Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 39:4 (Dec 1996)
Article: Abusing Wittgenstein: The Misuse Of The Concept Of Language Games In Contemporary Theology
Author: Michael W. Nicholson

JETS 39:4 (December 1996) p. 617

Abusing Wittgenstein: The Misuse Of The Concept
Of Language Games In Contemporary Theology

Michael W. Nicholson*

For the past two decades the concept of language games, developed by linguistic philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, has been appropriated more and more in theological discussions and proposals, particularly in the areas of hermeneutics and the nature of religious language. Although not in a revolutionary way, George Lindbeck certainly set a trend for the subsequent theological appropriation of Wittgenstein’s philosophy. 1 Earlier, Anthony Thiselton helped pave the way for the use of Wittgenstein’s philosophy in hermeneutics. 2 This appropriation centers on the concept of language games, an aspect of Wittgenstein’s later work that captures his developed understanding of the nature and function of human language. With the proliferation of the use of the notion of language games and related Wittgensteinian concepts in theological and hermeneutical discussions it becomes important to pose several questions. The first is whether the various appropriations of the concept accurately reflect Wittgenstein’s understanding of language games. Wittgenstein’s propensity for obscurity, particularly in his later work, is well known, and close and careful analysis is essential to gain an accurate interpretation. A second salient question is whether Wittgenstein’s philosophy, even when properly understood, is genuinely useful for evangelical theology. The answer hinges partially on how far he intended to extend his concept of language games from the metaphorical and analogical into the actual and ontological. Finally there is the question of whether the relativistic and solipsistic tendencies of Wittgenstein’s later philosophy provide any solid basis for a critical hermeneutic. With a view to answering these questions, this essay will be divided into three parts: (1) a careful examination and interpretation of Wittgenstein’s concept of language games, (2) an analysis and critique of the appropriation, implicitly or explicitly, of Wittgensteinian concepts in representative contemporary theological works, 3 and (3) an assessment of the value of Wittgenstein’s philosophy, particularly the concept of language games, for evangelical theology and hermeneutics.

* Michael Nicholson is adjunct professor of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280.

JETS 39:4 (December 1996) p. 618

I. Wittgenstein’s Concept Of Language Games

According to an anecdote told by Freeman Dyson to Norman Malcolm, Wittgenstein conceived the ...