“Most people go through their entire life never speaking words to another human being that come out of what is deepest within them, and most people never hear words that reach all the way into that deep place we call the soul” (13). This is the burden that Larry Crabb seeks to address in Soul Talk: The Language God Longs for Us To Speak. He argues that “Every conversation either stimulates or dampens our desire for God” (26). As a result, in Soul Talk he seeks to address the question: “How can conversations between followers of Jesus become a stage on which the supernatural power of God is unmistakably displayed” (29)?
Crabb worries that “We live in a day when the life that God has given to every Jesus follower is counterfeited, contrived, neglected, hidden, unreleased, and generally not believed in” (43). Crabb further laments that “most of us are never known by a safe friend, never explored by a curious friend, and never discovered by a hopeful friend. And that is a tragedy, as harmful to the soul as AIDS is to the body. Hearts are not changed. Or hearts that have been changed by the Spirit at conversion to Christ are not released” (56).
Later, Crabb argues that if Jesus were speaking directly to our culture today he would say that we have “a heart problem. My people want something more than they want me. And it’s ruining them… Learn to speak with power into people’s lives. Arouse their desire for me until their thirst for me consumes them” (60).
If it seems that I am just listing off a string of quotes, I guess in some ways I am. Honestly, I am trying to force myself to slow down as I read this book to work to process some of it more deeply. I think I have experienced the kind of edifying conversation that Crabb yearns for believers to experience. I have felt times where I was burdened to say something to someone when we were talking – but it wasn’t about me. I really felt that the Spirit was prompting me to speak into someone else’s life.
These kinds of experiences are hard to articulate or explain in hindsight. In some ways, rereading what I just wrote, I feel like it sounds too mystical or otherworldly. Really, it is just a feeling of being in the presence of God. Peace and joy are the two words that come to mind.
These experiences are profound and sometimes life changing. If nothing else, when our hearts connect with another believer at a deep level, we are encouraged to focus on God and what God is seeking to do in our lives. And yet, I think Crabb is largely right- I am not sure very many Christians experience this level of “watching over one another in love”. I don’t know why. It may be that some people want to, but genuinely don’t know how. Or it may be that others are afraid that if anyone else really knew them, that they would leave or reject them.
I am afraid I may be putting too much hope in this book, because I am really hoping that it will help me to lead others into this kind of conversation. From my experience, I would say that when you can really open yourself up to a brother or sister in Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit, those are holy moments where God’s gracious, healing, and restoring presence is especially tangible. I believe what Crabb refers to as “Soul Talk” is a major way that God’s Spirit renews people in the image that they were created in and enables them to grow in holiness.
Does this arouse a passion in you? What questions, issues, or other thoughts do you have? Have you read this book or had experience with deep Christian conversation? I would love to hear your thoughts and dialogue more about this.
Kevin M. Watson 
Sorry, I think part of my reply got put on one of your other blog articles. My mistake I am kind of new to this blog stuff. Anyway, I do believe that deep Christian conversation is important and I am very passionate about it. Our culture yearns for true intimacy and Christian intamacy would certainly be true intimacy. However, I also believe that most people try to avoid this. Hence, we get caught up in disagreements and judging others. God, though, I believe wants us to have these conversations.
I experienced many of these conversations in undergrad at OCU. We had a very diverse group there, but we could have deep conversations. It was awsome. Unfortunetly when I went to seminary, my seminary was too divided to really have such conversations. I have found a few rare coversations since I have been a pastor. They are a treasure and very much needed. I will have to check out this book.
Check out my blog if you want to revcounselor.blogspot.com
Dane – Again, thanks for your thoughts. I tried to move your first comment over to this post, but I don’t think I can (or I don’t know how to do it).
It is interesting to hear your experience about having deep Christian conversation at OCU and struggling to have the same experiences in seminary. For me, it was actually in seminary that I discovered the power of small group accountability where you really open your lives up to each other and enable others to speak truth into your life. It was life changing. I am still in touch with every one of the guys that was in that group.
One of my deepest concerns as a pastor is, how can we encourage this kind of intimacy to develop in our churches?
Thanks again for taking the time to share your wisdom.
One of the ways we can deepen this experience as pastors, is to be open to it ourselves. I have found that most or maybe many other pastors yearn for this experience as well. However, we are afraid to step out and be vulnerable. In other words what is needed is some leaders to be able to start and provide such conversations. I am not talking about a D.S. or Bishop, I am just talking about pastors like you and I taking the risk.
I just quit church. I’ve been a pew sitter for almost a year waiting from someone not too busy with church to care. I missed three weeks in the hospital for a heart attack. No one ever noticed. I left a message on the church answer machine. No one called.
I tried not to go expecting but to serve. I cleaned and helped with the children. Oh they smiled and shook my hand but no one really cared.
I got tired of the game and the clicks. It was exhausting. No more wasting my time.
I read my Bible at home and will serve where He leads. He will lead me tp help others.
No name – First, I am very sorry to hear about your negative experience in Church. I am sorry that people who should be there to care for and show God’s love to others did not take the time to notice that you were out of church because of a serious health condition, and I am very sorry that there was not a response to the message you left on their answering machine.
Thank you for leaving this comment. I hope it reminds all who read it that there is a real danger in Church involvement that we become so comfortable that we stop noticing those who are outside of our comfort zone. And worse that we miss opportunities to be Christ’s hands and feet.
I do pray that God will lead you to a community of faith that will notice your presence, praise God for your gifts, and lead you deeper into the grace of God.