The Foolishness of Preaching

Brian Orme mentioned an article by Dan Kimball. In that article, Kimball mentions an article about preaching on the next wave ezine. (How's that for a paragraph of blogspotting?)

I love Brian, and I think Kimball is usually spot on, but while I understand David Allis' concerns with preaching, I think he missed the mark somewhat. His conclusions are certainly accurate for much preaching that can be heard, but don't have to be accurate for biblical teaching. His reason for concern are:

1. Preaching is Extra-Biblical.

The author suggests that most preaching in the New Testament is evangelistic in nature. He may have a point here. But he also argues that we don't see preaching in Scripture taking place for people that are established in their faith. When we search the Word of God, we don't see believers regularly hearing sermons to grow in their faith. He has a point. Of course, this can be explained by the fact that the New Testament we read was being written at the same time these churches existed. But we do see Paul encourage the flock to read his entire letter in the hearing of the church (Colossians 4:16).

2. Preaching is an Ineffective Form of Communication.

Allis argues that most people (preacher included, he claims) do not remember the sermon for any length of time. This obviously proves sermons are antiquated. Scientific studies suggest that passive learning (as he calls the monologue of sermon) is the worst way to learn. This is probably true, if you are not talking about the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Two things he does not mention.

3. Preaching Limits Learning, Discussion & Debate.

Allis mentions that people are not allowed to ask questions, or debate conclusions. And while Paul does not wish to stiffle any person, he does state that things must be orderly and proper (I Corinthians 14:26-40). Debates may be popular on Springer and Oprah may be able to captivate people with a conversation, but that doesn't appear to be God's design for the church. Perhaps, those discussions are best kept for small group meetings or conversations in the pastor's office. (Allis cites that many preachers are ineccesible. However, that problem is not with preaching, but with the preacher.)

4. Preaching Doesn't Usually Change Lives.

I'm not sure where he validates this. I know of a few sermons that have changed me and have spoken to many others who feel the same. However, I am most surprised that Allis seems to believe the corporate nature of a sermon and singing songs together stiffles the multifacited nature of the Body. However, it seems seperate people gathered around different texts, all singing different songs is not the Body, but a bunch of severed limbs.

5. Preaching Can Foster Biblical Illiteracy.

Allis says

Much contemporary preaching is based around themes, usually with little biblical basis. While these sermons might teach some truth, and are often done in creative ways, they don't teach how to personally learn from the Bible. It is common for believers to come to church regularly and listen to well-crafted sermons about how to live, yet rarely read the Bible personally. It is not that people can never learn from a sermon, but that they don't learn as effectively as they do with other methods.

I AGREE COMPLETELY! The problem is preaching...topical preaching. I don't think the problem is solved when we quit preaching, I think that problem is solved by expository preaching. If we don't preach through the Word of God, people could see it as a code book that they can't decipher. Preach through the Book, and they indirectly learn study habits.

6. Preaching Disempowers People.

Who says people can not also study the text and discuss it before it is preached? (We do that at our church.) Also, who says people within the Body can't teach and preach at given opportunities?

7. Preachers are a Problem.

Yet another reason for expository teaching. If illustrations or even application are the driving engine of the sermon, then the church will grow from only one personality. Yet, if the text is the driving engine, the preacher, or even his culture should not be an overly influential force. (Granted, you can not avoid this influence, nor should we completely strive to, but it can be mitigated.) Also, in our society people can download sermons from all over the world. No one in America is forced to only hear the preaching from their pastor.

8. Preaching Has Misleading Implications.

Allis seems to assume it is bad for the entire Body to hear the same thing, and to hear another more sermons. He seems to believe a day is coming when the member of the church has heard enough sermons and wouldn't need another. I just don't share his perspective. It seems the more good sermons I hear, the more I want to hear.

9. Preaching is Expensive.

Allis argues that preaching costs a lot of money when you consider the time a pastor spends preparing his sermon compared to his wage. However, the elders in Acts (6) claim that their ministry is to the Word and prayer. Time in the Word of God is one of the primary callings of the pastor.

10. We are Preaching to Different People.

People can read today. They have access to multiple resources for the Word of God. It isn't necessary for a preacher to share the Word of God, it's at their fingertips. No offense to my good buddy but even though the resources are readily available, the world isn't becoming a better place.

11. We are Preaching in a Different Context.

This one amazes me. We see preaching in the Old Testament. We see it in the New Testament. Fathers like Augustine preached. Reformers preached. We see preaching in urban areas and rural places. Yet, now we are going to claim we learn differently than everyone else. Am I really supossed to believe that preaching was appropriate for about 6000 years in every context and culture, but just recently (a generation or two) the entire thing has shifted? Seems a little short sighted.

Certainly if we want to hire assessment panels, run surveys and create statistics, it can seem like preaching is a rather foolish endeavor. For years, we've changed how we preach, getting away from the Bible and telling more fun stories or more advice for a better life. Now it seems there is a call to give up preaching altogether. But it seems to me that God rather enjoys using the foolish things to stun the wise (read: I Corinthians 1).