Teaching Religion as a Language

Abstract George Lindbeck has suggested the metaphor of ‘religion as language.’ In this paper, I consider first the metaphor, its origin, uses, implications and potential pitfalls, then turn to consider the uses to which it might be put in relation to the teaching of religion. Drawing on the work of Stanley Hauerwas and others, such as Marcus Borg, who have used the metaphor in their writing, I discuss ways in which the methods of language teaching could illuminate the ways in which we teach Christianity. I conclude that this is a potentially useful metaphor and that reflecting on it can guide us in productive directions – although noting that no one metaphor should be our only guide.