Dave in Tenn: Thanks for your reply.
"Everything not of Faith is sin...can it also be true that everything OF faith--of a life lived under the Kingship of God--is NOT sin?"
I might be misunderstanding you here. So when I take my dog for a walk without God in mind, I'm sinning? When I watch TV? Read secular books? Again, you probably had a broader scope in mind; if you would be so kind, could you please clear this up for me?
"I wish more people had an interest in languages. We are designed to understand and communicate in words, yet words themselves fail to adequately describe, define, and do justice to God and Spirit."
You say that words fail to describe God. Yes, words are such arbitrary little things if you think about it. One benefit of making a language is that you can do your best to fix this, though. When we try to describe something, we are limited, as you said, by the language we speak. I can create words for the things I think best describe how God feels to me. When I pray, talk to Him, whatever, those words will be there. They still won't be perfect, but they will define my personal relationship with God.
"The more we understand the words of God, the better we understand Him and His creation. Intellectually, you are in good company. I'm sure you know that The Lord of the Rings grew organically out of Tolkein's interest in creating languages. I personally see your endeavor as being good mental excercise concerning the nature of language itself. There's value in that. Not all languages are ancient or have ancient origins. Langauge itself evolves, not just idiom. Tagalog, anybody?"
Yes, I am familiar with Tolkien's languages. He was a Christian himself, wasn't he? And yes, languages do evolve. The languages we speak today are waaaaaaaaay different from the ones centuries ago, decades even, as I believe someone here mentioned. It evolves quite quickly, actually. So, have humans not been creating languages since the beginning of time?
"But I am not your Lord and won't judge you right or wrong. I'd encourage you to not be concerned about intellectual 'tithing of mint and anise and cummin' as long as you don't 'omit the weightier matters of the law: judgement, mercy and faith.' Matthew 23:23. I think that's what 'righteousness greater than the Pharisees' is all about"
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When I make a language, I am creating. And God is the Creator. Humans could, as in Babel, choose to create away from God, and challenge Him, oppose Him. That is not what I am doing. Other Christian language-makers I've talked to say they are creating right alongside Him, honoring Creation. I don't know if this makes sense to you, but I've come to the conclusion that language is a human thing. What I choose to do with my language matters most. And I'm not going to use it for evil, I can tell you that right now.
So I'm going for it. I'm going to make a language, and I'm going to honor God. Maybe when I get a psalm or something translated I'll put it in my signature.
I want to thank everyone who posted for helping me make my decision, and for being so welcoming. I'll probably post wherever else I think I may be able to help, so I'll see y'all around, hopefully. Thanks again,
Mbwa