the power of the perpendicular pronoun

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, ……. as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3: 1 - 15

In the famous BBC Series Yes Prime Minister, Sir Humphrey Appleby, senior civil servant, forced to divulge his part in a major, costly mistake, tries to cover that fact by referring to himself as the perpendicular pronoun – the “I”. He said: The identity of the official whose alleged responsibility for this hypothetical oversight has been the subject of recent discussion is not shrouded in quite such impenetrable obscurity as certain previous disclosures may have led you to assume; but not to put too fine a point on it, the individual in question is, it may surprise you to learn, one whom your present interlocutor is in the habit of defining by means of the perpendicular pronoun. Sir Humphrey clearly hated to have to admit “I did it.” Who would?
.	‘An egotist is a man who talks about himself so much that you don’t have a chance to talk about yourself.’ (Vance Havner, writer, 1901 - 1986)
At a recent public meeting in St Helier, the view was put forward – unchallenged by many Christians present – that it was a good thing to follow the worthy teaching of Jesus without being committed to following Jesus Christ himself. That’s quite attractive, isn’t it? After all, any mention of Jesus Christ to others is terribly embarrassing. It’s much better to avoid “following” that man (and his name) but still maintain, if pushed, that I follow his teaching. In that way I don’t cause unnecessary offence to others – and others see me as a good man (even a good religious person, a good church-goer, a good Christian). This view is common in Jersey (and elsewhere). The problem with it is the perpendicular pronoun and its power. Its power takes two distinct forms: the perpendicular pronoun which belongs to another person; the perpendicular pronoun which belongs to me. The “I” of other people? Is it possible for me to follow the teaching of Jesus when others actively harm me? When my spouse cheats on me or gets rid of me? When my neighbour damages my car and says he hasn’t? When I am wrongly accused – deliberately by another “I” - and incur heavy legal bills which can't be recovered? Will I be forgiving and long-suffering (as Jesus instructed) when the perpendicular pronoun of another person is asserting itself against me? Is that possible without some change within me?
.	‘Most of the trouble in the world is about people wanting to be important.’ (T S Eliot, poet and dramatist, 1888-1965)
The “I” of me? Is it possible for me to follow the teaching of Jesus when my personal happiness is at stake? When I am at loggerheads with my spouse and another understanding, loving person offers me solace? When I’ve damaged another car in the multi-storey and there’s no-one around? When I put two-and-two together and “need” to take court action against my enemy? Will I be forgiving and long-suffering (as Jesus instructed) when the perpendicular pronoun that is me is unhappy? Is that possible without some change within me? Around AD 30, Nicodemus, a Sanhedrin (States) member, also couldn’t understand why it was necessary for every human being to be changed within. See bold above. Nicodemus also was in thrall to his perpendicular pronoun. He needed to be born again – given a new life-force within. Jesus promised that – through looking at the Son of Man on his cross. That look gives the eternal life of God – within.

Richard Syvret

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