UP WITH PREACHING

ARMINIAN MAGAZINE | UNKNOWN | J. GRANT SWANK

[sola gracia]

Dr. Rushdoony recently noted that the pulpit is the major media in America.

Hmmmmmm, maybe there is hope for our friend here. He is quoting a well known Reformed Preterist. Excellent article. We sure do need some good sermons on the Trinity and God's sovereignty.

IMHO, one of the problems with preaching today is that the average church is not functioning according to NT guidelines. Churches should have a plurality of leadership not just one pastor. There should be one at least "preaching/teaching" elder from that plurality who gives himself to the study of the Word. Nothing short of diligent prayer and study will improve preaching today. The average "pastor" spends so much time, visiting, administating, and other duitesc that he can only offer the "husks" and not the full kernal of Scripture. The sheep can only grow when they are properly fed.

[Nataku X]

sad & all too true bump

[David]

The overwhelming majority of pastors are preaching canned sermons that are expositions on the text any careful student of the scripture could improve on with his own study. Canned sermons, and the few original thoughts of most pastors avoid direct confrontation with the clear issues faced by God's people in the world in which we live.

Jerry Falwell was excoriated for his warning that American stands in jeopardy of God's judgment for our sinful life style and national ethic in denial of God's Word. And where were the voices defending him?

Most of the professional preachers we confront are weak; not well educated in either the Word, the history, or other knowledge of the real world.

We are to not foresake the practice of assembly with others of like belief for the purpose of "exhorting one another" (Hebrews 10:25)--nothing here about listening to a weak irrelevant poorly prepared discussion sometimes founded on less that an accurate view of the Biblical text.

The responsibility and obligation is really that of the body of believers--for we are all priests of a new covenant; and we have a high priest who is Jesus Christ who sits at the hand of God. Nothing in here about some magical transformation that occurs as a result of ordination; the responsbility to communicate the Word to exhort believers and to communicate the Good News to non-believers is on us. The state of modern America is not testimony to the capability of our performance.

[Tenega]

The state of preaching is indeed abysmal, even in the best of our churches. Sadly, the best educated of our clergy an be the weakest and most befuddled. Much of the blame must rest on our seminaries.

I think the main problem is the general misundertanding about the role of preaching, especially as opposed to teaching. Preaching ought to focus on proclaiming the gospel (Christ died for our sins!) and bringing hearts to a state of repentance. That's because repentance is the key to opening the door through which the Holy Spirit can begin to act in our lives.

Unfortunately, repentance is a term that has fallen into disfavor, along with the whole notion of sin. So our ministers jabber on with intellectual acrobatics, more to impress their hearers with their own sermonizing abilities than to actually drive home truth into human hearts.

Instead of being conduits for the Word of the Lord, our preachers are reduced to handing out emotional band-aids on Sunday. Mostly, they are trying to tell people "It's okay. God loves you. All will be well." Sadly, this is exactly the kind of message Jeremiah railed against as symptomatic of false prophecy (chapters 23-25).

Our self-anointed ministers have failed to do what God requires: to "stand in his council" and listen before speaking.

[week 71]

I come from the Calvary Chapel church. I benefit greatly from their style. 8 years ago my pastor started in Genesis and has gone verse by verse throught the Bible. We are now in the book of James. Without question many churches have catered to american emotionalism and shallowness. There is indeed a famine in the land, and many churches around where I live seem to be putting on a show rather than instuction in God's Word. God's word is rich and believers do well to really dig into it.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Great post, I might also add that preaching on sin and the TRUE, COMPLETE message of salvation has also been watered down in many of todays pulpits. Lets face it, sin is offensive, both to hear about it and to be convicted of it. Thats obviously the PC/tolerant attiude of the world seeping into church. Nobody likes to talk about or deal with sin...but you have to if you expect to produce strong Christians. If you don't understand sin, you won't understand salvation.

[Fzob]

It's always been easier to itch an ear than step on a toe.

Any cleric that thinks they are helping their flock by giving a ten or fifteen minute message every Sunday is in serious denial.

[aimhigh]

The biggest problem in the church is preaching from the pulpit. Biblically, preaching is for unbelievers and teaching is for believers. Notice that in the list of qualifications for an elder, preaching is not included. In 1 Cor 14, where the elements are a church service are laid out, preaching is not included.

Inside the church, preaching leads to touchy, feely liberalism.

[Fzob]

Inside the church, preaching leads to touchy, feely liberalism.

Why?

Biblical preaching is rarely touchy, feely or liberal.

[aimhigh]

If you check out all the biblical references to preaching and teaching, you will find that preaching is directed to unbelievers, and teaching is directed at both. Christians who want to be preached to are either unwilling to learn, or are seeking emotional stimulation.

[Fzob]

I'm confused about your statement. I understand there is a difference between teaching and preaching. As a memeber in a bible believing church the typical Sunday morning message is a sermon that has some teaching for believers and some preaching for any non-believers. Depending upon how the Pastor is led, it may be alot of one or the other or a pretty even mix. Sunday night and the prayer meetings are almost always teaching. I don't view a believer getting preached to in a negative light.

You said

Inside the church, preaching leads to touchy, feely liberalism.

When I asked you why,you said:

Christians who want to be preached to are either unwilling to learn, or are seeking emotional stimulation.

I don't get how there is a connection there.

I have been preached to, and taught by Bible believing Pastors and godly men of faith for many years. The Churchs I have attended do not maintain a sharp distinction between preaching and teaching. It is often intermixed. I can't think of one time the message ever got touchy, feely or liberal. (These are Fundamental churchs) And while in any church there will be individuals that are unwilling to learn, or seek emotional stimulation rather than meat, preaching has always been an integral part of the worship and I have not seen the problems you seem to be seeing.

[fortheDeclaration]

The biggest problem in the church is preaching from the pulpit. Biblically, preaching is for unbelievers and teaching is for believers. Notice that in the list of qualifications for an elder, preaching is not included. In 1 Cor 14, where the elements are a church service are laid out, preaching is not included.

That is an interesting semantical difference you are making. I think the article however is really emphasizing the teaching/preaching of scripture. If you notice the other things noted, the Bible was left out. I believe from the pulpit you are going to be speaking to both believer and unbeliever and so both teaching and preaching should be in every message.

The essential issue from that article is let us get back to the Bible!

Inside the church, preaching leads to touchy, feely liberalism.

Could you explain this more? I do not see how 'preaching' would lead to 'touchy' 'feely' liberalism. -

[fortheDeclaration]

It's always been easier to itch an ear than step on a toe. Any cleric that thinks they are helping their flock by giving a ten or fifteen minute message every Sunday is in serious denial

Amen! We were told that in the last days believers would not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having 'itching ears' (2Tim.4:3-4)

[fortheDeclaration]

Great post, I might also add that preaching on sin and the TRUE, COMPLETE message of salvation has also been watered down in many of todays pulpits. Lets face it, sin is offensive, both to hear about it and to be convicted of it. Thats obviously the PC/tolerant attiude of the world seeping into church. Nobody likes to talk about or deal with sin...but you have to if you expect to produce strong Christians. If you don't understand sin, you won't understand salvation.

Amen and Amen!

[fortheDeclaration]

come from the Calvary Chapel church. I benefit greatly from their style. 8 years ago my pastor started in Genesis and has gone verse by verse throught the Bible. We are now in the book of James. Without question many churches have catered to american emotionalism and shallowness. There is indeed a famine in the land, and many churches around where I live seem to be putting on a show rather than instuction in God's Word. God's word is rich and believers do well to really dig into it.

Amen! One of the disciplines the Lord puts on a nation before its end is the famine of the words of God (Amos 8:11)

[fortheDeclaration]

The state of preaching is indeed abysmal, even in the best of our churches. Sadly, the best educated of our clergy an be the weakest and most befuddled. Much of the blame must rest on our seminaries.

Amen! That is because most of them have been educated out of believing that the Bible is true.

I think the main problem is the general misundertanding about the role of preaching, especially as opposed to teaching. Preaching ought to focus on proclaiming the gospel (Christ died for our sins!) and bringing hearts to a state of repentance. That's because repentance is the key to opening the door through which the Holy Spirit can begin to act in our lives.

Amen. I think both 'teaching' and 'preaching' are needed in the Church since it is through 'preaching' you reach the lost (1Cor.1:18) and through 'teaching' edify the saved (Heb.5:12-13)

Unfortunately, repentance is a term that has fallen into disfavor, along with the whole notion of sin. So our ministers jabber on with intellectual acrobatics, more to impress their hearers with their own sermonizing abilities than to actually drive home truth into human hearts.

Amen!

Instead of being conduits for the Word of the Lord, our preachers are reduced to handing out emotional band-aids on Sunday. Mostly, they are trying to tell people "It's okay. God loves you. All will be well." Sadly, this is exactly the kind of message Jeremiah railed against as symptomatic of false prophecy (chapters 23-25).

Yes, and what Paul predicated would happen in the last days (2Tim 4:3-4)

Our self-anointed ministers have failed to do what God requires: to "stand in his council" and listen before speaking.

Amen!

[fortheDeclaration]

The overwhelming majority of pastors are preaching canned sermons that are expositions on the text any careful student of the scripture could improve on with his own study. Canned sermons, and the few original thoughts of most pastors avoid direct confrontation with the clear issues faced by God's people in the world in which we live.

That is because they have left The Book!

Jerry Falwell was excoriated for his warning that American stands in jeopardy of God's judgment for our sinful life style and national ethic in denial of God's Word. And where were the voices defending him?

Amen

Most of the professional preachers we confront are weak; not well educated in either the Word, the history, or other knowledge of the real world.

They do not believe the word, they have been trained in psychology, not the words of God.

We are to not foresake the practice of assembly with others of like belief for the purpose of "exhorting one another" (Hebrews 10:25)--nothing here about listening to a weak irrelevant poorly prepared discussion sometimes founded on less that an accurate view of the Biblical text.

We are getting the ministers the 'people' want (2Tim.4:2)

The responsibility and obligation is really that of the body of believers--for we are all priests of a new covenant; and we have a high priest who is Jesus Christ who sits at the hand of God. Nothing in here about some magical transformation that occurs as a result of ordination; the responsbility to communicate the Word to exhort believers and to communicate the Good News to non-believers is on us. The state of modern America is not testimony to the capability of our performance.

Amen! We have neglected our own responsibilties as Priests and the Lord is sending a 'famine' into our land, a famine of hearing the words of God! (Amos 8:11)

[fortheDeclaration]

Dr. Rushdoony recently noted that the pulpit is the major media in America. Hmmmmmm, maybe there is hope for our friend here. He is quoting a well known Reformed Preterist.

Well, Rushdoony did not write the article, but his views support it! I knew his name would grab your attention!

Excellent article. We sure do need some good sermons on the Trinity and God's sovereignty.

Amen to that, and I would add more on God's Love and man's responsibility to respond to that Love!

IMHO, one of the problems with preaching today is that the average church is not functioning according to NT guidelines. Churches should have a plurality of leadership not just one pastor. There should be one at least "preaching/teaching" elder from that plurality who gives himself to the study of the Word. Nothing short of diligent prayer and study will improve preaching today. The average "pastor" spends so much time, visiting, administating, and other duitesc that he can only offer the "husks" and not the full kernal of Scripture. The sheep can only grow when they are properly fed.

I do not think you need more then one Pastor. However, the Pastor should not be doing those tasks, but the deacons (Acts.6:2-6) and those espically given gifts by God to do so.

[RnMomof7]

You are singing my song here FTD.The church has come to believe that if they are just be loving enough, clever enough, entertaining enough that the people will come. Once they come THEN we can "get them saved"

That is contrary to scripture ..It is contrary to the example set by Jesus and the disciples. He said GO ! They went out, they preached the gospel,then they returned rejoicing ! They presented the gospel, then returned with the new converts. The church's duty was to give the babes milk,then meat. The church bound up the wounds and sent them back out.The church is NOT the place of conversion..but the place for the converted. But somehow we now live in a time where men think they are the converters not the Word!

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

We will always have Sheep grazing with goats in the church..But if the church focuses on changing the goats into sheep the sheep will die of starvation.