Language of Heaven
As I was studying European Languages and Cultures in the University of Groningen, I always wanted to incorporate my faith with my studies as much as I could. Partially simply because it made things more interesting for me personally, but also because it would provide an opportunity to spark conversations with teachers and classmates. Consequently, for my thesis topic I decided to explore something that would connect faith and linguistics – and I ended up writing about the language international students use in their faith practices.
After living abroad for several years and cultivating my personal faith in English language setting, it was natural to me to pray and read the Bible in English, although my mother tongue is Finnish. I wondered if this was the same for others as well, and which factors might influence this choice. Indeed, one of the things my research showed was that most international students use English in their personal faith practices as much or even more than their native language, but it was harder to determine why this is the case.
I really enjoyed doing the research and writing this essay as it gave me an opportunity to connect with believing international students in different places over Europe and learn from their experiences. It also made me reflect on my own faith practices, and take a deeper look into what part language plays in my relationship with God. For example, I can still find new depths of worship when singing in different languages (Finnish, English, Hebrew…). All in all, what matters at the end of the day is that “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:11).
About the author,
Anniina is originally from Finland, but has studied in a bible college in England, graduated with a BA in European Languages and Cultures from the Netherlands, completed an MA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership in Israel and is currently studying a Masters in Pentecostal and Evangelical Theology in Belgium while working in HR with a Christian legal advocacy organisation. She has a passion for languages, Christian organisations and studying the Word of God.
Credo publishes “Language of Heaven”
as a part of our drive for The Kingdom of God in your vocation.
The reflections of the student are of great importance in
order to integrate faith and vocation and
first and foremost reppresents the convictions of the student.
