Why Shibboleth?

People have asked me where the title of my blog comes from. Shibboleth is a word commonly used to mean any language usage indicative of one’s social or regional origin. It originates from the Book of Judges, Chapter 12, in the Bible, where the pronunciation of the word was used to test those claiming to be from Gilead. The idea of it as a title came when I was watching the fabulous ‘West Wing’ TV Series:

In one episode, called ‘Shibboleth’ a representative of some Chinese immigrants comes to see the President claiming to be Christians and therefore need asylum. He wins the President’s support saying:

Mr President, Christianity is not demonstrated through a recitation of facts. You’re seeking evidence of faith, a wholehearted acceptance of God’s promise for a better world. “For we hold that man is justified by faith alone” is what St.Paul said. “Justified by faith alone”. Faith is the true shibboleth.