Are we consciously aware of how we choose our words? Are we cognizant of what kind of tacit impressions our words have on others? Are we loving our neighbors in such a way that we can understand their language? Their experiences? Can we translate what we know to those who have little familiarity with what is so familiar to us?
How can we effectively share the Gospel with those who are lost? How do we plant seeds? How do we water? How do we harvest? Shockingly, much of the work of evangelizing and discipleship is in wisely using our words. Jesus commands us to go into all the world, proclaiming His truth, but do we know the world well enough to be able to communicate effectively and redemptively with them? Do we have the right words?
On part two of our conversation with professor of communication Dr. Steven A. Beebe, we explore more in depth about how C.S. Lewis’s conversion to Christianity equipped him with the remarkable ability to reach an enormously broad audience, even long after his death in 1963. How is it that Lewis could be such an effective communicator? How did his Christian faith inform the way in which he communicated and what can we learn in our own attempts at sharing Christ with others?
From a small biscuit tin garden made by his brother to his trip to the Whipsnade Zoo in the sidecar of his brother’s motorcycle, to the prolific volumes of correspondence and professional writing, Lewis’s life stands as an example of the impact we can have if we too, by the grace of God, choose our words carefully.
ABOUT STEVEN A. BEEBE: Dr. Beebe is Regents' and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Texas State University. He served as Chair of his department at Texas State for 28 years and concurrently as Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication for 25 years. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas State he was a tenured member of the Communication faculty at the University of Miami for 10 years. He is author and co-author of fourteen books (with editions totaling more than 75 books) that have been used at hundreds of colleges and universities (including international, Canadian, Russian and Chinese editions) by several million students throughout the world. Steve’s research focuses on instructional communication and communication skill development.
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