Lent Reflection #5: And v. but
Actors trained in improv are taught not to use "but" when responding to a partner, but to use "and."
"And" is additive; it allows for possibilities and building on what was said. "But" becomes immediately contradictory. Something that was said was incorrect, not enough, faulty.
I notice how much I use "but" in my writing, or somehow tried to hide it with "nevertheless," "however," "although," or "yet." I wonder why I'm so agonistic, so conflicting.
Yet (there we go!) "But" in the New Testament holds a wonderful place. As in Ephesians 2:
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
That said, I would like to have an "and" life rather than a "but" life. I'd like to build rather than debate.
"And" is additive; it allows for possibilities and building on what was said. "But" becomes immediately contradictory. Something that was said was incorrect, not enough, faulty.
I notice how much I use "but" in my writing, or somehow tried to hide it with "nevertheless," "however," "although," or "yet." I wonder why I'm so agonistic, so conflicting.
Yet (there we go!) "But" in the New Testament holds a wonderful place. As in Ephesians 2:
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
That said, I would like to have an "and" life rather than a "but" life. I'd like to build rather than debate.
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