Dogs, mutilated genitalia, and shit are the words Paul uses in Philippians to convey his message.

If I ever preached a sermon saying this Im sure there would have been a parent meeting afterwards. To many its no mystery the Bible contains graphic and descriptive language. However, many people find this reality to be somewhat problematic. This prudish avoidance of the use of language, in such a way to convey powerful truths, is alien to scripture. Paul in Philippians 3:2 says, Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. Three times Paul uses the imperative look out or take proper notice of. Although the terms, dogs, evildoers, and mutilators of the flesh may not seem that harsh to us these derogatory words had a sting back then. Dogs, would have evoked notions of an unclean animal that you wouldnt want to touch. Evildoers, because their focus on works (ie circumcision) was not only a detriment to themselves but to others. Lastly, mutilators of the flesh here Paul uses a play on words as the word circumcision expresses the idea of cutting around while the word mutilation conveys the idea of cutting down or off. Basically Paul is saying, Look out for those people who screw up so badly when circumcising that the victim is left with mutilated genitalia. Bet you never heard a sermon about that. Lastly, in Phil. 3:7-8 Paul conveys the degree to which he views all the gains he made before he was a Christian. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith (KJV) The word dung conveys the idea of crap or shit in English. The strength of this word is lost in many translations such as ESV rubbish, NIV garbage and NASB rubbish. I remember hearing about this for the first time about a year ago from Pastor Mark Driscoll, whos at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Excited about this new found discovery I started saying, shit all the time. Just kidding! J It did however get me wondering, are we missing something when we shy away from using the full range of language as a means of addressing the issues of today? Im not suggesting we say things simply for shock value, rather let us consider how the layers of language can be used for the purpose of revealing truths that need to be heard, truths about ourselves, truths about God, and truths about life. The Bible contains the good, the bad and the ugly of humanity and in the midst of it all there is a message that speaks to our brokenness, tells us to give up our shit and calls us to be found in Christ. Hey! Just because you can say it doesnt mean you shoulduse common sense and dont make it more about the words and less about Christ in you. Peace of Christ be with you, Jack