The authors describe the contexts
for preaching on ethical issues, and provide a case study.
In the preceding chapter we considered three parts of the preaching situation: the congregation, the preacher, and the life - worship dialogue as the
context for preaching.
The result of this more interactive model is a greater appreciation
for preaching as a community - centered, rather than preacher - centered event.
It is most definitely not
for preaching about health, as everyone has a different tactic, their own ways that work personally for them.
As will be discussed later, the separation of form and content is
fatal for preaching, for it fails to recognize the theology implicit in the method of communication.
This kind of critical and transformative awareness of one's own social location and that of neighbors who are different can be a rich
resource for preaching on ethical issues.
Yet the study of rhetoric can be very
profitable for preaching, not because it teaches a «bag of tricks,» but because it raises the important issue of persuasion.
When the
terms for preaching are studied within their cultural context, a much different picture emerges.
If this be true, then it is of the utmost
consequence for our preaching to lay bare the background of truth which lies concealed beneath the outer crust of myth.
In contrast, a valid
test for preaching is this — How well does it communicate the basic meaning and experience of the Christian message?
These observations about the nature of communication between preacher and congregation have
implications for preaching on ethical issues.
While their strength has been in their
enthusiasm for preaching and in their technological enterprise, they have been deficient in sound theological reflection on the nature of technology.
The author reviews the situation
today for preaching — noting such things as ignorance, and the need for balance.
My biggest
justification for preaching about the wonders of this particular brand of almond milk is because of the magic that happens when you mix it with coffee.
But my
engagements for preaching, and other duties connected with my mission the next day, were such that I was compelled to leave immediately after breakfast.
A frequent talk - show guest, the now - slim Cruise is
known for preaching the importance of small amounts of resistance training for weight loss.
Just as theological studies can impact the life of the learner, a pastor's
preparation for preaching, teaching, and leading worship each week can be spiritually formative.
There may be a time and
place for preaching, but people need more of being led into love and service of others than they need to hear a new sermon every week.
The only crutch they needed was the one to walk out of
prison for preaching love, after being shackled and beaten.
In the heady early days of the Church, Peter and John were once again arrested
for preaching Christ and His resurrection.
«In my faith community, popular women pastors such as Joyce Meyer were considered unbiblical
for preaching from the pulpit in violation of the apostle Paul's restriction in 1 Timothy 2:12 («I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent»),
Unfortunately, the physical
arrangements for preaching make it difficult for the minister to implement the changed relation between speaker and hearer.
John
pays for his preaching with his head; we may come to the river singing «Just as I Am,» but we will not leave these waters without having participated in a painful, deadly, costly work.
My priest friend attacked him publicly
for preaching such religious «opium» and stated that the catastrophe was not an accident at all, much less the will of God, but rather the result of an exploitative system that puts profits ahead of human lives and well - being.
I was up early again this morning, as usual on a Sunday,
preparing for preaching, watching the cold river flow by, listening to Christmas music and drinking coffee.
I was not released from my position as pastor for moral misconduct or financial embezzlement or
even for preaching heresy from the pulpit.
It has been the
center for preaching and guidance, it has served as a court of law where disputes are reconciled, and has been like a social club where Muslims assemble to discuss topics of common interest.
Preparation for preaching, therefore, should include time spent studying the human and social implications of their pastoral and community relationships; reading papers and magazines; listening to radio; watching television; attending the theater and movies in order that the church's preaching may engage the meanings that influence people with the meanings of the gospel.
In Nehemiah 8, does Ezra provide us with a biblical
model for preaching when he reads from the law and explained the meaning?
1.1 have also been impressed by the excellent sets of questions focusing social aspects of biblical preaching listed by Forbes, «Social Transformation,» 51, and Ronald J. Allen, «Sociological Exegesis: Text and Social Reality,» Contemporary Biblical
Interpretation for Preaching (Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1984), 91 - 93.
Henry Ward Beecher and Horace Bushnell were both greatly admired and respected, yet both were under
attack for preaching strange doctrines.