|
 I
saw a really neat commercial the other day. Some businessmen around a conference
table in an office building somewhere where there are minarets to be seen
out the window are upset. They make a phone call, and an American girl picks
up on the other line. The guy from Dubai, or Qatar, or Yemen makes a testy
and demanding statement in Arabic to her, and she says, "Dad this guy has
lost his shipment." The dad says not to worry, another is on the way, and
she, answering in 9~ grade English replies to the man on the other end who
understands her perfectly. They were advertising some software or phone system
that offered an immediate translation feature. The commercial reminded me
we still smart from, and still accommodate the Babel event.
And for good reason.
Before God intervened at Babel He Himself said that "nothing" would be impossible
for us (Genesis 11.6). We understand that lack of communication is what limits
our potential. Greek, Latin, French, Esperanto, and English have each taken
a turn at whacking the pinata of communication. Now sequences of zeros and
ones will have a try. But to no avail.
Because sharing a similar language is only a short step. Folks from Limerick,
Edinburgh, Bath, Saskatoon, Detroit, Natchez, Dunedin, and Canberra all speak
English. And yet, they would have a hard time putting together a progress
report. They don't share a vocabulary. Even if they did, they don't share
life experiences. Words are just symbols for things we experience. "Snickers
Bar," the phrase, is just a symbol on a page for the delicious
chocolate-peanut-caramel treat we enjoy. Without shared life experiences
a shared vocabulary doesn't help much.
The Babel moment was a unique opportunity. Everyone was still pretty closely
related. They were all in one place. In addition to one language, and one
word-hoard, they shared a common goal, and a common plan to arrive at it.
The goal itself - "staying together" - reinforced the easy flow of communication.
Even if programmers have come up with a phone system that immediately translates
languages, no businessman from Qatar will be able to communicate with a high
school freshman from Escondido for very long.
There was a moment in history when Babel was reversed. Thousands gathered
in a common place. They had a common religion - Judaism, common life experiences
as sojoumers, and a common hope - a Messiah. Yet, they all spoke different
languages. Then the Holy Spirit came with a great sound like a mighty rushing
wind, alighting upon the Apostles like tongues of fire, and everyone - whether
from Phrygia, Libya, or Crete - heard the gospel preached in their own language
(Acts 2.11). Three thousand were baptized that day. In Christ, Babel had
been reversed. I needed translators in India, but I didn't need to change
my sermons. The gospel is universal and inclusive, eternally so. It doesn't
need to be wrapped up in cultural fric-frac to be relevant. It is innately
relevant. The simple message of the simple gospel is the only reversal of
Babel. - Barry Bryson |
