The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

10 words that have become rather meaningless


1. Literally. It is hard to imagine this word being used correctly as it is often placed next to words that are being used figuratively. You did not literally die. You figuratively died. The reason that you used literally is that you were grasping for a qualifier or intensifier but wentfor the wrong one.
2. Basically. This is so often redundant in a sentence. Let's save these three (or four syllables for the next generation.
3. Very. Too often this word is alos doing nothing much beyond padding out the sentence.
4. Totally. This intensifier is okay bt is getting over used. Totally.
5. Interesting. Too often, we are lazy and use the word in vague and guarded comments.
6. Obviously. Only use this word if it is obvious.
7. Actually. Spectacularly overused,
8. Really. Again rather a weak modifier.
9. Kind of. Another wishy washy term. Meghan Markle's dad has said in interview that  "Having the press at my door and following me at my door, yeah that kind of becomes an invasion a bit".
10. Awesome. This is the case of a good word gone to waste dueto over use. I was ina  bankl once and someone was openinga  new account. Told they would be sent a debit card ina few days they replied "Awesome"!

1 comment:

Robert S. said...

So you could add 'so' to your list, totally. That would make it really interesting, obvs. Like, actually kind of basically awesome. Literally.