Them Before Us Podcast Episode #060: "10 Words to Heal Our Broken World" with Scott David Allen

In the latest episode of the Them Before Us podcast, hosts Jenn and Katy engage in an enlightening conversation with Scott David Allen, author and leader in Christian discipleship and poverty alleviation. The discussion centers around Scott’s new book, 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World: Restoring the Meaning of Our Most Important Words. This summary captures the key points, insightful discussions, and profound conclusions drawn during the episode.

1. Introduction and Guest Background

Jenn kicks off the episode by introducing Scott David Allen, highlighting his extensive background in ministry and authorship. Scott is recognized for his work on Christianity, culture, worldview, family, and Biblical justice. He has authored several books, including the bestseller Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis. Scott currently serves as the president of the Disciple Nations Alliance, an international discipleship ministry aimed at equipping Christian leaders globally.

Scott shares his journey, emphasizing his 19 years with Food for the Hungry and his dedication to helping impoverished communities rise out of poverty. He underscores the pivotal role of language in transforming cultures, a theme central to his new book.

Notable Quote:

"If you want to see a change in a culture, you begin by changing language."
(Scott David Allen, [04:56])

2. Overview of "10 Words to Heal Our Broken World"

Scott delves into the core premise of his book, which revolves around the transformative power of words. He argues that the translation of the Bible into indigenous languages introduced vital concepts—such as compassion, justice, and freedom—that were previously absent in those cultures. These words, when embedded into societal institutions and curricula, catalyzed significant positive changes.

Scott emphasizes that understanding and restoring the original biblical definitions of key words is essential to combating cultural shifts driven by adversaries of the gospel. His book identifies ten critical words that, when redefined, can either heal or further fracture the world.

3. The Power of Words in Shaping Culture

Scott illustrates the profound impact of words through a compelling example from Guatemala. He recounts how the indigenous Pokemchi community, despite rapid church growth, remained mired in poverty due to a lack of understanding of the biblical concept of "dominion."

Notable Quote:

"Words are like building blocks of culture. They're the most basic building blocks."
(Scott David Allen, [06:14])

He narrates how introducing the word "dominion" transformed the community’s approach to pest control, empowering them to implement effective agricultural practices independently.

4. In-depth Discussion on "Marriage"

The conversation shifts to one of the ten pivotal words: marriage. Scott contrasts the traditional biblical definition with contemporary cultural definitions, highlighting significant discrepancies.

Traditional Biblical Definition: Scott refers to Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary entry, which defines marriage as a "God-ordained, comprehensive, exclusive and permanent union" between a man and a woman, emphasizing procreation and the nurturing of children.

Contemporary Definition: He juxtaposes this with the modern definition found in platforms like Microsoft Word, which describes marriage as "a legally recognized romantic, caregiving relationship between consenting adults who intend to live together as sexual and domestic partners." This definition omits crucial elements like procreation, permanence, and the complementary roles of husband and wife.

Notable Quote:

"If this idea comes into the church, and this is back to your question, why I wrote the book, like Christians, we have to know that this is happening. This is a tactic to change the culture on the part of adversaries of the gospel."
(Scott David Allen, [10:24])

Scott warns that such redefinitions erode the foundational aspects of marriage, leading to societal issues like the neglect of children’s needs.

5. In-depth Discussion on "Sex"

The episode also delves into the word sex, exploring its traditional and modern interpretations.

Traditional Biblical Understanding: Scott defines sex as both the biological distinction between male and female and the procreative act intended within marriage. He underscores that sex, as defined in the Bible, is a powerful, God-given gift meant for procreation and enjoyed within the confines of a permanent marital union.

Modern Redefinition: In contrast, he explains how contemporary culture conflates sex with gender identity, transforming it into a purely social construct. Terms like "non-binary" and movements advocating for sex as entirely self-defined have stripped sex of its biological and procreative significance.

Notable Quote:

"The redefinition of sex has completely taken over that subjectivity and said that, you know, you've elevated gender."
(Scott David Allen, [24:39])

Scott argues that this shift leads to moral relativism, where the lack of objective definitions results in cultural decay and a "sexual wasteland," characterized by issues such as pornography addiction and the devaluation of procreation.

6. Implications for Children's Rights and Society

Aligning with the podcast’s mission to prioritize children’s rights, Scott highlights how the redefinition of words like marriage and sex directly impacts children. By removing procreation and the nurturing aspects from the definition of marriage, society begins to overlook the needs of children, leading to their neglect and diminished role in cultural and familial structures.

Notable Quote:

"Children are being neglected. Children are paying the highest price."
(Scott David Allen, [15:29])

He connects the loss of clear, biblically grounded definitions to broader societal issues, emphasizing that children suffer when foundational cultural concepts are undermined.

7. Conclusion and Future Directions

As the episode wraps up, Scott shares information about the upcoming release of his book on November 15th and encourages listeners to visit 10wordsbook.org for more details and to join the launch team. He also promotes the Disciple Nations Alliance website, disciplena.org, as a resource for Christian discipleship and biblical worldview training.

Notable Quote:

"The definitions that God himself gives to us in His Word are powerful. They're beautiful. And they create beautiful, fruitful, thriving cultures."
(Scott David Allen, [19:43])

Jenn and Katy express their appreciation for Scott’s insights, recognizing the profound impact his work can have on listeners dedicated to children’s rights and cultural transformation.

Final Thoughts

Episode #060 of the Them Before Us podcast offers a thought-provoking exploration of how language shapes culture, particularly through the lens of children's rights. Scott David Allen’s insights into the redefinition of crucial words like marriage and sex serve as a wake-up call for advocates to reclaim and restore their original meanings to foster healthier, more just societies. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to understanding the intersection of language, culture, and the well-being of children globally.

For more information and to access resources mentioned in the episode, visit 10wordsbook.org and disciplena.org.