One of the questions I asked in a survey I did of former students was: what topic from the course has had the greatest impact on your life, work, ministry? “Naming” was the number one response. Yet in the almost 50 blogs I have written I did not even dedicate a full blog to naming, only part of one. Why is that, what’s going on?
It did not intentionally avoid writing on naming. So I can’t say exactly why I did not. Perhaps I have not written blogs on naming because I sense that anyone who has been in my class already clearly understands it. I do not feel a need to further clarify or even review. I have, however, made a fundamental mistake. True, many of the blogs I write share new insights—things I had not already said in classes. Yet my primary motivation for doing this blog and website is the conviction that the current of society flows strongly against the way of Jesus. We need encouragement and support to stand against that current. So, the purpose of the blogs is to inform, but also to affirm and encourage actions that are not easy and natural because they go against the current. I have been remiss to not write and encourage you to more actively name others.
In this short blog I will do four things. First, for those of you who are not former students of mine and are wondering, “what is ‘naming’?” I give a brief explanation. (The rest of you can skip the next two paragraphs.) Second, I introduce a great parallel metaphor which will both increase understanding of naming and motivation to name. Third, I ask a few questions I invite you to respond to prayerfully. Finally, an invitation that will help there be more blogs about naming.
Naming Explained
Naming is a central activity in Madeline L’Engle’s novel A Wind in the Door, which is a sequel to A Wrinkle in Time. As the characters in the book explain it, naming helps someone become more the particular person that she or he was meant to be. As the story unfolds we observe that naming requires discernment, is rooted in love, and is a process that utilizes both words and actions. Naming both calls and aids people to live more fully as the people whom God created them to be, more in the image of Jesus Christ. One key element in the book is that someone cannot name himself or herself. Naming affirms individuality but stands against autonomous individualism.
Perhaps the most obvious type of naming is when someone says something affirmative about us that gets to the core of who we are and calls us to live that out. Coupled with this is the act of helping people peel off debilitating false labels that others have stuck on them. Naming also includes helping people identify and change behaviors that hinder them from thriving and living out their calling. Furthermore, naming helps people develop positive behaviors and character traits.
Parallel Metaphor
Just a few days ago I read a short blog by former student and former T. A., Dallas Nord. He develops an excellent metaphor that moved me. It moved me to want what he describes for myself and want to do it for others. It can, I believe, lead to a deeper practice of naming. I will not even try to summarize because: first, Dallas is a much better writer than I am—read his beautiful words. Two, it is short—no need give a shorter version.
Take a Moment to Reflect, Listen, Pray
- How have you been named recently? Thank God, and perhaps the person or community that named you, for that naming.
- Who are people you have named or are naming? What are additional ways God might be calling you to name them?
- Who are people you know in need of naming? Who are ones God is calling you to name?
- How might you do so?
Growing in Naming, Learning from Others
Please send me an example of how you have used naming. It could be a short account of a specific example, a description of a general practice you do frequently, a story of the fruit of your efforts at naming, or insights on how you have learned to be better at naming. What is something you know about naming now, that you did not know when you left seminary? Please send these to me and I will shape the contributions into a blog (or multiple blogs).