We are talking about the September/October edition of FrontLine with some of our authors. The subject of this edition was “Using Your Words: Glorifying God with Language.” The issue hit on various aspects of things we say, good and bad, and what the Christian perspective should be.

Today’s discussion is with Preston Mayes, who teaches at Central Baptist Seminary in Minneapolis. His subject was gossip. We spend most of our time wrestling with a definition of gossip and why we as humans like gossip so much. I think I took us on a little rabbit trail a bit as I likened the interest in gossip with our preoccupation with the sensational and negative in news stories. I think there is some relationship, but perhaps more than we could solve in a short conversation.

Another aspect of gossip (or potential gossip) is what to do with negative personal information about someone that comes our way. Sometimes it does need to be passed on, but passed on to someone who is responsible to bring a solution to the situation. It isn’t any good to chatter about it with our friends, but it might be something we need to share with an appropriate authority.

All of this can be challenging to sort out, but we do have some conversation along that line as well.

One last thing, at the end of the interview, you will hear that Preston was pleased to have his daughter publish an article in the same edition of the magazine. That was kind of a neat little feature and Lord willing we will publish an interview with her next week.

Before we get to the interview with Preston, let me remind you that his article is available on our substack right away for paying subscribers. We have previews for everyone else. I hope you will join with us and support the ministry of the FBFI by becoming a paying subscriber.

The Contents & Editorial for the Sept/Oct FrontLine:

Using Your Words: Glorifying God with Language (FrontLine)

The Article:

Let the Fire Die - by Foundations Baptist Fellowship

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