A quote often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi goes something like this: “Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary use words.” Whoever said it, the phrase is meant to convey that Christianity is best seen as a lived practice and example, rather than a lecture. It means that Christianity is made credible by works of love, compassion, service. This is all true. Yet, words are far more necessary than this quote leads us to believe. The Christian faith would not exist—it cannot exist—without words. They are the way the religion produces progeny.14 Someone spoke and an interest was piqued.
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