Paraprosdokian

I have always liked words from the time I saw Hermione Gingold in Gigi where she lovingly and slowly pronounced ‘win-dow-sill’’and ‘ap-ple-sauce’ lingering on each syllable. One of my favourite courses at university was an introductory course in Linguistics. And so I was delighted when I came across the recently-coined word ‘paraprosdokian’ [a word or phrase that brings about an unexpected twist to the interpretation of the previous part of the sentence].

One of the examples given that spoke to me was “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” ~Billy Sunday [American Evangelist] How true. How very true! But at the same time, not the expected outcome.

Often we hear someone say, “My friend is a wonderful person, but they never go to church.” or conversely hear someone say “The church is full of hypocrites.” Both of those people have bought into the above paraprosdokian by expecting the first part of the saying to go with the ending, that going to church actually does make you a Christian.

Now no one is going to argue with the second half of the paraprosdokian It is perfectly obvious that if a motorcycle goes into a garage it remains a motorcycle, or if a dog strolls into a garage, it is still a dog. Sunday was using this as a teaching device to draw attention to illogical thinking. This doesn’t give us any hint as to what Sunday might say did make you a Christian, just what didn’t- being in church.

I would ask each of you to consider, just for a moment, what you would say makes someone a Christian. Your answer will depend on which of the following definitions [neither of which mention church attendance BTW] from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary you espouse, if either.

a: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ

b: a disciple [implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.]

It would be possible to attend church regularly and only profess a belief in the teachings of Jesus by participation in the service - as a fan of Jesus. Where the rubber hits the road though is by becoming a disciple of Jesus and showing an allegiance, a commitment, to his teachings. Commitment is not a popular word these days when our society revolves around personal pleasure and comfort. The very thought that we put the ideals of someone else before our own, is an anathema. But that is what being a disciple calls us to do.

‘Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make.’ Rick Warren

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