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Why Ukrainians Should Learn English? · Reformed Thinking

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Welcome back to the Deep Dive. This is where we really try to
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get under the surface of, well, sometimes complex topics and
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give you the core insights. Great to be here.
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So today we're diving into something I think is really
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relevant, the different roles the English language plays for
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Ukrainian Christians. And this isn't just, you know,
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about linguistics. It's more about how a common
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language, one that's used globally, can actually become a
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key tool for, well, for God's purposes in a world that's
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changing so rapidly. That's right.
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Our goal really for this deep dive is to unpack how English
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might help with things like Christian outreach, sound
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theological thinking, building community, even just daily work
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for Ukrainian believers. And we're drawing all this from
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the material we've looked at. Yeah, and it's a subject that
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feels especially timely, doesn't it, given, you know, everything
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happening globally. It really.
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Does when you think about people being dispersed, ideas flowing
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so quickly a common language like English?
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Well, it takes on this practical and theological weight.
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It really fits into that bigger picture of how God guides human
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history, even down to which language has become widely used.
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It sort of shows God's Providence in maybe unexpected
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areas. OK, so let's start at the
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beginning then. To really grasp the role of
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language now we kind of need to look back, don't we?
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Definitely. How does the Bible, maybe
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starting with something like the Tower of Babel story, shape how
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we should think about language in God's plan?
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Yeah, Babel in Genesis 11 is the perfect place to start.
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You have this picture of humanity all speaking one
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language, trying to build this tower, you know, to make a name
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for ourselves. Right reaching for the heavens.
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Exactly. It's a clear act of human pride,
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self-reliance, and God's response is quite direct.
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He steps in, confuses their language, scatters them across
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the earth. It's a powerful display of His
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sovereignty, stopping this human project that was heading in the
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wrong direction. It tells us straight away that
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human speech isn't just ours, it's accountable to the Creator.
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So the diversity of languages we see isn't just an accident.
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Not at all. It's a you could say it's a
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theological reality, a reminder that God is actively involved in
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human affairs, right down to how we communicate.
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OK, so Babble means scattering division through language, but
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then how does that story connect to today, especially thinking
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about what happened later at Pentecost?
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Ah yes, Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
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That's where the narrative takes a really interesting turn.
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It's all like a partial reversal of Babel in a way.
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How so? Well, the Holy Spirit comes down
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and the disciples start proclaiming God's mighty works.
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But crucially, they're not doing it in one single language.
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Right, they're speaking in all those different languages
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represented there. Exactly.
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Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea,
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Cappadocia, they all heard the gospel in their own native
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tongue. So Pentecost shows that God
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actually uses linguistic diversity to gather people for
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Christ centered witness. He doesn't wipe out languages,
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he consecrates them, you might say for his purpose.
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So applying that today, the rise of English as a global language,
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how should we view that? We can see it as perhaps God
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providentially arranging language again for his
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redemption of goals. It's not just a historical
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accident or a result of, you know, politics or economics
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alone. It could be seen as a gift, a
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tool given by God that needs to be used wisely and carefully.
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It becomes part of his way of drawing people from all nations
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together. That really sets a strong
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foundation. OK, so with that biblical
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backdrop, let's talk about some core principles, maybe from a
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Reformed perspective, that help frame why learning English could
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be significant for Ukrainian believers.
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Yeah, there are three key pillars that really give us a
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theological grid for this. OK, what's the first one?
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The first is Providence. This is a cornerstone of
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Reformed thought, the belief that God is sovereign over
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everything, every detail. Including languages.
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Including how languages rise, spread, and interact.
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Babel and Pentecost are prime examples of God directing these
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things. So for a Ukrainian believer
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today, how does that apply to learning English?
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Well, it means that learning English can be viewed as a way
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of sort of obediently participating in God's unfolding
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plan. Think about Acts 17.26.
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Remind us. It says God determine the time
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set for people and the exact places where they should live so
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that they would seek Him. Ah.
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OK, so when circumstances may be difficult, ones like war or
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displacement bring Ukrainian believers into contact with
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English speaking communities, aid workers, other churches,
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diaspora groups, that interaction can be seen as an
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opportunity God has arranged. It's not just adapting to
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circumstances then. It's more than that.
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It's recognizing God's hand at work, even in destruction.
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He's potentially opening doors to this language connection.
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That's a powerful way to look at it.
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So Providence is the first pillar.
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What's the second? How does God's sovereign
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arrangement actually help believers access truth?
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That leads perfectly to the second pillar, intelligibility.
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This is huge, coming right out of the Reformation.
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The idea that people need to understand.
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Exactly the conviction that Scripture must be understood by
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ordinary people in their own language.
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You see it in the Westminster Confession, and it echoes Paul
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in First Corinthians 14 talking about clear, understandable
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speech in worship. And the reformers practice this.
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Right. Absolutely.
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Luther translating the Bible into German, Tyndale into
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English, Calvin writing widely in French.
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They wanted to make the Gospel plain and accessible to
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everyone. Without downplaying other
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languages. Precisely.
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It wasn't about making one language supreme, it was about
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clarity of the message. And today, English proficiency
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offers a similar kind of expanded access for many.
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How so for Ukrainian Christians specifically?
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Well, it allows them to read God's Word more broadly, yes,
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but also to engage with trusted teachers and theologians whose
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works might not be translated into Ukrainian or Russian yet.
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Like who for example? Oh, think about accessing the
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original writings of Giant like John Owen the Puritan
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theologian, or Gerhardus False on biblical theology or
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contemporary scholars like DA Carson.
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So pastors could read them directly.
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Yes, pastors, seminary students, even lay people.
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They can study arguments at the source, weigh them against
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Scripture themselves, and discern truth from error more
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effectively. It really expands their
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theological toolkit for guarding their congregations.
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It's like having more tools to make scripture clear.
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Exactly. English can act like a a
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theological magnifying glass, allowing for a deeper, more
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nuanced understanding. OK, that makes sense.
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Providence Intelligibility. What's the third pillar?
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The third is stewardship of gifts.
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Like the Parable of the Talents. Precisely that parable from
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Matthew 25 is a key text here, along with principles in the
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confession about good works flowing from faith.
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So this isn't about earning salvation by learning English.
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Not at all. Stewardship isn't about merit.
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It's about faithfully using the resources, the opportunities,
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the abilities, the talents that God has given us.
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How does that apply to language learning?
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Well, if a believer has the capacity, time, the mental
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aptitude, the opportunity to learn English, the neglecting
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that potential gift could be seen perhaps as akin to burying
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the talent. Failing to use what God provided
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right. Conversely, investing effort in
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learning English, recognizing its usefulness for gospel work,
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for coordinating aid, for theological study, becomes an
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act of faithful stewardship. It's an expression of faith
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working through love, as Galatians 5.6 puts it.
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Using the gift for God's purposes.
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Exactly. So these 3 Providence,
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intelligibility and stewardship, they work together.
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They form a solid theological framework, suggesting that
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learning English can actually be a part of Christian
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discipleship. Not just a practical skill, but
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a stewarded opportunity. Well put.
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It's seeing it as more than just useful, but potentially as part
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of God's design and our response to his grace.
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OK, with that framework established, let's dig into the
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practical applications. How can English specifically
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serve as a tool for, say, wider Christian service?
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Let's start with proclaiming the Gospel, the Great Commission.
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Yeah, this is a major area. English functions as a lingua
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franca in so many parts of the world.
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Think about ministry and refugee camps.
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Where people might come from many language backgrounds.
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Exactly, but English might be the one common language they
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share, allowing for direct gospel presentation.
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Or consider online evangelism. YouTube.
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Social media. Right.
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Creating content in English gives at a potentially massive
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global reach that might be harder to achieve otherwise.
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It even opens doors and academic settings, allowing believers to
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share a Christian perspective at international conferences.
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And what about for Ukrainians who've been displaced?
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For them, English can be what you might call a missionary
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accelerant. It's often the bridge language
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when interacting with international aid workers, host
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communities, or even other diaspora Ukrainians in places
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like Canada or Germany. Helping pastors connect with
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their scattered flock. Yes, for counseling, teaching,
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catechizing, and in new church plants that might include people
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from various backgrounds. English can sometimes provide
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that common ground for worship and fellowship.
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You mentioned digital outreach too.
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Hugely important social media algorithms often prioritize
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English content or hashtags, so using English can help
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biblically sound content cut through the noise, reaching more
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people. Like fulfilling Psalm 67 that
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your way may be known on earth. Precisely.
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It also equips believers to engage with and sometimes
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counter things like the prosperity gospel or New Age
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ideas that are often propagated widely in English online.
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It gives them a voice on that global stage.
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So English acts like a global megaphone for the Gospel
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message. That's a good way to put it.
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OK, beyond outreach, how does English help strengthen the
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church internally, specifically with doctrinal formation and
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discernment, especially now when there are so many ideas floating
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around? This is absolutely critical.
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English unlocks this vast library of theological
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resources, many of which just aren't available in Ukrainian or
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Russian. We mentioned Owen Vos Carson
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earlier. Yes, and Spurgeon's sermons,
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Herman Bavang, systematic theology, the list goes on.
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Having direct access means pastors and serious students can
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grapple with the arguments first hand.
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Not just rely on summaries or translations that might miss
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nuances. Exactly.
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They can compare interpretations, check them
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against Scripture directly like the Bereans in Acts 17, and make
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really informed judgments. This is vital when you're
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dealing with potentially misleading teachings.
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Like the ones often broadcast in English.
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Right. Things like certain strands of
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the prosperity gospel or hyper charismatic movements often have
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a huge online presence, primarily in English.
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So knowing English allows believers to test the spirits as
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first, John says. Yes, with much greater precision
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they can listen to the original sermons, look up the proof text
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being used and find solid orthodox responses, often also
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in English. It aids discernment
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significantly. What about for scholars?
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It enables Ukrainian theologians to participate more fully in
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global scholarly conversations, like peer reviewing articles for
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international journals or presenting papers.
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This sharpens their own thinking and allows their insights to
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bless the wider church. And digital tools.
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Big factor English proficiency unlocks powerful Bible software
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like logos or accordance, plus huge online archives of, say,
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Puritan writings. These digital libraries are
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invaluable, especially if physical books are hard to
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access or have been lost. So it creates A wider circle of
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accountability too. It does.
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It connects Ukrainian believers more closely with the global
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reform community. This allows for mutual
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encouragement. Sharpening iron sharpens iron,
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as Proverbs says, but also mutual correction, which helps
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guard against theological drift and fosters humility.
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So English acts as a kind of theological compass.
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I like that. A compass helping navigate
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complex theological waters and stay true to Scripture.
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Makes sense. Now, shifting gears slightly,
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what about the practical side of mercy ministry or diaconal
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service? How does English function as a
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tool for loving our neighbors in tangible ways?
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Oh, it's incredibly practical here.
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Think about coordinates humanitarian aid on the ground.
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What kinds of things? Well, medical protocols, for
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instance, or guidelines for trauma counseling.
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These are often standardized internationally and written in
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English. Understanding them quickly and
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accurately is vital. And things like logistics supply
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chains. Yes, documentation for supplies
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reporting requirements for NGOs. It's frequently in English.
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Being able to handle that efficiently is a direct act of
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service, ensuring aid gets where it's needed.
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What about accessing resources like grants?
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Definitely. Writing grant proposals to
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international Christian organizations like Compassion
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International or Samaritan's Purse often requires strong
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English skills. Successfully navigating that
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process allows churches to secure resources that directly
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help people in need, fulfilling Galatians 6 point new doing good
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to all, especially the household of faith.
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I can see the practicality. Any other examples?
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Military chaplains for instance, if they're working alongside
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international colleagues or using resources from English
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speaking psychologists on things like PTSD.
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Being able to communicate effectively is crucial for
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providing informed gospel centered care.
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It helps them be all things to all people in a way.
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In a very practical way, yes. And think about this proficiency
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reduces the need for interpreters or translation
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software. Which costs money and can
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sometimes lead to errors. Exactly.
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So direct communication saves resources that can be used for
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actual aid, medicine, food bibles, and ensures greater
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accuracy, which is critical in medical or logistical contexts.
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So English becomes like a practical hand of mercy.
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A very tangible 1, yes. OK, let's broaden out again.
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You mentioned reformed ideas like the cultural mandate and
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vocation. How does English proficiency
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connect to this idea that Christ's lordship extends over
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all of life, including our work? This is about empowering
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Christian professionals to live out their faith in their
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specific fields globally. The cultural mandate from
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Genesis calls us to cultivate and shape the world for God's
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glory. Our vocation, Our Calling is how
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we do that on our daily work. And English helps how?
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It's significantly amplifies our ability to participate in and
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influence global conversations that shape various fields,
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science, technology, economics, the arts.
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Can you give some specific examples?
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Sure, take the IT sector. A Ukrainian Christian coder
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fluent in English can more easily collaborate on
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international projects. They might be able to influence
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the ethics of that project, maybe ensuring tech serves human
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flourishing. Plus, remote work opportunities
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open up and tithes from those jobs can support their local
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church and ministries. OK, IT.
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What else? Medical Research English gives
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access to global studies, allows researchers to co-author papers,
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maybe on topics like trauma care, which is so relevant their
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work contributes knowledge and any funding can support local
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healthcare. What about economics or
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agriculture? An agricultural economist
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proficient in English could potentially negotiate fair grain
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export deals or help draft policies for international
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agencies, bringing biblical principles of justice into
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global markets. And the arts.
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Artists, musicians, film makers, English allows them to engage
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with a global audience, to articulate a Christian worldview
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through their work, maybe share stories of faith and resilience
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on international platforms. So English provides a sort of
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ethical pathway. That's a good way to think about
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it. It allows a Christian
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perspective, a Christian conscience, to be voiced in
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global discussions on things like AI, ethics, economic
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policy, bioethics, areas where a biblical viewpoint is sorely
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needed but might be overlooked without that common language.
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It ensures Christian voices are heard more widely.
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Exactly. It helps believers exercise
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stewardship not just to the Church, but in the world.
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This is really painting a broad picture.
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Finally, let's talk about communion, the unity of
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believers. How does a shared language like
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English help foster that connection and mutual blessing
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among Christians worldwide? It helps make that invisible
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unity mentioned in Ephesians 4 much more visible and tangible.
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How? Through things like shared
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worship. Yes, what we could call
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liturgical reciprocity. A Ukrainian church might stream
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a service with English subtitles or use sermon resources from a
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trusted English speaking church. It allows for mutual learning
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and encouragement like Colossians 3.16 talks about.
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What about face to face interactions?
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Global conferences are a great example.
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English often becomes the common language there.
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It allows Ukrainian elders or church leaders to attend, learn
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directly from others, but also, crucially, to share their
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experiences, their stories of God's faithfulness and hardship
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that builds deep bonds like First Corinthians 12 describes
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suffering and rejoicing together.
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And digital connections. They've become so important.
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Things like Zoom prayer groups, Discord servers for pastors,
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Telegram channels. English often facilitates these
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connections across borders, breaking down isolation and
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fostering real fellowship or Koinonia.
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So it helps with the practical side of fellowship too, like
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coordinating aid. Definitely, clear communication
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in English ensures that when churches support each other
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materially, the aid is handled effectively and efficiently.
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But it's more than just transactions.
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Becomes a genuine gift exchange where maybe Ukrainian hymns or
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prayer requests are shared back, enriching the givers too.
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Does it also play a role in maintaining theological unity
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globally? I think so.
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It facilitates that mutual accountability we talked about
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earlier. Ideas can be discussed,
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scrutinized, and refined across linguistic and cultural wines
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more easily, helping preserve that core universal Christian
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faith, what we call Catholic orthodoxy.
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It sounds like shared language offers a taste of something
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bigger. Exactly.
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It's like a little glimpse of foretaste of that scene in
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Revelation 7 where people from every nation, tribe and language
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are gathered together in worship.
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It's a way we practice that future harmony now.
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A means of global Christian connection.
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Precisely. OK, we've covered a lot of
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ground on the benefits, but it's important to address the
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concerns too, right? There are common objections
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people raise about Ukrainians learning English.
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Absolutely, and they're often understandable concerns that
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deserve thoughtful responses. We should probably tackle the
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main ones. Let's do that.
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What's the first big one you hear?
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A major one is the fear that learning English, especially
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given its global dominance, might weaken a person's
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connection to their own Ukrainian language and national
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identity. The idea that it dilutes your
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roots. Kind of, yeah.
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But if we look at that biblical vision again, Revelation 7, what
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do we see? We see people from every tribe
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and language worshipping God. Their diversity isn't erased in
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heaven. It's present.
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It's part of the beauty. And Pentecost affirmed local
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languages too. Exactly.
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Acts 2 shows the spirit using vernacular languages, not
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suppressing them. Learning another language
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doesn't have to mean abandoning your own.
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It's more like adding another tool or planting a second garden
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alongside the first. Are there historical examples of
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this? Sure.
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Think of the Reformers themselves.
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Luther, Calvin. They're multilingual, and they
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use that to enrich their own cultures and languages through
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translation. Pantalaimon Kulish, a key
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Ukrainian figure, did the same. Bilingualism often enhances
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cultural expression. It doesn't have to diminish it.
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So English could even help share Ukrainian culture.
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Potentially yes, by allowing Ukrainian believers to translate
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their own theological works, literature or music into English
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for a wider audience. It can be synergistic, not
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subtractive. It's a bridge, not a bulldozer.
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OK, that addresses the identity concern.
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What's another common objection? The Trojan horse idea, the worry
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that English will inevitably bring in unwanted theological or
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cultural baggage. Maybe liberalism, consumerism,
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unhealthy individualism, things like that.
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And that's a valid concern, isn't it?
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Bad influences can come through any medium.
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It's definitely a valid danger to be aware of.
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Paul warns in First Corinthians that bad company ruins good
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morals. But here's the counterpoint.
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Is linguistic isolation really a protection?
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What do you mean? Well, often it just means
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delayed exposure and perhaps being less equipped to engage
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critically when those ideas inevitably arrive anyway.
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The Reformed principle of semper reformanda, always reforming
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according to the Word, actually requires engagement and
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discernment, not just avoidance. So engage rather than isolate.
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With discernment, yes. We have to remember English is a
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conduit. It's not the Canon.
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Scripture remains the final authority, the supreme judge, as
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the Westminster Confession says. And knowing the language helps
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you engage directly. Precisely, it allows believers
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to read the primary sources of concerning ideas, but also to
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access solid orthodox critiques and rebuttals, often also in
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English. They can test everything, hold
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fast what is good. As Paul says, it empowers
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discernment. Like the Bereans examining the
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message themselves. Exactly.
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Plus the Reformed idea of sphere sovereignty helps here too.
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Recognizing the different cultural spheres answered to God
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directly helps prevent one linguistic culture from
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improperly dominating another's theology.
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English is a tool for discernment, not inherently
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toxic. Got it.
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So identity contamination, What's the third main objection?
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This was very practical. Is learning English a diversion
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of precious resources, time, energy, money?
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Especially during incredibly difficult times like war,
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shouldn't efforts be focused elsewhere?
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That feels like a really strong point in a crisis situation.
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It does, and the hardship is undeniable.
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But again, let's think through the stewardship lens from
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Matthew 25. Is neglecting A potentially high
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impact tool truly the best use of resources?
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Meaning the potential return on investment might be worth it.
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It could be. The argument isn't necessarily
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for everyone to drop everything and enroll in intensive courses,
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but even a modest, consistent investment of time, maybe a few
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hours a week, could yield significant long term benefits.
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Like the things we discussed earlier, access to resources,
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better aid, coordination, outreach opportunities.
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Exactly. Opening doors for ministry,
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streamlining aid paperwork, accessing affordable digital
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theological libraries, identifying doctrinal errors
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more quickly. These things have real, tangible
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value. It aligns with Paul's
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encouragement in Ephesians 5 to make the best use of the time.
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Because the days are evil. Can language learning be
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combined with other things? Absolutely.
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It doesn't have to be a separate burdensome task.
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You can use scripture for vocabulary practice, listen to
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English sermons for comprehension, join a bilingual
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prayer group. It could be integrated into
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existing spiritual disciplines. So it's not necessarily an
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extravagance, but potentially A strategic investment.
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That's the perspective, yes. An investment in potentially
22:47
greater effectiveness for the Kingdom, even with limited
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resources. OK, that provides some solid
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responses to common concerns. So if the case is strong and the
22:56
objections can be addressed, what are the practical next
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steps? How can Ukrainian churches and
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believers actually do this? Right, moving from vision to
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action, there are actually quite a few practical, integrated ways
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this can happen on the ground. Let's hear some.
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OK, first, congregational ESL programs.
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Think about churches embedding short, maybe low cost English
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classes right into their existing weekly schedule, like
23:22
after a Bible study. Using volunteers.
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Often, yes, using free online materials.
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And here's the key. Integrate it.
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Use Bible passages for reading practice.
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Maybe vocabulary from the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
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Learn English through faith content.
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So it serves 2 purposes exactly spiritual.
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Formation and language acquisition together.
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Second seminary Immersion seminaries could make English
23:44
proficiency a bigger focus. How required courses?
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Could be electives, maybe summer intenses that mix theology
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lectures with practical English workshops.
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Also, partnerships with English speaking reform seminaries
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abroad for short student exchanges or mentorships could
24:00
be huge. Building capacity within future
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leaders, right? 3rd Volunteer translation
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guilds. Imagine small teams in a church,
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someone with language skills. A theology person may be a tech
24:12
person, working together to translate key reform texts into
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Ukrainian. For free distribution online.
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Yes, they sharpen their own English, wrestling with the
24:21
nuances, and they provide invaluable resources for the
24:24
whole Ukrainian church. It's a win, win.
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That's clever. What else?
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4th Digital resource hubs. A church member could curate
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something simple like a shared cloud drive with bilingual
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resources, sermon notes, maybe common liturgical phrases,
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theological glossaries. Accessible via phones.
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Exactly. Easy to share on apps like
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Telegram, providing access even when physical libraries aren't
24:45
an option. 5th International prayer cohorts pair Ukrainian
24:50
church with an English speaking partner church for a year for.
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Prayer. Mutual prayer may be alternating
24:55
languages each month. This builds real relationship
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and trust, which then makes it much easier to coordinate
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practical help or exchanges later on.
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Makes the communion of Saints very real.
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I like that more practical steps. 6th vocational witness
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tracks within existing Christian professional groups, doctors IT
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workers host workshops focused on English specific to their
25:19
field. Medical English.
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Tech English. Preparing them for global work.
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Yes, and equipping them to bring their faith into those global
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conversations, plus potentially supporting the church
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financially through those opportunities. 7th youth
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ministry initiatives start early.
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Bilingual stories in VBS, maybe combining phonics and catechism
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questions, and homeschool groups inviting English speaking jests
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to youth camps for Q&A sessions. Make it engaging and integrated
25:46
naturally. Feeling for the future?
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Definitely 8th institutional credibility.
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Maybe explore partnerships with local universities or the
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Ministry of Education to get church based ESL program
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certified. Why is that useful?
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It gives the program more weight, help students justify
26:01
the time spent, and shows the church is contributing seriously
26:04
to the community's development. 9th funding strategies.
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Get creative. Like what?
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Micro grants from diaspora businesses may be crowdfunding
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for specific translation projects.
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Perhaps twin book sales, where buying an English book
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subsidizes the Ukrainian version.
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And finally. 10th Progress Measurement elders or church
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leaders could track simple things.
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How many people are learning? What resources get translated?
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Which partnerships are formed? Reporting this isn't just about
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metrics. It's about accountability and
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celebrating God's provision, which fuels more effort.
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Wow, that's a lot of concrete ideas.
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It shows how this vision can really take shape.
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Yeah, it moves it from just an idea to a workable strategy,
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seeing English as this consecrated tool for so many
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aspects of church life and witness.
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This has been incredibly insightful.
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We've really covered a lot seeing how English viewed
26:54
through this Reformed lens isn't just another language skill.
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It can be understood as part of God's Providence, a gift to be
27:01
stewarded wisely. We've seen how it can amplify
27:04
Gospel proclamation, strengthen theological understanding,
27:08
enable practical acts of mercy, empower Christians in their
27:12
vocations, and foster genuine connection within the global
27:15
body of Christ. That's right.
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It functions as this provisional tool, helping gather God's
27:21
people, sharpen their understanding, and coordinate
27:23
their service for His glory. It helps Ukrainian voices, their
27:27
laments, their praises, their insights.
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Join that global chorus. But the language itself isn't
27:32
the ultimate goal. Never.
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The goal is always the worship of God informed, heartfelt,
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worldwide worship. English is just one means in
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this particular time and place that God seems to be using
27:44
towards that end. So a final thought for you, our
27:46
listeners, to take away from this deep dive in your own
27:49
situation. What gifts may be linguistic?
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Maybe something else entirely has God placed in your hands?
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And how might you intentionally use those gifts to further His
27:58
Kingdom and bring Him glory right where you are in every
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part of your life? A challenging question for all
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of us. Indeed, thank you for joining us
28:06
on the Deep Dive today. We hope to have you with us
28:08
again next time.