Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
Iowa’s governor declared, “The good Lord up above is now listening for the voice in English,” and his order effectively required non-English speakers to worship at home; what picture of God is being preached in that statement, and how does it collide with the God revealed in Scripture and in the multiethnic worship scenes the speaker cites?
Another way to ask: When a governor says God is “listening for English,” what kind of God is he describing? How does that clash with the God shown in Scripture and in scenes of many peoples worshiping together?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
That statement preaches a God who is linguistically and culturally partisan—one who favors English and ignores other tongues. It collides with the speaker’s Scripture framing that God receives confession and worship from “every tongue” and from all nations.
- The quote is explicit: “the good Lord up above is now listening for the voice in English.”
- Iowa’s order claims: “The official language… is the English language,” and says freedom of speech “is not a guarantee of the right to use a language other than” English.
- The governor’s directives push worship out of public space: “Let those who cannot speak… English… conduct their religious worship in their home.”
- The speaker links this mindset to the Oklahoma church door card: “God Almighty understands the American language. Address him only in that tongue.”
- Scripture contrast: Romans 14:11—“every tongue”; Revelation 7:9—“all nations… and tongues… before the throne.”