And perhaps there's a difference between the sort of offense that the Gospel offers, as compared to what a preacher might offer.
The Gospel offends by making us uncomfortable about our own beliefs and behavior. A good preacher can do that, too.
But preachers can also be just plain offensive -- by being dismissive, arrogant, disrespectful, hypocritical, and so on. They may refer to the Gospel, they may even believe it ... but at the same time they have it in their power to chase people away.
If a preacher does that -- is he really preaching the Gospel? Or is he just being a prideful jerk?
Does it? Has everyone who ever heard the Gospel been offended by it? What do you mean by "offended"?
The Gospel offends by making us uncomfortable about our own beliefs and behavior. A good preacher can do that, too.
But preachers can also be just plain offensive — by being dismissive, arrogant, disrespectful, hypocritical, and so on.
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Agreed. I tend to avoid arrogant Pastors - Had too much of that in my ‘previous life’ as it were - but I have known a few.
Maybe Just a beggar showing others where to find the bread. We are all of us sinners saved by grace
Some things are worthy respect and some things are not.
In Scripture
idols and blasphemy got
ABSOLUTELY NO
respect from God nor from His faithful servants.
Nor did the money changers in the Temple.
Nor did the religious rulers 2000 years ago.