, be aware of our upcoming months.
After we look at fatherhood in June, here is what we are looking at for the rest of the year. (If there are other themes you’d like us to consider in 2026, please shoot us an email).
July 2025: The Nicene Creed: 1700 Years of the Homoousios
August 2025: The Four Gospels
September 2025: The Doctrine of Vocation
October 2025: Biblical Theology in the Balance
November 2025: Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology
December 2025: Christmas Medley, Part 2
Third, we’d love to see you face to face later this year.
More than a few of us will be at the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas, Texas (June 9–10), as well as the Evangelical Theological Society in Boston (November 18–20). If you are there, please let us know.
Also, if you are a pastor in the Mid-Atlantic region, or are willing to make the trip, Occoquan Bible Church (in Woodbridge, VA), is hosting a one-day seminar to encourage pastors. This is an event that Christ Over All is co-sponsoring with Founders Ministries. And on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Tom Ascol, Mike Law, and myself will be encouraging pastors to remain faithful in the work. So here’s information about that event. Please consider joining us for a day together.
Fourth, please consider supporting Christ Over All.
The easiest way to support our ministry is to tell others about us: you can forward this intermission, recommend an article, or share our content on social media. But if you or your church has benefited from our ministry, would you also be willing to make a donation?
Every dollar given goes toward helping Christians to think with a consistently Christian worldview across all of life. When you give to our ministry, you allow us to serve more people, and make known more completely the glorious Lordship of Christ. So we appreciate a gift of any amount.
That’s all for this month. Until next time, let’s remember that because Christ is Lord over all, we ought exalt Christ in all things.
