TH E

WO R K f T H E

P RE AC H E R

A St u dy

of

H o m il e t i c P ri n c i p l es

M e t h o ds

and

L E WIS O

B R A ST O

Fo r merly P r o fe o r f H o mileti Y l U i er ity

A th o r fTh M od er P l pit R ep re e t t e M o d er P re h er
ss

T H E
BOSTO

o
.

cs .

s n a iv

ILGRIM
N E

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a e

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ac

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C HICAGO

COP Y R I G H T

191 4

BY

C ONG RE GA TI ONA L S U N D A Y S C H OOL

P U B L I S H I NG

THI

PILG R IM P RESS
BO STO N

P R EFA C E
I t was only towa rd the en d o f h i s act i v e serv i ce o f t w e nty
t wo y ear s ( 1 8 8 5 1 9 07) a s t e a ch e r o f P r a ct i c al Th eol o gy a t
Yal e th a t D r B r a s t ow w a s p e r s ua de d t o p ut s o m e o f th e

m at e r i al o f h i s l e ct ur e s i nt o b o o k s
Repr e s e nt at ive M od e r n

P r e a ch e r s app e a re d i n 1 904 an d c o n ta i n e d e s say s o n n i n e

o f th e m o s t
f am o u s p rea ch e r s o f th e r e c en t p a s t
Th e
M o d er n Pulp i t : a S tu dy o f H o m il et i c S o urc e s a n d Ch a r a c

t e r i st i c s wa s p ubl i s h e d i n 1 906 I t u n de rtak e s t o a n alyz e

th e ch a ra cte r an d t en d e nc i e s o f th e m o d e r n w o rl d an d i n th i s
l i gh t t o u nders ta n d th e p r e s e n t i d e al s an d ach i ev em en t s o f
va ri o u s Ch ri s t ia n com m u n i o n s i n G erm a ny En gl an d a nd t h e
Un i te d S tat e s
Th es e b i o g r ap h i cal s tu di e s an d h i s t o r i c al
i n t e rp r e tat i o n s p repa r e d th e way fo r a m o r e th e o r e t i c al tr e at
m e nt o f t h e p ri n c ip les an d m e th o ds o f t h e p r e ach er s a rt
Th e p re s en t b o ok w a s n i sh e d i n 1 90 8 A y e a r a n d a h al f
o f t rav e l an d t h e n t w o y e ars o f i ll nes s d e l aye d it s p ubl ic at i on
a n d i t no w app ea rs a s a m em or ia l o f a ni sh ed l i f e
Th e t h r e e b o o k s f o r m i n d e e d t o g e th e r a m e m o ri al tti n g
an d wo rth y o f th i s preach er a nd t ea ch e r o f p re a ch e rs Th e y
i n di c at e t h e ran ge o f h i s s tu di e s th e v ar i e ty a n d f r e s h n e s s o f
h i s m eth o ds a s a t e a ch e r a n d th e s tri k i n g qu al i ti e s o f h i s
m i n d They ar e b o o k s wh i c h i n a n u nu s u al m e a su r e e mb o dy
th e p e rs o nal ity o f th ei r au th o r ; a n d h i s wa s a p e r s on al i ty o f
u nu s u al f o rc e an d di st i nct i o n I t i s n o t grant e d t o m a ny m e n
t o l eav e i n b o o k s s o ch a rac te ris t i c an d ad e qu at e a n e xpre s s i o n
o f th e i r sp i r i t an d o f t h ei r l ife w o r k
Th es e a r e n ot b o o k s
o n th e art o f p r each ing only but o n th e contents o f th e
pr e a ch er s m e s sa g e a s wel l
Th e y d e al w i th th e n atu r e of
-

vi

PR EFA CE

t h e Ch ri s tia n r e l i gi o n w i th i t s t nes s an d s u f c i e n cy fo r th e
m o r al a nd sp i r i tu al n e e ds o f o u r o w n a ge an d w ith th e ways
i n wh ic h i t ca n b e w i s e ly a n d e ff e c t ive l y appl i e d t o t h o s e
n e e d s To d i s c o ve r a nd dev e l op i n h i s pupi l s al l th e cap a c i
t i e s ph ys i cal m e nta l and s p i r i tu al th at s e r v e t o m a k e wi se r
a n d m o r e e ffe ct i v e s u ch appl i c at i o n o f th e G o sp e l t o l ivi n g
m en an d to actual cond ition s w a s th e one a im o f h i s l i f e Fo r
t h e p r e sen t v o l um e h i s r s t an d nal wi s h w o ul d b e th a t i t

m ay h elp h i s m a ny f o r m e r pup il s an d o th ers t o wi n m e n t o

Ch ris t a n d t o bu i l d th em i n t o h i s m ora l c o mpl eten e s s

,

F R A N K C P O RT E R
.

Yal e Un iv er s i ty
M ay 1 9 1 4
,

CO N T EN TS

S EC T I O N FI RS T
P R E S U PP O S I T I O N S O F H O M I L E T I C S CI E N CE
-

CH A PT ER
I TH E C H R I S TI A N CO N CEP TI ON OF P RE A CH I NG
1
C h r i s tian Preach i n g a s R e lat e d t o S u bj ect M att er
p 4
2 C h r i s ti a n Pre a chi n g a s R e l a t e d t o th e Pre a ch er p 6
3 C h r i s tian Prea ch i n g a s R e l a t e d t o th e Au d i e n c e p 1 1
4 C h r i s ti a n Pre a chi n g a s R e l a t e d t o F o r m p 1 4
II TH E A I M OF C H RI S TI A N P RE A CH I NG
1
Th e I mp or tan ce o f H om il e ti c A im p 1 8
2 T h e C e n t r a l a n d I ncl u s ive H o m il e tic A i m p 24
I I I TH E GI FT S OF T H E P RE ACH ER
C l a s s i ca ti on o f G i f t s p 3 4
1
a Men t a l G i f t s p 34
b E moti on a l G i f t s p 3 7
c
S p i r it u al G i f t s p 4 1
d R h e t o r i ca l G i f t s p 4 2
2 C u lt u re O f G i f t s
p 44
I V TH E S T U D Y OF H OM I L E TI CS
1
T h e V a l u e o f H omil e ti c S t u dy p 5 0
2 Me th od s o f H o mil e ti c S t u d y
p 60
a S t u d y o f H om il e tic Pr i n c i p l e s p 60
b S t u d y o f L i v i n g Prea ch er s p 63
c A n al y s i s o f P u b li s h e d Pr o d u ct s p 64
( 1 Per s onal E x p er i e nc e s a n d C r itici s m p
64

P AG E
3

OF HOM

S EC T I O N

S EC O N D

I L E T I C M AT E R I AL

CH A PT ER
I B I B L I C A L S OURCES OF P RE A CH ER S M ES S AG E
I C a n on i cal G en u i n en e s s a n d Au th en ti cit y p
2 Us e o f th e O l d T e s ta me nt i n Pre a ch i n g p

P AG E
69

50

S O U R CE S

33

18

70

73

vii i

C O NTE NTS

CH A PT ER

P AG E

th e N ew T e s t a me n t p 8 1
C H R I S TI AN Q U A L IT Y or T H E P RE A CH ER S M ES S AG E
Pre s e n t a ti o n o f th e P e r s on a lit y O f Ch r i s t p 86
1
Pre s e n t a ti on o f t h e Per s on a l Ch a r a ct er O f Ch r i s t
2
3

Us e

of

ll

87

Pre s e ta ti on o f t h e O fc i a l Ch a r a ct e r o f Ch r i s t p 88
4 T h e I n t er p re t a ti o n o f t h e T e a c h i n g s o f C h r i s t p 89
TE X T U A L B A S I S O F T H E P RE A CH ER S WOR K
1
Th e S i gn i c a c e o f t h e T ex t p 93
2 T h e V a l u e o f t h e T ex t
p 97
3 L og i ca l a n d R h e t o r i ca l Q u a l iti e s o f th e T ex t p 1 03
E X E C ET IC A L B A S I S O F T H E P RE A CH ER S \VOR K
1 08
1
T h e H i s t o r ic S en s e
A T e x t u a l Q u e s ti on p 1 08
a
b A G r a mma ti c a l Q u e s ti o n p 1 09
p 1 10
c A C o t ex t u a l Q u e s ti o n
d A D o c t r i n a l Q u e s ti o n p 1 1 1
e A H i s t o r i ca l Q u e s ti on p 1 1 2
f A L i t er a r y Q u e s ti on p 1 1 3
g A R e li g i o u s Q u e s ti on p 1 1 4
2 T h e T r u th o f th e T e x t a n d i t s V a l u e fo r H o m il e ti c
3

1 08

93

IV

III

Us e

1 16

a H i s t o r i ca l a n d B i ogr a p hi ca l T e x t s p
b Pr o p h e ti c T ex t s p 1 1 8
c
T y p i ca l T ex t s p 1 1 9
d All e g o r i ca l T ex t s p 1 20
e D o ct r i n a l T ex t s p 1 2 1
.

HOM

I L E TI C

CORRE S PO N D F N CE S

I N T H E U SE

OF

T H E TE X T

C o rre s p o n d e n ce o f T h o u g h t p 1 23
2 C o rre s p o n d e n c e o f T on e p 1 3 5
C ON S I D ER ATI O N S R E G U L A TI V E F OR T H E C H OI CE
Th e N e e d s o f th e C o n greg a ti o n p 1 4 1
1
2
T h e C l a i ms o f C h r i s ti a n T r u th p 1 4 4
3 Th e N ee d s o f t h e Prea ch er p 1 4 5
1

VI

1 17

1 23

or

S UB J ECT S

T4 O

T H I RD
O F H O M I L E T I C P R O DUC T
S EC T I O N

T YP E S

C H A P T ER
I T H E E X PO S IT OR Y T Y PE
1
T h e C on ce p ti on o f E x p os it or y Pre a chi n g p
.

P AG E
1 31

1 52

C O NTE NT S

ix

CH A P T ER

P AG E

H omil e ti c

1 55

13

Pe cu lia r iti e s

Pre a ch i n g

E ffe cti ve E x p os it or y Prea chi n g

Q u ali ca ti on s

E x p o s it or y

of

1 58

for

E x p os it or y Pre a ch i n g p 1 62
II TH E D OCTRIN AI T Y PE
T h e C on ce p ti on o f D oct r i n a l Pre a chi n g p 1 72
1
p 1 76
2 Me th o d s o f D o ct r i n a l Pre a chi n g
3 T h e I mp or t a n c e o f D o ct r i n a l Pre a ch i n g p 1 85
4 T h e H a n d li n g o f th e D oct r i n a l S er mon p 1 9 5
III TH E E T H I C A L T Y PE
T h e C on cep ti on o f E th i ca l Pre a chi n g p 202
1
2 Th e C h r i s ti a n Q u a lit y o f E thi ca l Pre a ch i n g p 206
3 Me th od s o f E thi ca l Pre a chi n g p 2 1 4
4 T h e N ee d O f E thi c a l Prea ch i n g p 2 1 8
I V TH E EV AN GE L I S TI C T Y PE
T h e C once p ti on o f E v a n ge l i s tic Prea ch i n g p 230
1
2 T h e N ee d o f P a s t o r a l E v a n g e li s m p
23 1
3 E v a n g e li s ti c C u lt u re p 236
4 E v a n g e li s ti c M o ti ve s p 24 7
V T Y PES OF S ER M ON D E L IV ER Y
1
T h e M a n u s c r i p t T y p e p 260
2 Th e E x t e mp o r a n e ou s T y p e p 266
3 T h e Me mor it er T y p e p 2 7 3
4

Th e

Va l ue

of

1 72

202

II

TH E
1

4
.

TH E

III

P AGE

3
.

S EC T I O N F O U R T H
M ET H O D S O F H O M I L E T I C AR T

CH A PT ER

25 8

230

TH E
1

I N TROD UC TI ON
Th e O bj e ct

279

I n t r od u cti on p 279
Meth od s o f I n t r od u cti on p 284
Q u aliti e s o f I n t r od u cti on p 293
THEME
It s S i g n i ca n c e a n d I mp or tan ce p 299
Its F or mu l a ti on p 3 02
Me th od s o f S t a t e me n t p 307
Q u a liti e s o f F or m p 3 1 3
O U TL I N E
It s S i g n i ca n ce p 3 1 8
T h e Me th od s o f O u tlin e p 320
of

th e

299

3 18

C O NTE NTS

x
C H A PT ER

P AG E

T h e N e ce s s it y o f O u tl i n e p 3 26
4 T h e T op i c s o f th e O u tlin e p 3 29
5 T h e V al u e o f th e O u tlin e p 336
TH E D E V E L OP M E N T
1
Me th o d s o f D eve l op me nt p 34 9
p 367
2 Pr od u cti on O f M at er i a l
TH E C O N C L U S I O N
1
T h e V al u e o f th e C on cl u s i on p 3 82
2 Q u al iti e s o f th e C oncl u s i on
p 3 86
3 Me th o d s o f t h e C o n c l u s i on
39 1
TH E R H E T OR I C A L F OR M
T h e C lai ms o f R h e t or ical C u lt u re p 4 03
1
2 Pr o fe s s i on a l F a ct or s in R h e t o r ical F o r m p
3 Me th o d s o f R h e t o r i c a l C u lt u re p 4 2 1
3

38 1

349

VI

IV

4 02

4 13

S EC T I O N F I R S T
P R ES UP P O S I T I O N S O F H O M I L ET I C

SC I E N C E

CH A PTER I
TH E CH RI ST I A N CO N CEPTI O N O F P REA CH I N G
H O M I L ET I CS i s th at b ranch o f p ract ical th e ol ogy w h ich con
cerns i tsel f w ith th e s ci e nce an d art o f p reach ing A s a s ci

ence o r way o f k no w ing i t deal s w ith th e theory o f p reach

i ng o r the p rincipl es on wh ich i t rests A s an art o r w ay o f

do ing i t d e al s w ith the methods by w h ich i t appl ie s i ts p ri n

c ip l es
I n e nte ring upon ou r i nvestigatio n o f these p r i nc iple s
an d m ethods l e t u s a t the outset not e som e p rel im inary con
s i d e rat ions touch ing th e characte r o f th e p r eacher s w ork
an d h i s tnes s an d trai n ing fo r i t A n d i n th e r s t place a
p rope r Ch ri stia n conceptio n o f h i s fu nct ion s e e m s necessary
P reach i ng i s speech bu t not al l speech i s p reach ing I t i s
a spec i c type o f sp e ech To get a t w h at i s d i st i nct ive o f i t
we m u st l ook at i t i n i ts d i fferent aspects Chri st ian p reach ing
h a s a f ou r fol d i nt er est an d m us t be contemplat e d i n fou r
di fferen t r e l at ions A s r e l ate d to i ts subj ect m a tte r i t ha s a
sp e c i cally B ibl ical i nt e r e s t o r mo r e comp r e hens iv e ly a di s
t i n c t iv el y rel igiou s an d theol ogical i nter e st
A s rel at e d to
th e p r e ach e r i t has a n o fc ial o r r e p r e s e ntat ive an d at th e
sam e t im e a s trongly p e rsonal i nteres t A s rel at e d to th e
au dience i t h as a l itu r gical an d an ev angel isti c i nt e r e st A s
r e l at e d t o i t s f o r m o r m e tho d i t h a s a n o r ga ni c a nd a r h et o r i
cal i nt e re st A l l o f th e se e l e m ents e nt e r i nto ou r conception
o f Ch ri st ian p reach ing f or th e y a re nec e s sary to cons e rv e th e
i nt e r e s t s O f B ib l ic a l r e l i gi o n O f th e p r e a ch e r s p e r s o nal i ty th e
rights o f th e chu rch th e e dica t ion an d convers ion o f m en an d
th e l aws O f l ogi c an d rhetori c
.

T H E WORK O F T H E PREA CH E R

C H R I ST I A N P REAC H I N G

As

RE L ATE D

To

S U B J ECT M ATTER

Pr e ach i ng i s p r ope r ly a f unction o f th e Ch r i stian Chu rch

an d hom iletic s a s i ts sc i e nce i s a s al r ea dy suggeste d a
b r anch o f p r act ical th e ol ogy F r om th i s poin t o f v i e w onl y
ca n i t be ad e quat e ly conceive d an d de ned I f i t w e re de ned
a s only a b r anc h o f g e n e ral r heto r ic i t m igh t con si st e ntly e x
c l u d e al l re f e re nce to th e Ch r i st ian subj e c t m att e r o f p r each ing
a n d al l rel ation to th e wo r k o f the chu r ch B u t i t ha s fo r its
backg r ou n d the thought and l i fe O f the C hu rch Every b ran c h
o f Ch r i stian th e ol ogy m akes i ts contribu tio n to th e p reache r s
s ci e nc e an d t o h i s wo r k Exe g e t ical a n d B ibl i ca l th e o l o gy
take u s into th e o r iginal sou rces o f th e Ch ri stian p reacher s
m e ssage T h e y r e v e al a n d i nte rp r et th e substance t he sp i ri t
th e a im and th e m e tho d o f th e p re ach ing o f Jesu s an d o f h i s
consec r at e d messenge r s an d th e y fu r n i sh gu i dance a n d i n
spi rat ion to th e p reacher i n h i s w or k i n every age Exeges i s
an d hom iletic s have been cl os e ly al l i e d i n ev er y period O f th e
h i sto r y o f the c hu rch H i sto r ical theology tak e s u s i nto th e
l ive s a n d the act iv i ties o f th e great p reachers O f the c hu rch
I t mak e s know n the g r eat comm and i ng t r uth s th at hav e h el d
s w ay i n d i ffe re n t pe r io d s o f Ch ri s ti an h istory rev e al s th e
i nuenc e s that i n the changes O f t im e h av e w rough t upon th e
p re ach e r i n modi f y ing h i s te ach ing an d h i s m ethod an d di s
cl os e s th e r esult s that h av e atten d e d the p rocl am ati on o f h i s
m e ssag e Doct r inal theol ogy i nte r pret s an d fo r m ulates th e
g re a t c e ntral f acts and t r uth s o f red e mpt ive rel igion o f w h ich
th e p r each e r may an d m ay w el l ava il h im sel f i n h i s e ffort t o
give i nt e l l e c tual exp r ess ion to h i s Chr ist ia n m essag e An d
p r act ical th e ology ha v i ng sup r em e r e fer e nc e to th e p r es e n t
p r actical mo r al a n d re l igiou s n e eds o f m en fo r ages f o r i ts
m at e r ial i n al l these realm s o f theol ogical sc ience an d i n al l
oth e r ava i labl e re alm s o f kno w l e dge an d a dj u sts the pr e acher s
wo r k t o th e c o n dit i o n s o fth ou gh t an d l i f e o fth e a g e i n wh ic h
,

C H R I STI A N C O N C EPTI O N O F P R EA C H I N G

he l ives Ch ri s tia n p reach ing thu s p resuppos e s a bac k grou n d

tru th o f Ch r is ti an h i story an d o f Ch rist ian
O f Ch r is t ian
sc ience I t i s not th e u tte r ance O f personal op in ion s based
o n the i ntel l igence o r o n t he exp e r ienc e o f th e i nd iv i dual
p reacher al one Preach ing thu s base d woul d h av e no a u th ori
P r each
t a t iv el y val i d m es sage an d no accr e dited me sseng e r
i ng i s i n th e true an d accepte d sense o f th e te r m by au thority
O f cou rs e i t m akes it s appeal to the i n d iv i dual an d comm on
human consc ience an d experience I t presupposes a m o r al an d
rel igiou s sense w ithou t wh i ch i t w ere f ru itl es s B ut i t i s
p re ci sel y the cont e nt O f Ch ris t ian fac t an d truth th at qu icken s
an d enl ighten s th i s m oral an d rel igiou s sens e Preach ing
th e r e fo re reaches fa r back i n to th e v e ry heart o f Ch ri stian i ty
T h i s con dition s th e p r each e r s m e s sage B ut by con dition ing
th e content o f p reach ing i t al so con d i t ion s ou r concepti on o f
I t y i e l ds a
i ts natu r e o f i ts aim an d l argel y o f i ts form
worthy concept ion o f w hat i t is to p reach w hy w e p reach an d
to a cons i derabl e ext e nt i t suggests how w e shoul d p reach
Even th e question o f f o rm i s far m o re than an o rdi na ry rh etor i
cal ques tion I f w e exam i n e t h e p reach ing o f the earl y
chu rch i f we l ook i n fact at th e p reach i ng o f t h e mos t
Ch r i st ia n type i n any perio d w e s hal l s ee at o nce h ow i t i s
that i ts Ch r i st ian cont e n t con dit ion s th e a im w h ich the
p r eac h e r has i n v iew an d th e form w h ich h i s m e ssag e takes
I n th e rst place i t w il l t a k e the form o f an nou n cem ent I t
i s the wo rk o f he ral d ing
Chr istian ity i s th e story o f r edemp
fion
I t i s the good news o f the red ee m ing grace o f G o d
I t i s r st o f al l a revel at ion o f redemptive facts T he p reach
e r s p rimal aim i s to bear w i tnes s t o th e facts
P reach ing i s
rst o f al l a p resentat ion o f the m es sage o f grac e B ut i t
al so takes th e fo r m o f teach ing Fo r th e fact s an d assoc iate
t r u th s o f Ch rist ian ity mu st be i nterp reted Th e i r s ign i cance
th e i r m utu al i nte r depen dence an d th e i r adaptat ion an d adj u st
m ent to the i nt e l l igence o f m e n mu st be m ade known Preac h
.

T H E WOR K O F T H E P REA CH E R

i ng i s an d always ha s bee n to a l arge extent th e expou n di n g

o f th e i nne r s ign i ca nc e o f th e grea t facts an d t ru th s o f

Ch ri stian i ty ; 23
i t has taken th e f o r m o f t e ach ing
I t al l ul tim at e s h o w e v e r i n th e fo r m o f persuas ion Fo r
p romulgatio n an d i nt e r p re tati on m u st have re f ere nce t o
p r act ical resul ts Th e y m u st a im a t th e p r oduct ion o f charac
t er an d th e re gu l at ion O f conduct
Th i s p r act ical en fo r c e
m en t o f the t r u th i s pe r suas ion Thes e th re e e l e ment s belong
to any w o r thy concept ion o f Ch r i st ian p r each ing Th e m i ssio n
o f Ch r i st ian i ty i ts e l f d em an ds th em
Ch ri st ian pr e ach i ng
th ere f o r e m ay b e p r ov i s ionally d e n e d a s th e decl a r at ion
i nt e rp re tat ion an d pe r sua s iv e appl icati on o f Ch r is ti an f act s
an d truth s that have been giv e n i n the rel igion o f r e dempt io n
a n d a r e B ibl ical ly x e d Th e e ffect ivenes s o f p reach ing
the r e f o r e m u st depen d l a r g e l y upon i ts conten t I t i s n ot
al togethe r h ow w e p r each bu t i t i s r s t o f all w h a t w e p reach
that cond ition s its pow e r W i thou t p r each i ng th e t r uth i t
sel f woul d i nd ee d f a il a d e quat e ly to reach m en B u t i t i s
th i s v e r y t r u th that i s th e p r im al cond iti on o f th e p reach e r s
po w e r W i thou t the pul pi t th e t r uth woul d fail B u t w ithou t
th e t r u th th e pu lp i t i tsel f woul d fa il
.

RE L ATE D T O T H E P REAC H ER
P r each ing ha s a p e r sonal and a n O fc ial o r qua s i ofc ia l
i nt e r est The p e r sonal i ty o f th e p r each e r i ncl u d e s w h at h e i s
a n d w ha t h e r e p re s e nts H e i s a m an but h e i s al so a c hu r ch
m an H e u tt e r s th e t ru th o f pe r sonal exp er i e nc e bu t i t i s
comm on t r uth P re ach ing i s a st r ongl y p e rsonal bu t not a
p rivate u tt e rance
1
P re ach ing i s a re p re s e ntat iv e u tte r ance Expl i c itly o r
impl ic i tly th e p re ach e r sp e ak s f or othe r s H i s m e ssage h a s a n
o fc ial o r s e m i ofc ia l ch a r act e r T he f unct ion o f th e
p r each e r i s a t once p r oph e tic a n d p r i e stl y H e sp e ak s f o r Go d
a n d h e sp e ak s f o r m en A s p roph et th e p r e acher i s th e
II

C H R I ST I A N P REA C H I N G

As

C H R I ST I A N CO N C EPTI O N OlF P REA C H I N G

mouthp i e ce o f h i s M aste r
H e brings a m e ssag e
The m e s
sage p r esupposes a n acc red it e d m es senger N ote the t er m s
that are appl ied to h im i n th e N ew Te stam e n t H e i s an
Apostl e a m an sent ; one comm i s s ion e d to S p e ak th e wo r d
and do th e wo rk o f anoth e r H e i s an ambass ador ; one w h o
rep res e nts a governm e nt ; b e a r s it s c red e nti al s an d sp e ak s an d
acts f o r it H e i s a h er al d ; one au tho r i ze d to m ake a publ ic
annou ncem e nt W e m ay no t ov e r pre ss thes e t er m s nor ov e r
accentuat e th e i r O fc ial s igni cance B u t they cl ea r ly sugges t
a r e p r e sentat ive characte r i n th e p reach e r
A s p r oph e t h e r e p r esen ts God The t er m has no ad e quate
m ean ing i f i t be not true that h e sp e ak s f o r Go d I t i s G o d
w ho giv e s h im h i s m e ssage an d H e w ho cal l s th e m e s s e ng e r
Whether on e sp e ak a s ev angel is t m i ss ionary o r pasto r h e i s
a m es s e nger an d m i n i s t e r o f Ch ri st an d h ol ds h i s cr e d e nt ial s
f r om h im
B u t h e i s al so a rep resentat iv e o f th e chu rch
A s suc h h i s u tt e rance h a s i n th e p rope r sense o f the t e rm a
p riestly qual ity H e i s a s really a s e rva n t o f th e chu rch an d
speak s for i t a s he i s a servant O f Ch ri s t an d speak s f or h im
M any o f ou r P r otestant chu rches h e s itate to u s e th e wor d
p riestly as appl ie d to th e w o rk o f a Chri stian m in i ster B u t
i n s o far as h e m i n i sters worth i ly i n the nam e o f the chu rc h
an d m e d iat e s th e grace o f w h ich i t i s th e deposi to r y h i s fu nc
t io n i s noth i ng les s than p r i estl y The Re fo r m e d c hu r ch e s
have l ai d f ul l acc e nt upon th e p r eacher s representative fu nc
tion G o dwa r d They have h e l d i n S up r em e honor th e p rophet ic
funct ion B u t i n m in im i z ing th e r e p res entat ive function
chu rchward they hav e u nd e r es tim ate d th e p r iestly fu nction
I n th is th e Lutheran an d Angl ican chu r ch e s stand near e r th e
tru th o f th e m atte r Eve r y t rue p reach e r shoul d i n some way
be acc r e di te d by h i s chu rch H i s p rocl am at ion shoul d not go
fo r th as a m e re ly p rivat e u tte r ance Th e p r each e r h im sel f
ne e ds to f eel that h e S pea k s fo r th e chu r ch sp e aks f o r thos e
w ho share w i th h im the common Ch ri st ia n t ru th an d l i fe as
:

T H E WORK OF TH E PREA CH E R

h e n ee d s to f ee l tha t h e sp e ak s fo r G od T he d ign ity and

sac re dness o f h i s w o r k a re cond i tioned by i ts p r i e stl y as w e l l
a s by i ts p r oph e t ic qual ity The c hu rch i s re spon s ibl e fo r i ts
m e ssag e I t sh ou l d not al l o w i t to f al l i nto th e hand s o f p r i
v at e in d i v i dual s w h o ha v e no e nd o r sem e nt e xpl ic i t o r impl ic i t
fi c ial o r quas i O ffi c i al f r o m i t
Of
Th i s re p r e s e ntat i v e c ha r ac t e r
s h oul d b e re cogn i z e d i n som e app r op r iat e w ay as i n f act i t
g e n e rally i s re cog ni z e d e v e n i n th e c as e o f th e lay ev ang e l i st
at l e a st by su b stant ial e ndo r sement I t fa il s h o w ev er o f
f ul l e st e n d o r s e m e n t w i thou t o ffi c ial re cognit io n Doubtl ess
Ch r i st ha s comm i ssi o n e d many a m an to bea r h i s m e ssage
w ho ha s n o t re c e i ve d th e f o r mal c re den tial s o f th e chu r ch
Undu e e m phas i s o f th e p re ach e r s d e pen d e nc e o n an d l im itat ion
by th e chu r ch m ay i n v olv e an u nde rval uat ion o f Ch ri st s own
p r imal comm i ss ion an d may e n dang e r th e f r e e dom an d po we r
Bu t th e cl aim that th e p re ach e r sp e ak s only
O f p re ach ing
fo r Ch r i st an d that a s r e ga r d s th e C hu r ch h e sp e ak s m ostly
a s a p r ivate in d iv idual an d w i thou t r espon s ibil ity to i t w oul d
ul t imat e i n th e int r o duction o f fanatic i sm and cap r ic e an d
w oul d e n d ang e r the pu r i ty o f publ ic t e ach ing and p r oduc e
sch ism b e t w e en Ch r is t an d h i s chu r ch The pasto r al an d
o ff
i c ial qual ity i n p re ach ing th e r e fo r e need s em phasi s
The
d i st inct ion b e tw ee n p re ach ing an d p r ophe sying i s val id
P r oph e sy ing m ay b e a t r u e l ay f unction P r each i ng i s a n
O f c ial function
2
Bu t t r u e p re ach ing i s an i nt e n s e l y p e r sonal u tt e r anc e
It i s th e e x p re ssi o n not o nly o f w ha t i s m e ntal ly app r op r iat e d
b u t o f w hat i s ch e r i sh e d a s a sac re d m o r al an d sp i r i tual con
v i c t io n
\V e s om e t im e s sati r i z e a m an b y say ing t hat h e
p re ach e s Bu t we pay h im th e c om pl im e n t o f re c ogn i z ing th e
e a r n e stn e ss an d g e nu i n e n e s s O f h i s a d v o cacy P re ach ing ha s
n ev e r bee n an d ca n n eve r b e a m e re e x p o s it i o n O f Ob j e ct iv e
t r uth bu t i s a p re s e ntat i o n o f t r uth v ital i z ed b y p e r s o nal m o r al
an d re l igi o u s e x p e r i e nc e Th e t r uth m ay b e t a Ugh t a f t e r a
.

TH E WO RK O F T H E PREA CH ER

10

t ian p r e ach e r s ' H ow th e n shal l w e v in dicat e th e p roph e ti c

qual ity i n th e p re ach ing O f ou r o w n day ' H ow S hal l w e
j us ti f y th e cl aim tha t i n e v e r y ag e th e u tt e r anc e o f th e t r ue
p re ache r i s a m es sag e ' We ne e d no t ov e r p re ss th e t e r m bu t
th e p r each e r w h o sp i r itu al ly d isc e r n s an d pe r sonal l y app r o
p r i a t e s th e t ruth an d w h o utt e rs i t w i th th e po w e r o f a sympa
th e t ic m o r al conv ic ti on h a s th e p r im al el ement s o f i nsp i r at ion
I t w as not me re ly th e r e d i sco v e r y o f th e sav ing t r uth s o f Ch r i s
t ia n i ty bu t th e i r f r esh app r op r iatio n i n Ch r i st ian e x p er i e nc e
that m ad e th e p re ach ing o f th e Re f o r m atio n s o po w e r fu l I t
w a s th e d ivo r c e o f th e O bj e c tive t r uth that w as f orm ul at e d
i n th e c ree d s O f th e c hu rch f r om Ch ri st ian expe r i e nce an d th e
d i sp r opo rt ionate im po r tan c e tha t w a s attach ed to doctri nal
f o r m ula r i e s that d e v ital iz e d th e p re ach i ng o f th e po st
R e f o r m ation pe r iod I t i s th e r e storat ion o f the subj e ct ive
and p e r sonal e l e m e n t th at gi ve s ch a r act e r to th e p re ach ing o f
ou r o w n day T h e subj e ct i v e an d pe r sonal e l e m e n t i s th e
i n d ivi dual i z ing pow e r i n p re ach i ng I nd i v i dual i ty o f fo r m i s
on e o f th e m ark s o f th e p re ach ing o f al l th e g r eat r e fo rm
p re ac h e r s O f th e chu r ch Preach ing th at i s not th e product o f
v i tal i n t er io r f o r c e t e nd s to a fo r m al ste r eotype d m ethod
Ch r i st ian o r atory i s th e h igh e st type o f o rato r y fo r th e r e a son
i n pa r t tha t i t i s a p r oduct o f suc h r e v e re nc e for an d sympa
thy w i th th e t ru th tha t i t b e com e s a p er son al po w e r i n b e l i e f
an d c o n v iction a n d thu s im pa r ts p e r sonal f o r c e to th e u tter
a n c e s o f th e sp e ak e r
Cl assical o r ato r y l ai d sup re m e accen t
Upon th e re l ation o f th e sp e ak e r to h is au d i e nc e ; Ch r istian
o r ato r y l ays p r op o r t ionat e st re s s u pon th e re l at ion o f th e
sp e ak e r to h i s subj e ct I t w a s e nough fo r th e cl as sical o r ato r
tha t h e s ee m to b e int e re st e d i n h i s subj e ct conv i nc e d o f i ts
t r uth an d hon e st i n i ts e n f o r c e m e n t Th i s i s o f su p re m e im
po r tanc e ch i e y i n o r d e r that h e m ay pe r suade h i s h e a re rs
B u t th e Ch r i stia n o r ato r sp e ak s t o th e mo r al j udgm e nts an d
con v iction s o f m e n an d h e m u st n ot o nl y s ee m to b e moved
-

C H R I STI A N CO N C EPTI O N OF P R EA C H I N G

1 1

by the t ruth h e mu st be poss e s sed by i t an d m u st speak w hat

he bel iev e s I t i s t h i s note o f real ity O f tru th i n the i nwa r d
parts that h a s i nd iv i du al i z i ng an d sup rem e persuas ive
p ow e r
,

III

C H R I ST I A N P REAC H I N G

As

RE L ATE D T O T H E A U DI E N CE

Preach ing i s publ ic address not p riv at e con ferenc e E ty

mol ogica l ly i t sugg e s ts publ ici ty the p r es e nc e o f an a ss e mbly
I t p resuppos e s a n au d ience T h i s i s generall y a m i xed ass e m
bly T h e origi nal Ch ri st ian ass e mbly w a s hom ogeneou s an d
p r e ach i ng w a s a n addres s to th i s Ch ri st ian ass e mbly by one o f
i ts m embers o n a subj ect o f comm on Ch ris t ian i nterest
Th i s e l e m e nt O f commo n Chr istian fel lo w sh ip ga v e characte r
to the a ddres s I t w as a congr e gat ion o f b e l ie v e r s Th e
sp e ak e r w a s i d en ti e d wi t h h i s a u d i e n c e a n d v o i c e d th e
c om m o n C h ri s tia n fe e l i n g f a ith c o nvict i o n H e n c e th e S i g

n ic a n c e o f th e word
hom ily ( u d ta ) as appl ied to th e
p re ach in g O f th e e arl y Ch r i s tia n C h u r ch I t m ea n s p rim a r ily
c o mp an i o n s h ip th e n c o n f er e n c e a m o n g c om p an i o n s a n d t h e n
a n a dd r e s s t o a n as s e mbl y o f c o mp ani o n s Th u s th e n o t i o n o f
homogen e ity i n t h e au d ience i s r e cogn i z e d I t i s th i s p r im it iv e
conc e ption o f Ch ri stian p r each ing wh ich l im it s i t to th e wo rk
o f t e ach i ng an d imp re s s ing a Ch r i stian congregat ion to w h ich
G e rm an hom il e t ics h a s attach e d i ts e l f I t do e s not p r e suppos e
a hete rogeneou s aud i e nce a nd i t t r e ats evang e l i sti c p r e ach ing
a s a n e xc e pti onal typ e o f p r e ach i ng an d a s dem an di ng separat e
cons i d e rat ion B u t i t i s imposs ibl e fo r u s to tr e at th e questio n
i n t h i s m a n n e r I t i gn o re s t h e m i s ce l l an e o u s ch a ra ct e r O f th e
ord i nary congregat ion I f i t w e re a dm i ss ibl e to as sum e tha f
al l ou r rel igious assembl i e s a r e compose d o f bapti ze d chu rch
commu n icants an d that al l th e se commu n icants r e p r esent e d in
ful l m e asu r e th e r eal iti e s o f Ch ri st ian e xperience th er e woul d
b e no cal l f or any typ e o f p re ach ing othe r than what m ay b e
designated as the p astoral type w hos e a im is ed ica tion B u t
,

T H E W ORK O F T H E P REA CH E R

12

the m i sc e l lan e ou s characte r O f ou r congregat ion s con d it i o n s a

cal l f o r t w o typ e s o f p r each ing
1
Th e nucl eu s O f ev e r y r e l i gi o u s a s s e mbly i s a b o dy o f
Ch r i st ian wo r sh ipp e rs Th e au d i e nce i s p r im a r ily a w o rsh ip
p ing cong r egat ion P re ach i ng m u st re cogn i z e th a t f act I t
shoul d h a v e a l i tu r gical qu al i ty I t sh oul d re ga r d i ts e l f a s a
p a r t O f publ ic w o r sh ip I t shoul d k no w i ts e l f a s an o ffe r i ng
O f Ch r i st i an f aith and shoul d aim at th e p romoti on o f a d e vou t
S pi r it and a t f u r th e r i ng the i nte r ests o f th e w o r sh ipp ing a ss e m
bly W e do n ot s e pa r at e p r e ach ing f r om wo r sh ip a s w e do not
s e pa r at e th e p re ach e r f r om the l i tu r gi st o r th e pasto r Even
i n m i ss i on p r each ing w e r ecogni z e th e e l e m e n t o f worsh ip
N o street p re ach e r w oul d detac h h i s a dd r e s s f r om song an d
p r aye r an d Sc r iptu r e Th e e ffe c t i v e n e ss O f p re ach ing e v e n
i ts r h e to rical e ffe cti venes s i s cond i tioned l arg e ly by it s a s soc ia
t i o n w i th a Ch ri st ia n a s s e mbl y an d b y th e i n uen c e o f Ch r i s
t ian w o r sh i p P re ach ing i s th e b e tt e r for th e w orsh ip a n d
the w o r sh ip fo r th e p re ach ing I n the b e s t pe r i od s the cl os e
conn e ctio n b e t w e e n p r each ing an d w orsh ip bet w een the pul p i t
a n d th e al ta r has been re c o gn iz ed D i v o r c e b e t w ee n th e m has
m a r k e d a d e g e n e r acy i n both Luthe r i n s i sted that the r e

S houl d be no w o r sh ip w i thou t p re ach ing

\V h er e God s w o r d
i s not p re ached i t i s b e tt e r n e ith e r to si ng no r p r ay no r com e

t og e th e r
Cal v i n l a i d st re ss u pon th e d e man d f o r p r eac h i ng
i n c o n n e ct ion w ith th e S ac r am e nts Th e s e r e f o r m e r s r e cog
n i z e d p r e a ch i n g a s t h e c e n t r e o f th e w o r sh ip
Th e v a lu e o f
w o r sh i p w a s cond i tion e d by p re ach ing W e n ee d to re cog
n i z e th e rev e r s e as equ al ly t r u e P r e ach ing w il l b e m o re
simpl e a n d s v mp a th et ic m o r e sp i r itual an d e a r n e st an d p ra ct i
cal i n i t s ton e m o re f ree an d u ncon v e ntional i n a w o r d m o r e
Ch r i stian \V o r s h ip w il l d ign i f y p re ach ing an d p re ach ing w il l
m ak e w o r sh ip m o r e i nt e l l ig e nt an d r e al an d substanti al I n
a w o r d w o r sh i p cond itions d ev ou t p re ach i ng an d p re ach ing
con d it ions i nt e l l ig e nt w o r sh ip To m ak e p re ach ing a n d w o r
.

CH RI S TI A N CO N CEPTI O N O F P REA CH I N G

13

s h ip mu tu al ly h elp f ul i s an impo r tant hom il e ti c p robl e m

S ometh ing i s ga ine d at the ou ts e t to s a y th e l east by r ecogn iz
i ng th e f ac t that th e l itu rgical i nte re st i s an impo r tant pa r t o f
th e h o m il e t i c p r o b l e m th a t p r e a ch in g p r e supp o s e s a Chri s tia n
assembly and that i t ha s for i t s O bj e ct the promot ion o f th e
rel igiou s i nt e r e sts o f that a ss e mbly
2
B ut t h e e nt i r e au di e n c e i s a lm o s t n e v e r a Ch r i s ti an c o n
H enc e
g r ega t ion i n the fu l l e vangel ical sen s e o f th e w o r d
p r e ach ing shoul d hav e an e va n g e l i s tic a s w e l l a s pasto r al
qual ity Evang e l i sm i s a hom il e ti c p robl em To w i n m en to
the Ch ri stian l i f e i s a s t ruly the p re ac h e r s aim as to e di f y
them i n it I t i s a f al se conc e pti on o f p r each i ng th at woul d
l im it i t to th e e d i ca ti on o f a Ch r i sti an congr e gat ion an d woul d
rul e out evangel i sm a s a d i sti nc t an d exceptional i nter e st
n e v e r to n d pl ac e i n t he ord in a r y chu rch serv ice I t i s base d
upon th e e r ron e ous conc e ptio n that th e congr e gation m u st a l
ways be a bapt iz e d comm u ni ty an d that p re ach ing i s for i t
al on e The m i ss ionary e l e m e nt i s ess e nt ial to the compl e te
Ch ri s tia n s conc e pt ion O f p reach i ng I t shoul d neve r be per
ma n en tly d ivorc e d f rom p asto ral p r e ach ing
M e n m us t b e
wo n a s w e l l a s bu i l t I t i s th e comm i s s ion o f th e chu rch to
p r e s e nt th e Gosp e l th r ough i ts s e rvants to thos e w ho hav e not
r e c e iv e d it i nto th e i r pract ical l iv es I t i s n ot a n e xc e pt ional
wo r k to b e don e by an except ional cl as s o f m en I t i s not
n e cessa r y to d iv i d e th e congr e gat ion i n a form al m ann e r Th e
t w o typ e s O f p r e ach ing pl ay i nto on e anoth e r Each i nu e nc e s
thos e f o r w hom i t i s not p r im arily d e s igned B ut fai lu r e to d is
t in gu i s h b e twee n th e t w o types an d to recogn i z e th e i r d i s
t in c t iv e O bj e cts an d a im s i s a s e r iou s fail u r e
Evang e l istic
pr e ach ing w il l s e cu re warm th an d cog e ncy to pasto r al p re ach
i ng an d pasto r al p re ach i ng w il l con d ition th e p e rman e nt valu e
o f evang e l i st ic p reach i ng E d i c a tion suppo r ts ev ang e l ism
Evang e l ism giv e s i ncent ive to ed ica ti on
.

THE

14

IV

\V ORK

O F T H E PREA CH E R

C H R I ST I A N P REAC H I N G A s RE L ATE D T O F O R M
I n m at e r ial spi r i t an d a im a s i s al re ady appar e nt Ch r i s t ia n
p re ach ing ha s c e r ta i n d i st i ncti v e qual iti e s An d e v e n i n
m e thod o r f o r m i t d e m and s s om e adaptat ion to th e s e d i stinc ti v e
qual ities j us t a s i n sub stanc e i t d e m an ds adaptat i o n to Ch r i s
t ian though t an d a s i n S pi r i t an d aim i t d e mands adaptation to
w hat i s d i stinct i v e i n Ch r i stia n p r i nc ipl e an d cha r act e r
Bu t
i n it s f o r m a l a sp e ct s i n g e n e r al h o m il e ti c s b e l o n gs t o t h e
d e pa r tm e nt o f r h e t o r ic an d Ch r i stian p re ach ing i s a s to i ts
m e thod n ot substant ial ly d i ffe re n t f r om any s e cul a r o r atorical
p r oduc t
1
Th e r st rh e to r ical e l e m e n t dem and ing cons id er at ion i s
st r uc tu r al o r d e r Th e s e r m on i s a n a dd re s s to b e h e ard an d
r e m e mb e red It m ust th ere f o re h av e an o r d e r ly d ev e l op
m e nt Oth e r w i s e i t w oul d not f ul ly sati s f y the d e m an ds o f
publ ic a d d re ss I t w oul d l ack r h e to r ical impr e s s i v e ness
R e l igi ou s th e m e s cal l for e l evat e d c omp re h e n siv e and o r d e r l y
d i scu s s ion Uni ty o f imp re ss ion i s d e p e n d e nt u pon coh e re nt
e xposi t i o n F r agm e nta r y an d desul t o r y d i scou r s e f ail s to
m ee t th e n ee d s O f o u r t im e and i s u n w o r thy o f th e g re at th e m e s
O f re l igi on
I t i s i nad e quat e to th e ne e d s both o f p re ach e r
an d h e a re r It i s o f cou r s e to b e conce d e d that th e p re ach ing
O f th e e a r ly chu r ch w a s a r tl e ss
an d y e t i t m oved m e n Th e
d i scou r s e w a s d e l i v e red fo r th e most pa r t to sm all cong re ga
t i on s w ith i n a l im it e d a re a an d w a s a f ree spontan e ou s
u na r t i stic utt e r anc e It w a s l ik e a p r ay e r m ee ting a dd re ss o r
a B i b l e re a d ing P o s sibly th e re w e re mo re e lab o r at e a dd re ss e s
Th e t e n d e ncy w a s i nc re a si ngly i n th e d i re ction o f suc h a d
d re s s e s It i s p r o b abl e that th e d iscou r s e s c omm e m o r at iv e o f
th e ma r ty r s o f w h ich u n f o r tu nat e ly w e hav e no a d e quat e
re c o rd o r i ll u st r at i o n p r om o t e d th i s t e nd e ncy B u t th e d i s
c o u r s e s re c o r d ed i n th e N ew T e stam e n t al th ough p r obabl y
i n a d e q u at e t o il l u s t r at e w o r th ily ap o st o l i c p r e a ch in g a r e w ith
out r h e to r ical o r d e r Th e y d i d th e i r w o r k doubtl e ss an d m e t
.

C H RI ST I A N CO N C EPTI O N O F P REA C H I N G

the n eeds o f th e t im e B ut th ey are not m od e l s f o r a l at e r

ag e H om il e ti cs w as an u n d e v e l op e d sc i e nc e I n th e cha n g e d
rel at ion o f Ch r i stian ity a n d O f the chu rch to th e w o r l d at
l a r g e a b e tt e r m e thod w as d e mand e d Pat r i stic p re achi ng
Cyp r ian an d
w a s l e ss u nel abo rat e than a p o ic p re ach ing
sg
T e rtul l ian w e r e orators O r ig i n m a r k s anothe r modi cation
Augu st in e an d Ch rysostom s til l anoth e r al l i n th e d i r ect ion o f
a mor e o rd e r ly m e thod W i thou t th e s e chang e s p re ach ing
woul d not have done i ts work N o r w ithou t o r d er l y m e thod
w i ll i t do i ts w o r k today W e a r e he i r s to it W e ar e i n r e
act ion i t i s t r u e aga ins t th e s tatel y el aborat e n e s s o f ou r hom i
l cti c anc e stors an d gr e at e r s impl ic ity o f m e thod i s a dvocat e d
B u t s impl ic i ty i s not i ncoh e r e nc e A n e ffe ct iv e pul p it d e mands
som e th ing mo re than the hom ily Th e m in d i s not at hom e i n
chaos Th e heart a s w e l l a s the m i nd c r av e s an o r de r ly w orl d
T ru th go e s hom e along th e l in e s o f l aw Orde r l y m e tho d i s
m o r e than a rheto r ical int e r e st T ru e rhetori cal i nt e r e s ts sub
serve r e l igiou s i nte r ests There n e ve r w as a time w he n
e ffe ct ive p re ach ing was i n g re at e r d e man d tha n now Th e r e
i s a s good a e l d as e v e r fo r the t r ue p reach e r a n d a rational
m etho d i s on e o f th e m os t impo r tan t p r obl e m s N O m an can
ignor e th e l aw s o f the hum an soul an d m ak e h is spe e c h
e ffect ive
2
Lit e r a r y fo r m i s anoth e r rh etorical el e m e nt i n p r each ing
P re ach i ng i s not l e ctu r i ng Th e l ectu r er may u s e th e l anguag e
o f sci enc e The p re ache r u s e s th e l angu ag e o f l i f e Pr e ach
i n g i s fo r th e av e r a g e m i nd n o t fo r th e e x c e pt i o n all y t r ai n e d
m i n d ; not fo r schola rs no r y e t f or ch il dren I t a v o ids the
e x trem e o f i nt e l l e c tual e labo r aten e s s on th e on e s i d e an d o f
i ntell e ctual con d e scens ion on th e oth e r A p re ach e r mu st
r each h i s au di e nce I t i s h i s cal l ing to do i t H e can not do
i t w ithou t i nt e r p re ting abst r act though t i n conc re t e form
Popul a r p r e ach i ng i s not v ulga r p r e ach ing Th e re is a t r u e
an d a fal s e popular styl e The p reacher i s an e ducator H e
.

16

TH E W ORK O F T H E PREA CH ER

shoul d respec t th e h igh er an d the p e rmanen t i nt e re st s o f m e n

B u t w ith i n th e l im i ts o f Ch r i stian p r op r i e ty the pulp i t sh oul d
a dj u s t i ts e l f to th e capac i ty o f th e ave rage m an T h e se r m on
i s not a t r eati s e no r a l ectu r e nor a n e s say no r a p r o se poem
F r om al l th e s e i t d i ff e r s i n i ts aim an d s o i n i ts f o r m Th e
e th ical a im o f th e s e r mon fo r b ids that i t com e i n th e l anguage
o f th e u nd e r stan d ing w hol ly that i s i n a pu re ly d idact i c fo r m
a s th e t r eati s e o r th e l ectu re m ay o r i n th e s tructu r el ess form
o f the e ssay o r i n the l anguage o f subj e ctiv e emotion or sen t i
m en t o r f ancy as th e po e m d o e s I t combi n e s t h e langu ag e
o f th e u nde r stan ding o f th e emotion s an d o f th e imagin ation
Th i s i s th e p o pul a r styl e c o m bi n i n g di gn i ty c o g e ncy a n d
g r a c e Th u s th e s e r m o n m u s t b e o u r i d e al i n th e d i scu s si o n O f
h o m il e t i c p r obl e m s Th e i de al O f th e l e c tu r e w i th i t s d i da ct i c
substanc e a dd r esse d to th e u nd e rstan d ing w i th i ts l ogical
m e tho d a n d u n e m ot ional styl e w hos e ch i e f m a rk i s i nt e ll ectu al
cl e a r n e ss i s i nad e quate I nad e quate i s th e i deal o f the hom ily
w ith i t s sc r iptu r al m at er i al i ts s t r uctu r el e s s m e thod i ts f r ee
an d u ncon v en tional styl e w hos e ma r k i s s im pl ic i ty sp e ak ing a t
o nc e to th e m i nd an d the h e a r t I nad e qu at e th e h ortati on
w i th i ts e m o tional fe r vo r r api d m ovem en t an d i ts conc r e t e
styl e I nad e quate th e e ssay w ith i ts f r e e dom a n d r e m ote
r e l at e dn e s s o f t hough t o r th e po e m w i th i ts l angu ag e o f th e
imagi nat ion B u t th e s e r mon m ay i nco r po r at e el e m ents that
a r e comm on to th e m al l
To re cap itul at e th e bes t typ e o f p reach i ng comb i nes th e
B ibl ical the r ep r es e ntat iv e th e pe r sonal th e l itu r gical th e
ev ang e l i stic th e st r uctu r al an d th e l ite ra r y i nt e r e st Un d er
v al u e th e B ibl ical e l e m e n t an d p r each ing w i ll dete r io rat e I t
w il l l o s e v i tal ity I t w il l f a i l i n re l i gi o u s ai m a n d th e r el i gi o u s
i nt e r e sts o f m e n w il l su ffe r Under v al u e th e re p r es e ntat i v e
e l e m e n t an d i t w il l b e com e cap r i c iou s an d i rre spons ibl e
Unde r val u e th e p e r sonal el e m e nt an d i t w il l l ack i n po w e r o f
conv ict io n a n d pe r suas ion Und e r val u e th e l itu rgi cal e l em e n t
.

C HA PTE R I I
T H E A I M O F CH R I STI A N P REA C H I N G
TH E

quest ion o f a im w il l con stantly occu r i n ou r d i scu ss ion

o f hom il e ti c p r obl em s I t i s one o f th e m os t impo r tan t que s
t ions w i th w h ich th e p re ach e r m u st conc e r n h im sel f M any
qual ities o f goo d p re ach ing a re dep e nden t upon i t Th e ton e
o f a p re acher a n d to a l a r ge e xt e nt h i s m e tho d a r e determ ined
by h i s aim An d i f th e subj ect m att e r o f on e s p r each ing
c on di tion s th e aim i t i s e qu al ly t r u e that th e a im w i ll be in u
en t i a l i n the cho ic e o f m ate r ial
H ow c an one k now wh at to
p reac h w i thou t a n a d e quate conc e pt ion o f th e general an d th e
spec i c obj e ct o f h i s p r each ing an d w i thou t a wo rthy pu rpo se
w ith r espec t to h i s O bj e ct ' I t i s th i s p ractical s ign i canc e o f
the qu e stion that sanc tions a p rel im inary d i scu ss ion o f i ts
impo r tance
.

TH E

I M PO RTA N CE O F H O M I L ET I C

A IM

Th e e th i ca l si gn i can c e o f p r e a ch i n g s u gge st s i t
P re ach i ng i s a m o r al act S om e th i ng i s to be accompl i sh e d
A n imp r e ss i on i s to b e m a de A r esul t i s to be ach i eved

S om e on e cal l s i t a w o rd act
V in e t cal l s i t a
combat

Th e re m i n cal l s i t a v i r tu e
W i thou t a im th i s eth ical s ign i
cance i s igno r ed Th e theo r y tha t p r e ach ing i s m e re ly th e
exp res s ion o f a r e l igiou s e xp e r i e nc e that i s c ommon to
p re ach e r an d h e a re r an d that i t m ay b e l e f t to take c ar e o f
i tsel f w i th ou t a n y con sc i ou s aim i n th e p re ach e r oth e r tha n
that o f givi ng exp re s sion to th e re al iti es o f h i s o w n i nn e r l i fe
i s i na d e quate an d m isl e ad ing Th e b e st typ e o f p r each ing i s
con sciou s o f it s obj e c t I t pu rposes to m ak e a n i mp res sio n
1

T H E A I M O F CH RI ST I A N P REA CH I N G

19

a n d k now s th e i mp res s ion i t se ek s T h e p reacher i s bou n d to

m a k e h im sel f e ffect ive T he stu dy o f h i s art i s l a r g e l y a stu dy
o f h i s aim an d th is i s m ore tha n a m att e r o f p r o f e ss ional pri de
i t i s a m atte r o f m oral m om e nt Th i s eth ical o r impres s ional
e l e m e n t giv e s p r e ach in g i ts d i sti n ctiv e p l a c e i n th e c o n du c t O f
p ubl i c wo r sh ip N O othe r p a r t o f the publ ic re l igiou s se r v ic e
N e ithe r song no r p r ay e r can be o r
i s s o con sc iou s o f i ts aim
shoul d be s o con sc iou s o f th e imp res s ion i t woul d m ak e I t
i s tru e that every act O f publ ic wo rsh ip m ay be m easu rabl y
i mp r e s s ive i n i nten t othe rw i s e i t w ere not a p r ope r obj ec t O f
c r i t i ci s m B u t p r e ac hi n g s e e k s imp r e s s i o n a s n o o th e r l itu r gi
cal act does I t i s b e n t on b r ingi ng som e th ing to pass I t
i s i n deed a contest w ith m an
I nto n o oth er se rv ice do w e
pu t s o st rong a n et h ical pu r pose I t is con fes s e dl y eas ily poss i
bl e to ov e r do i t B u t i t m ay als o be u n de r done A i m then i s
on e o f th e p rim al e lem ent s i n al l e ffe ct ive p r each ing A n aim
a t onc e b r oad an d d e n ite M ake the a im too broa d an d
p r e ach ing w il l lack d en i t en es s an d d i r ectnes s M ak e i t too
de n i te an d it w ill l ac k s cop e I t w i ll b e narrow an d m ay b e
sup e rc ial I t s houl d b e b roa d enough to b e e ducat ive an d
de n ite e nough to be imm e d iat e an d imp ress iv e b r oa d enough
to cov e r al l typ e s o f p r each ing al l th e compl ex m o ral an d
r e l igiou s i nte r e sts o f t h e comm u n ity th e chu rc h an d the con
g r ega t i on an d al l v a r iet ies o f ab il ity i n th e p reach er an d de
n i te e nough to be t r ue to any spec i c typ e o f p r each i ng to h i t
the spec i c need s o f the comm u n ity the chu rch o r the cong r e
ga t i on o r o f any p art icul ar cl as s i n th e cong re gation o r
pos s ibl y o f a s ingl e p erso n at a p a r t icul ar t ime or to m eet th e
d e man ds O f a parti cul a r t ruth o r th e need s o f th e p r eacher s
own p e rsonal ity a t any pa r ti cul ar t im e B readth an d range
a re e ssential to a n e ducat ive pul p i t I t w il l cover th e compl ex
need s o f th e commu nity and th e compl ex inte r es t s o f tru th
A non e ducat ive pulp i t w il l fai l o f i ts vocati on R e versely
d en iten es s i s es s e ntial to imm ed iate m oral an d r e l igiou s re
.

T H E WO R K O F T H E PREA CH E R

20

B readth an d de n iten e s s comp re h en s iveness an d in

t e n s i ty n d exp r e s s i o n i n c o r re sp o ndi n g type s o f p r e a ch i n g
the pasto r al a n d th e evang e l isti c types an d m ee t a doubl e need
Pastoral p re ach i ng is comp r eh ens i v e an d e du cat ive E v a n gel is
t ic p r each ing i s d e n ite an d i n t e n s e A p r op e r blen d ing o f th e
two w il l secu re r ange an d v igo r I t i s no t imposs ibl e mea s u r
ably a t l east to h a r m on i z e th e t w o qu al i ti e s Pasto r al p re ach
ing m ay l ack d en iten es s an d f e r vo r Evangel i st i c preach ing
m ay l ack i n scope I t m ay b e nar r ow When eac h in u enc e s
the othe r the pasto r al s e r m on w il l be th e m ore v igo r ou s i n i t s
d i r ectnes s w i l l squ arely h i t its m a r k becau s e i t h a s a m ark to
h i t an d the evangel i st ic s e rm o n w il l n d a good backgrou n d
O f sol i d Ch r i st ia n though t an d a goo d f o re g r ou n d o f comp re
h en s i v e e ducative a im
I t w il l have i ts s e t ti ng i n a b roa de r
though t an d pu rpose th at wil l car r y i t beyon d th e imm ed iate
im p re ss ion an d a t the sam e t im e w i l l no t f a i l o f su ch imp res
s ion I t i s th e e th ical qual i ty i n p r each ing that accentuates
the n eed o f su ch comb i nat ion
2
T he r ights o f th e cong r egat ion tax th e p r eache r s pu r
pose Th e cong re gat ion i s e nt itl ed to h i s r e sp e c t I t s p re s
e nce i nvol ves c e r ta i n l e gi tim ate e xpectation s N o m an resp e ct s
i t s righ ts w h o p r each e s a iml e s sly No r can such a m an w i n
i ts respec t A publ ic speak e r an d e sp e c i al ly a Ch r ist ian
p r e a ch e r c a n n o t s a fe l y i gn o r e l egi t im at e exp ect a t i o n s H e
sp e ak s to i ntel l ig e n t m o r al be ings A s su ch th e y hav e cl a im s
o n h im A p r eache r shoul d rem emb e r that h e i s a debtor to
h i s au d i e nce Respons ibi l it ie s a r e o f cou rs e r ec ip r ocal Fo r
th e au d i e nc e i s al so a Ch r i st ian cong re gat ion B u t f o r th e
p r each e r that cong re gat ion i s a n au di e nc e Th e cong re gation
i nv i te s th e m in i st e r to l ead i t i n i ts w orsh ip B u t th e p re ache r
i nv i tes th e cong r e g at ion t o b e com e a n au d i e nce an d t o l i st e n
t o h im H e w h o do e s th i s shoul d do i t w ith a pu r pos e H e
s houl d giv e th e m w hat i t i s impo r tan t f o r th e m to h e a r a n d
shoul d S how that s o fa r as depend s o n h im th e y sh al l hea r
s u l ts

T H E A I M O F C H R I ST I A N P R EA C H I N G

21

and sh al l h ave the ava i l o f i t H e wh o p reach e s p reaches a t

someth i ng A s e rmon that i s goo d i s goo d f or som e th ing
The r e i s no goo d that i s goo d fo r noth i ng A n au dience
shoul d nev e r b e ov e r tax e d o r d i sappoi nted i n i ts con d e nce
i n th e st r ength o f a p reach e r s moral pu rpos e The h e ar e r i s

e nt itl ed to know w hat the p reache r m ean s w hat he i s d r iv ing

at
I t i s c laim e d that the p reach i ng o f ou r day l ac k s aim
T he truth o f the cha r ge m ay be quest ione d T here m ay b e
a l ack o f ce r ta i n a im s bu t th i s does no t p rov e i t t o be aim l ess
Th i s charge i s g e nerally m ade by two cl asse s o f cr itics They
are both ones i de d i n the i r es tim ate T h e pro fe ss ional evan
gel is t o r rev ival i st c ri tic is e s th e p r each ing that doe s n ot a im i n
e ve r y se r mon at imm e diat e evangel i sti c resul ts For such

p reach i ng th e art O f w in n ing sou l s i s a l ost a r t

I t i s s u f
c i e n t to repl y t hat the evangel i sti c type o f p r e ach ing i s not
b r oa d e nough to cover th e enti re el d I t i s doub tl es s t rue
tha t th e re i s a l ack o f evangel i st i c a im i n even th e bes t O f ou r
mo dern p r e ach i ng B u t th e re ar e othe r typ es o f p reach ing
an d othe r aim s than th e e vangel i st ic an d w hat the evangel i stic
el d has l ost the eth ical e l d has won T he c hu r ch dogm ati st
o n t h e o th e r h a nd c r i t i c i s e s t h e p r e ach i n g t h a t l a c k s th e d o g
m ati c o r doctri nal not e B ut p re ach ing is not a iml es s j u st b e
cau se i t fa il s to be apol og e tic o f a part icul a r type o f theol ogy
I t i s not th e p rope r a im o f p reach ing to p rop o r forti fy any
school O f theology Doct r i ne i s an i n strum e n t not an e n d
Th e m a n wh o w o r k s h i s tru th a n d ma k es it a vai l ab l e d o e s n o t
l ack aim B u t i t i s certa inly tru e th at i n s o far as the p reacher
o f ou r day fai l s i n any important a im o r l ac k s i n s trength o f
mo ral pu rpose h e fai ls i n respect for th e truth an d fo r h i s
fel lowmen
Exposu re to detr i m e n tal i n uences that en danger th e
3
p reacher s moral earnestness i s a summons to renewal o f m oral
purpose T he eth ical qual i ty o f p reach ing i s al ways t hreat
ened Comp rom i s i n g i n uences are al ways at wor k They
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P REA CH ER

22

va ry w i th d i ffe r ent peri ods bu t a re al ways a temptat ion to

m ora l w e a k ness We n d them i n ou r day T hey shoul d pu t
the p reache r upon h i s gu ard
T he i nu e nce O f secu l a r i sm th reaten s th e m o r al bre o f th e
p reac h i ng o f ou r day Comm e rc ial i sm o f wh i ch w e hea r s o
m uch i s a dom i nating powe r that h a s c rep t i nto th e chu rch
T he pul p i t o f a c hu r c h th at i s commerc ial ize d i s e as ily s e cul a r
Iz ed
I n noth ing i s the secul a r tendency s o r e a dily m an i fest
a s i n the preach e r s l ac k O f m o ra l pu rpos e N o m oral pu r pos e
i n th e p reache r mean s th e p resenc e ev e n though u nconsc i ou s
o r hal f con sc iou s o f an u nwo r thy s e cul a r i z ed pu rpose Th e
agnos t ic sp i ri t en dangers the m oral powe r o f the p r e ach e r
P r ea ch i n g p r e s upp o s e s a p o s it iv e b a s i s
I t d eal s wi th a s c e r
t a i n e d resul ts
I t i s n ot t e ntat iv e o r sp e cul at iv e o r u ncerta i n
b e cau s e i t rests Upo n e xpe r im ental t ruth B u t th e p re ach e r
wh o l ive s i n a r e al m o f u nc er tai nty w h o i s always r a t i on a l i z
i n g al ways S p e cu l at in g a n d n eve r r e a ch i n g p o s i t iv e r e su l t s
w i l l p r e ach va gu el y and ai ml e s s ly Th e r e w i l l a lways b e a lac k
O f p o s i t iv e n e s s a n d d e n it e n e s s a b o u t h i s wo r k A d o m i n ati n g
l i t er a r y sp i r i t e ndange r s the m o r al pu r pose o f th e p re ache r
Th e l ite r ary i nt e r e st m ay comprom i s e the e th ical i nte r est
Th e serm on m ay b e com e a n e nd A ny m an w h o i s mo r e
sol ic i tou s abou t th e l i te r a r y o r a r ti stic qual ity o f th e serm on
than about i ts p r act ical m oral e ff ectiven e s s w il l p reach w ithou t
a wo r thy m o r al aim P re ach ing i s i n dee d a n a r t B u t i t i s
m o r e I t i s a m oral ach i e v e m e nt A r t i s subord inate to aim
O r r ath e r a im i s t r ibu ta r y to a r t M o r al pu r pos e i s on e o f
th e m os t importan t cons i de r at ion s i n th e t r u e a r t i st i c cha r ac
te r O f a m o r al an d r el igiou s add re s s Th e po e t m ay sp e ak f o r
th e l ove o f speak i ng o r fo r th e l o v e o f a rt i st ic exp re s s ion o r
w ith sup re m e r e f e re nce to ae sth e ti c imp re ss ion B u t t h e
p re ach e r m u st a im a t a m o r al r e sul t A n d th i s aim i s i n f ac t
n ecessary to h i s a r t
P r actical resu lts accentuate th e importance o f m oral
4
,

TH E A I M O F C H R I STIA N P R EA C H I N G

23

aim i n p reach i ng S trength o f eth i cal pu rpo se d i scl o se s i tsel f

i n such resul ts resul ts i n th e p r each er an d i n h i s work T he
e ffe ct o n h is p e rsonal an d O fc i al m anhoo d i s m an i f e st T he
w hol e ton e o f the m a n w ith respect to h i s p reach i ng i n gen e ral
an d w it h respect to the i nd iv i du al s e rmon i s a ffecte d S uch a
m an i s not i n the pulp i t as by di r e n eces s ity but because h e

h a s someth ing to do t he re an d i s stra itened u nt il i t be a e com

H e w il l bear h im sel f as on e w ho m ean s to h av e a

p l is h e d
h ear ing M odestly o f cou rs e bu t i n down r i gh t m anly fash ion
O ne s mo ral pu rpos e a ffe cts th e w hol e ton e o f h i s m anhood
I t p uri es en r iches a n d greaten s h is wh ol e l i fe S uch a m a n
ca n be neithe r a concei ted pe dan t no r a faw n ing sycophant bu t
a st raigh t forward m an ly m an
T he e ffect on one s Wor k w il l b e equ al l y n otabl e I t w il l
con d it ion the range o f o n e s p reach ing I t w il l rul e ou t al l
m atte r an d al l m etho d that a r e i nharm on i ou s w ith th e h ighest
M oral pu rpos e i s an im
Ch ri stia n concepti on o f p reach i ng
portant facto r i n good rheto ri c an d o r a tory T h e el em e nt o f
w il l i n publ ic speech m igh t well rece i v e mo re attenti on than i t
h a s received
A strong s t e ad f ast imm ane n t pu rpos e w il l l i f t
the tone o f a m an s ent i re i nne r l i f e m ental an d em ot ional
an d h e w il l b e th e m o r e effective a s a publ i c speaker i f h e h ave
*
th e gi ft o f publ ic sp e ech a t al l The wo rd s O f Ph il l ip s B rooks
touch ing th e dem an d fo r c h e er ful n e ss hope ful n e ss e arnestn e ss
an d real i ty i n the p re acher are gol d e n w ords I t i s p reci s ely th i s
strong e th ical pu rpos e that i s a ssoci ated w ith thes e qual it i e s
I t w il l i nu e nce h is m e tho d T he p reach ing o f such a m an

starts wi th th e conv ict ion an d a ssumptio n that i t i s wo r th

j ust wh at it e ffects
S u ch a p reache r i s i n terested i n h is wor k
not specul at ivel y bu t p ract ical ly ; n ot as rel ate d sup rem ely
to though t bu t to l i f e T he man w ho hol ds th e theory t hat
he ha s n o respons ib il i ty w ith respect to the resul ts o f h i s
.

al e L ect u re s
H u man S ou l
*Y

on

Pre achi n g

C ha p V I I I
.

T h e V al u e

of

th e

TH E W ORK O F T H E P REA C H E R

24

p reach ing wh o s impl y says h i s s a y an d l ets com e o f i t w h at

w i ll w i l l preac h a im l essl y S uch a m an ca n n ever ful ly a n

swe r th e qu e st ion Why do I p r each '

T h e t r uth i s no t a n
e n d bu t an i n st r um e n t T h i s conv i ct ion w i l l i n uence a m a n
i n h i s m etho d o f han dl ing h i s m at er i al I t w il l not be a per
fo rm a n ce i n m ental gym na st ics
I t w il l be ful l o f warm th
an d ene r gy an d w il l shape i ts e l f i nto goo d e ffe ct iv e rh etori ca l
a n d o rato r ical form I t w il l be a v igo rou s i n st r um e nt fo r th e
en forcem ent o f th e truth
,

I I TH E C E N TRA L A N D I N C L U S I V E H O M I L ET I C A IM
P reach ing i s only one O f th e m any m etho d s o f applyi ng
Ch r i st ian i ty to th e need s o f m en an d as to i ts obj e ct i t does
n ot d i ffe r substantial ly f rom other agenc i e s T hey al l h av e
the sam e g e n e r al obj ect Comp r ehens ivel y stated th e aim O f
th e p r eac h e r i s the r escu e an d r e con st ru cti on o f m anh oo d I t
assum es that m e n nee d to be d e l iv er ed f rom th e dom i nating
l ower l i f e O f th e esh to be re scued to th e h ighe r l i fe o f t he
sp i r i t an d to b e shape d i nto a sp i r i tual m anhoo d Conc r etely
s tat e d i t i s to wi n m e n to Ch ri st an d to bu il d th em i nto h i s
m o r al compl e teness
1
N ote h er e a re cogn i t i on o f th e i n d iv i dual an d soc ial factors
i n th e wo r k Th e r e scu e an d reconst r uct ion a re not w hol ly o f
i nd iv i dual m e n i n the i r i solat ion f r om thei r fel low s bu t o f m e n
i n th e i r a s s o c i at e l i fe I t i s th e b u il d in g i n a n d t h e bu il di n g
u p o f m en i nto th e body o f Ch ri st W e can not s top short
o f th i s i n ou r statem ent an d w e cannot g e t beyon d i t
R e demption a s a work o f r escu e an d o f r e bu il d ing m u st r e cog
n i z e the se two factors w h ich a f te r al l are p r actical ly one Th e
p r each e r s obj ect ca n not be the recove r y an d ed i ca t ion o f a
N O m a n e ve r n ds com pl eten e s s i n
f e w e l e ct i nd i v idual m e n
h i m s e l f Th e a i m O f p r e ach i n g i s u l ti m atel y t h e c o mpl e t i o n
o r th e com pl e t ion O f th e k ingdom o f
O f th e body O f Chri st
G od o r the com pl eti on o f human ity We com e to the pe r fec t
.

26

T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

type o f p reach i ng can never b e nal I t wou l d d e fea t i ts own

a i m a n d p r ove fr u i tl e s s i n th e e n d
Wi n n i n g s o ul s i n
th e n a rr o w a n d s o m e ti m e s u n r e al s en s e ca n n eve r b e
u l t im at e Th e s oul i s n o t s av e d i n th e f u l l Ch r i s tia n s e n s e
ti l l i t i s d e ve l o p e d a n d t ra i n e d i nt o t he c o mpl et e n e s s p o s s ible
fo r i t
N ote fu rther th at th i s comprehen s i ve conc e pt i on o f th e
3
o b j ec t o f Ch r i stia n p re ach ing nds plac e f o r al l th e el em ent s
i nvolved i n th e compl ete concept ion o f Ch ri sti an p r each i ng
i tsel f Augu sti ne fol l o w ing substant iall y th e cl as s ical rh etor i
e iau s an d o rators thu s comp r eh e n s iv e l y state s th e obj e c t o f

Ch ri stian p r each ing ; Th e Ch r i st ian o r ato r ough t to teach

to pl ease to pe r suad e ; to teach s o a s to i nstru ct to pl ease s o
a s to h ol d
to p e r suade so a s to ov e r com e T e ach ing fo r th e
pu r pose o f i nst r ucti on s e cu r e s i ntel l ig e nt h ea r ing ; pl eas i ng
fo r th e pu r pose o f hol ding s e cu r e s f re e l i st e n ing ; persu ad i ng
for th e pu r pos e o f ov er com i ng secu r e s the obed ien t m i n d

h e art con sc i e nc e w il l
No b e tt e r statem e nt o f th e a im an d
cha r acteri st ic s o f t r u e Ch ri stian p r e ach ing coul d b e m ade
Th e ob e d i e n t m in d h e art consc i ence w il l th i s i s th e ul t im at e
a im To b r i ng the wh ol e m a n u n de r the sw ay o f the tru th
th r ough the f orc es o f p er sonal i ty an d o f t ru th that pl ay
th rough human spe e ch Al l th e e l em e nt s o f e ffe ct i v e S peech
a r e n e c e s s a r y t o s e cu r e th i s r e s ul t Th e a dj u s tm e n t o f th e s e
e l em ents w i th w h ich Augu st in e u n de r too k to d e al i n order to
ach iev e th e r esul t i s a rh e to r ical qu est ion w ith w h ich w e n ee d
n ot no w c onc e r n ou r s e l v e s Ju st he re i t i s pe r ti nen t s impl y to
sugg e st th at th e s e e l e m e nt s ul t imat e l y r e solv e th e m s e lves i nto
th e d i dact i c an d p e rsu as iv e e l e m e nt s o f spe e ch and a s w e shal l
s ee they are both n e c e ssa r y to th e wo r k o f r e scu i ng an d bu il d
i ng m e n To t e ach to im pr e ss to p e rsuad e m en by th e po w e r
o f th e t r uth and o f p e r sonal i ty th e o r ga n o f t r u th thu s to
b r ing th e whol e m anhood m in d h ea r t con sc i e nce w ill u n de r
the s w ay o f t ru th an d o f the sp i r i t o f t ruth
th i s i s to rescu e
.

T H E A I M O F C H R I STI A N P R EA C H I N G

27

m en a n d to bu i l d th e m i nto Chr i stian m anhoo d T h i s i s re

demp t ion An d th i s i s the en d o f th e p reach e r s w ork
N ote nal ly that w e h av e h e re a n a d e qu ate recogn itio n
4
o f the ful l s ign i cance o f edica ti on a s the obj e ct o f th e
p r e ach e r s work Thi s notion o f bu il d ing i s a New Testam ent
conception and i s u s e d som e w h at va riou sly Let u s l ook at i t
i n its r e l at ion to th e wor k o f p r e ach ing i n its comp rehens iv e
s i gn i can c e f o l l o w i n g s o m e wh a t cl o s e ly t h e n atu ral an d e ty
mol ogica l suggest iveness o f th e wo rd T h e rst th ing s u g
g e ste d is an i d e al to b e real i z e d B u il d i ng p r e supposes a plan
a pattern an i deal Cul tu r e i n its h igh e st conception i s th e
bu i l di ng o f m anhoo d a f ter a patt e rn Ch r i stian cul tu re pre
s u pp o s e s a Chr i s ti a n i d e al a Ch r i st ia n p a tt ern a f t e r wh i ch
th e wo rk proc e eds W i th th is i deal th e preach e r deal s I t i s
h i s tas k to e xal t to a dvocat e an d to appl y th i s i d e al For th e
i n d iv i dual m an th i s i deal th i s patter n th i s standard i s th e pe r
fect ion o f Ch r i st
P r each ing i s th e a dvocacy an d i ts a im th e
p r o d u cti o n o f a Ch ri s t ia n m anh o o d a f t e r t h e typ e o f Ch ri s t
Fo r th e commu n i ty o f i n div idual s fo r th e chu rch fo r hum an
ity col l ect ivel y th e i d e al i s th e k i ngdom o f G od The nal
pu rpose o f the chu r c h is th e real i z atio n o f th e i deal o f a d iv i ne
s o ci e ty ; i e th e b u i l di n g t o g e th e r o f h u m a n i ty i nt o a s o ci al
organ i sm a ft e r the p atter n o f a heavenly soc i ety T he u l ti
m ate obj ect o f Ch r i stian p reach i ng there fore i s the sp i ritu al
u n i ty
compl e t e ness a n d e ffect i v en es s o f th e chu rc h o r o f th e
k ingdom o f G od w h i ch th e chu rch rep r e sents
The second factor i n th i s concept i on i s th e w i nn i ng o f th e
m ate rial to be bu i l t Th e m ater i al to b e bu i l t i s m en They
m u st be w on b e fore they can be bu il t T hey m ay b e wo n
gradually an d u ncon sci ou sly to them s e l ves B u t somehow
th ey m u s t be won They m us t b e i llum ined awaken e d
change d i n thei r m oral d i spos it ion s i n a word w on to Ch ri s t
be f or e th e y can b e starte d arigh t an d b e fore they can be de
v el op ed an d t ra i ned i nto mo ral an d sp i ri tual manhood
o r be
.

28

TH E W ORK O F T H E PREA CH ER

fore th e p roces s e s o f m oral and spi ri tu al d e v e l opm en t can go

m os t succe ss ful ly on T h e p r oc e ss o f e di ca ti on the r e fore
i n s o f a r a s i t i n v olve s th e w inn ing o f m at e r ial th e r i ght start
i ng poi n t th e righ t f ou n dation o f the sp i r itual s tructu r e
i nclu de s al l tha t i s conta i ne d i n th e t er m s conv e rs ion an d r e
gene r ation a s th e i n itial po i nt Th i s l i fting o f m anhoo d ou t o f
dom i nance to th e l owe r l i f e o f th e esh th i s m o di cation o f
t he m o r al an d sp i r i tu al m anhood w h ic h i s cal l e d t he n e w b i r th
i s th e prop e r grou n d fo r e d i ca t ion i nto th e m anh ood o f
Ch ri st W ha t has been cal l e d the p r oc e s s o f s a n ct i ca t ion i s
o nly th e p roc e s s o f conti nu e d gro w th i nto the compl etenes s
o f m oral an d sp i ri tual m anhoo d w h ich rest s upon th e fou n da
t ion o f a mo r al cha r g e P r each ing i s o f cou rs e onl y on e o f
th e ag e nc i e s th r ough wh ich th e sta r t i s m ade I t tak e s a gr e at
m any m oral ag e nc ies to ren e w m e n B ut the w ork o f th e
p re ach e r i s p r om i n e nt I t d e al s w ith al l tho s e t ruth s th os e
p r inc iple s thos e im pul ses an d i ncent ives that start characte r
a righ t
A th i rd facto r i s th e p roces s by w h i ch th e bu il d ing w o r k
go e s on from i t s s ta rti ng po int a n d by w h ic h th e i d e a l i s
u l tim atel y r e al i zed I t i s a p rocess o f devel opment i n s ym
m etrical u p re ach an d ou treach o f Ch r i st ia n c haract e r t il l th e
ful l patte r n i s r e al i zed Aga i n p re ach i ng i s o nl y on e o f th e
agenc i e s i n th e p roc e s s but i t co nt r ibutes m uch to th e develop
m ent o f s uc h heigh t an d range an d symm e t r y o f Ch ri st ia n
cha racte r a s bri ngs m anhoo d to i ts u l timat e goal I t d eal s
the r e fo re a s al ready in dicat e d w ith th e w h ol e m an m in d
con sc i ence h e a r t w ill M e n grow st r ongly b r oadl y s ym
m e trical ly only a s r e l igi on touche s th e m e n tal m o r al an d sp i r i t
u al m anhood The p r oce ss i ncl ud e s al so th e g r o w th o f th e
w hol e body o f Ch ri st i nto th e u n ity an d compl e t e ness o f o rgan
i z e d l i fe
B u t t he nal facto r i s th e i nstruments o r ag e nc i e s empl oye d
i n th e bu il ding wo rk There a re m any agenc i es bu t they in
.

'

TH E A I M O F C H R I STI A N P R EA C H I N G

29

elu de va riou s typ e s o f p reach ing E dic a t i on a s th e aim o f

p r each ing i n th e broa de r s e ns e acc e n tuat e s th e d e m and for
comp re h e n s iven e s s i n th e wor k an d s o re scues i t f rom a narrow
p r ov incial i sm an d one
s i dedness T w o i nst r um e nts esp e c ially
a r e empl o ye d i n t h e w o r k o f p rea ch in g Th e y a r e t o u se
Ph ill ips B rooks term stru th an d p e rsonal ity I n other
word s the ag e nc ies or m etho ds o f p reach ing empl oy e d are
teach i ng an d p e rsuas i on A n d th i s b rings u s bac k o nce m o r e
from anothe r po i nt o f departu re to th e two ch i e f factors i n
p re ach ing to w h ich r e f e r e nce h as al ready bee n m ad e Let u s
con s ider them a l ittl e m or e fully
Th e work o f bu il ding characte r p resuppos e s a di dacti c
foun dation Fo un dat ion s mu s t be sol i d We bu i l d charact e r
on sol i d t ru th Preach i ng p resuppos e s th e i nt e rpret ing o f
t r ut h to th e m i n d an d con sc i en ce A t the ou tset ed ica tion
i s no t othe r than educat ion T he tru th th at bu il ds u p Chr i s
t ian character m u st b e Chri stian tru th G ro w th i nto th e
l iken e s s o f Ch r i st i s the p r oduct o f p r e ach i ng Ch ri st
S uch p reach ing deal s w ith th e p e rson th e teach i ng the w or k
o f Ch ri st Ch ris t the sou rce the i nsp i rat ion th e patt e rn an d
the aim o f al l Ch r is tian l i fe T he ent i re m essage o f the G os
p e l i s summ e d up i n Ch r i st
Ch r i st only can bu il d i nto Ch r i st
l ik e n e s s Th e p er so nal ity o f Ch r ist an d h i s m es sage mu st b e
i nt er p re t e d Th e p r eacher i s f un dam ental ly a n i nte r p r e t e r an
i nt e r p r e te r o f G od o f man o f l i f e o f P rov idenc e o f h istory
i n the l ight o f r e velat i on and o f al l hum an l i f e i n the l igh t o f
r e demption B ut above al l h e i s th e i nterpreter o f J e su s
Ch r i st H e i s p rimari ly a p rophet not a p ri e st Ch ri s t s
p reach ing w a s l argely teach i ngth e i nterp retat io n o f sp i ri t
u al real it ies S o w a s apostol i c p reach i ng Pau l w a s p r e
e m in e ntly a t e ach e r o f r e l igion
Th e p r om inenc e o f th e
e lem e n t o f t r uth an d o f t e ach ing i n th e wo rk o f p r e ach i ng
acc e ntuates th e n ee d o f a n i ntel l igen t bu il d ing o f charact e r
I t is claime d that Ch r i st i a n ity i s t he onl y rel igio n that has
.

TH E

30

O F TH E

WOR K

PREA CH ER

bee n o r ca n be succes s ful ly taugh t an d that there fo re i t i s

th e only succ e s s ful cha r acte r
bu il di ng re l igi on I t app e al s t o
huma n i nt e l l igenc e M e n we r e imp re s sed w ith the words o f
w i sdom th at fel l f rom th e l ip s o f J e su s S ol i d cha r act e r m u st
have a n i ntel l ig e n t foun dation Pau l d i sc r edite d a n ove r
em otional type o f p reach i ng and gav e p re f e re nc e to th e w o r d
o f i n st r uct ion o n th e g r oun d that i t e d i es cha ract e r H i s

b i shop m us t be d i d a k t ik os apt t o t e ach

H e w h o a im s
at th e p r o d uct ion o f an i nt e l l ig e nt re l igiou s l i f e i n h i s p r each ing
w i ll app e al to the i nt e l l ig e nc e o f m e n Th i s i s th e cond it ion
I n t e l l i g e n t c o nvi ct i o n i s th e b a s i s o f
o f p e r m a n e n t s uc c e s s
sol i d cha r act e r Pe rve r s iti e s o f u nd e r stan d ing abou nd i n ou r
day M e n a re p re comm itt e d i n w r ong m e ntal j udgm e n ts a s
w e l l a s i n w r ong mo r al b ias an d al l th i s rend e rs the p r eacher s
ta sk th e harde r I t i s som e tim e s sa i d that m en k now th e t ru th
b e tt e r th an t h e y O b e y i t Th i s i s m e a su r ably t r u e B u t th e
fac t i s that th e re i s a vast am ou nt o f w r ong h e ad e dn e s s even
among Ch r i st ian p e opl e as w e l l a s w rong h e a r ted ness B u t
'
w hat so r t o f t r u th i s e d i f ying t r uth
N ot al l t ruth i s e di fy i ng
s imply becau s e i t i s t r uth No t al l p reach e r s have l e arne d
th i s The impracticabl e p r e ach e r w h o i s al ways the u ned i fy
i ng p r each e r i s th e on e w h o f ail s to adj us t h i s t r uth t o th e
cond ition o f h i s h e a re r s Th er e m u st b e a c e rtai n co rre
s p o n d e n ce bet wee n th e t r uth p re s e nt e d a n d th e state o f th e
b ea r er j u s t a s th e re mu st b e a co r re spond e nc e b e t wee n th e
m at e r ial that go e s i nto a bu i l d i ng and th e cha r act e r an d d e s ign
o f th e bu il d ing
M e n a re e d i e d wh e n th e t r uth p re s e nte d i s
tt e d t o th e i r n ee d s Th e m att e r o f a d i scou r s e m ay b e t r u e
an d i ts p re s e ntat i o n go od bu t i t m u st n d th e b ea r e r i t mu st
c om e h om e to h im o r h e i s n o t e d ied T h e h omes p ea k i n g
t r u th i s th e t r uth that me e ts a r e al n ee d
The w o r k o f e d i ca t io n p re su ppo s e s an i nu enc e u pon th e
h e a r t a n d w il l a s w e l l a s u p o n th e m i nd T e ach ing p re s u p
pos e s the powe r o f t r uth P e rsua sion p re supposes th e pow e r
,

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31

o f personal ity P r e ach i ng i nclu d e s n ot onl y th e i nstrumental

ity o f truth bu t the e ffort o f a l iv i ng m an Truth an d l i f e
T he r e i s n o ed ica t i on w i thou t pe r suas ion M e n are n e i the r
wo n nor bu il t neithe r bu il t i n no r bu il t up w ithou t sp ee ch tha t
go e s o u t o fth e i n t el l e c tu al i n t o th e e m o ti o n al a ffe ct i o nal a n d
vol itional parts o f a m an T hat i s not p r each ing th at e nds i n

an appeal to the m i n d only

We persuade m e n p e r su ade a s
w el l a s teach T he bu il d ing i s o f hum an cha r acter G row th
p resuppose s l i fe I t p resuppos e s th e impell i ng e n e rgy o f a
sou l m ov e d to its depths i f i t w il l m ov e other soul s H e re
too the p ri nc iple o f co r r espon d e nce is n ec e ssary Th e re mu st
be a certa i n comm on g r ou n d betw een th e speaker an d th e
hearer a s wel l as harmony betw e en th e qu al i ty o f truth an d th e
n e e ds o f th e h e a re r We a r e not e d ied by w hat i s st range
an d for e ign A so rt o f Ch ri stian m i n d m u st b e c r e ated b e
f ore ed i ca t ion i s poss ibl e M e n m u st become m e asu r abl y
fam il i ar w ith the truth s an d fact s o f Ch r i st ian ity b e fore they
do thei r best work Th e home t ru th s are not the st r ange an d
u n fam il ia r truth s Th e ol d truth s i n t e l l igently an d f re shly
i nterpr e te d e di f y A n d th e ol d truth s com e hom e to u s i n the
l angu ag e o f comm on l i f e l anguage that i s fam il ia r i n its
imagery an d i ts t er m i nol ogy M en a re not e died by a strange
an d to th e m ba r ba r ou s sp ee ch
To p r o duc e a state
o f m i n d i n th e h e a r e r co r r e spond ing to th e p re ach e r s
s tate o f m i n d th e f o r ce s o f h i s p e rsonal i ty mu st n d
a language i nstrumen t t to t r an slate an d to t ransm i t
th e se force s an d s o to i mpa rt them s e lv e s that they w il l a w ak e n
what i s correspon den t i n th e soul o f th e h e are r I t i s th i s
e lement o f p e r suas ion that m ark s the d ist inct ion b e t w e e n
t e ach ing an d p r each ing Teach i ng i s a facto r i n p r e ach ing
bu t i t i s not th e only on e We t e ac h that m en m ay know We
p re ach that th e y b e and do I n t e ach i ng th e e th ical f act o r
i s i nd i r ect and r e m ote I n p reach ing i t i s d i re ct an d imme
d iate T he sermo n i s not fo r itsel f not fo r i ts theology not
.

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32

fo r th e in tell igence an d cul tu re o f i ts h e a re r s bu t fo r th e p r o

duct ion o f cha racte r an d the r e gul atio n o f conduct Th e b e s t
d i dactic p re ach ing th e r e fo re w h ich a im s a t e d i ca ti on w il l b e
p e rsuas ive Ju st h e re i s the u n iqu e po w er o f the pul pi t T he
p r es s can teach B ut i t i s onl y the l iv i ng m an th at can p reach
When teach ing i s v ital i z ed by th e po we r o f a n earnes t sympa
th e ti c hum an soul i t becom e s p e rsuas iv e an d m ay be w e l l
n igh i rr e s i stibl e I t i s th e t r uth that i s bo rne along th e cu r
re nts o f human f ee l i ng that subdu e s th e soul s o f m e n I t mu st
b e pr e sente d w ith a tone o f cheer ful nes s an d hop e ful nes s
Th e g r eat hopes o f th e G o sp e l ral ly th e p r e ach er to a conta
gio n s e nthu siasm I ts l o f ty to n e o f authori ty summ on s h im
al so to a ton e o f m o r al c e rti tu de a ns w e r ing to i t P re ach i ng i s
not p e r suas iv e i n p r opo r t i on a s i t lac k s m oral conv i ct i on an d
pu r pos e I t app e al s w i th a ssu r anc e to th e hum a n con sc ienc e
an d h e a r t an d w ill T he pers uas ive p reache r i s a m odest an d
de v ou t m an bu t h e does not potte r w i th u ncerta int i es n o r
give away h i s case H e speak s w ith th e au th or i ty o f pos it i ve
con v icti on Ch r i st ian i ty can no t b e p e rsu as iv e l y p r es e nt e d i f
the p re ach e r al l ows h im s e l f o r h i s m e ssag e to be pat r on i z ed by
th e h igh a nd m ighty democra t i c an d agno st i c twenti eth ce n tury
,

TH E WO RK O F T H E PREA CH ER

34

n e c e s sa ry to b e a gre at p r e ach e r i n o rd er t o b e a preach e r

a t al l Th e w o rk o f th e ch u rch i s do n e a n d w el l do n e b y
o rd i n a r y m en I t i s o nly th e e l e ct few th a t p o ss e s s m a ny
a n d g r eat gift s fo r p r e a ch i n g a nd i n w e l l b al an c e d c omb in a
t i o n Th e l arge r numb e r h av e but fe w a n d m ea gre gi f t s
a n d y e t th e y a r e n o t w i th ou t s uc c e s s i n t e ach i n g an d p er s u a d
i n g m e n O u r ta s k a t p r e s en t i s th e c o n s id er a ti o n o f s o m e o f
th o s e q ual iti e s th a t a r e h i gh ly im p o r ta nt fo r a ny pr ea ch e r
a nd th at m ay b e c ul t ivat e d
n ot

C L A S S I F I CAT I O N O F G I FT S

M e n ta l gi f t s Th e p r e ach e r a s we h ave s e en i s a n
i nt e r p r e t e r I t i s h i s ta s k t o m ak e i nt el l i gibl e a n d t o v i nd i
ca t e th e r a t i o nal ity a nd mo r al val u e o f wh at h e p r o cl a im s to
b e th e t r uth Th e i nte r p re t e r m u s t su cc eed i n i n t e r pr e ti n g
H e m u s t h a v e th e r e qu i s i t e m e ntal gi f t s fo r h i s t a sk M a ny
a n d va r i ed i n t e ll e ctua l g i f t s a r e d e s i r abl e i n a p r e ach e r B u t
th e r e i s a ce r t ai n g r ou p o f q u al i ti e s th a t i s o f p r e em i n e n t
i m po r ta n c e Tha t th e p re a ch e r sh o u l d b e a di al ec tic ia n a s
w e l l a s a r h e t o r i ci a n wa s Lu th e r s est i ma t e o f h i s r e q u i s i t e
i nt e l l e c tu al e q ui pm e n t Lu th e r m e a n t th a t h e s h o ul d c o m
b i n e p o w e r t o th i n k d i sc r im in ati n gly c o n n e ct e dly an d f u nd a
m e ntal ly w i th p o w e r t o e x p r e s s h i s th o u gh t i n e ffe c tiv e p O p u
l a r sp e e ch A s a r a t i o nal th in k e r h e mu s t S p e ak c o nvi n e
i n g ly t o th e m i n d an d a s a n e f
fe c t iv e o r at o r h e m u s t spea k
p e r su a siv e l y t o th e e m o t i o n s a n d w il l M e n tal d i s c r im in a
ti on m e nt al c o h e r e nc e an d m e n tal r a n g e S h oul d b e c o mbi n ed
w it h vi vi d im a gi nat i o n fer vi d e m o t i o n a n d p r act ic al ta c t
Th i s a n s we r s t o th e t w o ch i e f d e m an ds o f th e a u d i e nc e th a t
th e p r e ach e r d o j u st ic e t o th e su b j e c t a n d to th e o b j e c t o f th e
d i scu s si o n Th e d i al e c tic ian w il l d o j u st ic e t o h i s subj ect
Th e rh et o r i c ia n wi ll d o j u s ti c e t o h i s O bj e c t Th e o n e w i l l
c o nvi n c e by a th o r ou gh g r a sp a n d h an d l i n g o f h i s th em e th e
o th e r w i l l p e r sua de by a c ompl e t e i d e n t i ca ti o n o f h im s el f
1

TH E

G I FT S

O F TH E

PREA CHE R

35

wi th h i s a udi e n c e and by a n e ffe ct iv e s tyl e o f a dd re s s W e

are d e al in g n o w w i th th o s e m ent al gi f t s th a t a r e r e qu i s i t e fo r
th e p res e n tat i o n o f th e subj e ct O f co urs e w e n e e d n o t i n si s t
upo n u s in g Lu th e r s t e rm di al e ct ic ia n n o r u nd e r t ak e t o v i n
d i c a t e t h e cla i m th at i t sh o ul d st an d fo r al l th a t Lu th e r w oul d
h av e pu t i nt o i t The s ch o l as ti c di al e c ti ci a n d o e s n o t get a
h e a ri n g i n o u r day B u t l e t u s pu t o u r o wn m e an in g i nt o
th e term D i al e c ti c gi f t s m a y s t an d f o r m e n t al d i s c r i m in a
ti o n m e n tal c oh e r e n c e a n d m e ntal r an ge fo r th e r e qu i s it e
sh a r pn e s s o f m i n d t o di s ti n gu i sh th e el em e n t s o f th ou gh t i n
a s ubj ec t fo r th e r e qu i s it e l o gi c al p ow e r t o re l at e t h e th ou gh t
o f th e subj e ct an d f
o r th e r e qu i s i t e p ow e r t o g r a sp th e p r i n
I t i s c er ta i nly d e sirabl e
ci p l e s o f th e subj e c t f un dam e nt all y
th a t th e p r ea ch e r h av e t h es e m e nt al qua l it i e s a n d th a t h e
c ul tivat e th em a s s i du ou sly
L e t u s c o n si de r t h e m fo r a
mom e nt
M e ntal d i sc r im i nation
Th e p re ach e r has to
m ake h im s e lf i nt e l l i gibl e t o th e av e ra ge au di e n c e Wh at e v er
th e r ef o r e th e qu al ity o f h i s th o u gh t i t m u s t b e cl e a r an d d i s
c r im in at in g I t m ay b e s ubt l e o r i t m ay b e obvi o u s an d n e a r
a t h an d i t m ay b e in ge n i ou s o r i t m ay b e c om m o npl ace i t
m ay b e su ggest iv e o r i t m ay b e e xh au s tive i t m ay b e p e ne
t r a t i n g o r i t m ay b e d i s cu r s iv e i t m ay b e i n tu it iv e o r i t m ay
b e a r gu m e n tat ive i t m ay b e i magi n a tiv e o r i t m ay b e ph il o
S oph i cal wh at e v e r th e qu al ity o f th e th o u gh t i t sh o ul d h av e
t h e el e m e n t o f cl a r i ty i n an emi n e n t de g r e e
N o m a n ca n
v i n d i cat e h i s vo c ati o n t o i nt e r pre t Ch r i s tia n t ru th t o h um a n
i n t e l l i ge n c e i f h e can n o t m ak e h im sel f i n t e l l i gibl e
Th e
p r o ph e t mu s t s uc c ee d i n gett i n g h i s m es s ag e o u t wi th o u t
o b f us cat in g h i s h ea r e r s H e m u s t sp e ak s t r ai gh t H i s f un c
t i o n a s m e s s e n ge r a n d th e ch a r acte r o f h i s m e s s ag e dem an d
it
A f o ggy p r e ach e r i s n o t a preach e r
W ha t a m a n i s
summ o n e d t o m a k e cl e a r sh o ul d n o t b e m u d d l e d
Th e
t r uth s o f r e l igi o n ar e i mp o rt an t a n d th ey a r e n o t e asy t o
h an d l e Th e pre a ch e r owe s i t t o h i s a u d i e n c e t o h i s subj e c t
.

36

TH E W ORK O F T H E P REA CH E R

h i s v o cat i o n a n d t o h im s el f th a t h e t r a i n h i m s el f i n h ab i t s
of cl ea r
di s c r im i n at i n g th i nk i n g t o t h e u t m o st o f h i s p o we r
Wi th o u t s uch th i nk in g n o au d i e n c e c a n b e p e r m an e n tl y an d
i n th e h igh e s t d e g r e e p r o t e d Esp e ci ally i f a p r e ach e r h a s
a nyth in g th a t h e r e ga r d s a s n e w t o p r e s e n t a n d w h i ch h i s
h e a r ers sh o ul d c l e a r ly u n d er s tan d i s h e b e h o l d e n t o th e m t o
cl ea r i t u p o r l e t s o m e o n e el s e u n d e r tak e i t o r w ai t u n t il h e
i s ab l e a t l e a st t o S p e a k i nt e l l i g e n tl y I t i s u n f o r tu n at e th a t

m uch o f wh a t cal l s i t s el f n e w t h e ol o gy i s u n i n t e l l i gi bl e
ev e n t o th o s e w h o a r e n o t i n h o sp i tabl e t o i t I f th i s q ual i ty
o f u n in t ell i gi bl en e s s we r e i n h e r e n t i n th e th e o l o gy i t sel f i t
w o u l d d i s c r e d i t i t B u t i f i t i s i n i t s a dv o ca cy i t d i sc r e di ts
th e p r e ach e r
A ny n e w th e o l o gi c al m o v e men t i n th e
c h u r c h e s i s a s um m o n s t o th e p re a ch e r t o e x cept i o nally cl e a r
t h i n k i n g a n d cl e a r s p e ak in g Th e m embe r s o f o u r ch u rch e s

h av e a ri gh t t o k n o w wh a t a p r each e r i s d rivi n g at
We
d o n o t t h i n k o fJo h n Ca lvi n a s a g r e a t pr e a ch e r
H e wa s n o t
a n o r a t o r N o r w a s h e a r h e t o r i ci an H e m e t o nly a s i ngl e
a s p e c t o f Luth e r s c on c ept i o n o f a p r e ach e r B u t h e m e t
tha t wi th c o n spi cu o u s su cc e s s I t w a s n o t m e r e l y th a t h e
w a s a m a st e r o f dia l et ic H e wa s m a st e r o f wh at i t s ta nd s
fo r
I n a wo n de rf u l m e asu r e h e h ad t h e gi f t o f m e nta l pe r
s p i ca c i ty
I t wa s a s ub st i tut e fo r th e g i f t s o f t h e r h e t o r i ci a n
a n d o r a t o r H i s p re ach i n g w a s a n o tabl e t r i um ph o f th e
Ch r i st i a n u n d e r st a n d in g Th e r e i s o f c ou r s e m o re t h a n o n e
w a y o f real izi n g th e h o m i l e ti c vi r tu e o f i nt e l l ec tu al p e r s p i
P re ach er s w h o u nl ik e Calv i n p re sent th e t r uth
ca c i ty
sugg e sti v e l y o r i llu st r ativ e ly r ath e r tha n analyt ical ly or
d ial e ct ical ly may be c l e a r p re ach e r s I t i s n ot th e cl e a rn e ss o f
s ci e n ti c e xa ctn e s s o r d e n it e n e s s but o f r h et o r i c al l um i
Th e m o s t e ffe ct i v e m o d e r n p r e a ch e r s a r e o f th i s
n o u s n es s
typ e B u t h ow e v e r i t m ay b e r e al iz e d p e r spi cu ity i s th e
d e m an d
Wi th m e nt a l d i sc r i m i nat i o n i s a s s o c iat e d th e po w e r t o
to

G I FT S

TH E

O F TH E

PREA CH ER

37

h o l d th ou gh t i n i ts l o gi c al r e l at i on s A n a dd r es s d e
m an ds c o n n a t e d a n d c o h e re n t th o u gh t A n e s s ay m ay b e
f ra gm e n ta r y an d r em o te i n i t s r e l at i o n s o f th o u gh t
An
add r e s s m u st h av e a m a n i fe s t u n ity To di s cu s s a s ubj e ct i n
a p ubl i c a d d re s s i s t o u n f ol d i t i n i t s l o gi cal rela ti o n s I t i s
t o d i s c ov e r t h e d i ffere n t c e n t r e s o r g r o up s o f th o u gh t th a t
l i e h idd e n b e n e ath t h e s ubj e c t a n d t o b r i n g th em o u t t o vi ew
Th i s dem a nd s th e t r ai n i n g o f th e c o n s e c u tiv e th in k er A
w r i t e r o f pulp i t e s s ays i s n o t th e b e s t typ e o f p r e a ch e r N o
o n e c a n su cc es s f ul ly i nt e r pr e t Ch r i st i a n t r ut h w h o f ai l s t o
p r e s e n t i t i n i t s i n n e r c o n n e ct i o n s o f th o u gh t i n th e f o rm o f
a c o n n e ct e d a d d r es s Wi t h a l l th i s i s s t il l f u r th e r c o nn e ct e d
th e p ow e r t o g r ip a subj e ct f un dam e nt ally t o grasp i t s es s e n
t i al p r i n c ipl e s t o t ra c e i t i n it s wi d e r a n gin g an d f u ndam e ntal
r el a ti o n s Th e b e s t typ e o f in t e r p re ta t i o n c o n s i st s i n g r a sp
i n g th e c en t r a l pri nc ipl e o f a t r u th a n d i n S h owi n g h ow i t
ran ge s i n va r i ou s r e alm s o f e xp eri e n c e Th e b e s t p r ea ch er s
o fo u r day d e al th u s w ith t h e f u n dam en tal p ri n cipl e s o f Ch r i s
t ia n t r uth an d t ak e th em o u t fo r il l u st r ati o n i n t o va ri o u s
sph e r es o f h um a n l i fe Th i s c ap aci ty o f m ent a l i n si gh t o f
m e nt al c o h e r e n c e a n d o f m en tal g r a sp an d ran ge m a y b e
cu lt iva t e d H e wh o w o ul d vi ndi cat e h i s v o cat i o n a s a n i nt e r
p r e t e r wil l n o t f a i l t o d o i t
2
Em o t io n al gi f t s Sympa th y i s th e f u ndam e n tal emo
t i o n a l qu al i ty th a t i s requi s i t e
Th e t ru e p r e a ch e r i s p r eemi
n entl
Th e gi f t o f symp ath y i s th e
y a m a n o f f el l ow f e e l in g
capaci ty o f s el f i d en t i ca t i o n w i th obj ec t s ext e rn a l t o o u r
s e lv e s Tu rn ed Go dwa rd i t b e c o m e s th e p r O p h et i c g i f t I t
i s by th e p owe r o f sympat hy th a t t h e p rop h e t b e co m e s c o n
s c i o u s l y i den t i e d wi t h Go d
I t i s m o r e th a n m e n tal s el f
i d e nti c at i on I t i s th rou gh th e c o n s ci o u s n e s s o f m o r al an d
e m o t i o n al a s wel l a s m e nta l all i an c e wi th Go d th a t t h e
p r oph e t app rop r iat e s a n d b e c o m e s i de nt i ed wi th h i s m e s
s a ge It i s th i s c o n s ci o u s n e s s tha t i s i nvo lv e d i n th e e s tat e
.

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38

T H E W O RK O F T H E PREA CH E R

i n sp i r a t i o n A ny m a n w h o i s i n te l li g e ntl y c o n
sc i o u s O f f el l o w s h ip w i th Go d w h o r e c o gn iz e s th e t r ut h h e
p r e ach e s a s h avi n g i t s s o u rc e i n G o d an d wh o i s th o r o u gh ly
c o m m i tt e d t o i t a s h i s m e s sa g e S p e a k s fo r Go d an d su ch a
m a n k n ows s o m e th i n g o f t h e p r O p h et i c S pi r i t S u c h a m a n
w i l l n o t f ai l t o sp ea k w it h p owe r Th e r e w il l b e th e r in g o f
r e al ity i n h i s u t t e ranc e Th e m o r e s t r o n gly th e t r u th r e
d emp t iv e t ru th a s r e l at e d t o p e rs o n al b e i ng s g e t s h o l d o f a
m an th e m o r e m a st e rf ul h e w i l l b e To r e c o gn i z e th e t r uth
a s G o d s s o m e th i n g h el d i n t ru s t t o b e c o m m u n ic a t e d t o
o n e s f e ll owm en to k no w that on e e nt e rs i nto sym path e t ic
al l ia n c e w i th G o d s g r e a t pu r p o s e s th a t o n e th i n k s Go d s
th ou gh t s o f m e rcy a f t e r H im a n d th at i n u t te r i n g t h em h e
g iv e s G o d s m e s s a g e th i s i s a c o n d it i o n o f m o r al p owe r i n
th e p r ea ch e r s w o r k Ch r i st i a n o r at o r y o f t h e h i gh e s t s o r t
h a s a b as i s n o t u nl ik e t h at o f d r a m at i c a r t Th e p o we r o f
th e d r am at i c a ct o r i s i n t h e f a ct th a t h e i s fo r th e t im e
i de nt i e d wi th th e ch a ra c t e r h e imp e r s o n at e s
I n ef
fe et h e i s th a t ch a r ac t e r H e w h o r each e s h i s fe l l o w
m e n m u s t l e ave th e im p r e s s i o n th a t h e i s c om pl e t e l y
i d e n ti e d w i th wh at h e cl a im s t o r ep r e s e n t H i s s p e e c h
shou l d have an e a r n e stn e ss a n d r e al ity corr e spon den t to
th e w e i gh t a n d i m p o r tan c e o f w h a t h e s ays Th e m a n wh o
sp e ak s i n th e e nthu s iasm o f a g re at i n sp i r ation m ay m ak e m i s
takes The sp i r it o f t h e p r oph e t i s not al w ays subj e ct to
th e p ro ph et
B u t i t i s f a r b e tt e r t o m ak e m i s ta k e s th a n
i n on e s u n sym pathy to l e av e th e imp r essi on o f m o r a l
u n r e al ity
B u t n ot u nt i l sympa thy i s tu r n e d m a nwa r d d o e s i t r eal i z e
th e ful l m e a su r e o f i t s p ow e r I t b e c o m e s p r e em i n e n tly a n
Th e p r e ach e r m ov e s m e n b y ent e r i n g
o rat o r i ca l r e qu i s it e
i n t o th ei r n e e d s w it h a n i nt e l l i g e n t sym pa thy H e h a s th e
c ap a ci ty t o b e w r o u gh t u po n o n th e o n e s i d e by t h e t r u th
p re s e nt e d a n d o n th e o th e r S i de by th e h u m an b ei n g s t o
o f p rO ph e t i c

T H E G I FT S O F T H E PREA CH ER

39

wh om i t i s p re s en t ed Th e m o r e a m an l ov e s h i s fel l owm e n
th e m o r e h e ca n b e m o ve d b y th e m a n d oth e r r e qu i s i t e s
give n th e m o r e h e c a n m ov e t h e m Tru e o r at o r i c al fe el i n g
i s r ep ro du ct iv e W e m ov e m en by S h a r i n g t h e s tat e o f m in d
th at w e w is h to p r o duc e i n t h e m
Th e t r u e p r e a ch in g
i mpul s e i s th e imp ul s e o f a l ov in g m i n d Th e spec i a l plead er
th e arr o gan t d o gm ati s t th e m a n wh o l o v e s h im s e l f o r wh o
l ov e s h i s O p i ni o n s m o r e th a n h e l ov e s h i s f e l lo wm e n can n o t
b e a tru e p r e a ch e r H e m ay b e a s ta l w a r t p ulp i t e er bu t h e
l ack s th e symp a th i e s o f a p re ach e r
I d o n o t s a y th a t a
p r e ach e r m u s t b e a m an o f qui c k a n d er y e m ot i o n S o m e
o f th e g r e a t p re a ch e r s o f t h e ch u r c h h av e i n de e d b e e n su ch
B u t symp ath y h a s m any w ays o f e xp r e s s in g i ts e l f I n s o m e
way h ow e ver i t m u s t ma k e i ts el f fe l t o r n o m a n c a n m ov e
h i s fe l l owm e n
I t i s n ot en ou gh t o h av e i t o n e m u s t im pa rt
i t Sym pa thy i s t h e s o u r c e o f h o m i l e t i c t act Tac t i s su s
anoth er s touch th e s e nse o f touch t h e nc e
cep t ib i l i ty to
capac ity to touch oth e r s that i s capac i ty o r f ac il i ty o f s el f
adj u s t m e n t o r s el f a dap tat i o n o f s u ch s o rt a s e nabl e s
o n e to
t o u ch o th e rs Th e b as i s o f th i s su sc ep tib il i ty i s
sympathy H e wh o i s s u s c ep t ibl e t o i mp r es s i o n s fr o m
o th e r s b e c au s e h e l ov e s the m i s t h e o n e w h o w i th s k i l l wil l
a dj u s t h im s e l f t o th e m Th e m o s t e a r n es t a n d d e v o te d an d
e ffect iv e p r ea ch e r s t e l l u s t h at the y ca n n o t g r i p th e s oul s o f
t h e i r h e a r e r s wi th o u t a f e e l i n g o f symp athy th at i s a g re at
c o mpass i onat e y e a r n ing o f hea r t fo r th e m Tha t Paul was

a bl e t o b e co me a ll th in gs t o a l l m e n i s a di s cl o su r e o f h i s
h o m i l e ti c tact wh o s e s o u r c e wa s symp a th y H e i d e n ti e d
h i m s e l f wi th m e n a n d adj u st e d h im s e l f t o t h e m th at h e m i gh t
wi n th e m Th i s i s n o t a m at t e r o f m e n t al s k il l m er e ly o f
i n t el l e ctu a l n imbl e n e s s
I t i s a m a tte r o f fe ll o w fe e l i n g
Th e h o m il et i c i mpul s e i s a c omb i n at i o n o f th e di dac ti c an d
th e symp ath e t i c i mpul se
To th e i nt e l l e c tu al impul s e t o
imp art t o o th e r s th e t ru th t h at h a s b e c o m e a co n s ci o u s p e r
.

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T H E WOR K OF T H E PREA CH ER

40

s o nal t r e a su r e i n o rd e r tha t th e y m a y sh a r e t h e t r e a su r e i s
a d d ed th e im pul s e o fsym pa th e t i c fe e l i n g th a t d e s i re s S pi r itu al
fe l l o w s h ip T r a i n e d Ch r i st ia n fe e l i n g i s f a r m o r e im p o r t an t
i n th e w o r k o f t h e p r e ach e r th an m ay a t r s t app e a r \V i th
t h e sym path e ti c s pi r i t i s n at u r al ly a s s o ci at e d th e o pt im i st i c
sp i r i t Lov e i s O pt im i s ti c A l o v i n g e st imat e O f m e n i n
v o lv e s th e n e c e s s ity o fi d e al i z in g th e m Ch r i s t ia n O pt im i sm i s
p re ci s e ly th e l o ve th a t b e l i e v e t h al l th i ngs an d h op e th al l

things
A n d th i s i s th e b a s i s o f a c h e e rf ul spi r it
Ch e e r
f u l n e s s i s n o t w h o l ly a m at t er o f t e m p e r am e nt I t m ay b e
c ul t i v at ed a n d i t n e e d s c u l t u r e
M e n n e e d th e upl i f t in g
p o w e r o f ch e e r f u l h o p ef ul p r e a ch in g
Th e r e i s n o th in g
b e tt e r t o s ay o f any m a n th a n th a t h e i s a n u pl i f t i n g h e l p f ul
p re ach e r A n d th is may b e sa i d o f th e b e st p re ach er s o f ou r
da y Th e y a r e m e n w h o n o t o nl y b r i n g t o th e i r t a sk s a
h o p eful an d c h e e r f u l G o s p e l bu t w h o b r i n g h op e f u l a n d
c h e e rf ul s o u l s A p r e a ch e r w h o in d ul g e s i n l o w an d d e
p re s s i n g v i ew s o i h uma n natu r e o r O f hum a n l i fe a n d w h o
b r i n gs a ny t o uch o f th e p e s s im i s ti c S pi r i t in t o th e p u lpi t i s
f o red o o m ed t o f a il u re
O f c o u r s e th a t l i gh t h e a d e d an d
l i gh t h e a r t e d O pt im i s m th at i gn o r e s th e s i n an d m i s e r y o f
l i fe h a s n o pl ac e i n th e Ch r i st i a n pul pi t P r e ac h in g th a t
t r ea t s l i gh tly t h e s o l e m n re al it i e s o f l i fe w il l b e u n fr u i t f u l
B ut re d e m pti o n i s th e st o c k o f th e p r e ach e r s m e s sa g e an d
h e w h o d o e s n o t k n o w i t i n al l i t s g r a n d e u r a n d w h o i s n o t
l i f t e d by i t i nt o a g re a t h e i gh t o f n obl e Ch r i st ia n fee l in g i s
not t h e m a n t h e w o rl d i s l o ok i n g f
or
\V it h ch e erf ul n e s s a n d
h o p ef u l n e s s i s all i e d c o u r a g e st r o n g h e a r t e d n e s s H e w h o
i s p r o f o u n d ly sym path e ti c w i th a n d h o p ef u l fo r h i s fe ll o w m e n
w i l l h o l d t e n aci o u sly t o th e t as k s O f h is b en e c e n c e
Th e
r e a l p re ach e r h a s al w ay s b e e n b o l d t o S p e a k w h a t w a s gi ve n
h i m t o S p e a k In h i s l o v e o f m e n a n d o f t h e t r ut h b e p r o
cl aim s h e h a s al w a y s b e e n a b l e t o f o r g e t h i ms e l f Th e t r i m
m e r th e man w h o i s al w ay s on th e l o okou t fo r pe r sonal
,

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TH E

42

WORK

O F TH E

PREA CH ER

d i sc r im i n at e b e t wee n natu r e an d g r ac e o r t o di ffe r e n tiat e

th e m H e r e a s ev er y w h e r e th e r e l i gi o u s p o i n t o fvi e w t ak e s
p r e c e d e n c e a n d th e gi f t s o f na tu r e a re ma ni fe st i n th e h i gh e r
l i gh t o f t h e i r c o n s e c r at i o n Th i s i s a f a c t w o r t hy o f m o s t
s e r i o u s c o n s i d e r a t i o n a s r e la t ed t o th e c ul tu r e o f p re a ch in g
p o we r I t i s i mpo s s ibl e t o x a l im i t t o th e p o w e r o f g r a c e
i n it s d e v e l opm e n t o f th e gi f t s o f n atu r e To d iv o r c e th e
gi f ts o f n atu r e fr o m th e gi f t s o f g r a c e w o ul d im po v er i s h th e
pul pi t
Rh e t o r ic al gi f t s A f u l l d i s cu s si o n o f r h e t o r ica l cu l
4
tu re w o ul d i n clu d e th e c o n s i d e r a ti o n o f al l th o s e m e n t al gi f t s
gi f t s o f i m a gi n ati o n fe e l in g a ffe c ti o n w i ll a n d o f al l
th o s e m o r al a n d S p i r i tu al q u al it i e s w h o s e cul tu r e l i e s b e h i n d
a l l m o s t e ffe c t i v e p u l pi t utt e r an c e Th e s e gi f t s a r e a l l n e c e s
s a r y t o th e i n t e r p re tat i o n o f r e l i gi o u s th o u gh t a n d t o it s
p e r sua s iv e p r e s e n tat i o n Th e y a r e al l s i gn ic a n t fo r d i ffe r
e n t typ e s o f p re ach i n g a n d fo r d i ffe r e n t q ual i ti e s o f l it e r a r y
s tyl e Th e t re at i s e i s y e t t o b e wr i tt e n th a t sh al l d o f ul l j u s
Tu t i t i s th e p r e s e n t ta s k S im ply t o
t i c e t o th i s su b j e c t
d i re c t att e nt i o n t o a fe w i mp o r ta nt r h e t o r ic al vi r tu e s w h ic h
a ny p r e ach e r sh o u l d po s s e s s a n d cul tivat e
A n d r s t I s ugg e s t th e ab il i ty t o t ran smu t e th e m a t er i al o f
t h ou gh t w h a t e v e r i t s q ual ity o r s o u r c e i nt o s e r m o n pabu
l u m I m e an i n a w o r d c apacity fo r m o r a l a n d r e l igi o u s
i d e a s capac i ty t o tu r n o n e s m e n ta l r e s o u r c e s t o w a r d h om i
l cti c a im s I c al l i t a r h e t o r ic al gi f t fo r th e f o r m O f o n e s
t h o ugh t l i e s bac k o f th e f o r m o f it s e x p r e s s i o n Th e p re a ch
i n g gi f t i s la r g e ly a gi f t fo r c o in i n g th o ugh t i n t h e m i nt O f
t h e m o r a l a n d r e l i gi o u s n a tu re A l l g r e a t p re ach er s h a v e
sh o w n th i s f ac i l ity fo r t u r n in g th o u gh t i nt o m o r al an d r e l i g
i o u s u s e s tt e d t o th e p r ac t i cal n ee d s o f m e n I t i s m e nt al
p r o d u ct iv e n e s s a s s t im ul at ed b y m o r al a n d r e l i gi o u s im pul s e
a n d h e l d w i th i n the m o r a l a n d r e l i gi o u s d o m ai n I t i s i n t e lli
g e n c e vi ta l iz e d by e th ic al a nd s pi r i tual e n e r gy I t i s a f o r m
.

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TH E G I FT S O F T H E PREACH ER

43

th e s o cal l e d h om il e ti c m i nd I t i s m o r e th a n th e t e a ch
in g impul s e I t i s t h e i mpu l s e to tu r n th e t r u th t o p r a ct ic al
adva ntag e Th e r e a r e m i nd s th a t w o r k p r o du ct iv e ly an d
cl ea r ly B u t th e y l ac k th e p r e ach e r s t a ct an d f ac i l ity t o
devel o p an d apply th e trut h t o e th i cal a nd re l i gi ou s i nt e r e s ts
Th e r ea l p r e ach e r i s th e m a n w h o h ab itu at e s h i m s e l f t o th e
turn in g o f al l t r uth i nt o p r each abl e f o r m s a n d wh o a c quir e s
facil ity i n i t
Ab il i ty t o tra n slat e ab s trac t t h ou gh t i n to c o nc r e t e fo r m s i s
anoth er r heto r ical r e qu is it e form s a dapt e d to th e habi t an d
cap a cit i e s o f t h e av e ra g e m i nd an d th u s t t e d fo r e ffe c tiv e
u se A p r each e r S h ou l d k no w th e ol ogy fo r th e o l o gy i s th e
m en tal f o r m o f r e l i gi o n a n d i s o r sh o u l d b e i n s om e l a r g e
m ea s u re th e p r e a ch e r s s ubj e c t m a tte r B ut th e o l o gi z i n g i s
n ot p r e a ch i n g Th e t h i n k e r m u s t b e a s p e ak e r I t i s n o t
easy t o t h i n k abs t r a ct ly a n d t o s p e a k c o n cr e t e ly
It is a
d i f cul t ta s k t o f o r m th e h abi t o f th in k i n g s ci en ti cal ly a nd
at th e s am e t im e t o f o r m th e h ab i t o f turn in g o n e s th i nk in g
i nt o a p opul ar rh et o r i cal f orm
B u t p r e c i s ely th i s i s th e
p re a ch e r s probl e m a n d h e wh o c an n o t ma s t er i t w il l n o t b e
a pre a ch er
Fac il ity o f sp e ec h i s a n oth e r rh e t o ri c al gi f t ab il i ty t o u s e
l a n gua g e fre e ly a s wel l a s cl e a r ly c o rr e ctly an d f o r cibl y
Th e r e i s do ubtl e s s a g r e a t d i ffe r e n ce i n p r e a ch e r s i n th i s r e
ga rd So m e h av e a n ativ e gi f t fo r sp e e ch an d e as i ly t r a i n
th e m s e lv e s i nt o f aci l i ty i n it s u s e O th e rs al th o u gh n ot
w i th ou t a sl umb e r i n g capa ci ty fo r i t s e e m t o atta i n t o i t a s
by th e h ard e st Wh a t i s s ai d o f Can o n M o zl ey l e ad s u s t o
i n f e r th a t h e b el on g e d t o t h e l atter cl as s H e w a s n o t a
gi f te d p r e ach er i n th e s e n s e th at h e h a d n o t th e gi f ts th a t
c on di ti o n p o pula r i mpr e s s i o n al th o ugh h e wa s th e w r it e r o f
H e w a s s l ow i n o v e r c o m
p ro f o un d ly imp r e s s iv e se rm o n s
i n g t h e b a r ri e r s th at s e e m e d t o h i nd e r fr e ed o m o f ut t er a nc e
B u t h e i s a n i n spi r at i o n t o a ny p re a ch er w h o kn ows h im s e l f
of

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\V O RK

O F T H E PREACH ER

a s sl o w o f S p ee ch a n d i s w i ll i n g t o d o h a r d w o r k F o r h e
a tt a i ned n o t o n ly t o g r e a t p r o duc t iv e n e s s o f th o ugh t bu t t o
n o ta bl e f ac i l i ty o fe xp r e s si o n al th o u gh i t w a s n o t o f th e p o p
u la r typ e O n th e o th e r ha n d th e r e a re th o s e w h o m w e cal l

n at u r al p re ac h e r s
l\l r Spu r g e o n w a s o n e
M any o f
t h e S c o t ch W e l sh a n d F re nc h p re ach e r s a re s uch
Th ey
h av e cle a r n e s s o fth o u gh t ea r nest n e s s o fpu r p o s e a n i m pul s e
t o i n t e r p r e t th e t r uth t o th e m i n d an d apply i t t o m o r al u s e s

an d f ac il i ty o f e xp r e s s i o n Th i s i s th e ou t t o f th e n a tu r al

pr e a ch e r
O n e w h o i s th o r o u gh ly d e c i e n t in th es e gi f t s
w i l l n o t m ak e a su c ce s s f ul p re ach e r Th i s i s e spec i ally t r u e
o f o n e w h o ha s n o h an d l i ng o f h i s m o th e r t on gu e an d can n o t
exp r e s s h i s th o u gh ts w i th e a s e an d f ac il i ty
.

11

Tw o

C U L TU R E O F G I FT S

p r act ic al s ugg e st i o n s a r e my

n ly c o nt r ibut i o n

to

th i s

t op ic :
I t w e r e w e l l fo r e ve r y p re a ch e r t o cul t iva t e a s s idu o u sl y
h i s o w n m o s t d i st i nc t i ve an d i n d i v i d ual qua li t i e s E v e r y r e a l
p r e ach e r h a s h i s o w n s t r o n g p o in t s w h i ch n atu r e a n d g r ac e
a l i k e invit e h i m t o t r a i n I n o n e cl a s s o f p r e a ch e r s t h e i n
Th e i r i nt e l l e ctua l m o ve
t ell e c t u a l ac t ivit i e s a r e p r om i n e n t
m e nt s a re n imbl e p e n e t r at i v e i nt ui ti ve g r i ppi n g p r o m ptly
th e h e a r t o f a su b j e ct o r th e y a re d i scu r si v e d ial e ct ical sp een
l a ti v e g r a spi n g a su b j e c t i n i t s w h o l e n e s s o r i n it s i m pl i c a
t i o n s Th e p r e a ch i n g o f s u c h m e n w ill i n ev i tably b e a r th e i r
d i st i nc t i ve ma r k Th e t e a ch i n g q ual ity w ill b e p r om i n e nt a n d
t h e i r s ucc e s s w i l l l i e i n th i s l i n e I n an o th er cl a s s th e e t h i ca l
q u al i t i e s p r e d o m i na t e Th e e th i cal a s d i st i n g u ish ed fr o m t h e
d i d a c ti c a s p e c t s o f t h e t r ut h s o l i c i t such p re a ch e r s Su ch
m e n a r e e ffe ct i v e in i m p r e s s i n g th e m o r al j u d gm e nt s a n d i m
pul s e s O i th e i r h e a r e rs Th e m an w h o i s st r o n g i n h i s o w n
m o r al impul s e s w il l i n ev ita bly b e a n e th ic al p re ach e r I n
a n o the r c la s s i magin at i o n o r s e nt i m e nt o r a ffe cti o n o r fee l
1

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TH E

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45

i n g ab o u nds Su ch m e n w il l b e rh e to r i cally imp re s siv e

p re a che r s Th e y w i l l h av e s k i l l i n s timulat in g th e fe e l i n gs o f
t h e i r h e a re r s o r i n ch a s t e n in g th e i r s en tim e nt s o r a ffe c ti o n s
Thu s w e h a v e d i ffe r e n t
o r i n i n u e nci n g th e m t o ac ti o n
typ e s o f p re ach er s ac c o r din g n o t o n ly t o th e d e m an d s o f th e
p re ach e r s wo rk bu t ac co r d in g to th e p e cul i a r i ti e s o f h i s gi f t s
Bu t th os e tha t b e l o n g t o th e s am e g e n e r a l cl a s s o r typ e h a v e
o nly a v e r y gen er al re s e m bl an c e Th e y di ffe r i ndivi d u al l y
n o t o nly i n d e g r e e b ut i n ki nd Pr e ach er s a r e d i d acti c d i a
l ec t ica l S p e cu lat i v e e th ica l imaginat i ve s e nt imental e m o
p r acti cal r h e to r i ca l i n d i ffe r e n t s o r t s a s w e l l a s
tio n a l
d e g r e e s Th e r e a re a s m any s o rts i n th e s e di ffe r e n t l in e s a s
th e r e a r e i n d ivi dual p r e ach e r s o f m a r k D r R W D al e fo r
exampl e wa s a n e m i n e n tly i nt e l l e ctual pr e a ch e r
But so
w a s Ca n o n M o zl e y S o w a s Rob e r t s o n an d s o w a s B u sh
n e l l B u t h ow di ffer e n t i n i n t e l l e ctual typ e Th e m ea s u r e
o r d e g r e e i n w h ich th e e th i c a l i mpu l s e o r s e nt im ent o r fe e l
in g o r im agi na ti o n t o u ch e d th e i r i n t e l l e c tua l a ctivi ti e s l ef t
a s i t s r e su l t a di s ti nc t i nt e ll e c tual p r o du c t
Au gu s tin e a n d
Ch r ys o s t o m h a d e xt r a o rd in a r y p o w er i n d e al i n g w it h t h e
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q u e sti o n o f d e g r e e bu t o f qual i ty an d e v e ry m an s st r e n gt h
l i e s w i th h i s o w n f o r m o f th e gi f t Su cc e s s w ill d e p e n d up o n
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46

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wil l n ot s ucc e ed e quall y we l l i n al l typ e s o f p reach in g Th e

d ev e l o pm e nt o fi n d ivi dual ity s e cur e s r e al i ty a nd e ffe cti v e ne s s
N o o n e p re ac hi n g gi f t o r g r o up o f gi f t s i s o f sup r em e i m
po r t anc e Ev e r y m a n sh o ul d b e c o n t e n t t o d o w h at h e c a n
b e s t d o and i t i s idl e t o att e m pt t o d o w h a t s o m e o n e el s e c a n
M e n su ccee d i n w h a t G o d c l e a r ly i nt e n d e d th ey
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ga rd e d a s h i s d e c i e ncy i n ev an g e l i st i c p o w e r D r J o s e ph
Pa r k e r wa s a po pula r i mp re s si o n al p r e ach e r an d i n t er pr e t e d
th e t r u th ch i e y th r o ugh th e i ma gi n ati o n
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was a n a po l o g e ti c an d e th ical p re ach e r a nd n e v e r w o ul d h av e
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D e an Sta nl e y w a s s kil l f ul i n p re s e n tin g h i s th e m e s i n a si mpl e
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B i sh o p B r o o k s p re ach i n g at t r a ct e d a n d imp r e s s e d th o s e
w h o w e r e p er pl e x e d a n d O pp r e s s e d b y t h e my st e r i e s a n d
bu r d e n s o f hum an l i fe D r R S St o r r s wa s a r h e t o r i c al
a r t i s t a n d pr e ach e d m o s t e ffe ct iv e l y t o a cul tivat e d c o n
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B e e ch e r w ith h i s r a r e p o we r o f pa th o s I n i m ita b l e w i t ch e e r
f ul an d h o p e f ul t e mp e r am e nt c o u r a g e o u s S pi r i t a n d b r o a d
h um a n sym path i e s w a s a n an imat in g a nd c o m f o r t in g
p r e ach e r a n d s t r e n gi h e n e d m e n fo r th e ba ttl e o fl i fe Fa th e r
Tayl o r o f B o s t o n s e e m e d b o r n t o p re a ch t o sa i l o r s Th e s e
a r e o nly a few ill ust r at i o n s ta k e n a t r a n d o m Each s ign i
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and i t w o ul d be i d l e to d i sc re d it i t i n f a v o r o f an o th e r E ve r y
va r i e ty o f gi f t i s n e e d e d a n d ma v b e u ti liz e d i n re al i zi n g t h e
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TH E G I FT S O F T H E PREA CH ER

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a r e i n p r o c e s s o f f o r ma ti o n I t i s th u s o nly th at a p r e ach e r
i s l ik ely t o nd h is s t r o n g p o i n t I t i s a m a tte r o f e x p er i
m e n t Ev e r y p i e a ch e r sh o ul d t r ai n h i m s e l f t o p r e ach m o re
tha n o n e k i n d o f s e r m o n s Su ch t r a in in g m ay b e m e a s u r ably
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e ve n b e t t e r us e th an th e y di d H e m i gh t w e l l h av e go n e t o
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value o f o n e l i n e o f w o r k by m i ni m i z i n g t h e s i gn i ca n c e o f
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T H E STUDY O F H O M I LET I CS

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Pr e a ch in g i s a n ar t Li k e al l a r t i t r e s t s up o n a s c i e nc e
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m ay h av e a gen iu s fo r p r each i n g B u t ev e n su ch a m a n m ay
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st u d en t s o f t h e i r a r t Go o d p r e a ch i n g i s n ot s o e a sy fo r any
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t e en t h c e ntu ri e s
th a t s et s a gai n st th e pulpi t i t i s n e c e s sary t o k e ep be f o r e th e
m i n d th e p ro p e r a im an d S pi r i t o f pr e ach in g n o t l e s s th a n i ts
p r op er sub s t a n c e an d f o r m
Th e i nh e r e n t di ffi cu l ti e s o f th e pr e a ch e r s ta s k a re an o th e r
so u r c e o f i n u e n c e th a t e n da nge r s di m i nu ti o n o f p o w e r an d
th e y s umm o n th e p r e ach er t o g r apple th e m o r e val i an tly
w i th h is p r ob l em Pro fe s s o r Sh e dd i n th e s e c o n d ch ap t e r o f
h i s H om i l e ti cs h a s t o u ch e d u p o n th i s i n an e ff e ct iv e m a n n e r
H e pr e s e n t s th ree r e as o n s fo r th e ca r ef ul s tu dy o f th e s ci e n c e
a n d a rt o f p r e a ch in g v ia ; th e di gn i ty an d imp o r t an c e o f th e
subj e ct i t s di ffi cul ti e s a n d th e d e m a n d o f th e p ub l i c u p o n th e
pulpi t t e ach e r O nly a wo rd with r e sp e c t t o th e di ffi cult i e s
i s adm i s s ibl e h e re Th es e d i f cul ti e s a ri s e p artly fr o m th e
gr e a t vari et i e s o f n e e d t o b e m et p art ly fr o m th e l im i tat i o n s
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o th e r h a n d o f th e th em e s w i th w h i ch th e pul p it de al s
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th e th e m e s o f r e l i gi o n w h i ch to u ch u po n th e r e alm o f my s
fery a t e v e r y p o i nt b ut h av e b e c o m e f am i l i a r by ages o f di s
cu s s io n t o k e e p wi th i n th e p r op e r l im i ts o f pulp i t advo cacy
a n d t o adj u s t th em t o th e n ee ds o f al l c l a s s e s o f p eopl e i s n o
e a s y t as k O f co urs e a s tu dy o f h o m il e t i c s al o n e wil l n o t
en abl e o n e t o do th i s B u t i t gives o n e a n i n s i gh t i n to h i s
p r o bl em I t f u rn i sh e s su gge s ti o n s a s t o w h at i s n e e ded I t
s t arts o n e u p o n th e wo r k o f trai n in g o n e s elf fo r h i s t as k an d
.

60

TH E W ORK O F TH E PREA CH ER

pu t s h i m i n p o s s e s s i o n o f s om e o f t h e i n st ru m e nt s n e c es sa ry
fo r i t
11
M ETH O D S O F H O M I L ET I C S TU D Y
Fo u r m e th o d s a r e a va il abl e : i nv e s ti gat i o n o f f un da m e n tal
p rin c ipl e s o b s e r v at i o n o f l i v i n g e xampl e s an aly si s o f pub
l i s h e d p r o d uct s a nd p e rs o nal e xp e ri en c e a nd cri t ic i sm
1
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o t h e r m e th o d s o f s tudy a v a i l o n ly a s f u n d am e n tal p r i nci pl e s
are m aste red
Prea ch i n g o f c o u r s e d o e s n o t b e gi n w ith
sc i e n c e Sc i e n c e i s th e pr o duc t o f experi e n c e B u t e x p e r i
m e n t i s m o r e e ffe c tiv e i n t h e l i gh t o f s c i e n ce Pri nc i pl e s ar e
th e s um m at i o n o f t h e r e sult s o f i nd uc tive p ro c e s s e s o f i n v es
t ig a t i o n
Th e y a r e t h e r e gi s t r y o f g e n eral i z e d f ac ts Th e y
a r e ava i labl e fo r u s e I t i s n o t n e c e s sa ry t o g o th r o u gh al l
th e p r o c e s se s o f i n d u ct i v e i nv e s ti gat i o n i n o r d e r t o g e t th e
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an d t h u s s e c u re s a k n o w l e d ge o r
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.

61

TH E STUDY OF H O M I LET I CS

p r e ach i n g i f i t b e n o t th e p ro duc t o f a l ivi n g h um an s oul

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i n g Every m a n i s su m m o n e d to n d a n d d ev e l o p h i s o w n
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I t d e al s
to an sw e r th e q u es t i o n :

w i th a b ro ade r qu e s t i o n : H o w s h o ul d a ny m a n p r each ' B y

an sw erin g th e l at te r qu e s ti o n h ow e v e r i t h a s do n e m u ch t o
wards a n s w e r i n g th e fo rm e r q uest i o n : Th a t i s t o s a y th e r e
ar e c e rta i n g e n e ra l p r i n cipl es th a t a r e val i d fo r al l p r e ach i n g
an d to wh i ch any m a n wh o w o ul d b e a go o d w ork ma n m u st
c o nfo rm No m
a n ca n b e a c o mpl e t e l a w u nt o h i m s el f i n
h o m i l e ti c s any m o r e th a n h e ca n i n e th i c s
Th e p er s o nal
f ac to r i s do ub tl e s s m o r e e x ible i n a rt t h a n it i s i n m o ral s
B u t e v e n e th i c s h a s i t s i n divi dual f a c t o r
E th i cal s c i e n c e
c a n n ot by a gen e ral l aw d e t e rm i n e b e f o r e h an d h o w each
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ca s e s B u t e th i c al s ci e n c e h a s by i t s f o rm ul at i o n o f gen e ral
p ri n cipl e s t aken th e i n divi dual t o a v e ry l a r g e e x t e n t u n d e r
i t s re gul at i o n An d i t i s s o w i th h o m i l e ti c s ci e n c e I t a h
s t r a c t s fr o m co n c r e t e r e al ity an i d e a l o f p r e a ch i n g a n d h ol ds
i t up b ef o r e u s Ev e ry p r e a ch er m u s t avai l h i m s el f o f i t i n a
g e n e ral w ay B u t e a c h m an do e s i t u n d e r c e r tai n l im i ta
ti o n s e a ch i n h i s o w n w ay a n d o nly t o a l im i t e d e x t e nt O n e
c an o nly app r oxim a t e a g e n e ral i d eal B u t t h i s g e n e r a l id e al
f u r n i sh e s a backg r o un d an d b a s i s fo r t h e p e rs o n al i d e al
w h i ch th e pr e ach e r ab s tra ct s fro m t h e gro u n d w o rk o f h i s
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Tha t i s i t wi ll r e co gn i z e th o s e p r i n cipl e s up o n w h i ch go o d
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62

T H E WO RK OF TH E PREACH ER

n iz e th e d e m an d s o f o n e s o w n p e r s o n al i ty B u t t h e s t r e s s
p o i n t j u s t h e r e i s t ha t e v e r y p r e ach e r m u s t ge t bac k b e yo n d
h i s o w n p e r s o n al i ty i n o rde r t o an s w e r th e qu e s ti o n h o w h e
sh o u l d p r e ach A n d th i s ta k e s h i m a g o o d w ay bac k I t
t a k e s h i m i n t o r el a ti o n w ith th e S c r i pture s a nd t h i s
c o n d i ti on s h i s s ubj e c t m a tt e r I t t a k e s h im i n t o r e la ti o n
wi t h
th e Chu r ch w h o se m in i st e r h e i s an d th i s c o n
d i t i o n s h i s m e s s age a n d h i s a im a n d t o n e
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h im i n t o r e l at i o n w ith th e sc i e n c e o f r h e t o r i c a n d th i s
c o n di ti o n s th e m e th od o f o r d e r in g a n d e xp r e s si n g th o ugh t
H e re o n e g e t s a ba si s fo r p re a ch i n g th a t i s s c i e n ti c P e r
I t w il l n o t ca n n o t b e th e
s o n a l i t y m ay m o di f y o n e s w o r k
dupl i cat i o n o f a n o the r m a n s w o r k B u t i t d o e s n o t c r e at e
th e p r im a r y i deal
N o w i t i s t r u e th a t m e n o f h o m i l e ti c
g e n iu s a r e o f g r eat val u e a s illu s t r at i n g h om i l et i c pri nc i pl e s
i n th e c o n c r e t e Th e s e m e n p er c e iv e i ntu it ively sen s e i n
s t i n c t i v e l y an d apply un c o n sc i ou sly o r h a l f c o n s ci o u sl y
th e
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p r e a ch in g i s w h a t i t sh oul d b e An d i n a s o rt th ey r e gul at e
t h e pr e ach i n g B u t th e y d o i t u nc o n s c i o u sly Su ch m e n d o
Th e y a re h al f c o n s c i o u s ly i m
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I t i s fr om s u ch m e n th at h o m i l e ti c s a h
p el l ed fr o m w i th i n
s t ra c t s it s p r i n ci pl e s t o b e st ad v a n ta g e
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w e l l g o t o re c o gn i z e d m a s t e rs o f t h e a rt an d n o t t o i n f e ri o r
sec o n d r a t e m e n Bu t s e e i n g h o w h om i l e ti c pri n c ipl e s a r e
i l lu s t r at ed by ma st e r s o f th e a r t i t i s n e c e s sa r y t o p r e s e r v e
th e m i n sc i ent i c f o r m fo r th e b e n e t e sp e c i ally o f th o s e w h o
a re o bl i g e d t o wo r k c o n sc i ou s ly a n d lab o r i ou sly i n o r d e r t o
w o r k s u c c e s s f ul ly o r p e r h ap s i n o r d e r t o w o r k a t al l A
go od deal h a s b e e n s ai d by w r i t e r s o n a r t ab o u t th e val u e o f
u n co n s ci o u s a n d u n r e ect i v e w o r k a s i f t h e n e a re r m e n g e t
Ru s ki n
t o s avage l i fe th e b e tt e r w o r k t h e y a re l i k e ly t o d o
gl o ri e s i n th i s s o r t o f s ava ge r y and i l lu st r a t e s fr o m th e a r t o f
c o l o r in g am o n g se m i c ivil i zed a s c o nt r a s t e d wit h civil i z ed
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63

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p e opl e s
I t i s th e i r gl o r i o u s i gn o r an c e o f al l r u l e s th a t

d o e s i t h e s ay s B u t w h at e v e r may b e s ai d i n f a v o r o f
sp on tan e i ty i n th e a r t o f c o l o ri n g w h i ch i s l a r g e ly a n i m i ta
t iv e a rt an d i s d o ub tl e s s l argel y depen d e n t o n th e u n co n
sci o u s t ra i ni ng o f th e ey e an d o f th e a r ti st i c ta s t e s i t i s
c er tai nly n o t t r u e o f th e a r t o f publ ic sp e e ch O f c o u r s e th e
art i s not acqu i re d by th e p e r f uncto r y appl ication o f e xt e rnal
ru l e s al th ou gh al l i gn o ra n c e o f rul e s c o ul d ha r dly b e c all e d

gl o r i o u s
B ut n o th i n g c an su p e rs ed e th e m a st e r y o f
h o mi l eti c p r i n cipl e s
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pro bl e m Th e y give o n e th e n e c e s sa r y t e ach i n g a s t o w h a t
h e h a s t o d o a n d h ow t o d o i t
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a rt
G o o d m o de l s a re o f imm e n s e v al u e e s p e c ially t o a
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h ave h ad th e p ri vi l e ge i n e a r ly y e ars o f l i s ten in g t o abl e and
ac c ompl i sh e d p r e a ch e r s Th e w rit e r h a s h ad abu ndan t o p
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n o t ew o rt hy t h at m o s t m e n wh o a t tai n to e m in en c e i n th e
pulpi t r e c o gn i z e a n d ac k n owl edg e th e i r d e p e nd e nc e fo r
i n spi rat i o n Up o n pre ach ers wh o m th ey re gard e d a s m o d e l s
i n early yea rs I t i s w e l l t o l i s t e n o nly t o th e b e s t p re a ch e r s
t h a t a r e w i th i n r e a ch an d i t i s w el l t o l is t e n t o m any p r e ach
e r s an d o f di ffe re nt typ e s Th o rou gh s tudy o f l ivi n g m o del s
m a k e s i t im p o s si bl e fo r a ny m an t o b e c o m e a n u n co n sc i ou s
o r a c o n s c i o u s im i ta to r
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o n e t o yiel d o n e s el f u p sym path et i cal ly t o t h e p r e ach er
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l o s s o f r e spect fo r th e p r ea ch e r o r fo r h i s w o rk o r l os s o f
r e sp o n s iv e n es s to th e t r uth w h i ch h e p re s e n t s I t i s n e c e s s a r y
t o c ul t ivat e th e h ab i t o f c o mbi ni n g cl ea r m en tal j ud m e n t
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th e s a nc tities o f publ ic wo rsh ip
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64

T H E WO RK OF T H E PR EA CH ER

A naly s i s o f publ i sh ed pr oduc t s Th e r e i s n o i n uen c e

s o pot e n t f or th e you th f u l stu d e n t o f th e p r e ach e r s a rt a s
th a t o f th e l ivi n g e xem pla r B u t i t n e e ds suppl e m e n t i n g
Th e val u e o f a h ab i t o f i n di s cri m i n at e r e a din g o f s e r m o n s i s
m o r e t h a n q u e sti o nabl e I f i t r e s ul t s i n a d om i na n c e o f th e
r e a d e r s m i n d i t m ay b e p e rn i c i o u s I t i s d o ubtl e s s o f v alu e
t o ab s o r b a s e r m o n i n a n u n c r i tic al m an n e r
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q ua l i ty a n d m e th o d f ai r ly w e l l O n e m ay c om e v e ry r e adily
t o de te ct h i s d e l i ca ci e s an d s ub tl e t i e s o f th o u gh t an d fe e l i n g
an d l iv e i n a k ind o f f e l lo w sh ip w i th h i s sp i ri t I t i s poss ibl e
an d des i rabl e to kno w a p re ach e r i n th i s w a y I t i s a so r t o f
f am i l i a r i ty th a t l e t s o n e a l o n g w ay i nt o th e i n n e r l i fe o f a
p r e ach e r The r e i s much i n a gr e at p r e acher l ik e F re d e rick
R o b e rt s o n o r Ph i ll ip s B r o ok s t h at c r i ti cal a n alys i s d o e s n o t
re a ch S o m e th i n gs i t n ev e r c a n r e a ch
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s p e a k d i r ectly t o u s th r o u gh h i s p r o duc t r ath e r th a n by
effo r t t o r e a ch i t by th e p ro c e s se s o f cri ti cal an al y s i s
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th at gi v e s u s th e p r e a ch e r s m e th od W e n d h i m h e r e i n
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o f th e
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qu a lit v o f h i s t h e ol o gi cal t e ach in g th e s o u r c e s fr o m w h i ch
h e d r a w s h is m a t e r i al th e ch a r a c t e ri s t i c s o f h i s e x p o s it o r y
m e th o d s o r h i s m e th o d s o f i n t e r p r e t in g t h ou gh t t o th e m i nd
a n d o f h i s p e r su a s iv e m e th od s o r m e th o d s o f p r e s e n t i n g
t ruth to th e f e el ings an d th e w ill h i s m e thods o f o rgan i z i ng
th e m at er i al o f h i s d i s cu s s i o n k n o w l e dg e o f th e d i ffe r e n t
typ e s o f s e r m o n th a t c om e fr o m h i s h an d a n d th er e f o r e o f
th e s ch o ol o f p r e a ch e r s t o wh i ch h e b e l o n gs an d nal ly a
k n owl e dg e o f t h e p e cu l i ari t i e s o f h i s l i t e r a r y s tyl e
Pe r s o nal e xpe r i enc e a n d c r i t i c i sm Th e S k il l o f th e
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B ibl i ca l f act an d t r ut h
D e sp i t e t h e r ava g e s o f B ibl i cal
c r i ti c i sm th e pu lp i t st il l h o l d s an d do ubtl e s s w il l c o nt i nu e t o
h ol d t o i t s B ib l i c al s o u rc e s I t i s g e nera l ly c o n c e de d th at
th e h i s t o r i co c fi t i ca l
etho d o f d e al i n g wi th t h e B ibl e h a s
n o t dam a ge d it a s a t e xt b o o k f
o r t h e p r e ach e r
It has been
f o un d i n f a ct g r e a tly t o h ave enh an c e d i t s value P r e a ch
e rs h av e f r e qu e n tly ava il e d th em s elve s o f e xt r a B ibl ical
s o u r c e s I t i s n o n ew t h i n g i n th e h i s t o ry o f Ch ri s tia n
p r each ing S chol asti c preach e rs d rew f rom Pl ato an d A ri s
t o t l e a n d fr o m eccl e s i a s t i ca l au th o r it i e s
D e i st i c a n d ra ti o n
a l i s t i c p r e a ch e rs i n th e s eve nt e e nth a n d e igh t e e n th c e nt u r i e s
drew from wo r k s on phys i cal sc ience an d from th e w r it i ngs
o f l i t e r a r y m en
B u t th e cu s t o m h a s n o t gen eral ly b e e n
r ega rd e d a s a n i n d e x o f th e w eal t h o f t h e th e o l o g y o f th e
ch u r c h o r o f t h e di gn i ty a n d p owe r o f i t s p ul p i t I n f a ct i t
h a s o f t e n b e e n r e ga r d e d a s a m ark o f d e g e n e ra cy
I n our
d ay th e e xp erim e n t i s ra r e A n d th i s f a c t m ay b e r e ga r de d
as p roo f that the more fr e ely an d can d i dly we han dl e ou r
Script ure s an d th e b e t t e r o u r co n c e pt i o n o f th em t h e m o re
we r e sp e c t th e m I t wo u l d b e q u i t e im p o s s ibl e fo r a ny s el f
re sp e ct i ng pr e acher o f any school i n ou r day to tu rn pulp i t
va g r a n t a n d t o expl o i t ext ra B i bl i ca l w r i t e r s a s h o m il e ti c
TH E

T h ere a re o f cou r s e o th er s ou r c e s av a il a b l e fo r t h e p re a ch er
t h e y a re s u b o r d i n at e t o th e B i b li ca l a n d a re u tili z e d a s c on t e n t fo r
d eve l op ment o f th e s er mon n ot a s b a s i s fo r th e d i s c u s s i on
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auth o r i t i e s O nc e i n a w h il e o n e m ay h ea r a n e x t r a B ibl i c al
passag e qu ot e d as m otto to a s e rm on Occas i onal ly on e
m ay h e a r a n e x t r ac t fr o m w h a t i s cal l e d s e cu l a r l i t e r at u r e i n
c o n n e ct i o n w ith th e S c r ip tu r e r e a di n g s o f th e ch u r ch Th e r e
i s n o o bj e c t i o n t o th i s s o l on g a s n o d i sh o n o r t o t h e B ibl i ca l
s o u r c e s i s i n t e n d e d al th o u gh appa r e nt ly c i t at i o n s fr om o u t
si d e sou r c e s w oul d b e f a r m o re e ffe c t iv e i n th e m a i n body
I n o c ca si o na l di s c o u r s e s i n c o n n e c t i o n w i th
of a discourse
e x c e p ti o n al r e l i gi ou s s e r vi c e s i n th e d i s c u s si o n fo r e x am pl e
i t m ay b e d e s i r abl e
o f s o m e th e m e i n c o m p a r at i ve re l i gi o n
t o pl a c e a pa s s ag e fr o m th e e th i cal a nd re l i gi o u s wr i ti n gs o f
pa gan i sm b e s i d e a B ibl i ca l p a ss a g e a s t e xt a l th o ugh a s
al re a d y i n d i cat e d i t w o ul d s e e m t o b e f a r m o r e effe ct iv e wh e n
i n t r o d u ced i n t o th e m a i n b o dy O f th e d i s c u s s i o n
But in
c o nn e ct i o n w it h th e o rd i n a r y s e r vi c e s o f Ch r i s ti a n wo r s h i p i t
s ee m s m u ch p r efe r ab l e t o h o l d cl o s e ly t o t h e B ibl i ca l s o u r c e s
Th e p r e a ch e r i s i n g e n er al p r ec om m it t e d t o such s o u r c e s a n d
h i s c om m i s s i o n p r e supp o s e s th a t h e w il l n o t s t r ay w i d e ly i n t o
e x t r a B i b l ical e l ds H i s r e l at ion to th e B ibl e w h ich i s r e c
to th e
ogn i z e d a s by p re em i n e nc e th e re co r d o f r e v e l at ion
Ch u r c h a s t h e b o d y t h a t i s r e sp o n s ibl e fo r t h e c o mm u n i ca
ti o n o f B ibl i c al t r uth th r o u gh p r e a ch in g h i s r e l at i o n t o t h e
r e l i gi ou s n e e d s o f m e n a n d t o th e a i m t o b e r e al i ze d by h i s
c al l i nga ll c o n d i ti o n h i s s o u r c e s I t w oul d l ow e r t h e s t a nd
a r d o f t h e pul pi t i t w o ul d di s c r e dit h i s p r op e r s o u r c e s ; i t
w o ul d w h e the r i nt e n ti onally o r n ot m i n im iz e th e i r val u e
an d w o u l d r e s ul t i n th e i n t r o du c ti o n o f a s u bj e c t m att e r n o t
a d a pt e d t o th e n a tu r e a n d O bj ect O f h i s w o r k Ch u r ch
p r e ach ing r ightly p re su ppos e s a canon ical bas i s W ith r e sp e c t
t o th i s c a n o n ic al b as i s h ow e v e r th e r e a r e s o m e qu e st i o n s
t h a t cal l fo r p r act i c al c o n si d e r a ti o n
1
Th e r s t q u e s ti o n i s th a t o f c an o n i ca l g e n ui n e n e s s a n d
auth e nt i c ity Wh a t p r a c ti cal q u e st i o n s i n h o m i l e ti c s B ib l i
ca l c r it ic i sm m ay y e t r a i s e w e d o n o t kn o w H it h e rt o th e r e
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h a s b e en b ut l it tl e p r ac t i ca l d i i cu l ty s av e i n th e h an d s o f
c r u de a n d i l l bal a n c e d m en
N e i th e r t h e h igh e r n o r th e
l ow e r c r i tic i s m h a s y e t ve r y s e r i ou s ly a ffe ct e d Ch r i s ti a n
p re ach i n g Th e o lo gi c al ch a n g e s h av e h a d f a r m o r e s e r i o u s
r e sults Textual c riti ci sm how e ve r i s a problem o f p ra e
t i ca l h o m i l e ti c i nt e r e s t O n ly a pu r e t e xt ca n b e th e b e st
s o r t o f t e xt Sp u r i o u s p a s s a g e s de m o n s t r at iv e ly su ch
sh ou l d b e r ul e d o u t o fth e pu lp i t Th e p r e a ch er sh oul d k n ow
what they a r e The rev i s e d vers i on o f th e S c riptu r e s may b e
r el i e d u p o n a s a gui d e h er e b ut th e p r eac h e r sh oul d b e abl e
t o r e ly up o n th e r e sul t s o f h i s o wn i nv e s ti g at i o n W e d r aw
fr e e ly fro m d e u ter o ca n o n i c al w r i ti n gs i n c a s e s wh e r e qu e s
t i o n s o f au th e nt i c i ty a n d genu i n e n e s s a r e o f b u t l itt le p r a ct i
cal im p o r ta n c e B ut i n al l m o s t im p o r tan t q u e s t i o n s th e
p r ot o
c an o n i c al w r i t i n gs wi l l h av e th e p r e fe r e n c e I f i t w e r e
im p o r t ant t o q uo t e fro m Pau l a s a n u n q u e s t i o n ed au th o r i ty
th e p r o t o Pa u l i n e w r i t i n gs S h o ul d h ave t h e p r e f e r e nc e I n
suc h ca s e o n e wo u l d n o t q u ot e fr o m t h e lett e r t o th e H e
b re w s al th o u gh wi th o u t do ub t o n e w o ul d b e qu o t i ng f ro m
th e Pa ul i n e s ch o o l o f th o u gh t Th e wh o l e p r ob l em o f ca
n o n i ci t
a l th o u gh i t
y m ay u nd e r go c o n s id e r abl e r evi s i o n
w o ul d s e em t o b e r ath e r l at e t o r e v o l u ti o n iz e th e ca n o n B ut
i n any e v e n t th e f o l l o wi n g c o n s i de r a t i o n s a r e fo r t h e p r e ach er
w o r thy o f at t e nt i o n
( I ) Th e p r ea ch e r s att i tud e t owa rd s th e ca n o n i s n at u r al ly
a n d p r op e r ly o n e o f go o d f ai th I t i s i n th e b e s t s e n s e o f th e
wor d cons er vat ive
H om il e tics m ay wel l be an d in fac t
m u st b e m o r e c o n s er vat iv e th a n cr i t i c al ex e ge s i s o r t h an
a ny f o r m o f c r iti ci sm h i gh o r l o w C r it i ci s m ca n n o t a nd
s h o u l d n ot ac c ep t th e a uth o r i ty o f tra d it i o n a s a gu i de i n i t s
c r i t i cal p r o c e s s e s alth o u gh i t sh o ul d b e n o h a r dsh ip o r d i s
c r e di t t o t re at i t w i th dec e n cy C r i t i ci sm i s n e c e s sa r i ly ra d i
c al I t h a s bu t o n e qu e st i on : Wh a t a r e th e f act s a t h an d a n d
wh at a r e th e l e git imat e i n fe r e n c e s fr o m t h e f a c t s ' O f c o urs e

TH E W O RK O F T H E PREA CH ER

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i n a sph e r e i nvo lvi n g t h e r e l i gi o u s i nte r e s t s o f m e n i t s h o ul d

b e dul y ca u t io u s an d bal a n ce d i n i t s j u d gm e nt s a n d go o d
t e mp e re d bu t i n a n y e ve n t i t m u s t f o l l o w i ts fa ct s
But
h om il et ic s has a p reva i l i ngly p racti cal rather than sc i enti c
i nt e r e st I t h a s b e hi n d i t th e h i st o r i c c h u r ch I t s p r im a r y
ta sk i s t o p e r p e tu a t e t o c o n s er v e t o e nl a r g e an d e n r i ch i t s
l i fe an d n o t ch iey t o r e v o l u t i o n i z e i t s th o u gh t Al l ch a n g e s
o f t h o u gh t i n e cc l es ia s t i c al l i f e a r e p r o p e rl y s l ow an d g r a d ua l
Th e b e s t a n d m o st p e r m a n e nt r e sul t s a r e s e cu r e d wh e n th e y
f ol l ow n o r m a l ev o l u ti o n a r y p r o c e s s e s ra th e r th an l ea p i n t o
m a ni f e st a ti o n by v i ol en t r ev u l s i o n
H o m il e ti c s i s th e r e
f o r e m o r e c o n s e r vat iv e th a n c r it i c i sm It i s m o r e t o l e ra n t
of t raditi o n
I t s e e k s t o i nt e r p r e t t o c o n s er v e a n d p er p e t
u a t e t h e t r ut h o f t ra d it i o n Th i s i s d o n e m o st effe c t iv e ly by
a gra d u a l e x p o s u r e o ft h e e r r o r s wi t h wh i ch i t h a s b e e n a s s o
r adi ca l a n d r ev ol u t i o n a r y at tac k u p o n
c i a t e d n o t by v i o l e n t
t h e m an d by d i s i n t e g r at in g th e f o r m s i n wh i ch th e y h av e
app e a r ed Th i s d i ff e r e nc e o f at titu d e t owa r d s t r a di ti o n i n
volve s no e th i cal cont r a d ict io n b e tw ee n h om i l et ic s a nd e ri t i
Th e r e i s h e r e n o n ec e s s a r y c o m p r o m i s e o f t r u th a n d
ci s m
i nt e g r ity I t i s l a r gely a qu e st ion o f m e tho d I t i s th e p r e ach e r s
task to a dj u s t h im sel f to th e requ i s ition s o f both d i sc ipl i nes
( 2 ) I t i s con fe ssedly d i fcul t to secu re tho r oughly r e l iabl e
r e sul t s f r om c r i tic i sm i n e nti r e in d e p e ndence o f tra dit ion
Exte r nal and h i sto r i c e v i dences a re m o re im po r tant than th e
l iterary c r itic wh o i s l ik e l y t o f ol lo w h i s subj e ct iv e p r ep os s es
s ion s i s abl e to s ee Th i s m ay be s e e n p e rh ap s i n c r it ical
d iscu ss ion s about th e f ou r th Go sp e l A l a r ger resp e ct for
t r a di t i on shoul d at any r ate fol l ow lat e c r it ical j u dgm ent s a s t o
th e dat e s o f th e synopti c G ospel s Bu t i n any ev e n t u nti l
com p e t e nt c r it ic s s e cu re m o r e h a r m on i ou s re sul t s w ith r e sp e ct
t o th e m o r e i m p o r ta nt q u e st i o n s o f B i bl i c al c ri t i ci sm e g
question s rel at i ng t o th e date an d au thorsh ip o f th e f ou rth
Go sp e l an d o f th e Epi stl e s that b e a r the nam e o f Paul th e
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i n t o Pro t es t an ti sm A s t h i s concep ti on h as pre v a i led t h ere

ha s been a d i sp ropor ti onate as wel l a s perver t ed u se o f t he
O l d Testam ent i n t h e pul p it Th i s was t he case p r i o r to t h e
Re forma ti on L i ttl e d i st i nc ti on i f any wa s m ade be t ween
th e O l d an d N ew Te sta m e n t p o i n t s o f v i ew i n t h e h a n dl i n g o f
tex ts The Re form a ti o n res t ored t h e N ew Tes t amen t to i ts
p roper pl ace B ut i t d i d no t re form m en s concep ti on s o f t h e

B i bl e I t ch ecked an d m od i ed b ut d i d no t de s t roy t he t ypo

l og i cal c o n cu p is cen s e
L u th er u sed the Ol d Tes t amen t ex
t en s iv e ly
I t s rhe t or i cal s u ggest iv enes s was o f grea t v al u e t o
h i m H e h i ghly e s ti m a t ed a l so it s apol oge ti c v al u e I n
t heory h e recogn i zed th e i m por t ance o f gett i ng a t t h e h i s t or i cal
sen se o f t h e S c r i p tu res i n preach i ng B ut h e st i ll al legor i zed
H e s ti l l hel d t he m ys ti cal sense o f S ol om on s S ong One o f
th e ch i e f rea son s probably w h y t he Ol d Te stam en t h a s been
s o l argely u sed i n p reach i ng i s t ha t it y i el d s i tsel f so read i l y
t o t he al l egor i zi ng m ethod I t has w rough t powe r ful ly i n t he
i m ag i na ti on an d emo ti on s I t is r i c h i n i ts rhe t or i cal re
so u rces It ha s f u rn i sh ed a grea t a m ou n t o f fru i t f u l ly s u gges
tiv e bu t m i sl ead i ng p reach i ng Luth er s al l egor i z i ng w as
doub t l ess a rhe t or i cal i n t ere s t l a rgely M odern c r i t i c i sm t hat
ha s res to re d i n exeges i s t h e h i s t or i c sen se o f t h e Ol d Te s t a
m en t has al i en a t e d t h e pul p it s om ew ha t from i t B ut m i su se
i s no a rgument aga i n s t r i gh t u se A c r iti cal reac ti on aga i n st
t h e u s e o f t h e O l d Te stam e n t w o ul d r e s ul t i n a ve ry s er i o u s
l os s t o t h e pul p i t I t i s t oo r i ch i n hom i l et i c m ater i al t o be s et
a s i de H om i l e ti c u s e takes u s fa r beyon d the l i m i ts o f s t r i c t
ex eges i s Th e ques ti on i s so i mpor t a nt for t h e work o f t he
pul p i t t ha t w e m a y wel l l i n ge r w i t h i t
( I ) Th e Ol d T e stam ent i s o f grea t val ue t o the p reache r
i n t h e abu ndance o f it s general rel i g i ou s subj ec t m at t er H ere
are fo u n d t h e t ru t h s o f u n i v ersal rel i g i on Al l t hose doctr i nes
w h i c h h a v e been cal l e d t h e doc t r i nes o f natu ral rel i g i on a re
fou nd i n t h e O l d Te s t am en t Th e y ar e a s su m ed n o t i n d eed a s
.

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B I B LI CA L S O U R C ES

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doc t r i nes o f nat u ral rel i g i on bu t a s doc t r i nes o f Ol d Te stamen t

re v el a ti on to w h i ch na t u ral rel i g i o n read i ly respon ds An d
th i s doubtl es s acco u n t s for the sense o f a fn i ty t o Ol d Tes t a
m e nt rel i g i o n re c o gn i zabl e i n al l fo rm s o f de i s ti c a n d ra ti o n al
B u t t hese t r ut h s o f u n iv e rsal rel i g i on are
i s t ic rel i g i on
a v a i l abl e i n t he Ch r i s ti an pulp it fo r m os t fr ui t ful an d prac ti cal
H e r e al s o ar e t h e ge rm s o f s o m e o f th e m o s t i mp o r t an t
use
N ew Te s t am e n t t e a ch i ng s Th ey appea r o f c o urs e i n O l d
Te stam en t fo rm B u t t h ey a re g e nu i n e h i s t or i c ge rm s I n
th e l i gh t o f th em w e u n de rs ta n d N ew Te s tam en t te a ch i n g
be t te r Tea ch i n gs re lat i n g t o th e a t tr i bu te s o fGo d h i s m e rcy
j u s ti ce del it y i n t egr it y t each i ngs touch i ng h i s crea tiv e
ac ti v it y prov i dence s i n redemp ti on j u s ti ca ti on r es u rr ec
ti on i mmo r t al it y pu n i shment al l appear i n t he Ol d Tes t a
men t i n m any form s a n d ha v e h i s t or i c connect i on w it h t he
fo rm s i n w h i ch t hey appear i n t he N ew Tes t amen t M any
o f t hem are i l l u s t ra t e d a t l arge i n h i s t or i c fo rm an d a re a c
cen t u a t e d i n t h e Ol d Testam en t i n s u ch ways a s were no t
poss i bl e i n t he N ew Tes t amen t Thu s fo r exampl e t he doc
t ri ne o f t he covenan t s o p rom in en t i n t he Ol d Tes t am en t I t
l i es a t t he bas i s o f Ol d Testam en t rel i g i on an d i s i l l u s t ra t ed
i n a p ro fo u ndl y i n t eres ti ng m anner i n t he h i s t o ry o f t he cove
nan t people Al l t hese t each i ngs becom e a fo u n da ti on for
N ew Testament teach i ngs
( 2 ) Th e concre t e h i s t or i c form o f t he Ol d Tes t amen t i s
o f i mmen se v alue t o t he preacher Al l i t s t each i ngs ha v e a
h i s t or i c backgroun d Its t r ut hs r u n back i n t o t he realm o f fac t
H ebra i sm i s a h i stor i c no t an abs t rac t rel i g i on I t m ay be t o
a con s i derabl e exten t i deal i ze d h i s t ory bu t it s i deal i s ti c form s
a re a mos t valuabl e m e t hod o f con v ey i ng tru th P i c t or i al
represen t a ti on s o f Go d a re espec i al l y v al u abl e for pulp i t u s e
God appears h ere no t a s an abs t rac t concept i on o f t he m i n d
b ut i n t he processes o f personal h i s t or i c sel f revel a ti on Here
al l h i s qual iti es emerge an d a re ma de known an d fel t i n h is
,

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76

personal rela ti on s w it h h i s peopl e H e re i s t h e l iv i ng Go d

t h e co v enan t God t h e j eal o u s God t h e fa it h f u l God t h e com
pas s i ona t e God t h e r i gh t eo u s God t h e h ol y Go d Al l t hese
q u al iti es are m o re t han concep ti on s o r obj ec t s o f t ho u gh t
They appear a s real iti e s i n Go d wh o en t ers i n t o fell ow sh i p w it h
h i s ch osen ones
An t h ropom orph i c do u b t l es s t h ey are an d
fo r t h i s v e r v reason t he m ore v al u abl e fo r t h e preache r
N o t h i ng ca n be mo re v i v i d t han t h ese represen t a ti on s o f t he
d i v i n e personal it y an d o f it s ac ti ve p r esence i n t h e w o r l d
Go d s m an i fes t a tio n s i n Pro vi dence an d i n t he h i s t o r i c m o v e
m en t s o f h i s k i ngdom a r e presen t e d i n t h e m os t p o wer f u l
m an ne r conce i vabl e an d i n form s o f rep resen t a t i o n w el l tt e d
fo r p u lp it u se fo r t h ey app eal t o t he i mag i na ti on H u man
v i r t u e s an d v i ces i nd i v i d u al dom es ti c s oc i al pol iti cal com
me rc ia l in d u s t r i al are here s et fo r t h i n l i v i ng h i s to r i c i ll u s t ra
ti on Few passages i n t he N ew Tes t am en t a re comparabl e
w it h t hese O l d Tes t am en t pas sages as bas i s fo r t h e d i scu s s i on
o f h u m an v i r tu es an d v i ces Recal l t he boo k o f Prove r bs t h e
book s o f t h e Psalm s t h e book s o f t h e P roph e t s an d t h e h i s
t or ic a l book s w it h respec t t o t he i r por t ra itu res o f personal a n d
p u bl i c v i ces Robe r t son s d i sco u rses from t h e boo k s o f S am u el
i l l u s t r a t ed t h e reso u rces o f t h e Ol d Tes t am en t fo r th e d i sc u s
s i on o f t h e e t h i cal a spec t s o f soc i al an d pol iti cal s u bj ec t s
S om e o f t h e bes t m oral i ns t r u c ti o n from t he p u l p i t h a s been
a nd al ways m ay be p resen t e d i n b i ogra p h i cal an d h i s t or i c
form from S cr i p tu res bro u gh t from t h e O l d Tes t amen t Fo r
t h e preache r n o l it era tu re i n ex i s t enc e i s compa rabl e i n m any
o f i t s fea tu re s w it h t h e b i og r aph i cal an d h i s t or i cal l it era tu re
o f t he O l d Te s t am en t I t i s o f i mmens e i n t eres t a nd p ro t t o
al l c l as ses o f h u ma n be i ngs
( 3 ) T he v as t range an d va r i e t y o f O l d Tes t amen t t hem es
a re ano t her el em en t o f val u e fo r t he p u l p it I t i s i n par t it s
c o ncre t e h i s t or i c fo rm t h a t sec u re s t h i s range an d va r i e t y
No t e i t s w i de r ange o f pe r so n al an d n a t i onal ex p er i ence s

B I B LI CA L S O UR C ES

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T H E M ES S A GE

77

Preachers general ly go t o t he Ol d Tes t am en t for t he i r t ex t s

when on spec i al occas i on s t hey d i sc u ss p u bl i c q u es ti on s
Ev en S chl e i erm acher who u n der v al u e d and I v en tu re t o add
m i s u nders t oo d t he Ol d Tes t am en t an d w ho on o r d i nary oc
cas i ons never d rew h i s t ex t s f rom t ha t so u rce tu rned t o t h e
Ol d Tes t am en t w hene v er he d i sc u sse d pol iti cal an d pa t r i o ti c
Su bj ec t s Th e war i n de fen se o f t h e Amer i can Un i on i l l u s
t ra te d t he weal t h an d v ar i e t y o f Ol d Tes t am en t m a t er i al fo r
t he d i sc u ss i o n o f na ti onal an d pa t r i o ti c t h em es I n it s weal t h
ra n ge a n d v a r i e t y o f m ate r i al a s w el l a s i n it s c o n cr e t e h i s
t or i c form i t is e spec i ally wel l adap t e d t o h i s t o r i cal b i ograph
i cal an d e t h i cal d i sco u rses I t i l l u s t r a t e s a g r ea t va r i e t y o f
e t h i cal pr i nc i pl es i n h i st or i cal a nd b i ograph i cal form L ut he r
no t e d an d rem a r k ed u pon t h e fac t t ha t peopl e a l ways l i s t e n ed to
serm on s t ha t deal t w it h t h i s sor t o f Ol d Tes t am en t m a t er i al
Al l p reachers o f exper i en ce h ave ha d occas i on t o no t e t h e same
phenom en o n
( 4 ) The ex u be r ance o f it s rhe t or i cal f o rm s i s al so o f ex c ep
t i on a l val u e t o t he p reache r T h i s t oo i s i n v ol v ed i n i t s con cre t e
h i s t or i c q u al it y b ut i s wor t hy o f spec i al con s i dera ti on Th e
d i c ti on o f t he O l d Tes t am en t i s l a r gely t h a t o f pas s io na t e feel
i ng an d o f poe ti c o r sem i poe ti c i m age r y It s fo r m s a r e t hose
o f t he i m ag i na tio n ra t h e r t h an o f r ee c ti ve i n t el l i gence I t i s
ecs t a ti c i n it s emo ti on al f reedom a n d u n res t ra i ne d i n it s poe t i c
l i cen se T he m oral p ass i on t ha t mar k s t h e utt e r a n ce o f t he
H ebrew prophe t s nd s n o p a r al l e l in th e N ew Tes t amen t O u r
L ord s mo r al den u nc i a ti ons an d wa r n i ngs were o f t en t e rri c
b ut t he i r m o ral po i se w as t he m os t s t ri k i n g q u al it y i n t he i r
dread f u l ness Pa u l s r he to r i c wa s ex u be r a nt o f t en r each i ng a
grea t he i gh t o f emo ti onal an d i mag i n a t i v e el oq u ence b ut a s
compare d w it h t ha t o f t he H eb rew p r ophe t s h i s utt e r ances
we r e words o f sobernes s O n ly wh en he i s ca u gh t u p i n t o t he
t h i rd heaven does h e s ee t h i ngs t ha t a re u n utt erabl e The n o nl y
t here a re no words fo r h i s ecs t asy Ch ri s ti an it y w a s do u b t l ess
,

78

T H E WO RK O F TH E PREA CH ER

i n t he langu age o f Dr B u shnell a g i f t t o ou r i mag i na ti on

b ut i t i s mo re s tr i k i ngly t rue o f H ebra i sm Recal l t he go rgeou s
i magery o f the B ook o f Job o f t he Psalm s ; o f t h e Can ti cl es
o f t he p rophet I sa i ah The New Tes t am en t h a s no t h i ng com
pa rabl e i n p i c t or i al an d d ram a ti c q u al it y Th e Apocalypse i s
m ore ak i n to t h e l it era t u re o f H ebra i sm t han to th a t o f Ch r i s
I t s l o f t y an d s ome ti m e s gro t esq u e i magery i s H ebra i c
t i a n i ty
i n or i g i n an d q u al it y The Ol d Te s t am en t h a s p ro fou n dly in
fl u ence d t he el oq u ence o f t h e Ch r i s ti an p u l p it Ch rysostom
B a s i l A u g u s ti ne L ut he r B os su e t an d m odern s l i ke Rober t
H al l an d I m i gh t a dd Th e o d o re Pa rk e r h ave q u i ck e ne d
th e i r em o t i o n s a n d k i n dl e d the i r i ma g i n a ti o n s fro m t h e s e

s ou rc e s B u sh n e ll s s e rm o n Sp i r i tual D i sl od gm e n t s a n d

B r o o k s Th e C o n qu e r o r from E d o m d i scl o s e th e p o we rful

i nu enc e o f O l d Te s tam en t rh e t o r i c up o n th e s e m a s t e rs o f
En gl i sh s tyl e
H av i ng d i rec t e d a tt ent i on t o t he v alue o f th e Ol d Tes t am en t
for t h e p r each er l e t u s br i ey no t e some con s i dera ti ons reg u
l a tiv e fo r it s u s e
( 3 ) B ooks t ha t app rox i ma t e m os t nearly t o t h e rel i g i o u s
an d e t h i cal S p i r i t o f t h e New Testam en t o r t ha t represen t m os t
ful ly t he t he i s ti c sp i r i t that i s comm on t o J u da i sm an d Ch r i s
t i a n i ty m ay wel l h a v e t h e pre fe rence i n t he cho i c e o f t exts
fo r t h ey are mos t pro tabl e Th ey rea d i ly adj u s t t h em sel v e s
to t he needs o f t h e Ch r i s ti an pul p it There a re port i on s o f t h e
Psalm s o f wh i c h n o Ch r i s ti an p reach er can make u s e sa v e i n
t h e way o f con t ra s t an d t he re a re pas sage s i n t he book s o f t he
p roph e t s t h a t can be u se d only by care ful a dj u s t men t B u t
t aken a s a wh ol e t h ey a re am ong t h e m os t des i rabl e por ti on s
o f t he Ol d Tes t am en t fo r h om i l et i c u se A s by a hom i l et i c

d i v i nat i on t o u se R i chard Ro t he s t erm a s appl i ed t o Au gu s

ti ne s ex eges i s the bes t preachers i n d i fferen t per i od s o f t he
h i s t ory o f t he ch u rch ha v e t u rned t o t hem h a v e fou nd t h em
sel v es ea s i ly domes ti ca t e d t h ere an d i n th e i r u se o f t hem ha v e
.

B I B LI CA L

S O U R C ES

O F T H E M ES SA GE

79

found the i r hearers an d me t the i r rel i g i ou s wan t s I n the apos

t ol i c an d pa t r i s ti c per i ods they we re v al ued for the i r supposed
mess i an i c charac t e r T h ey doubtl es s ha v e l ess v al ue i n t hi s
regard i n o u r ow n day for mo dern cr iti c i sm has mod i e d ou r
concep ti on o f t he i r M ess i an i c qual it y B u t t h i s does no t i n t he
s l i gh t es t degree l essen t he i r rel i g i ou s an d eth i cal v al ue Or i g i n
d rew la r gely f rom t hese scr i p tu res S o d i d A u gu s ti ne an d
Chrysos t om
La t er Lu t her an d l ater st i l l t he P u r it an

preachers o f Engl and S pu rgeo n s T reas u ry o f Dav i d i s

v al u eles s fo r t he s tu den t o f B i bl i cal exeges i s b ut i t i s o f v ery
grea t v al u e a s d i sclos i ng t he w eal t h o f hom i l e ti c m a t er i al t he
P u r it an preache rs fo u nd i n t he Psalm s
( b ) Ol d T es t am en t S cr i p tu res nee d a dj u s t men t t o t he New
Tes t amen t po i n t o f v i ew I t is o f co u rse no t al ways necessa r y
for n ot i n freq u en t ly t he po i n t s o f v i ew are s u fc i en t ly al ik e
fo r p rac ti cal u s e B ut w heneve r necessary i t i s t he preacher s
t as k t o make t he adj u s t men t A nd it is no t d i fc u l t to pass
from t he earl i er t o t he la t er s t age o f revel a ti on S ome ti mes
i t may be done i n t h e way o f c o n t ras t N o t e for exampl e t he
con t ras t be t ween t he earl i e r an d l a t er H eb rew concep ti ons o f
dea t h an d be t ween t he H eb rew concep ti on i n al l per i ods an d
t h e Ch r i s ti an c o n cep ti on The only goo d r eason i f i ndeed
t he r e w ere any go o d r eason a t al l fo r cho o s i ng a n Ol d Te s t a
m en t pas sage as bas i s fo r a se r mo n on t h e res u rrec t i on wo u l d
be t he oppo r tu n i t y i t wo u l d a fford for c o n t ras ti ng t he H eb rew
w it h t h e Chr i s ti an concep ti o n o f i t i n i t s formal an d i n many o f
its m a t er i al aspec t s
I n som e s u c h way a s t h i s it wo u l d be
eas i ly poss i bl e for t h e preacher t o f am i l i ar i z e h i s heare r s w i th
the con t ras t be t ween t he earl i er an d l a t er s t ages o f re v elat i on
w i t hou t scandal izi ng t hem o r d i s tu rb i ng t he i r fa i th There are
st r ong con t ras t s be t ween t he e t h i cal po i n t s o f v i ew o f t he Ol d
and New Tes t amen t s T h ese con t ras t s nee d t o be po i n t ed o ut
i n t h e p u lp it I t demand s some t h i ng m ore t han B i bl i cal l ea rn
i ng t o do t h i s s u ccess ful ly I t needs a wel l bal anced j u dgm en t
.

80

TH E W ORK O F T H E PREA C H E R

an d t he sav i ng grace o f common sens e an d abo v e all res p ec t

for one s fel l ow m en
B ut t he a dj u s tm en t m ay be m ad e pos iti v el y as wel l T here
a re m a n y O l d Tes t am en t S c r i p tu res t ha t i l l u s t ra t e rel i g i o u s an d
e t h i cal t r ut h s an d p r i nc i pl es t ha t a re u n iv ersal Expe r i ence s
the re reco rded n d t he i r co u n t erpa r t s i n al l ti m e Th e pr i n
c ip l e s o f G o d s p ro v i de n ti al a n d r e dem p ti v e r evel a ti o n a re
i l l u s t ra t e d h ere a t la rge The ol d becom es t ype o f t he new b e
ca u se Su bs t an ti al ly t h e sam e general p r i nc i pl es o f prov i dence
*
an d redem p ti on a re a t work
B ut i t is n ece ssary t o bear i n
m i n d t he d i s ti nc ti on be t ween t he h om i l e ti cal a nd the exege ti cal
It s h om i l e ti c s u gge s ti ven es s m ay
u s e o f t he Ol d Tes t am en t
v e ry eas i ly be overwor k ed I t i s ve ry fr u it f u l i n t he doma i n o f
feel i ng an d i m ag i na t i on A nal ogy i s eas i ly o v erdone Poe ti c
resembl ance s m ay ob sc u r e f u n damen t al d i fferences Typol ogy
a form o f t he appl i ca ti on o f t h e p r i nc i pl e o f analogy t o exeges i s
i s do u b t le ss a n i m por t an t pr i nc i pl e fo r hom i l e ti c s a s wel l a s
ex ege s i s b u t i t ha s been badly o v e rworke d i n bo t h depar t men t s
A nal ogy m ay r u n w i l d i n t o al legory Th e preach i ng o f earl i e r
p er i od s w a s badly v iti a t ed by it I t fo u n d it s wors t ab u se i n
d oc t r i nal preach i ng B ut t h i s hom i l e ti c capr i ce h a s no t yet d i s
appea red It n ds a m os t s i ngu la r exh i b iti on o f it sel f i n a
m ode r n school o f B i bl i cal l i t e r al i s t s a nd e spec i all y among p re
m i l lena r i an s They comb i ne a m ys ti cal an d p i e ti s ti c fanc i fu l
ne s s and em o ti venes s w i t h a n ex t reme l i t e r al nes s i n t he i r u se
o f S c r i p tu re Th ey i mpor t i n t o t h e t ex t t h e w i l de s t fanc i es
an d a t t h e sam e ti m e cl a i m t h a t t hey h ol d t o t he l it eral sen se

They t ak e t h e B i bl e j u s t a s t h ey n d i t a n d m ake i t i n t er

pre t i t sel f an d t hen t h ey p roceed t o pul l o ut w ha t t h ey h ave

al ready sm u ggl e d i n t o i t A n d wha t a m es s t h ey m ak e o f i t '
( c ) I n l i ne w i th t he p reced i ng i t fol l ow s t h a t d i s ti nc tiv el y
Ch r i s ti an doc t r i ne s o r t each i ngs a re no t foun d i n t h e O l d Tes t a
men t Th e p reach er shoul d rem ember t h a t t h e H eb rew S c r i p
,

'

S e e Th o l u c k s D a s
I

Al t e Tes t a men t i m N e u en Te s t a men t

T H E W O RK O F T H E PREA CH ER

82

for t he p u rpose o f t est i fy i ng h is respect fo r tha t part i cul ar por

t i on o f i t Preach i ng thu s based wo u l d be l i kely to be v ery
u np rotabl e We c hoose ou r t ex ts becau se t hey are w hat w e
wan t to t th e t hem es d i scu ssed o r becau se t hey a re i n t hem
sel v e s w e i g h ty a nd f ru it ful and are w hat we need A n d fo r
prec i sely t h i s reason w e g i ve t he N e w Testament th e p re fe r
ence B u t am ong t h e N ew Testament S c r i pt u res pe rh aps the
m ost fru i t ful an d sp i r i tual ly hel p ful tex t s a re fou nd i n the

Go spel s We go mos t rea d i ly to h i m wh o spoke as never man

spake
For na rrat i ve an d desc r i pt i v e tex t s w e natu ral ly t u rn
to t he Synopt i s t s The fo u rth Gospel i s do u btl es s r i ch i n t h i s
m ate r i al bu t i t i s espec i ally we i gh t y i n the d i scou rses T h e
h i sto r i cal pa ssages i n al l the Gospel s fu rn i sh v ery f ru i t fu l texts
fo r a cla s s o f sermon s o f wh i ch w e hea r too few i n t h e Am er
i ca n pul p i t ; v ia d i dact i c serm on s that m ake u se o f h i s t or i cal
m a t er i al i n a d esc r i pt i ve an d p i cto r i al man ner Popu la r i n
t e r es t i n the l i fe o f Ch r i s t w h i ch h as been e v oked by such work s
a s those o f Ge i k i e a n d o f Fa rra r no t to nam e t h ose o f a s ti l l
m ore we i g h ty cha racte r m ay suggest t he val ue o f d i scou rses
on t h e l i fe o f Jesu s i n wh i ch the narrat iv e and d esc r i pt i ve styl e

i s i ntro duce d B ook s l i ke P h il oc h r i s tu s wh i ch u nde rtakes

t o portray th e l i fe o f J esu s from t h e a ssum ed po i nt o f v i ew o f
h i s con tem po ra r i es sugge st th e sam e th i ng The m i racle s o f
o u r Lo rd fu rn i sh m ate r i al o f i mmen se weal th o f suggest i o n
The i r apol oget i c val ue i s doubtle s s not w hat i t once w a s A l l
the more rea son w h y the i r h om i l e ti c val ue as pa rabl es i n act i on
o f great rel i g i ou s an d moral real i t i e s s h oul d be t h e m ore f u l ly
apprec i a t ed
The Parabl es a re pee rl es s i n val ue fo r the
preacher T h e fact tha t they are u nque st i onably a par t o f
t h e o r i g i nal G osp e l t ra d i t i on the i r un i ty t h e i r wealth o f sug
ge st i on t he i r p i ctor i al form an d t h e analog i e s t hat appeal t o
*
m
i nently to h om i let i c u se
t h e i m ag i nat i on al l a dapt t h e m pre e
The u se o f th e Gospel s i n S c r i ptu ral sel ect i ons for exa m pl e
.

S ee

L is co s

D ie P a r a b e l n

e s u , e x e g e t i s h ch e h o

m ile t i s c h b e a r b e it e t

B I B L I CA L S O U R C ES O F T H E M ES SAG E

83

i n t he Angl i can a n d Lutheran chu rc hes m ay sugges t t he i r val ue

for t he wo rk o f p reach i ng They h ave long ha d a cer t a i n prec
In
e d en c e here a s a bas i s fo r S cr i p t u re read i ngs an d fo r t ex t s
the Angl i can an d Ame r i can Ep i scopal chu rche s t he congrega
t i on al ways r i ses w hen the Gospel s a re rea d German preachers
g i ve t hem t he p re ference i n t he i r sel ec ti on o f t ex t s T hey
m i gh t wel l have m ore abu n d an t and var i ed recogn iti on among
the p reache rs o f al l comm u n i ons We nd h ere t he hear t o f
t h e Go spel o f redem pti on Ou t s i de t he Gospel s w e na tu ral ly
go t o Pa u l an d J oh n fo r t he we i ght i e s t doc t r i nal t ex t s They
devel op Chr i s ti an it y m os t fr u it fully an d ful ly an d cen t ral ly o n
t he d i dac ti c s i de a s James an d Pe t er o n t he e t h i cal and p rac ti cal
Si de
,

C HA PTE R I I
CH R I ST IA N

Q UALI TY O F T H E PREA C H ER S
M E S SA G E

WE h av e s e e n t h a t th e Ch r i st i a n s e rm o n w i ll h av e a p r eva i l
i n gly

Ch r i st i an con t en t I t w i ll deal w it h such fac t s an d t r ut h s

a s a r e de s i gne d fo r and tt e d to t h e p rod u c tio n an d devel op
m e n t o f re d e em e d a n d r e gen e ra te c h a ra c t e r Wh a t th e s e
fac t s an d t ru t h s a re i n de t a i l i t w i l l b e u nn ece ssary here to con
s i de r They a re c o n t a i ne d i n o n e al l com preh en d i ng Chr i s ti a n
t h em e Tha t t h e m e i s Ch r i s t Ch r i s ti an p re a ch i n g m ay b e
s u mm ar i zed t h ere fo re a s p reach i ng Ch r i s t t he p resen t a ti o n o f
h i m a s t h e i ncl u s i ve subs t a n ce o f t h e p r eacher s m es sage I t s
conten t i s redemp t i ve fac t an d t r uth a s i ncorporate i n h i m w h o
i s h i m sel f t h e fac t an d t r ut h o f redempt i on T r ut h i n New
Tes t am en t u sage m ean s redemp ti ve t r ut h I t i s t h e c o n t en t o f
t h e revela ti on o f God i n Ch r i st t he h i d den pu rpo se o f Go d i n
redem p ti on a t l as t reveal ed The G reek w o rd dAvj a a
trut h e tym o l o g i cal ly su gge s t s th e Ch r i s t i an c o n c ept i o n o f
redem p ti ve revel at i on I t embod i e s t h e n o ti on o f a d i scl os u re
T ru th i s som eth i ng no l onge r h i dde n ; it i s som e t h i ng t h a t h as
em erge d from obsc u r it y an d becom e an obj ec t o f kn owl edge
Th i s concept i on i s real i z ed i n Ch r i st i an i ty B ut th e obj ec t u n
c overed an d b rough t to k nowl edge i s conc re t e not ab s t rac t
I t i s G o d God i n Ch r i s t i n h i s pu rpose an d work o f r e demp
t i on Th i s i s N ew Te s t am en t t ru th I t i s conc rete real i ty
real i ty i n a person I t i n v ol ves t he u ncover i ng o f God H i m
sel f God i n Ch r i st T rut h i s t ruth i n Ch r i st There fore he

sa i d I am t h e t ru th
I am t h e real i ty o f God i n redempt i on
th e real i ty o f h i s person o f h i s m i n d o f h i s p u rpose o f h i s
.

85

C H R I STIA N Q UA L I TY O F T H E M ES SA GE

charac t er a s r i gh t e o u s b ut above al l as grac i o u s t he real i ty o f

To
H i s re d emp ti v e l ove t h e real i ty o f r e d e mp t i o n i t s elf
preach Chr i s ti an it y t here fo r e i s t o p reach Chr i s t B ut w ha t
i s i t t o p reach Ch r i s t ' T he r e i s a b roade r an d a na r r o we r
concep ti on o f i t T he narrower concep ti on woul d conce n t ra t e
w hol ly o r ch i efl y u po n a f r a gm en t o f h i s p erson o r u pon a
s i ngl e a spec t o f h i s pe r so nal sel f d i scl os u re a s t he redeem er o f
m en t ha t a spec t wh i c h i nvolv es h i s pr i es t ly f u nc ti on s an d t he
fac t s an d t r ut h s t hat fal l w it h i n t he i r l i m it s Preach i ng Chr i s t
w i l l con fes sedly som e ti mes h ave an d m ay w ell have a cer t a i n
narrowne ss o f range Rel i g i on it sel f i s i n o n e a spec t o f i t a
narrow th i ng B ut it i s worl d vas t i n i ts s i gn i cance conten t
and resul t I f h o w eve r i t be t r u e t ha t Ch r i s t i s t he cen t ral
real it y o f revela tio n o f t heology an d even o f moral an d rel i
g i o n s h i s t o ry th e n t o p r e ac h Chr i s t m u s t h ave a b ro a der
s i gn i cance To preach Ch r i s t t h u s i s to p reach al ong al l
t he l i nes t ha t l ea d u p t o h i m an d r u n o ut from h i m P reach i ng
a long the l i nes t ha t lead u p to h i m sol i c it s grea t r ange i n t he
u se o f t he Ol d Tes t am en t Preach i ng al ong t he l i nes t ha t r u n
o ut from h i m sol i c i t s grea t range i n t he d i sc u s s i on o f al l q u es
t i on s t ha t r el a t e t o t he c o mplex i nte r es t s o f m en i n t he i r i n
d i v i d u al and a ssoc i a t e l i ves a nd rel at i on s Ou r concep ti on o f
Chr i s ti an preach i ng m u s t grow w it h t h e enl argem en t o f o u r
concep ti on o f Chr i st an d o f h i s cen t ral it y an d s u premacy i n
t he w orl d w i t h t he grow t h an d devel opmen t o f h u man s o c i e t y
an d w it h t he enl argemen t an d i n t en s i ca ti on o f h u man i n t er
ests Th i s gro w t h o f t he concep ti on t he Ch r i s ti an ch u rch ha s
w it nessed
I t i s man i fes t i n t he early Ch u rc h i n connec ti on
w it h t he e ffor t s o f Ch r i s ti an it y t o adj u s t it sel f t o t h e expan d
i ng an d m u lt i ply i ng i nteres t s and rela ti on s o f men Com
pare for exampl e t he earl i er w i th t he l a t er p reach i ng o f Paul
i f as do u btl es s we m ay w e rega r d h i s preach i ng as i ll u s t ra t ed
by h i s l e tt ers Compare t he escha t olog i cal Ch r i s t o f th e Thes
s a l on i a n l e t ters w it h t he c o sm i c Ch r i s t o f t he Ephes i an an d
,

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Co l o s s i a n l e t t e rs B u t i t i s g i ven t o o u r ow n ag e t o pre a ch
C h r i st m o r e c o mpr eh e n s i ve l y t h an t o a ny pr e ce d i n g a ge L e t
u s n o w n o t e s o m e o f th e e l e m ent s o f t h i s br oa de r c o n cept i o n
o f p re ach i n g Ch r i s t
i The roo t concep ti on i nvol ves th e p resen t a tio n o f h i s
personal i ty H e i n h i s ow n person i s th e conc re t e h i s tor i c
embod i m en t an d exponen t o f Ch r i s ti an it y The presen t at i on
o f H i m a s s u c h i s fu n dam en t al no t only i n o u r concep ti on o f
preach i ng Ch r i st bu t o f Ch r i s ti a n p reach i ng it sel f Th i s i n
v ol v es t h e p rocl amat i on o f H i m a s h e i s p resen t ed i n t h e New
Testam en t for t h i s i s ou r only p r i mal so u rc e o f k nowl edge o f
h i s h i stor i c real it y Doub t l ess t h e Ch r i st o f t he N ew Te s t a
m ent need s i nte rpretat i o n an d m u ch m od i cat i on i n t he form s
i n w h i ch h i s i mage i s p resen ted t o u s there i s pos s i bl e M en s
concept i on an d d e n i t i on o f th e supe rna t u ral el em en t i n h i s
h i stor i c personal i ty an d i n th e even t s as soc i a t ed w i th h i s l i fe
m ay b e s ubj e ct e d a s i s al re a d y t h e c a s e t o m u c h r ev i s i o n
B ut some form o f th i s concept i on o f a superna t u ral personal it y
m u st forever a t tach i tsel f to h i s m an i festat i on a s i t em erges
i n t he New Tes t am en t T h i s only i s th e Ch r i st o f t h e New
Te s t amen t an d th e very ex i s t ence o f t h e ch u rc h i s i dent i ed
w i th t h i s pe rsonal it y so u n i qu e i n i ts qual i ty an d rel at i on s
I n t h i s u n i qu e personal i ty cen t re al l t he u n i qu e h i s t or i c fac t s
th at a re connecte d w i th th e man i fes t a ti on o f h i s ear t h ly l i fe
Th i s p roclam a ti on o f a s u perna t u ral h i stor i c person o f it sel f
g i ve s Ch r i st i an p reach i ng va s t range Ch r i s t t u rne d h i s
p reach i ng back u po n h i m sel f H e h i m sel f i s t he revel a ti on
H e h i m sel f i s t he rev eal e r o f Go d H e th ere fo re know s h i m
sel f al way s a s i n v i tal rel at i on w i th al l h e says an d al l he doe s
H e i s no t t o be abs t rac t e d f rom i t a s i f apar t from w h o an d
w hat h e i s it ha s any wor t hy s i gn i cance No r ye t i s h e to be
entangl ed i n al l h e says an d does an d thu s become a m orb i dly
subj ect i ve cha racte r W it h cl ea re st an d m ost t ranqu i l cert i
tu d e o f i mm ed i ate k nowl edge h e rec ogn i ze s h i m sel f a s th e
.

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M ES SA G E

87

God sen t and he as t he God sen t i s o f m o re s i gn i cance an d

i mpor t ance t han a u gh t el se Wha t he says o r does i s o f b ut
rel a ti vely l it tle i mpor t ance o r i mpor t apar t from h i m sel f B ut
h e h i m sel f has ch i e f s i gn i cance only a s rela t ed t o H i m t ha t
s e n t h i m To a cc ep t wh a t h e s ay s t h e refo r e a n d n o t t o
acc ep t h i m i s n o t t o t h e p urpo s e An d t o a c cep t wh a t h e d i d
apart fr o m wh a t h e wa s a s th e Go d s e n t i s o f rel a ti vely l it t l e
i mp o r ta n ce To ac c ep t sup ern a t u ra l ev e nt s even apa r t fro m
h i m who wa s h i m sel f t he s u p rem e s u perna t ural a n d S p i r i t u al
real it y wa s no h i gh form o f Ch r i s ti an bel i ev i ng T h i s f a c t
t ha t Ch r i s t i s t he ob j ec t t o be preache d dem onstra t e s tha t h e
i s vastly more t h an a n e t h i cal i deal o r a hom i l e ti c model H e i s
t he very subs tance th e v e ry hear t t h e very p it h an d marrow o f
the Gospel w it h w
h i ch t h e p reach er deal s Th i s p rom u lg i ng
o f Ch r i s t as a s u perna tu ral perso nal it y wa s t he ce n t e r po i n t
o f t h e p reach i ng o f t he apos t ol i c age The hear t an d l i fe t h e
ma tt er an d mo ti ve o f it al l w a s t he person o f Ch r i s t H i s per
s on a l i t
H e wa s so m u ch
y gave charac t er t o al l t h e fac t s
b i gge r t h a n any o r al l o ft h e fac t s t h a t t h ey a l l s ee m e d n a t ural
no m a tt er how a s t o u n d i ng t hey m i gh t be t o m en o f l itt le fa it h
Those s t or i es o f t remen do u s ev en t s d i d no t seem d i s t or t ed
d i sp ropor ti onate or i nharm on i o u s beca u se he w a s l arge
enough t o suppor t t hem To p reach t hos e as t o u n d i ng fac t s
a r i ght t here fore wa s s i mply t o p reach h i m w h o w a s i n t hem
al l an d gave t hem s i gn i cance an d cha rac t e r T hey d i d no t
ra i se cr iti cal qu es ti on s abo ut t hem fo r h e s u ppor t ed them
H enc e th e a s t oun d i ng s t or i e s o f h i s b i r t h h i s m i racles h i s
res u rrect i on and ascen s i on Al l t he se fac t s were ga t here d up
i n h i m an d i n t he i r proclama ti on t hey cal led i t al l preach i ng
Ch r i s t
i i The p resen t a ti on o f h i s personal charac t er i s
al so i nvol ved
Th i s en t ered var i ou sl y i n t o th e apologe ti c
o f the early chu rch I t suppo rte d th e arguments i n
de fense o f h i s cla i m s an d ev en i n d e fense o f som e
-

'

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T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH ER

o f t he ch i e f h i s to r i c fac t s Th e s t ory o f t he c o nq u e r o r o f
dea t h wa s s i m ply a perpe tu ati on o f t he s t o ry o f t he conqueror
o f s in I n o u r own day h oiv ev e r i t perhap s rece i ves m ore
a tt en ti on t h an i t has eve r rece i ved be fo re E t h i cal p reach i ng
n d s i ts norm an d it s i mp u l se i n Ch r i s t a s an e t h i cal i deal A s
s u c h h e i s m ore f u l ly presen t ed t h an eve r be fore Ch r i s ti an
p reach i ng i s appa ren t ly des ti ne d t o en t rench it sel f m ore an d
m o re i n t he pe rsonal ch arac t er o f Ch r i s t I t w i l l f al l back
u po n t ha t c ha racter a s t he gro u n d for it s de fen se o f Ch r i s ti an
i t y i t sel f A s a t t h e rs t it i s apparen t ly des ti ne d t o hav e
s u prem e apol oge ti c s i gn i cance T he ti m e h as com e aga i n
an d u n de r w hol ly ne w c o n d iti ons wh en we m u s t s u mmon
Ch r i s t t o t he de fen se o f Ch r i s ti an it y I t w i l l no l onge r ava i l
t o re s t t h e de fen se o f m i racl es u pon ex t ernal ev i dence We
m u s t s u mm on Ch r i s t t o t h e i r de fen se I t w i l l no l onger ava i l
t o res t o u r de fen se o f t he res u rrec ti on o f Ch r i s t upon h i s t or i c
ev i dence s We m u s t s u mm on h i m t o t he v i n d i ca ti on o f t h e
fac t o f h i s own l as t t r i umph Wh a t he wa s a s t he holy one
o f God w h o conq u ere d s i n ren de rs it t h e m ore ea sy t o bel i eve
t ha t h e wa s al so t h e conqu ero r o f death W ha t Jesu s Ch r i st
w a s a s a h i s t or i c cha rac t er a s i n t erpre t ed al so a n d v i nd i ca t e d
i n t he exper i ence s o f h i s d i sc i pl e s for almos t t w o th o u san d
yea rs i s i n general one o f t h e s t ronges t de fense s o f Chr i s
t i a n i ty
H i s m i racl es do no t s o m u ch s u ppor t h i m a s h e t hem
iii
T he p resen t a ti on o f h i m i n h i s o fc i al charac t er i s
a no t he r a spect H ereabo ut h ave to a l arge ex t en t ga t h ere d
t h e d i s ti nc ti ve doc t r i nes o f grac e wh i ch hav e gen eral ly been
rega rde d a s t he Ch r i s ti an doc t r i ne s d i s ti nc ti v ely an d p r e m i
n en t l
y H e re a re fou n d t h e doc t r i nal presuppos iti on s o f Chr i s
t i a n e th i c s W i th t h e s e d o c t r i n al p r e supp o s it i o n s i n cl ud i n g o f
co u rse t h e fac t s benea t h t hem a s a foun da ti on eth i cal p reach
i ng m u s t h ave very w i de range To be m ore spec i c Ch r i s
ti an p reach i ng a s rel ated t o th e p rophet i c fu nct i on o f Ch r i s t
t o h i s f u nc ti on a s an a ut h or i ta ti ve t eache r deal s w i th the
.

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90

d eal s w it h wh a t Ch r i s t sa i d M u ch o f it do u b t l ess i gnore s i t s

rel a ti on t o h i s perso n al i t y o r nd s no spec i al s i gn i cance fo r
i t i n it s rela ti on t o h i s personal i ty an d i n so fa r a s t h i s i s t h e
case i t i s super c i al a nd i s sh orn t o a la rge ex t en t o f i t s ch i e f
m oral power J e s u s can no t be s u cces s f u l ly abs t rac t ed f rom
h i s t ru t h for he i s i n i t t o v it al i ze i t w it h m or al an d sp i r itu al
powe r Th e wo rd s h e spake a re sp i r i t an d l i fe for h e w h o i s
sp i r it an d l i fe i s i n t hem H i s t each i ngs rel a t e t o Go d and t o
ma n an d t o t he r ela ti on be t ween t hem an d t o t he i r rela ti on t o
t h e o rde r o f t h e wo rl d H is t each i ngs concern i ng Go d rel a t e
ch i ey t o h i s sp i r it ual it y t o h i s m oral i n t egr it y bu t above al l
t o h i s Fa t he rly bene v ol ence B u t t h i s i s no t abs t rac t t each i ng
Wha t h e says abo ut God i s i n t erpre t ed an d accen t ua t ed by h i s
ow n personal d i scl os u re o f t he s i gn i cance o f h i s me s sage
Wha t h e says abo ut t h e h i gh nat u r e an d v al u e o f m an i s b r ace d
by h i s ow n personal d i scl osu re o f a per fec t m anh ood a m an
h oo d w h i c h i s t h e t ype an d norm o f al l t r u e m anh ood Wha t
h e says abou t m an s rel a t i on t o God an d God s rel a ti on t o m an
i s i n t erp re t ed by h i s own d i scl osu re o f h i m sel f a s m ed i a t o r
be t ween Go d and man and t h ose e t h i cal t each i ngs wh i ch m u s t
f u r n i sh t he n orm fo r t h e regu la ti on o f m en i n t h e i r rel a ti on s
w i t h each o t h er a re al l i ll u s t ra t ed i n h i s ow n per fec t m o ral
cha rac t er an d l i fe The range o f s u ch preach i ng i s e v i den t
To p r each Ch r i s t i n t h i s comp rehen s i v e sen se i s t o presen t
t h e en ti re con t en t o f Ch r i s ti an it y a s rel a t ed t o t he person t h e
c ha r ac t e r t h e f u nc ti on s and t h e t each i ngs o f Ch r i s t H e onl y
w i l l t h i nk i t a sm al l a na rrow o r a l i m it ed t as k wh o ha s neve r
t es t e d i t
U p on t h e bas i s o f wha t h as al ready been sa i d t h e fol l ow i ng
sugges ti on s a re p er ti nen t
A n d rs t t o rec u r t o wh a t ha s al rea dy been sa i d al l p reach
i ng t ha t i s based Upon t h e Ol d Tes t am en t i s s u mm oned t o g ive
t h e t r ut h s d er i ved from i t a d i s ti nc tiv ely Ch r i s ti an d i rec ti on
o t h e rw i s e i t w i ll l a ck t h e Ch r i s ti a n t o n e an d ch a ra c t e r S u ch
,

'

C H R I ST IA N Q UA L I TY O F TH E M ES SA G E

1
9

u se o f t he Ol d Tes t amen t as al rea dy s u gges t ed i s po ss i bl e

We do no t preach a s H eb r ews o r Jew s nor from t he H ebrew
or Jew i sh po i n t s o f v i ew any m ore t han w e p reach as i nde
penden t spec u l a t ors o f t h i s boas t e d t wen ti e t h cen tu ry w ho are
i nve n ti ng a new rel i g i on an d a new t heol ogy
Aga i n al l m a t er i al from ex t ra B i bl i cal so u rces an d t h e range
o f s u ch so u rces m ay be w el l n i gh bo u ndle ss w i ll appropr i a t ely
have a Ch r i s ti an a i m w i l l be conver t ed i n t o Chr i s ti an u ses
and t ake a Chr i s ti an t one an d col or Al l roads u pon wh i ch t he
Ch r i s ti an preache r j ou rneys w i l l l ead t o Ch r i s t Al l m a t er i al
d raw n from any depar t men t o f h u m an k nowl e dge from h i s
t ory f rom s c i ence f rom ph i l osophy e t h i cs ar t i n d u s t ry
p ol iti cs sh o ul d be u s e d t o i ll u s t ra t e Ch r i s ti an t ru t h o r t h e
p r i nc i pl es o f Ch fis tia n m oral it y an d s ho u l d be s u bs erv i en t t o
t he m o ral an d rel i g i o u s i n t eres t s o f men Al l t h i ngs are o u rs
as Ch r i s ti an p reach ers b ut only u n der t he con d iti on t ha t we
are Chr i s t s as Chr i s t w a s Go d s
The p u lp i t m u s t o f co u rse i n t eres t it sel f i n q u es ti on s t ha t
are cal led sec u l ar q u es ti on s t ha t do no t o f t hem sel v es belong
t o t he or i g i nal m essage o f Ch r i s ti an it y no r t o it s cen t ral c i r cl e
o f t r ut h s o r fac t s b ut only t o t he i r p rac ti cal appl i ca ti ons
The r e are q u es ti ons t ha t t o u ch t he doma i n o f phys i cal sc i ence
o f soc i al and pol iti cal s c i ence o f ph i losophy e d u ca ti on ar t
i n dus t ry The Ch r i s ti an p reacher is i n t eres t ed i n t hem as a
preach e r only i n so far as t hey rel a t e t hem sel v es t o t h e m oral
an d rel i g i o u s wel fare o f m en and m ore espec i ally t o t h e de
v el op men t o f a
Chr i s ti an t ype o f m anh ood an d t h u s t h e
real i za ti on o f t he nal p u r pose o f Ch r i s ti an it y The Chr i s
ti an p u lp it m u s t t a k e it s cen t ral t r ut h s an d fac t s o ut i n t o t he i r
p rac ti cal rel a ti ons w i t h an d a dap t a ti ons t o t he ear t hly i n t eres t s
o f m en and i t m u s t i n t erp re t t hose i n t eres t s i n t he l i gh t o f
t hese t r ut h s an d fac t s an d m u s t t t hem t o every h u man need
Al l s u ch q u es ti ons m ay be bro u gh t w it h i n t he reach o f appl i ed
Ch r i s ti an it y Al l d i sc u ss io n o f t h em sh ou l d have fo r its u l t i
.

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92

m a t e a i m th e b u i l d i ng o f a broa d Chr i s ti an m anhoo d t he

enl argem en t a nd enr i chm en t o f t h e l i fe o f t h e ch u r ch th e
d i ssem i na ti on o f t he Ch r i s ti an concep ti on o f al l h u ma n l i fe
an d t h e p rogress o f t he k i ngdom o f God Th i s s u r ely w i l l
no t fa i l t o sec u re fo r Ch r i s t i an p r each i ng an ed u ca t i v e powe r
i n h u m an s o c i e t y
T he Ch r i s ti an con t en t o f t he serm on a s t h u s conce i ved
w i l l depen d la rgely u pon t he preacher h i m sel f o r u pon t he m an
beh i nd t he p reacher I t w i ll depen d u pon h i s concep ti on o f
Ch r i s ti an i t y a s a Gospel u pon h is concep t i on o f Ch r i s t a s t h e
h eart a nd l i fe o f t ha t Gospel i t w i l l depen d u pon h i s t h eol og i
cal t en denc i es i n gene ral u pon h is concep ti on o f t he pro p e r
a i m o f p r each i ng o n h i s general and spec i c p u r pose w it h t e
spec t t o t h e i n t eres t s o f h i s fel l ow m en i t w i ll depen d u po n
h i s m oral bre an d h i s common sense
N o am o u n t o f hom i
l ct i c S k i l l w i l l pr o d u ce a Ch r i s ti a n s e rm o n A pr e ach e r m ay
ha v e a t ex t t ha t pal p it a t e s w it h Ch r i s ti an l i fe h e m ay al ways
choo se s u c h t ex t s he m ay w i n t h eme s t ha t are Ch r i s ti an f rom
t h em h e m ay ha v e a good roa d fo r h i s j o u rney p ro d u c ti v enes s
sugge s tiv eness an d t ra i n i ng eno u gh t o grappl e w it h th e t ask o f
p u tt i ng h i s mate r i al i n t o serm on form bu t w i t hou t a personal
an d p ro fess i onal p u rpose t o han dl e h i s m a t e r i al Ch ri s ti anly
w i t h personal loyal t y a s a p reacher t o h i s m as t er Jes u s Ch r i s t
h i s p reach i ng w i l l go wrong i t w i l l fa i l i n Ch r i s ti an q u al it y
a n d w i l l be u np rod u c tiv e a s t o t he gr ea t en d o f al l p r each i ng
t h e Ch r i s ti an i z i ng o r i n th e l arge r sen se t he h u m an i z i ng o f
m en
,

TH E

94

O F TH E

W O RK

P REA CH ER

se r mon Upon t he ba s i s o f t h i s s t a t em en t w ha t fol low s m ay

b ec o m e t h e m o re ev i d en t
I
We s ee t ha t t he t ex t i s a par t o f t he organ i sm o f t h e
s erm on A s co n t a i n i ng ex pl i c i t ly o r i mpl i c i t ly its s u b j ec t
m a tt er i t i s compl e t ely i den t i ed w i t h t h e o rgan i sm T h i s i s
e t y mol og i cal ly s u gges t e d I t i s w h a t is w o v en i n t o an d al l
th ro u gh t h e se rm on I t is i t s t ex tu re i ts ti ss u e The pro d u c t
i s som eh ow sp u n ou t o f i t T he m a i n t ho u gh t o r it m ay be
som e s u bord i na t e t ho u gh t con t a i ne d i n o r s u gges t ed by t h e t ex t
i s t h e raw m a t er i al o f t h e p rod u c t
S e r m on p repara ti on co n
s i s t s i n w or ki ng o u t o r wor ki ng ove r i n t form t h i s r aw
m a t er i al i n t o a n ew fabr i ct he serm on o r i t m ay be t he
h om i ly I t does n o t s t an d m erel y a t t h e h ea d o f an d o ut s i de
t h e o r gan i sm i t e n t e r s everywh e r e a s a p e rva s i ve p r e s e n c e
i n t o i ts m a t er i a l an d form al devel opm en t B e t wee n t h e t ex t
an d s erm on t here fore t h ere i s al ways dem an ded a m an i fes t
m a t er i al connec ti on an d t o a l i m it e d ex t en t a fo rmal con nec
ti on A t ex t t h a t s t an d s wh ol ly ou t s i de t h e serm on t ha t i s
no t even a gu r eh ea d o r g ui de po s t t o i n d i ca t e i ts m ovem en t
i s a rad i cal m od i ca ti on o f its o r i g i nal s i gn i cance T hose
w h o a dvoca t e t h e t op i cal i deal fo r t h e se rm on general ly r e

gard t h e t ex t a s a rh e t or i cal dev i ce

I f t h i s w ere t he m ean
i ng o f t h e t ex t it m i gh t be an d o f t en wo u l d be t h row n w hol ly
o ut s i de t h e sermon I t i s ev i den t t h a t t h i s v i ew m i gh t an d
o f t en w o u l d v ery ser i o u sly a ffec t t h e cha r ac t e r o f a m an s
preach i ng Those howe v e r w h o a d v oca t e t he t ex tu al o r ex
p os itory i deal o f preach i ng m u s t regard t h e t ex t a s t he v e r y
p it h an d m arrow o f t h e se rm on S o w h o l ly abso rbed i n t he
s u bs t ance o f t he sermo n i s i t t ha t som e w r it ers l i ke Cl au de
fo r exampl e do no t t rea t i t as a d i fferen ti abl e par t o f t he se r
m on a t al l H om i le ti c analy s i s beg i n s w it h t h e i n t ro duc ti on
T he t ex t i s l o s t i n t h e bo dy o f t h e serm on
2
We m ay i n fer al so t he p roper pos iti on o f t he t ex t
S om e f o rm s o f sch o l as ti c p reach i ng p lace d t h e t ex t a f t e r t h e
.

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i n t ro d u c ti on The re were i n fac t t h ree i n t ro d u c ti ons The rst

a f t er t h e m an ne r o f t he cl as s i cal exo rd iu m w a s o f a general

r he to r i cal charac t e r T he secon d w a s a n expl ana t ory i n t ro
d u c ti on deal i ng w it h t he t ex t an d con t ex t an d was cal l ed

spec i al
The t h i rd w a s a t r ans iti onal i n t ro d u c ti on co n nec t

i ng t he expos i ti on w it h t h e t hem e and w a s cal l e d mos t

spec i al
Th u s t h e t ex t s t oo d be tw een t h e rs t o r general
an d t he secon d o r spec i al i n t rod u c ti o n Germ an preachers i n
f o rm er p er i ods have been i n t he hab it o f p utt i ng t he t ex t a f t e r
a gene ral i n t r od u c ti on Con t empo rary G e r m an preach ers
howeve r h ave aban done d t he p rac ti ce an d fol l ow t he B r iti s h
a n d Am er i can m e t hod o f beg i nn i ng w it h t he t ex t I f on e
w i sh es t o u s e a genera l i n t ro d u c ti on or w i shes t o s t a r t h is
hom i l e ti c m ovem e n t from a d i s t ance i t m ay be w el l eno u gh
o r even des i rabl e t o pl ace t h e t ex t a f t e r i t I t m ay s eem t o
j u s ti fy t he preach er i n a grea t e r range i f t h a t m ay be regarded
a s an advan t age I t perm it s t h e p r each er t o m ove u p t o h i s
t ex t from any q u a r t e r an d t hen a f t e r h a v i ng reached i t t o
move o ut f rom i t t o h is t h em e T h u s t ex t and t hem e are
b r o u gh t an d k ep t i n clos e prox i m it y It i s w el l t o fol l o w t h i s
m e t ho d occas i onal l y fo r t he sa k e o f va r i e t y b ut i n general t he
s i gn i cance o f t he t ex t se tt l es t h e q u es ti on o f i ts pos iti on as
a t t h e head o f t h e s ermon A s par t o f t he o rgan i sm o f t h e
se r m on i n t ro d u c ti on and al l everyt h i ng by s u ppos iti on be i ng
drawn o ut o f it it sho u l d i n general s t an d a t t he hea d
I t becomes t he m ore ev i den t also w hy p reach i ng h a s i n
3
t he h i s t ory o f t he ch u rch been p reva i l i ngly expos i t ory O r
be tt er p erhaps t he p reva i l i ng m e t ho d o f expos it ory p reach i ng
expl a i n s t he concep ti o n and u s e o f t he t ex t as t he so u rce o f t h e
m a t er i al o f t he sermon S u ch w a s t he p reach i ng o f t he Jew i sh
S ynagog u e A n Ol d Tes t am en t pas sage was t h e t ex t for t he
day Preach i ng wa s an expl ana ti on an d appl i ca ti on o f it I t
w a s a S c r i p tu re r ead i ng w it h a r u n n i ng comm en t ary
In
t he Apos t ol i c ch u r ches a n O l d Tes t amen t mess i an i c p as sage
.

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P REA CH E R

wa s frequently the text an d preach i ng wa s merely an ex pos i

t i on an d appl i cat i on o f i t Gra d ually the New Te stamen t
w r i t i ngs came i nto u se i n the publ i c se r v i ce and we re handl ed
i n the same w a y Th i s i s sa i d to ha v e been t h e or i g i n o f the
New Test a m ent Canon Wr i t i ngs that h ad become xed i n
t h i s h om i l et i c u se came to be rega r d ed a s canon i cal If th i s
be the fact the New Te sta men t has a str i c tly hom i l et i cal and
prac t i cal rathe r t h an a theol og i cal or sc i e nt i c s i gn i cance
an d v alue Preac h i ng w a s pre v a i l i ngly text u al and expos i tory
from t h e Apostol i c to the schola st i c per i o d Sc h ola st i c i sm
d i d not ful ly o r i g i nate but i t d e v el oped t h e top i cal m ethod
T h e expos i tory met h o d was mo d ie d or d ropped The Re
form at i on restore d i t The re formers d i scou rses re s u s c it a t

i ng an ol d schola st i c te rm were call e d post i l s t h at i s th i ngs

th a t c o m e a ft e r
a ft er t h e Sc r i p t u re re a d i ngs nam ely
th e e xp o s i t i o n a n d appl i ca t i on i a t h e se r m o n o r m o re prop
e rly t h e h o m i ly ( p o st i l l a
v e rba ) Th i s i n d i ca t e s what
t h e pre v a i l i ng i d ea o f preac h i ng w a s I t was s i mply the i nter
H enc e exeges i s
p r et a t io n a nd appl i cat i on o f Sc r i ptu re truth
and hom i l et i c s were closely all i e d T h e word tex t i s u sed i n
In ex e ge s i s i t i s t h e b a s i s fo r expo s i t i o n i
b o t h d i sc i pl i n e
for note an d comment I n ho m i l et i c s i t i s t h e bas i s for p ra c t i
cal suggest i on an d a ppl i cat i on a s wel l T h e two proce sse s
ha v e freely pe r h aps too freely comm i ngl e d i n both depart
m ent s
T h ere h a s been a goo d d eal o f h o m i let i c work th at
h a s been exeget i cal an d t h e re h a s been muc h m ore exeges i s
t h at has been h om i let i cal M o d ern B i bl i cal sc i ence ha s
broug h t u s to a bette r u se o f t h e text In such u se we ha v e
co m e to a bette r type o f C h r i s t i a n preach i ng
It i s e v id ent t h at top i cal preach i ng i s a depa rtu re from
4
the pr i m i t i v e type I t i s i n so me sort a conces s i on to secula r
cultu re It may ha v e ha d i t s o r i g i n i n the eul og i st i c o rato ry
o f the pat r i st i c an d post pat r i st i c pe r i ods o r i n the d i sc ou rses
commem orat iv e o f t h e ma rtyrs o f t h e c h u rch It was m ore
,

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98

t ex t i s l i kely t o t w i s t i t no m a tt er h ow p i ou s h is p u rpose The

q u es ti on be fore u s i s on e o f pos iti v e v al u e no t o f conven ti onal
o r supers titi o u s u se N o p reacher ha s t h e v oca ti on t o de fen d
the u se o f t ex t s u nl es s he nd s t hem w or t h wh i l e
I
Th e s i gn i cance o f t h e t ex t se tt les i n general t he q u es
ti on o f it s m a t er i al val u e an d it s m a t er i al v al u e i s t h e c h i e f
t h i ng Tha t t h e t ex t i s a gu i de to t h e serm on i s a n i mpor t an t
c ons i dera t i on b ut t h a t i t i s i n any sen se t h e s ou rce o f t he m a t
ter o f t h e serm on i s s ti l l mo re i mpor t an t I am i ncl i ned t o
t h i nk t ha t t he m ore B i bl i cal e spec i al ly t h e m ore Ch r i s ti an
one s concept i on o f t he na tu re an d ob j ec t o f one s preach i ng i s

t h e more i m portan t the t ex t w i l l appear Rev e r sely al so i t i s

pos s i bl e t hat an i n t el l i gen t e s ti m a t e o f it s val u e m ay favo rably
a ffec t t h e w hol e t one o f one s p reach i ng Th e t ex t a t any
ra t e b i n ds on e t o a B i bl i cal con t en t o f t r ut h I f t h e t ex t
w e re wholly aban don ed it i s l i kely t ha t w e shoul d i n n o l ong
ti m e see th e res u l t i n t he ch arac t er o f p reach i ng T he t ex t
dem an ds som eth i ng d i s ti nct i v e o f the p r eache r I t p ut s h i m
u nde r cer t a i n l i m i ta ti on s Preach i ng mu s t h ave som e sor t o f
ancho rage B i bl i cal anchorage a t any ra t e hol d s o ne w it h i n
B i bl i cal l i m it s P reach i ng t ha t ha s ancho red d i rec t ly back t o
dogm a ti c theol ogy o r t o na tu ral i s ti c e t h i c s has neve r g i ve n
t ex t s a fa i r chance Com i ng bac k t o a B i bl i cal anch orage
grou n d p reach i ng ha s g i ven t ex t s a be tt e r ch ance to sho w
w ha t t h ey can do f o r it an d w ha t t hey can d o fo r t he preache r
a s wel l as fo r t h e h eare r The preache r i s m u ch l es s l i kely t o
s t ray i n t o o u ts i de el ds w h o recogn i z es h i m sel f a s anchore d t o
a Ch r i s ti an t ex t Preach i ng o f t h i s sor t i s i n h armony w i t h
t h e nee ds o f a w orsh i pp i ng as sembly an d w i l l perhaps be l es s
i nd i v i d u al i s t i c o r ra t he r errat i c Preach i ng w it hout tex t s ha s
o f t e n been o f a degene ra t e t ype No t i n f req u en t ly i t ha s been
d i vorce d from w orsh i p The p reach i ng m onk s o f t h e Lat i n
ch u rc h i n degene ra t e pe r i od s h av e d o ne t h i s an d have
ha rangu ed t h e po p ul ace i n a ddres se s w i th o ut tex t s Th e ex
.

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ample w ou l d no t be a v al u abl e one a n d i t s i nu ence u p o n the

Pro t es t an t p u lp i t co u l d no t fa i l t o be de t r i m en t al S chol as ti c
p reach i ng som e ti mes aban d o ne d t ex t s S ch o las ti c propos i
ti on s co u l d eas i ly be ded u ce d i n depe nden t ly o f t hem T hey
we r e o f b ut l itt l e d i al ec ti cal val u e I d i rec t a tt en ti o n once
more t o t he fac t t ha t ou r be tt e r m o de r n k no w l edge o f t he B i bl e
ha s i nc rea se d ra t her t ha n d i m i n i shed t he p reacher s r e s p ec t
I t i s h a rdly w o rt h w h i l e t h eref o re f o r t h e
fo r B i b l i c al t ex t s
p reache r o f o u r day to fol l o w i n t h i s m a tt e r degene r a t e p er io ds
an d degenera t e u sage
2
B ut i t has a form al a s wel l a s a m a t er i al a rhe to r i cal
It s u s e fo r ex amp l e pr o m o t e s
a s wel l a s a l O g i c a l v a l u e
concen t ra ti on a n d u n it y in preach i ng Fo r i t b i n ds t h e sermon
bac k u p on s o m e de n it e cen t e r an d b i n ds it s par t s t oge t he r
The t ho u gh t de r i ve d from i t o r s u gges t e d by it o r a t l eas t s o
passed th ro u gh i t a s to t ake s u bs t ance an d co lo r f rom it be i ng
pervas i v e o f every p a r t o f t h e sermon it c o n d iti ons a p roces s
o f hom i le ti c l i m it a ti on t h ro u gho ut T he rs t l i m i t a ti o n i s
o f co u rse i n t h e t ex t it sel f On e can n ot ge t al l t here i s i n a
t ex t o ut i n t o a se rmon even i n t h e t ex tu a l u s e o f i t T h i s
i s e spec i al l y t r u e o f t h e t op i cal sermon O ne sel ec t s e it her t h e
ma i n t h ou gh t o r som e s u bord i na t e t ho u gh t a s t h e ba s i s o f
d i sc u s s i on an d excl u de s al l el se Th e l i m iti ng p roces s s t ar t s
he r e Then it passes ove r i n to t h e t heme Fo r on e can hav e
no m ore i n h i s them e t han h e s el ec t s from h i s t ex t The
l i m it a ti on appea rs al so i n t h e i n t rod u c ti on Fo r on e sel ec t s
h ere only w ha t properly i n t r od u ce s h i s s u bj ec t a s based u pon
t he l i m it a ti on o f t ex t and t hem e Then i t a p pears i n t he plan
a n d d i sc u ss i on F o r o ne ca n u s e here only w ha t i s l egi ti ma t ely
d ra w n o ut o f h i s t hem e A n d o f co u rse on e wan t s no t h i ng
i n t h e concl u s i on b ut w ha t i s l eg iti m a t e t o t he d i sc u ss i on Th e
w hol e m ovemen t f rom t ex t t o concl u s i on al t ho u gh a p roce ss
o f expan s io n i s al so a p roces s o f l i m it a ti on No r are t he l i m it s
t oo narro w Fo r t hey c o n d iti on concen t ra ti on a n d uni t y an d
,

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1 00

s t reng t h as wel l a s d en it en e s s o f i mp res s i on A se r mon o f

t h i s so r t m ay range very w i dely b ut i t w i l l b e w i th i n l eg iti ma t e
l i m i ts Th u s by c o nd i ti on i ng concen t ra ti on an d u n it y t h e t ex t
b e c o m e s t r i bu t ary t o rh e t o r i c al e ffe c ti v e n e s s A l o o s e m i s
c e ll a n e o u s r an ge i n p re a ch i n g d o e s n o t p r o m o t e e f
fe c ti ve n e s s
A s t ra ggl i n g d i s j o i n t ed s e rm o n i s th e w ea k e s t s o r t o fs e rm o n
The u se o f t h e t ext al so p rom ote s var i ety v ar i e t y i n s u b
j ce t m at t er bu t a l so va r i ety i n form Eac h t ex t f u rn i sh es
it s own p rope r th em e h ence th ere w i l l be a s m any th em es a s
tex t s H enc e w i de range i n p reac h i ng H ere aga i n l i m it a
ti o n i nvolv es range To sel ect what i s d i s ti nc ti ve i n t he t ex t
a s ba s i s fo r t h e d i sc u s s i o n i s t o g i v e one s p reach i ng b roa d
s c op e Eve ry te x t i f i t i s wo rth u s i n g a s a t ex t s u gge s t s
s o m e pha s e O f a s ubj e ct
I n ge n e ral i t i s a go o d h o m i l e t i c
dev i c e t o rec o gn i z e a n d s e l e ct j u s t t h i s ph a s e fo r d i s c u s s i o n
Th e u s e o f t h e p a s sa g e a s a t ex t a t all s o fa r a s th i s i s p ra e
t i c a b l e s e em s t o cal l fo r i t
C o n s i de r fo r a m o m e n t t h e ma n v
a n d va r i o u s a sp e c t s O f a s i n gl e i mp o r t a n t t ru t h t h at m ay b e
p r e s e nt e d by fo l l ow i n g t h e n atu ral su gge st i v e n e s s O f i n d i
v i d ual t ext s I n gene ral i t w er e w el l i f d i d a ct i c p re ach i n g
e sp ec i al ly we re t o fo ll o w th e l e a d O f s u c h t e xt s
Te x t s
a re fo r th e m os t part conc rete an d spec i c no t abs t rac t a nd
general T hey take col o r f rom t he i r env i ronm ent The
u se o f th em i n t h e i r i n d i v i du al c harac t er i s ti c s t here fore p ro
m ote s n o t only conc reten es s an d d en it en es s b ut v ar i e t y al so
W ha t h as been sa i d rel ate s l a rgely to v ar i e t y i n subj ec t m a tt er
B u t it has a bea r i ng upon form for w e ge t a s m any t ypes o f
serm on s a s wel l a s spec i c subj ec t s a s t here a re t ex t s e g
t h e h i s t or i cal b i ogr a p h i cal doc t r i nal eth i cal aes t het i c d es c r ip
t i ve evangel i st i c t ex tu al top i cal accor d i ng t o the q u al i ty o f t he
t ext The tex t con d i t i on s form an d t ype A n d al l t h i s con d i
t i on s t one al so for the serm on i f i t i s true to it s tex t w i l l ech o
it s sp i r i t N ow al l th i s en r i ches p reach i ng
A n d t h i s l ea ds t o t h e sugge st i on t ha t t h e u se o f t h e t ex t
so

'

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1 02

sc o p e for h is rh e t or i cal i mp u l ses T he n t h e r e i s t h e p r each e r

o f a ra ti onal i s ti c b i as an d h e i s i mpa ti en t no t onl y o f h i s l i m i
t a t i on s a s t o rhe t or i cal form an d a s t o t h e aes t he ti c i n t eres t o f
t h e serm on b ut o f h i s as s u m ed l i m it a ti on s o f m a t er i al t h a t
d i m i n i sh t h e d i dac ti c e ffec ti venes s o f t h e sermon T o s u m
up t h e m a i n ob j ec ti ons ; t h ey are a s f o l lo w s : Tex t s can no t
be fo u n d t o t t h e n ecess ary t hem es I f t h e t i s m a de i n
m any ca se s i t m u s t be by f o rc i ng i t T he u s e o f t ex t s t h i ns
ou t p reach i ng L i m it ed by h i s t ex t t he p reacher u n d u ly ex
pan d s h i s m a tt er T h e u se res u l t s i n s t e reo t y p e d m e t h o d
Lac k o f range from t ex t l i m it a ti o n i nvol ves l ack o f v a r i e t y
H ence s t ereo t yped m e t h od Th e u s e l i m i ts t h e range o f t r ut h s
d i sc u ssed Th u s m o dern t h em es a re excl u de d I t w i l l be
no ti ce d t h a t s o m e o f t hese obj ec ti on s are fr o m t he m a t er i al
p o i n t o fv i ew Th e t e x t l i m i t s t h e u s e o f m a t e r i al B ut m o s t O f
t h em a r e b a s e d o n th e a s su mp ti o n t ha t t h e u s e o f t e xt s l i m i t s
th e rhe t or i cal e ffec ti venes s o f p reach i ng an d on t he a s s u mp
ti on t h a t t he t op i cal m e t h od f u rn i she s t he only a deq u a t e er iti
cal p o i n t o f v i e w It w i l l be s een al so t ha t t h ey a re real ly a
reac ti o n aga i ns t a n abu se o f t he t ex tu al m e t ho d Wel l i f one
al l ego r iz e s h i s t ex t h e w i ll o f co u rse force i t t o t h i s them e
an d m ay do i t i l l eg i t i m a t ely B ut a p rope r s t u dy o f m e t h od s
o f correspon dence w i l l S h ow t ha t t h i s i s by n o m ean s n ec es
s a r y I f on e sel ec t s u n s u gges ti v e o r sm al l an d bar r en t ex t s
h i s p reach i ng m ay be t h i n B ut i t m ay be t h e m an ra t h e r
t h an t h e t ex t t h a t i s respon s i bl e fo r t h i s q u al it y I f o ne u se s
al l t ex t s i n abou t t h e sam e way a n d t ha t an u n s u gges ti ve u n
i m ag i na ti v e way o f cou rse t h e p reach i ng w i ll be s t ereo t ype d
B ut h ere t oo i t i s th e m an n o t h i s tex t s th a t i s respon s i bl e
I f one u se s h i s t ex t s i n a p rosa i c m an ne r i f h e h a s n o sk i l l
i n a dj u s ti ng t hem t o t h e cu r ren t t hough t o f h i s day h e may
shu t ou t m odern t hem es B u t al l th ese ob j ec ti on s fal l a t
be fo re t h e r i gh t concep ti on and hab i t i n t h e u se o f t ex t s
w h e t he r a f t er t h e t ex t ual o r t h e t op i cal m e t h od W ha t h a s
.

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1 03

been sa i d s eem s t o m e concl u s i ve a s t o t h e rhe t or i cal val u e o f

t ex t s an d eq u ally concl u s iv e a s t o t he i r m a t er i al v alue
B ut any m an m ay se tt l e i t prac ti cal ly One h a s only t o
ex am i ne i t i n t he l i gh t o f t he bes t m odern preach i ng T a k e
t he sermon s o f a ny good p reacher o f ou r day an d exam i ne
care f u lly t h e i nuence o f h i s t ex t s u pon t h e m a tt er s t r u c tu re
t on e a n d rhe t or i cal s t yl e o f h is serm on s I f i t i s p er fectl v
ev i den t t h a t t hese t ex t s m ak e l itt l e or no con
t r ib u t i o n
t o t he p reach i ng
i f t he p reach i ng m i gh t
conce i vably be equally w eal t hy i n it s s u gges ti venes s i f
j u s t as goo d m a tt e r form t one s t yle we re pos s i bl e w it h ou t
t h em t hen t h e case o f t h e c r iti c w i l l s t an d B ut I s u bm it
t ha t no m a n w h o know s t h e fac t s can su cces s f u l ly de fen d t he
case o f t h e c r iti c Te s t t he q u es ti on by c r iti cal i nvest i ga ti on
I f t h i s i s no t sa ti s fac t ory t es t it by personal exper i men t
,

LO GI C A L A N D R H ET O R I CA L Q UA L I T I E S OF T H E T E X T
By t h e l og i cal q u al iti es o f t he t ex t i s m ean t t he rel a ti on s o f
t hough t w it h i n t h e t ex t it sel f o r t h e form o f th e t ex t as rel a t ed
t o it s co nnec ti on s o f t hough t B y it s rh e t or i cal qu al i ti es i s
meant t ho se qual iti e s t ha t are es sen ti al t o cl ear de n it e a n d
forc e ful i mp res s i on
I
Th e l og i cal dem an d u pon t h e form o f t he t ex t i s c om

l
e
x
i
t
tha t i s th e t ex t m u s t con t a i n m ore t ha n a s i ngle
p
y
thoug h t I t m u s t be s o compl ex i n charac t er t ha t i t m ay be
pu t i n t o som e form o f s t a t emen t By i t s om e de n it e rel a t e d
t h ough t mu s t be exp ressed I t m u s t con t a in t he el em en t s o f
a p ropos i t i on I t m u s t t he re fore h ave t h e el em en t s n o t
n ec e s a r i l
y t h e f u l l fo rm b ut i mpl i c it ly a t l eas t t he elemen t s
o f a gramma ti cal sen t ence w it h subj ec t an d p red i ca t e A
S i ngl e wo r d t h ere fo re i s never a p roper t ex t I t sugge s t s no
rel a ti on o f t ho u gh t w it h i n i t sel f I t i s a s i ngle u n rel a t ed con

cep t The w r i ter once heard a serm on f rom t he word t here

fore
The t hem e i f mem ory serves correc t ly w a s t he u se
III

T H E W O RK O F T H E P R EA C H E R

1 04

o f reason i n rel i g i on The serm on h ad n o t ex t I t f u r n i she d

a remote bas i s fo r s u gges ti on bu t i t c o n t a i ne d no de n it ely
s u gge s t ed t ho u gh t I t a frm ed n ot h i ng den i e d no t h i ng i n
fac t s u gges t ed no t h i ng spec i cal ly I t h ad n o rel a ti on s o f
though t I t le d no w h it her On e m i gh t as wel l h ave t ake n

t h e wo rd Un i v erse a s a t ex t B i shop H u n ti ngt on ha s a

se rm on en tit led Nam es and El em en t s o f t h e grea t ch ange

based on t h e w ord convers i on

I t i s n ot a t ex t i t con t a i n s
n o a f rma ti on t h a t a ffords a bas i s for d i sc u s s i o n I t s i mply
open s a bo u n dles s range o f t h o u gh t i n al l conce i vabl e d i r c e
tio n s I t con ta i n s no sugges ti on th a t i t i s one o f t h e nam es
o f t he grea t change M u ch l es s does it s u gges t o t her nam es
or el em ents o f th e ch ange I t does no t cove r w ha t i s d i scu sse d
i n t h e sermon Regenera ti on wo u l d h ave been m ore f u l ly in
el u s i ve o f Fa i th R epen ten ce an d Re form a ti on a s well a s o f
Convers i on i tsel f B u t t ha t w o u l d not have been a t ex t N ot h i ng
i n t he way o f conc i senes s i s ga i ned by th e u se o f a s i ngl e
w ord a s t ex t o r as som eone h as cal l e d i t p re t ex t a s t h i s ser
m on sh o w s W h at t he preache r n eeds i n h i s t ex t i s a compl ex
o f rel a t ed t ho u gh t s Th i s dem an d fo r compl ex i ty i s regu
lat i ve fo r t h e u se o f t wo o r m ore pa ssage s a s t ex t I n s u ch
u s e t h e common d i f
c u l t y i s t ha t t hey do no t read i ly f u rn i sh a
s i ngl e compl ex u n i ed t h o u gh t a s t heme T hey are l i kely t o
fu rn i sh i sol a t ed an d u n u n ied t ho u gh t s Take a s an exam pl e

o f p roper u se B i shop H u n t i ng t on s serm on en ti tl ed The

Cros s a Bu rden and a Gl o ry f rom M a t t 2 7 3 2 ( S i m on

bea r i ng the Cro ss ) a nd Gal 6 : 1 4 ( Go d fo rb i d

Th i s
i s o ne c o mpl ex t hem e i f w e u nders t an d t he b u rden an d
t he gl ory a s one compl ex contras ted though t t o be d i sc u sse d
i n it s cont ra sted relat i on s u nder each top i c o f th e sermon
ra t her t han d i scu sse d un de r d i fferen t t op i c s i e rs t t h e
b u rden an d t hen th e gl ory For t h i s con t ras t be t ween t h e
b u rde n an d t he gl ory m u s t be man i fest t h rough ou t th e se rm o n
Th e t hem e sugges t s th e cont ra s t an d the serm on sh oul d keep
.

TH E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

1 06

m en t s

They are p roperly t he ba s i s o f t h em es s t a t e d i n r h e

t o r i ca l form
H eb
S epa ra t e from s i n n ers
e g

Jam e s
Un sp o tt e d fro m t h e w o r l d
( B ro o k s )

S po tt ed L i ve s ( B rook s )
Rev
Th e K i ngdom a n d

Pa ti ence o f J es u s Ch r i s t ( B u shn el l )
A M an i n Ch r i s t

W i t ho ut G od i n t he Wo rl d
T hese pa s sages are cl ear d e
n i t e p it hy al t ho u gh m e r e fragm en t s T hey enco u rage a v i g
s en t en ti o u s s u gges ti ve t ype o f p reach i ng P reachers
or o u s
l i k e B i shop B roo k s w h o p ut t he i r t hem e s i n rhe t or i cal form
u s e S uch t ex t s
N e it her a s h as been cl a i m ed i s t h e whol e o f
a connec t ed pa ssage necessa r y I n d i sc u s s i ng 2 Cor I : 3 4
Cl a u de i n s i s t s t ha t t h e en ti re pa s sage sh o u l d be u se d To u s e
only a f ragmen t woul d m uti l a t e it H e i s o f co u rse r i gh t
fr o m t h e t ex tu al po i n t o f v i ew B u t Pro fessor Phel p s w ho se
po i n t o f v i ew i s t op i cal i ns i s t s t ha t no par t o f a con nec t ed
pas sage S ho u l d be le f t o ut T h i s i s a rb it rary i n a t op i cal
p reache r I f o ne does n o t n eed t h e whol e passage w hy p re
ten d t o u s e i t a s t ex t ' I f one can ge t a cl ea r de n it e
t h o u gh t o u t o f i t w hy n o t u s e i t a s a fra gm en t ' e g

2 Pe t
a dd t o yo u r fa it h
t em perance
Th i s
c o nv ey s a p e rfe c t ly c l ea r d e n i t e t h o u gh t a n d exp re s se s
i t fo r c efu lly
B r ev it y i s n e c e s s ary t o fo rc efu l n e s s a s
wel l a s i n gen e ral t o cl earnes s an d de n ite n es s
Vi gor
ou s p reach ers w h o a ffec t t h e rhe t or i cal form i n s t a t e
m en t o f t h e t hem e
an d w ho a re n o t expos it ory
p reach ers a s D r Joseph Pa r k e r w a s or t ex tu al a s Rober t
s on w a s
c hoo se S h or t t ex t s Fo r t h e t op i cal preac h er s u ch
t ex t s a re h i ghl y des i rabl e Th ey a re s t rong i nc i s i v e i mp re s

s i ve t ex t s e g
Th e bloo d o f sp r i nkl i ng t ha t sp ea k e t h
I

h av e cal l e d t h ee by t hy nam e
Ch r i s t wh o i s o u r Li fe
S ho r t p it hy energe ti c Th ey are hom i le ti cal ly s u gges ti v e an d
d i scl o se t h e w eal t h o f t he S c r i p tu res fo r p u lp i t u se Con
c re t e espec i al ly fi gu ra ti ve o r p o e ti c t ex t s are t r i b ut ary t o
fo rc e f u l nes s an d i m p res s i venes s an d for t h e mos t par t t o
.

T E X TUA L

OF

BA S I S

TH E

WORK

1 07

cl e arn e s s N o t o nly t h e a tt ra c t i v e n e s s b u t i n l ar g e m ea sure

th e i m p re s s i v e n e s s o fB i s h o p B r O O k s p r e ach i ng i s c o n d i ti o n e d
by h i s s el e c ti o n O f S h o r t a n d l arge ly O f c o n cre t e gu ra ti ve
t ex t s
.

C H A PTE R I V
E X E G ET I CA L BAS I S O F T H E P R EA C H ER S W O R K

TH E

p rope r s u bj ec t m a tt e r o f p r each i ng can no t o f co u rse

b e d e t e rm i n e d i n dep en d en t ly O f ex e ges i s I n i t s h o m i l e ti c
rel a ti on s exeges i s deal s p rope r ly w it h t wo m a i n q u es ti on s
Th e rs t q u e s t i o n c o n cern s i ts elf w it h t h e o r i g i n al h i s t o r i c
sense o f any g iv en passage o f S c r i p tu res i e t he sen se a s
i t l ay i n t h e m i n d O f t h e wr i t e r Th e s ec o n d qu e s ti o n c o n
cer n s i ts el f w it h th e t ru th an d v al u e O f t h e p a s s age fo r h om i
l eti c u s e
F i rs t t h e t r u e o r i g i n a l m ean i n g o f t h e t ex t S e c
on d i t s worth a s t ru t h for p reach i ng u se
Ex eges i s a nd
c r i ti c i s m a n swer th e s e q ue s ti o n s
W i t h o u t a n a n swe r t o
t h em n o o n e ca n b e s u re t h a t h e h a s a p ro p e r t h em e fo r h i s
s e rm o n I t i s exp ec t e d o f t h e p r ea ch e r t h e refo re t h a t h e
w i l l be a compe t en t exege t e an d c r iti c H e i s a pop u l a r
i n t e r p re t er B ut pop u l ar expos i ti on m u s t be base d o n se i en
t i c e x e ge s i s
L e t u s t h e refo r e l o o k a t t h e s e ex e ge ti cal
a n d c r iti c al p ro bl em s Th e i r h om i l e ti cal b ea r i n gs w i ll j u s ti fy
t he d i sc u ss ion
I The rs t q u es ti on rela t es t o t he h i s t or i c sense M oder n
ex e ges i s h a s a n ch o r ed h e re B u t fo r t h e pr e a ch e r e xege ti cal
i nv e s t i ga ti o n h a s w i de ran ge I t i s a v e ry c o m pl e x pro bl em
I
I t i s rs t o f al l a t ex tu al ques ti on I t s t a r t s h ere Fo r
t h e p r e ach e r t ex t u al cr iti c i s m h a s a v e ry p ra c ti cal i n t e res t
W e m u s t i f p o s s i bl e ge t a t t h e o r i gi n al fo rm o ft h e t ex t A n
u n s o u n d t ex t u al b a s i s i s s o fa r fo r t h a n u n s o u n d h om i l e ti c
b a s i s S om e t ex t u al c o rru p ti o n s ar e i ndee d o f n o pra c ti ca l
i mp o r t a nc e Th e re m ay b e n o m a t e r i al ch an ge i n t h e m e a n
i ng o f t h e passage o r a be tt er m ean i ng m ay hav e be en s e
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

1 10

t e x t p ro v i d ed h e m o v e s O n a l e g i t i m at e l i n e B u t n o o n e
c an k n ow wh e re h e i s g o i n g o r wh e th e r h e i s go i n g i n a
l eg i t i m a t e d i re c ti o n w ith o ut k n ow i n g h i s s t a r ti ng p o i nt N O
p reach er can f u l ly j u s ti fy h i s them e u nl ess a t t he o ut se t h e
k n ows W h a t t h e wr i t e r m e an t t o s ay Th e h i s t o r i c s e n s e i s
alway s t h e p ro p e r s t a r ti n g p o i n t H e re t h e Rev i s i o n c o m e s
t o t h e p rea ch e r s a i d
I t h a s r u i ned s o m e O l d t ran sl a ti o n s
c o rre c t e d s o m e o l d re a d i ngs a n d h a s w i p e d o u t s o m e h ym n s

e
Ac t s
Almos t pers u aded The rs t ques ti on i n
h o m i l e ti c s i s th e q u e s ti o n o fex ege ti cal l e g iti m a cy a nd w it h o u t
gra mm a ti cal c o mp reh e n s i o n t h e re c a n b e n o a s s u ran ce O f
s u c h l eg i ti m a cy
I t i s a c o n t ex t ual q u e s ti o n
I n d ivi d u al t h o ugh t i s
3
k n o wn o n l y by rel a t e d th o u gh t A t e x t
pa s s a ge i s p ar t o f a
l ar ge r wh ol e B i bl i c al th e o l o g y h a s e nl arge d t h e S c o p e O f
o u r i nv e st i ga ti o n i n t o t h e c o n t ext
I t i s O f t e n n e c e s s a ry t o
ge t a t t h e s c o p e o f a n e n ti re d o cum e n t i n o rde r t o ge t t h e ful l
sen se o f a s i ngl e passage B i bl i cal i n t ro d u c ti on i s i n c r ea s
i n gl y i mpor t an t fo r t h e work o f t he pu lp i t The p reach i ng o f
R ob e r t s o n s t r i k i n gly i ll u s t ra t e s t h e v al u e o f m a s t er i n g t h e
c o u r s e o f t h o u gh t fo r t h e u s e O f p art i c ul a r p a s sa ge s
He

k n ew Pau l s ro o t t h ou gh t s
H en c e h e k n ew b e t t e r t h e
m ea n i n g o fi n d i v i du al pa s s a ge s H i s m e t h o d O f i nve s ti ga ti o n
wa s a comb i na ti on o f anal ys i s an d synth e s i s e g t h e t rac i ng
t h rough i n de t a i l o f t h e t h o ugh t o f a book an d t hen revers i ng
t h e p ro c e s s a n d br i n g i n g t o b e a r up o n t h e se d e t a i l s o n c e
m o re t h e k n owl edge o f i t a s a wh ol e th u s ga i n e d Th i s i s
o f cou rse t h e only a deq u a t e m e t h od for an expos it ory
p re ach er R o b e r t s o n m a s t e re d Pau l s t h e o l o gy a s a wh o l e
m a s t e re d t h e wh o l e c o u rse O f th o u gh t i n a pa r ti cula r d o cu
m en t w a s abl e t o c om p a re i t w it h o t h e r d o c um ent s a n d s o
w a s th e b e tt e r abl e t o i n t e rp re t a n d u s e w i s ely a nd s u gge s
H e wh o k n ows t h e a i m o f t h e
t iv ely i n d i v i du al pa s s ag e s
W h o l e c a n b e s t i n t e rp re t t h e pa r t s Th i s i s o n e re a s o n wh y
,

EX E G ET I CA L BAS I S O F T H E W O R K

III

R ob e r t s o n i s s o re a s o n abl e s o cl e ar an d s o h elpf u l a pre ach e r

Th e d efe c t o n t h e c o n t rary O f s u c h pr e a ch ers a s Spu rgeo n
It
i s t ha t t hey h ave no sol i d ex eges i s u nder t h e i r p reach i ng
d o e s n o t e d i fy i n t el l i ge n t s tu den t s O f t h e B i bl e I t d o es n o t
e d i fy b e c au s e i t d o e s n o t c o rre c t ly i n s t ru c t S u ch p r e a c h e rs
i gn o re t h e c o n t e x t o r m i s app reh e n d i t Wh a t t h ey ca n ge t
o u t o f t h e i n d i v i d u al t ex t by s o m e p r o c e s s o f fru i t ful s u g g es
ti on is t he i mpor t an t t h i ng N o m a tt er wh e t he r l eg iti ma t e
Th e t ex t i s i s ol a t e d a n d
o r n o t S O i t b e fru i tful ly s u g ges ti ve
t re a t ed i n dep e n de n t ly a n d i s m a d e t o m ea n any t h i n g t h e
pr ea c h e r s fan cy i s pl e a s e d t o n d i n i t I t i s O f t e n d o ub t l es s
v e ry i n ge n i o u s p reac h i n g bu t O f t e n gr o t e s q u e a n d O ffe n s i v e
t o s o u nd exe ge ti c al a s w el l i n fa c t t o s o u n d h o m i l e ti c j u dg
m e n t I t i s n o t i n h arm o ny w it h t h e s ob r i e t y an d ra ti o nal it y
Th i s wa s
o f o u r b e t t e r ex e ge t i c al an d h o m i l e ti c m e t h o ds
t he s in o f t he ol d al l ego r i cal m e t ho d I t i gno re d t he con t ex t
I t a ss um e d t h a t t h e i n d i v i d u al p a s s a g e c o n t a i ne d an ab s o l u t e
f u l lnes s o f i nsp i ra ti on even t o t h e words an d p u nc tu a ti on
Each p a s sa ge i n de ed h a d s ev e ral m ea n i n gs To d ev e l o p
t he s e h i dde n m e an i n gs a n d t o b r i n g o u t fo r e dica t io n t h i s
f u l l nes s o f t he m i n d o f t he S p i r i t w a s t he t as k o f t h e preacher
Wh at ev e r by a ny m o s t rem o t e pr i n c i pl e O f m e n t al a s s o c i a
ti on o r by m ere verbal s u gges ti on t h a t h as no m en t al assoc i a
ti on i s s u gges t ed by t h e i n d i v i d u a l pas sage is i ncl u ded i n
th e i n sp i re d wo rd Th i s O f c o u r s e i s b a s ed n o t o nly o n
fa l s e n o t i o n s O f e x e ge s i s a n d h o m i l e ti c s b u t O f t h e B i bl e
i t s elf a s wel l a s o f rev e la ti o n a n d i n sp i r a ti o n I t i s m a s t e ry
o f t h e c ou rs e O f t h o u gh t t h a t s ave s p re a ch i n g fr o m t h i s s o r t
O f fan c i ful n e s s
.

I t i s s o me ti m e s a d o c t r i n al qu e s ti o n d o c t r i n al i n th e
Bi bl i cal s e n s e
B i bl i c al wr i te r s m u s t i n t e rp re t t h em s e l v e s
an d h elp i n t e rpre t e ach o t he r I n o rd e r t o u n der s t a n d t h em
w e m u s t rs t i s o l a t e t h e m e x am i n e t h ei r t each i n gs by t h e m
s elv e s a n d t h e n c omp are t h e m B i bl i cal t h e o l o gy i s b a s e d
4

WORK

TH E

1 12

P R EA C HE R

O F TH E

u p o n th i s pr i n c i p l e H o w w i ll o n e u nde r s t an d a de q ua t el y
Pa u l s t ea c h i n gs fo r e x a mp l e fi n tlj e Ep he s i a n an d Co l o s s i a n
l e tt e rs i f w e m ay re ga rd th em a s P a u li n e bw i th o u t d o m p a r i n g
o r c o n t ra s ti n g t h em w i t h t h e t ea ch i n g s O f t h e Th e
s s al o n i a n
'
o r t he Rom an a n d G al a ti an l e tt ers
B ut we ha ve t h e t as k
al s o O f c om p ar i n g o n e wr it e r w i t h a n o t h er \ Thi s g i v e s th
a

O l d e x e ge ti c al p r i n c i pl e O f t h e a n al o gy o ffa it h a n ew the a n
i n g I t i s t h e a n al o gy O f B i bl i ca l n o t d o gm ati c
t h i s dem ands t ho ro u gh B i bl i cal i nve s ti gation But th e s t re s s
p o i n t h e r e i s t h a t o nly by su ch i n v e s t ig a t i On sh al l we s e c u re
th e ful l es t gu i dan c e fo r t h e i n t erp r e t a ti o n o f p a r t ic u l a r d o c
t r i n al p as s a ge s Ex p o s it o ry p re a ch i n g fro m Pau l s w r iti n gs

fo r e x amp l e w o ul d b e i n ade q u a t e 5na u n s at i s fa cfdr y w i t h o u t

su ch i nve s ti ga ti o n Tex t s a r e p r op erly s t u d i e d i n de pen de n tly
o f d o gm a ti c t h e o l o gy
b ut n ev e r i ndep e n den t ly o f B i bl i c al
the o l o gy Th e an al ogy o f do gm a ti c fa i t h u p o n wh i c h s u ch
s t re s s h a s b e e n l a i d i n ti m es p as t h a s p e r v e r t e d th e u s e o f
t ex t s Th e O l d d o c t r i n al p r o of t ex t s a r e fo r th e m o s t pa r t
wo r t h l es s W e m a k e t h e B i bl i c al wr it ers i n t erp re t t h e m
s e l ves an d e a ch o t h e r a n d t h i s fu rn i sh e s a ba s i s n o t o nly fo r
a sys t em o f B i bl i cal t h e o l o gy b u t i n ge n era l fo r m o r e c o rr e c t
a s w el l a s m o r e p rac ti c a l an d u s eful w o rk i n th e pul p i t
I t i s a h i s t o r i cal q u e s ti o n Th a t i s i t i n v o l v e s s t u dy
5
s u nd er wh i c h t h e B i bl i c al wr i t e r s wro te th e
o f t h e c o n d iti o n
c o n d iti o n s t h a t a ffe c t e d t h e i r e d u cat i o n a nd h ab it s o ft h o u gh t
I t m a k e s u s e o f B i bl i c al I n t r o du c ti o n We k n ow m o re i n
o u r d ay th a n wa s ev er k n own b efo r e ab o u t t h e H o ly L an d
a n d o r i e n t al c o un t r i e s c o n t i gu o u s ab o u t t h e H eb rew ra ce a n d
c o m m o nweal t h a n d t h e i r h i s t o ry ab o ut c o n t em p o ra ry
n a ti o n s an d c i v i l i z a ti o n s ab ou t o t h er re l i g i o n s ab o u t e a rly
Ch r i s ti an i t y an d t h e e arly ch u rch an d ab o u t t h e i nu e n c e O f
c o n t em p o ra n e o u s ph i IO S O p h i c a n d t h eol o g i c t h ou gh t up o n
t h em ab o ut th o s e t o wh o m t h e ea rly Ch r i s ti an wr it e rs w r o t e
a n d ab o u t t h e i r c o n d i ti o n s I n a w o rd we k n ow m o re ab o u t
.

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T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

1 14

w h i ch w a s a p rem on i ti on o f gen iu s

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t h e o l o gy M a tt h ew A r n o l d e ver d i d w a s i n d i r e c t i n g a tt e n ti o n
t o t h e l i t e rary ch a r a c t e r o f t h e B i bl e a n d t o t h e n e ed O f l it
c ra ry s e n s e i n i n t e rp re ti n g i t an d i t i s t h i s ch i e y t h a t m a k e s

L it e ra tu r e a n d D o gm a resp ec t ab l e Th e i n u e n c e o f m e n
l i k e R en a n w h a t ev er o u r e s t i m a t e o t h erw i s e o f t h e i r cr i t i c a l
w o rk h a s b e e n s t ro n g a n d i n m u c h s a lu t ary i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n
B i b l i cal c r it i c s i n t h i s c o un t ry l i k e Pr of B r i gg s i n d e ed a l l
t h e m o re i n t el l i gen t t ea ch e rs O f B i bl i cal t h e o l o gy i n o u r t h e o
l o g i c a l i n s t i t u ti o n s h av e m ade t h i s a c o m m o npl a c e a m o n g
i nt el l i ge n t p re a ch er s a n d ev e n a m on g i n t e ll i gen t l aym e n I n
al l i n t el l i g en t c o m m u n iti es it a ffe c t s t h e w o rk o f t h e p ul p it
A n i nv es ti gat i on o f t h e rhe t or i cal an d d i al ec ti cal m e t h o ds o f
th e B i b l e pa rt i c u l a rly o f t h e b o o k s o f t h e O l d Te s t am e n t
a n d e s p ec i al ly O f t h e b o o k s o f J o b an d o f I s a i ah a n d i n t h e
N ew Tes t am en t o f th e w r i ti ngs o f Pa u l w o u l d be a m os t
i nt e r e s ti n g a n d fru i tful l i n e o f i nv e s t i ga ti o n fo r a ny p re a ch er
I t i s a re l i g i o u s q u es ti o n A r el i g i o u sly sym pa t h e ti c
7
sp i r it i n t h e s t u dy o f t h e B i bl e i s o f grea t i mpor t ance w i th re f
e r e n c e t o r e sul t s i n pulp i t u s e Chr i s t i an p r e a ch i n g i s i m
p o ss i bl e w it h o ut a ss u m p ti on s On e o f t h e p reach er s a s s u mp
t i o n s i s t h a t t h e B i bl e c o n t a i n s a w o r d O f Go d O n e s e a rly
edu c a ti o n p re c o m m i t s o n e t o t h i s pre s up p o s i t i o n I t w i l l
n ot
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B i bl i cal i nv es ti ga ti on Th e B i bl e sho u l d b e s t u d i e d a s any
o t h e r b o o k i s s t u d i e d B u t t h e r e s u l t o f o n e s s t u dy a s w el l
a s o n e s early e du ca ti o n w i l l s u r ely b e i n t h e c a s e o f a ny
d ev o u t th e i s t t h e i n t el l i gen t c o n v i c t i o n o f th e ex c ep t i o n al
r e l i g i o u s c h ara c t e r o f t h e B i bl e a n d t h i s w i l l c o n s tit u t e a
h o m i l et i c a s s um p ti o n
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conv i c ti on t ha t h e i s d eal i ng w it h t he rel i g i on o f revel a ti o n
a n d o f r e dem p ti o n
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app rop r i a t e t h i s a s s u mp ti o n i n o u r I nv e s ti ga ti o n fo r pulp it

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sympa t hy w i t h i t s ex al t e d c h ar a c t er a n d p u rp o s e O nl y i n
t h i s s t a t e o f m i n d m a y o n e p ro p e rly e n t e r t h e p ul p it Th e
p re a ch er s a i m i s p r e c i s e ly t h e a i m o f r e dem p ti v e rev e l a ti o n
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s u sp e n d a l l c r iti ca l j u d gm e n t s B i bl i ca l c r i ti c i sm i s s ubj e c t
t o t he same cano n s t ha t gov e r n al l o t he r l i nes o f c r iti cal
i nv e s ti ga ti o n B u t w i t h o ut t h e rel i g i o u s sp i r i t symp a t h e ti c
w it h t he sp i r i t o f t he B ook i t i s i m pos s i bl e even t o u n de rs t an d
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ti o n o f t h e i deal c o n t en t i s t he p resence o f God i n h u m an h i s
t o ry h i s p re s e n c e e sp e c i al ly i n t h e h i s t o ry o f I s ra el i n t h e
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k ey t o t h e i n t e rp re t a ti o n O f t h e c o n n ec t i o n b e t w e e n t h e H e
b r e w an d Ch r i s ti a n S c r i p t u r e s O n ly by t h e a s s u m p ti o n o f
th i s i d eal con t en t i n t he B i bl e i s i t sav ed t o bes t u se i n t h e
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of

c o ur s e t h e ki n d o fw o r k h e re o ut l i n e d w i l l r e qu i re
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t h a t it c an n o t b e s u cce s sful ly appl i e d i n de t a i l t o t h e s t u dy o f
i n d i v i du al Scr i p t u r es
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gene ra l a n d c o mp reh en s i v e s t u dy o f i t an d n o t m e rely a s tu dy
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1 16

T H E W O RK O F TH E P R EA CH E R

a n ev e r en l a rg i n g a n d e n r i ch i n g b a s i s fo r p u l p i t wo rk Th e
m o r e c om preh e n s iv e an d t h o r o u gh o n e s g en eral e xege ti cal
s t u d i e s th e grea t er e a s e a n d fa c i l i ty w i l l o n e a c qu i re i n app ly
i n g th e i r res u l t s t o t h e i nves t i ga ti o n o f i n d i v i du al t e xt s I t
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h i d d e n s en s e i f i n d e e d i t h av e s uch s en se wh i ch i s it self a
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qu e st i o n wh eth er t h e B i bl e h a s a n i d eal c o n t e n t H e m a y
i d e al i z e h i s t ext h e m ay g i v e i t a h o m i l e ti c t u rn t h a t i s qu i t e
rem o te fro m i t s o r i g i nal m ean i n g B u t t h e qu e s ti o n wh eth e r
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answe r t h i s c r i t i cal ques ti on i f h e wou l d sec u re t h e best h om i
l ct i c u s e o r eve n th e r i gh t u s e o f t ex t s Pa r ti cula rly i mp o r
tant i s th i s i n d i dact i c p reach i ng i n w h i ch t h e Su ccess o f the
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m en tal j u d gm en t s W e m ay n o t a s s um e th a t a g i v e n t e xt i s
o f un c o n di t i o n al h om i l e t i c valu e s i m ply b e ca u s e i t i s fo u n d
i n s i d e t h e c over s o f t h e B i bl e I n fac t i t h a s n ev e r b e e n
a ss u m e d p ra ct i c al ly h owe v e r it m ay h av e bee n t h e o re ti ca l ly
eve n i n v e ry da rk p e r i o d s th at a ny g i v e n p a s s a ge o f S c r i p
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t h er e A n i nfall i bl e i n sp i ra t i o n O f th e r e c o rd c o ul d n ev e r
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m a k e it t ru e i f i t we re fal s e i n i t self o r go o d i f i t we re ba d
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a Ch r i st i a n c o n sc i e n c e a n d Ch r i st i an i nt el l i ge n c e l eft Te xt s
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T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

1 18

a f rm a ti o n o r by b l i n d a dh ere n c e t o t rad iti o n Wh e t h e r in

a g i ven p a s s ag e o r b o o k we hav e i deal i z e d h i s to ry o r wh e t h e r
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c ra ry qu es ti o n
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l i t erary t e s t s i n o rd e r t o a n swer t h a t qu e s ti o n Th i s b e c o m e s
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B i bl i cal t ea ch i n g i s i nv o lve d I t i s n o t safe i n th e l o n g r u n
o r i n t h e S h or t ru n fo r t ha t m a tt e r t o cla i m mo re for any
p o r ti o n o f t h e B i bl e t h a n t h e ca s e w i ll j u s ti fy I t i s n ot s afe
to con fou n d i d eal w it h ac tu al h i s t ory
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o f p red i ct i v e I f a co rrec t repo rt o f h i s wo rd s ha s reach ed
u s o u r Lo rd i n t erp re t e d t h e wo rd s o f Ps a l m 1 1 0 a s s u c h
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vary v e ry gr e a tly i n th e i r app r o x i m at i o n s t o h i s t o r i c fact i n
th e i r concept i on s o f t h e M ess i an i c K i ng to w h om t hey are
supp o s ed t o r el a t e a n d i n t h e i r c o rre sp o n den c e s t o t h e re al i
ti es o f h i s h i s t or i c pe rsonage T he valu e o f t hese S c r i p
t ure s m u s t b e d e t erm i n ed u l t i m a t ely i n t h e l i gh t o f th e N ew
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a pply s o m e k n owl e d ge o f t h e n a tu re a n d c o nd i ti o n s o f p re
d i ct i v e u t t e r an ce a n d o f t h e pl ace wh i ch pr e d i c ti o n h o l d s i n
t h e gi ft o f pro ph e cy Cr i t i ca l ex e ge s i s a s appl i e d t o b o t h t h e
O l d an d N ew Te stam e n t Sc r i p t u re s t h a t c o n t a i n p r oph e ti c
el em en t s g i ves u s t h e k nowl edge w e need
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du t y m o re d i s c r i m i n a t ely i n t h e fu t ur e a n d i t i s p erfe c t ly
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T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

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t h e l i gh t o fal l t he b e s t an d t h e full e s t t h a t m ay b e a s c er t a i n e d
i n o u r day i s n e c e s sa ry t o d et e rm i n e t h e val u e o f typ i c al
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Th o l u c k h a s sh own * be twee n Ch r i s t s u s e o f th e O l d Te s t a
m en t a n d t h at o f th e N ew Te s t a m en t wr i t e rs i n ge n e ra l I t
i s t h e d i ffe re nc e b e t we e n re a l a n d fa n c i ful l i k e n es se s b et w e e n
a c o n nect i o n o f th o u gh t th a t i s i nt e rn a l an d n ea r a t h an d an d
o n e t h at i s r el a t i vely ex t ernal a n d r em ot e
Th e suffe r i n g
s e rvan t o f J eh ovah ( Is 5 3) m ay b e re ga rde d a s a t ru e
analogu e o f th e s u ffe r i ng M ess i an i c K i ng B u t H aga r and
I shm ae l a s rel a t ed to S arah an d I saac i n Paul s u se i n t he
Gal at i an l ett e r a re all e go r i z ed Th ey ar e fa n c i ful an al o g i e s
o f th e two covenants J u d i c i ou sly u se d al l egor i zed texts m ay
b e o f va lu e i n pr ea ch i n g B u t a ll ego r i z i n g sh o ul d alway s b e
re c o gn i z e d a s suc h I t m ay h av e i t s rh et o r i c a l u s e s B u t i t
h a s n o d i d act i c val u e A fa i l u re t o rec o gn i z e i t a s a rh e t o r
i c a l d ev i c e h a s wr o u g h t m uc h m i s ch i ef i n th e p ul p i t N o w it i s
t h e s c i e nc e O f N ew Te st a m e n t H e rm en eut i c s t h a t w i l l fu rn i s h
a t e st O f va l ue fo r al l egor i z i n g a n d we sh al l nd i n C h r i s t s
u s e o f t h e pr i n c i pl e o f a nal ogy a safe gu i d e N o o n e i s l i k ely
t o m ak e a l eg i t i ma t e u se o f t h e parabl e s o f o u r Lo rd i n
p rea ch i n g wh o d o es n o t k n ow t h a t i n e xe ge s i s th ey ca n n o t
b e a l l e g o r i z e d H e w h o r ec o gn i z e s th i s e xe g et i ca l pr i n c i pl e
,

D a s A l t e T e s t a m e n t i m N eu e n T es ta me n t

'

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H ER

1 22

t h e i m prec a t o r y P s alm s fo r e xampl e W i t h i n t h e l i m it s o f

t h i s t e s t wh a t eve r t h e r e i s i n t h e m o f e t h i cal val u e m ay be
m ade u s e o f by t h e Ch r i s ti a n pre a ch er Th er e a re t ex t s i n
b o t h t h e N ew a n d O l d Te s t am e n t t h a t i n s p i r it an d s e n ti m en t
a r e grossly i mm or a l b ut i n fo rm t hey m ay con v ey v al uabl e
e t h i c al s u gge s ti o n s Th e w o rd s o f Ca i aph a s fo r exampl e i n
J oh n 1 1 : 4 9 5 0 recal l Rober t son s sermon from t hem The

word s o f t he J ew i sh eccl es i as ti c s a t t he c ros s H e sa v ed

o t he rs ; h i m sel f he can no t sa v e
The word s o f J u das ; To

'
wh a t p u rp o s e i s t h i s wa s t e
S uch t ex t s h av e be e n us e d
w it h good effec t B ut t he i r real s i gn i ca nc e sho u l d n ever
b e i gn o re d Co n t ra s t i s th e o nly p r i n c i pl e t h a t m ak e s t h e m
a dm i s s i bl e I n a w o rd t h ere i s n o a s s i gnabl e l i m i t t o t h e
sc o pe o f t he preacher s u se o f S c r i ptu res tha t a re d oc t r in a tely
a n d e t h i c al ly de fe c t i v e p ro vi de d th e i r re al ch a ra c t e r b e dul y
rec o gn i ze d a nd p rov i d e d th ey b e adj u s t e d t o t h e Ch r i s ti an
p o i n t O f v i ew R o b e r t s o n s s e rm o n a b ove referre d t o i l l u s
t ra t e s t h e val u e o f s uc h t e x t s
.

C H APTE R

H O M I L ETI C C O R R ES P O N D E N C ES I N T H E US E O F
TH E T E X T
E X E G E S I S as w e have al ready seen gu i des b ut d o es n ot x
A t ex t m ay re c e i v e
o u r l i m it s i n t h e h o m i le ti c u s e o f t ex t s
a h o m i l e ti c tu rn a n d u s e of wh i ch e xege s i s k n ows n o t h i n g
wh a t eve r Th e o n e supr em e a n d i n cl u s i ve i n t erest i n t h e u s e
o f t h e t ex t i s a n a deq u a t e c o rr e sp o n den c e b e t wee n t h e t ex t
an d t h e se rm on A S al ready s u gges t ed t he m a tt e r o f t he s er
mo n m u s t b e drawn s o m eh ow l e g iti m a t ely o u t o f t h e t ex t o r
drawn t h ro u gh i t s o a s t o t ak e bre c o l o r sh ape a n d d i r c e
ti on from i t an d t h u s a correspondence be r eal iz ed be t ween
t h e t ex t a n d t h e s ub s t an ce s e n ti me n t a n d obj ec t o f t h e
se rm o n
There a re t wo co r respondence s t ha t sho u l d be real iz ed co r
re sp o n de n ce o f t h o u gh t a nd c o rre s p ond e n c e o f t o n e
We
w i l l c o n s i de r t h em i n o rde r
I Correspondence o f t ho u gh t
The t ho u gh t m a tt er o f
a s e rm o n mu s t b e e v ol v e d s o meh ow fro m t h e t h o u gh t m a tt e r
c o n ta i ne d i n o r s om eh ow s u gge s t e d by t h e t ex t Th e s e rm o n
i n i t s devel o pe d fo rm h arm o n i ze s a t ev ery p o i n t w i th t h e
th o u gh t th a t l i e s i n t h e t ex t o r i s d rawn o u t o f it o r drawn
t h rou gh i t by s o m e l eg i ti m a t e p ro ces s o f s u gge s ti o n Th i s
cor r espon dence may be d i rec t an d i mmed i a t e o r it m ay be
i nd i re c t an d rem o t e
Th e t ex t m ay y i el d t h e m a t e r i a l o f
t h ou gh t by expl i c it decl ara ti o n o r by s o m e p ro ce s s o f i nfe r
en c e ded u c ti o n o r s u gge s ti o n O n e m ay c arry t h e t h o u gh t
o f t h e t ex t t h e ma i n o r s om e s u b o rd i n a t e t h o u gh t s t ra i gh t
o ve r in t o t h e t h em e o r o n e m ay d e d u c e it by s o m e p r o c es s
,

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

1 24
of

m e n t al a s s o c i a ti o n o r by s o m e s o r t o f l it e r a r y adap t a ti o n
Let u s exam i n e t h e s e t w o m e t h od s o f c o r re spo nd e n c e t h e
d i re c t o r e xp l i c i t a n d th e i n d i re c t an d i m pl i c it
I
Th e d i re c t o r expl i c i t c o rre sp o n de n c e Th e t e x t s t a t es
the the m e i n de n it e an d expl i c i t term s som e ti mes i n almos t

i den ti cal t e rm s 3 g Jame s

To h i m t ha t k n o we t h t o

d o go o d
e tc Th e m e : Th e s i n o f o m i s s i o n
Jam e s

F o r wh o s oe v e r s h al l k e ep th e wh o l e l aw
etc

Th em e : S i n a v i o l at i o n o ft h e l aw i n i t s t o t al i ty
H e re t h e
t e x t a t o n c e d e t e rm i n e s t h e t h em e O n e w o ul d n o t re ad i ly
th i nk o fa ny o t h e r t h em e S o m e o t h e r m i gh t b e e x co g i t a t e d
b u t i t wo u l d c o m e by an i n d i rec t process
Re v e r sely the
t h em e a s k s fo r j u s t t h i s t e x t Pr o b ably n o o t h e r p a s s ag e i n
th e B i bl e w o ul d t th e th em e s o we ll
S uc h t ex t s i f t h ey
ca n b e fou n d ar e de s i rabl e i n th e d i s c u s s i o n o f we i gh t y
e t h i cal o r d oc t r i n a l s ubj e c t s Th a t i s a perfe c t t ex t fo r su ch
u s e O f wh i ch yo u c a n s a y th a t it e xpl i c i tly su gges t s bu t t h i s
o n e t h em e an d t h a t i t s t h em e c o ul d h av e bu t th i s o n e o r a t
l ea s t n o b e t t e r t ex t I t c o n t a i n s n oth i n g l e s s t h an th e th em e
an d n o th i n g fro m w i th o u t i s t o be m e nt al ly s u ppl i e d
It
c on ta i n s n o th i n g m o r e a n d n o t h i n g i s t o b e th rown o u t a s
i rre l e v a n t I t c o nt a i n s n ot h i n g ot h e r an d n o t h i n g i s t o be

m od i ed an d a dj u s t ed J o h n
Ye m u s t be bo rn aga i n

Th em e : Th e N e ce s s i ty o f th e N e w B i rth
Th e e xa c t

th o u gh t
Co m pare J oh n
Ex cept a m an be b o rn o f

wate r an d o f sp i r i t etc o r Joh n 3 : 6 Tha t wh i ch i s born o f

th e e sh i s e sh e tc Th e t w o l a tt er pa s sa ge s c o nta i n t h e
n ec e s s i ty o f t h e n ew b i r t h i nfe re n t i al ly ; a t l ea s t th ey d o n o t
a f rm i t expl i c i tly An d th ey c o n ta i n m a ny o th e r p o s s i ble
t h em e s c g Th e V a l u e o f B apt i s m ; Th e Nee d of th e H o l v
Sp i r i t i n Regene rat i on ; Th e Con d i t i on s o f Part i c i pat i on i n t h e
K i n gd o m O f G o d m ay c o m e fro m J oh n
Th e Law o f
H e red i ty ; Th e Po s s i b i l i t i es o f An c e st ra l P i ety m ay c o m e
fro m J oh n
Rel at iv e ly few t e xt s fu rn i sh bu t a s i n gl e
.

'

1 26

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

Th e se rm o n r em i n d s u s o f B u sh n el l s Sp i r it u al D i s l o dg

m e nt s
I t i s a gu ra t i ve o r a n accommoda ti v e u se o f t he
t ex t t ha t sec u res t he t hem e J u da h s t h r ea t ened d i splace
m e n t from t h e i r n a ti ve s ea t s a s a r e s ti n g pl a c e su gges t s g
u r a ti v ely t h e d i sl o dgm e n t s n e e de d i n t h e re n e wal o f ch a ra c t e r
T he r e m ay be a cer t a i n ga i n a nd t h ere o f t en i s in de d u c i ng
t h e m e s fo r d i da c ti c d i s c u s s i o n i n t h i s i n d i re c t way I t m ay
r es u l t i n a m o re i n t e res ti ng an i m a ti ng an d pe r s u as i ve t ype
o f d i da c ti c p re ach i ng
A rh e t o r i cally s u gge s ti ve t ex t p re
s u p p o se s a rh e t o r i cal ly s u gge s tiv e m e t h o d o f h an dl i n g it
B u t i t i s a l s o p o s s i bl e t h a t o n e m ay b e t rapp e d i n t o s t ra i n i n g
h i s t e x t a n d t h e rh e t o r i c al m an n e r o f t rea t m e n t m ay n o t
s eem h a rm o n i o u s w i t h t h e s t r i c t ly d i da c ti c o bj e c t o f t h e s e r
mo n
H a rm o ny o f t o n e m ay b e v i ol a t e d I n ge n e ra l a d e
n i t e l y d i dac ti c d i s c u s s i o n d em a nd s a d e n i t ely d i da c ti c t ex t
i f i t m ay be h a d A t a ny ra t e th e th i n g t o avo i d i n t h e rh e
t o r i c a l o r sem i p o et i c u s e o f a t ex t i s a fa nc i ful n e s s t h a t i s
i nharm on i o u s w it h the sobr i e t y o f a d i dac ti c d i scu ss i o n
Th e i n d i re c t o r i mpl i c i t c o rre s p o nd e n c e H e r e t h e
2
tex t y i el ds th e th em e by s o m e p ro c e s s o f i nd i rec t i o n s o m e
p ro c e s s o f de du ct i o n o r i nfere nce o r obl i qu e m e n tal s u g ge s
t i o n I t wo u ld b e v ery d i ffi c u l t t o c la s s i fy s u ch pr oc e s s e s
fo r t h ey a re a s n um e ro u s a s t h e c a t e g o r i e s o r c la s s i ca ti o n s
o f t h o u gh t a nd t h e m e th o d s o f m e n t al a s s o c i a ti o n
M any
o f t h es e p ro ces s e s o f d edu c ti o n a re ba s e d o n t h e p r i n c i pl e o f
l o c al c o n t i gu i ty o r o n t h e l o g i ca l re la ti o n s o fth o u gh t i e t h e
i n t e r i o r a n d n ec e s sary r el a ti o n s o f t h o u gh t B u t m o s t o f
th e m a r e ba s e d o n th e p r i n c i pl e o f l i k e n e s s o r c o n s a n
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am i n e an d i ll u s t ra t e a few o f th e s e p o s s i bl e i n d i re ct met h o d s
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l o g i cal i nfe re n c e Th e c o rre
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S p o n d e n c e b e t we e n th e t ext a n d th e m e i s t h e co rre sp o n d en c e
be t ween cau se an d effec t o r effec t an d ca u se o r i t may be

H O M I LET I C

CORRES PO N DEN CES

1 27

s om e fo rm o f c o n ti g u it y o f t h o ugh t l i k e an t ec e den t a n d co n
s eq ue nt o r t h e r eve rs e
B i s h o p B r o o k s s e rm o n Ac t s
e g

A nd t he re w a s grea t j oy i n t ha t c it y
T hem e : The

Ch r i s ti a n C i t y
Th e de cl ara ti on o f t h e t ex t i s s i mply t h a t i t
wa s a j oyfu l c i t y C i v i c j o y o r s o m e s uch t h em e a s th at
wo ul d b e th e ge nera l iz e d t h o u gh t i f it w er e t o a t t a ch i t s el f
d i re c t ly t o t h e te x t Th a t i t i s a Ch r i s ti an c i t y i s an i nfe r
enc e I t i s a l eg iti m a t e i nfe renc e fo r th e c o n t ex t sh ows t h a t
t h e j oy sp o k en o f i s Ch r i s ti a n j o y j o y n am ely wh i ch i s ev i
d e n c e o f th e p r e s e nc e o f Ch r i s ti an i t y t h e r e o r j o y o f wh i ch
Ch r i s ti an it y i s t he so u rce or wh i ch w a s occas i oned by its
i n t ro d u c ti o n t h ere B ut bes i d e s t h i s i nfe ren ti al p r o c e s s t h e re
i s t h e p r o c e s s o f ge n e ra l i z a ti o n Fr o m t h e p a r ti cul a r c it y o f
t h e t e x t t h e p re a ch e r p as s e s t o t h e Ch r i s ti a n c it y i n gen e ral
Th e rel a ti o n o f Ch r i s ti a n i t y t o t h i s p ar ti cul ar c it y i s wh o l ly
aba n do n e d an d s om e o f t h e ch a r a c t e r i s ti c s o f th e t ru e Ch r i s
ti an c it y i n ge n e ral are d i s c u s s e d v ia Fa it h R i gh t e o us n e s s
Ch a r i t y Th i s s o r t o ft ex t i s i n c o rr e c tly s o m e ti m e s c al l e d t h e

m o tt o t ex t
B u t t h e r ela ti o n s o f t h o u gh t h e r e a r e l e s s e x
t e rn al t han i n t he mo tt o t ex t
The t ex t f u rn i shes some t h i ng
m o re t h an a tit l e t o t h e s e rm o n S u ch i nfe r e n ti al pr o ces s e s
Th ey h ave t h e wh o l e el d o f ca u s e a n d
a re v e ry var i e d
e ffe c t a n d o f a n t ec ed e n c e an d c o ns eq u en c e i n wh i ch t o ra n ge
Tex t s th us u s e d y i e l d sub s t a n ti al a n d a t t h e s am e ti m e s u g
i
v e preach i n g
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Th ey y i el d la rge an d l e g it i m a t e t r ut h s
g
t h a t s t a nd i n t h e l i gh t o f l arge r t r ut h s w i t h w h i ch t h ey a r e
l o g i cal ly al l i e d Th ey y i el d t h e m s elve s r e ad i ly t o a g r ea t
va r i e t y o f t h em e s I n co n n ec ti o n w it h the ab ov e c i t e d t e x t
fo r ex ampl e we re ad i ly t h i n k o f t h e p r i n c i pl e s t h a t l i e a t t h e
fo u nda ti o n o f a Ch r i s ti an c i v i c l i fe o f t h e c o n s e q u en c e s t h a t
fol l ow t h e i n t ro d u c ti o n o f rel i g i o n i n t o c i v i c l i fe o f t h e e n d
o r obj e c t o f Ch r i s ti an it y a s r el a t e d t o t h e el eva ti o n o f c i v i c
l i fe Th e s e t h em e s a n d ma ny o t h ers m ay be de d u ced a nd s o
l i m it t h e d i s c u s s i on Th e i nfe ren ti a l p r o c e s s i s s o ea sy a n d
,

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

1 28

n a t u ral p r e ach e rs s o re ad i ly fo rm t h e h ab i t o f d ed u c i n g
t h e m e s i n t h i s w a y th a t i t i s h a rdly re al i z e d t h a t i t i s b e i n g
d o n e a t al l B u t it i s wel l fo r t h e pr e a ch er a t t h e ve ry o ut s e t
t o fo rm t h e h ab i t o f t ra c i n g h i s p ro c es s e s
( 2 ) T here a re t he p rocesses t ha t are based u pon t he p r i n
c ip l es o f l ik eness
Th e m e t hod s o f anal ogy a re t he m os t
fru i t fu l m eth o d s o f c o rre spo nd enc e an d t h e i r u s e h a s gr e a t
ran ge ( a ) Th e pr o c e s s o f ge n e ral i za t i o n i v t h e p ro c e s s
by wh i c h t h e sp ec i c t ru t h c o n t a i ned i n o r s u gge s t e d by th e
t ex t i s b ro ade n ed o u t a n d p u t i n it s m o s t ge n era l fo rm i n
t h e t h em e i s bas e d o n t h e p r i n c i pl e o f a n al o gy Cl a s s ic a
ti o n o f s p e c i al o bj ec t s o f th o u gh t p re s u pp o s e s l ik en e s s Th e
o bj ec t s b el o n g t o th e s am e fam i l y Th e p r o c e s s o f ge n eral i
z a t i o n a l s o i nv o lve s a p ro c e s s o f l o g i c a l d e du c ti o n
since we
pas s from one obj ect o r cl ass o f obj ec ts to ano t h er al ong t he

l i n e o f l o g i cal ly rel a t ed t h o u gh t ; e g 1 T i m
Ta k e

hee d t o t hysel f an d to thy t each i ng con ti n u e i n t h ese t h i ngs

e t c Th e w o rd s a r e a d d res s ed t o a part i cul a r p e rs o n w h o
h a d s pec i a l fu n ct i o n s i n th e s e r vi c e o f t h e e a rly ch urch Th e
i nj u nc t i on may be t ran s ferred to t he p resen t day an d enl a rge d
a n d m ad e appl i ca bl e to a l l cl a s s e s o f p e rs o n s i n a ny k i nd o f
of
fi c i al ser v i ce pastors e v angel i s t s B i bl e t each
fi c i al o r uno f
Th e t ex t y i el d s i t s el f re ad i l y to tex t u al t rea t m e n t
ers
Th e m e : Co n d i ti o n s o f s ucc e s sful Ch r i s ti a n s e rv i ce ( 1 ) Pe r
sonal watc h ful nes s ( 2 ) Un a ggin g d e v o ti on
( 3 ) I n sp i ra
t i o n o ft h e fu t u re reward
( b ) Th e p roce s s o f pa rt i cula r i zat i on The general t r ut h
o ft h e tex t i s a ppl i e d t o a part i cu l a r c as e o r a pa rt i c ula r ph a s e
o r th e th e m e
o f th e ge n e ral t rut h i s s el e ct e d f
o r th e t ruth
a ppl i e d sp e c i c al ly i n th e t ex t m ay b e t ra n sfe rre d i n t h e
th e m e t o an o t h e r an d a d i ffe re n t bu t an al o go u s spec i c

F o r n o n e o f u s l i ve t h t o h i m s el f
8
o bj e c t 6 g R o m
etc
Th e t ex t i s ge n e r i c
I t pro cl a i m s a ge n e ral t ruth
L i vi n g t o Ch r i s t i s t h e gen e ra l t h o u gh t I n t h e c on t e x t Pa u l
,

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

1 30

se t tl e d o n t h e l e e s su gge s t s by c o nt ra s t t h e t ro ubl e d l i fe o f
I s rael T h i s t ro u ble d l i fe w i t h i ts resul ts i s analogou s t o t he
C h r i s ti a n l i fe i n gen era l w i th i t s res ul t s i n sp i r i tua l d i s lo d g
m e n t N o t e t h e t h re e p r o c e s s e s Contr a s t ; M o ab s e a se
ve rs u s I s ra el s d i s c omfo r t A na l ogy; I s rael s d i sl o d gm e nt s
and th e i r resul t s c o rresp o n d e n t t o t h e Ch r i s ti an s d i s l o d g
m en t s a n d t h e i r r es ult s Gene r a l iz a tion ; t h e c a se o f a s i n gl e
peopl e co rrespon den t t o th at o f al l Chr i st i an peopl e
Th i s
u s e o f c o n t ra s t i s h om i l e ti cal ly j u s t i abl e b ut i t exa c t s s k i l l

H eb rew
By fa i t h Ab rah am wh e n h e wa s c all e d
9

ob eye d t o go o u t e t c Th e m e : Th e I ll u s i v e n e s s o f L i fe
Abrah am wen t for t h i n re sp o n s e t o a p ro m i s e t h a t prov ed
to b e illus ive
S o a na l ogi ca l ly m e n i n gen e ral g o o u t i nt o
l i fe Li fe p ro m i s e s o r s e em s t o p ro m i s e wh a t it d o e s n o t
ful ll
H e nc e t h e gen eral pr i n c i pl e th e i llu s i ven es s o f l i fe
Th i s i s a ch a ract er i st i c o f Ro b e rt s o n s preac h i n g I t d e al s
w i t h ge n e ral pr i n c i pl e s an d th e p r i nc i pl e d i s cu s s e d i s c o m
mo n ly a ge n e ra l i zat i o n d e duc e d a n al o g i ca l ly fro m th e t ext
Text s t hu s u s ed a re a m o n g th e m o s t fru i tful ly su gge st i ve a n d
u se f u l t exts
,

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Th er e i s a d i ffer en c e b etwee n th a t s o r t o f a n al o gy wh i c h b v
s o m et i me s s tretc h i n g th e m ean i n g o f t h e t e rm p o s s i bly m ay
b e c al l e d pa r i ty o f p r i nc i pl e a n d wh i ch m ay b e u s e d did a c
t i cally o r fo r pu rpo s e s o f di rect t e ac h i n g an d t h at fo rm o f i t
wh i ch i s a gu rat i ve o r m et aph o r i cal l i k e n e s s wh i ch a ppe al s
ch i e y t o th e i m ag i na ti o n a n d i s u s e d fo r th e pu rpo s e o f
su gge st i ve i l lu s t rat i o n I t i s oft e n d i f cul t t o stat e o r eve n
t o se e th e d i ffe re n c e I t i s s om et i m e s fel t ra th e r t h a n s e e n
I t i s a d i fference i n degree rathe r than i n k i n d I n general
i t m ay be call ed th e d i ffe re nc e be tween a pr o sa i c a nd a s e m i
p o et i c u s e alth o ugh i t mu st b e ack n owl e d ge d th at ma ny
preac h e r s wh o t e ach fr o m a pa r i ty o f pr i n c i pl e wh i ch th ey
n d i n th e a nal o gy o f th e i r t ext s u s e th em i n a s em i po et i c
.

H O M I LETI C

CO RRES P O N DE N CES

131

way e g B u sh nel l s s e rm o n o n Un c o n s c i o u s I nfl uen ce

a n d Rob e r t s o n s O n th e I llu s i ven e s s o f L i fe

Th i s u s e o f
a nal o gy fo r t h e pu rp o s e of t ea ch i n g re q ui re s m u ch s obr i e t y
o f j ud g m e n t l e s t i t d e gen e ra t e i n t o fr i v ol o u s gu ra ti v e r e
semblances A nalogy u sed rhe t or i cal ly a nd i n a sem i poet i c
w ay fo r t h e ch i ef p u rp o s e o f i l l u s t r a ti o n s u gge s ti o n an d
i mpre s s i o n m ay h ave very w i de ran ge Ta k e e g M a t t

A nd t he men m a r vel led say in g w ha t m ann e r o f ma n i s

t h i s e t c Theme : The s u rp r i ses o f a compl e t e c on sc i ou s

Redemp ti on
The r e m ay b e no cl o s e i nner co n nec tio n o f
t h ough t o r of p r i n c i pl e b e t w e e n t h e s u rp r i s e o f t h e d i s c i pl e s
a t t he i r r es c u e fr o m t h e s t o r m o n Gal i l e e La k e an d t h e
a s s u med o r i ma gi n e d s u rp r i s e o f a red eem e d m an a w a k en in g
t o t h e fu l l c o n sc i o u s n es s o f h i s r e demp tio n e i t h e r i n t h e pr e s
en t or t he f utu re l i fe B ut t he one m ay be m ade s u gges ti v e
o f t he o t he r no t on a bas i s o f par it y o f p r i nc ip l e b ut by a
ce r t a in gu ra ti ve l i keness I t i s a m e t a p ho r i cal ada pt a ti o n
i n w h i ch t he l i kenes s i s som e w ha t rem ot e b ut it i s a t ru e l i ke
ness and spea k s to t he i ma gi na tio n i f n ot t o men t al j u dgm en t s
A t h i ng may be t r u e t o t he feel i ngs sen ti men t s a n d i magi na
tion a n d no t t ru e t o t he c r it i cal j u dgm en t Aga in J oh n 1 9 : 4 1

A n d i n t h e garden a new to mb w here in w as n eve r m an ye t

laid
Th i s pas sage ha s se rved a somewha t va r i ed poe ti c u s e
in t he Chr i s ti an pulp it Th e sam e gene r i c t ho u gh t va r iou sly
m o d i ed has been de d u ce d from it Th e gene r al t h ou gh t i s
tha t there are da r k sp ot s i n t h e br i gh t es t scene s o f l ife s o rr o w
f u l exper i ences i n t he m i ds t o f i t s pleas u res a n d b enec en ces
Th e G r av e i n t he Garden o f L i fe I n some s u ch w ay H en ry
Ward B eeche r ha s u se d t he p as sage S o al so t he Rev D r
Ge o rge L Wal ker Each u ses i t i n h i s o w n d i s tin c ti v e w ay
w i t h m u ch fe rti l it y o f i nven ti on fel i c it y o f i l l u s t r a ti on bea ut y
o f d i c ti on an d p ers u as i vene ss o f i mp ress i on Chr i s t s w al k i ng
on t he Gal i l ee Lake ha s been freq u en t ly u sed a s gu ra ti vely
sugges ti ve o f h i s sp i r itu al p r esence in t h e t em p es t s o f l i fe I t

WO RK

TH E

1 32

O F TH E

P R EA C H E R

wa s t h u s u sed by Th oluck Whethe r an anal ogy am o u n t s t o

par i ty o f p r i nc i pl e o r i s m erely g u ra ti ve adap t a tio n de p en ds
som ewha t on t he way i n w h i c h i t i s u sed I t m ay be m a de t o
sugges t l i keness o f p r i nc i ple o r i t m ay be u se d as a n appeal
to the i mag i nat i on bu t we generally recogn i z e the d i fference
between a n exp o s i tory o r a rgum enta ti ve u se o f a nal ogy one
w h i c h i s for th e pu rpo se o f i nstruct i on or to conv i nc e an d on e
t ha t ha s a m ere rhetor i cal o r i l l u strat i ve val u e an d that a i m s
c h i ey to v i v i fy and e nr i c h tho u gh t and m ake i t m o r e im
press i ve T h e g u rat i ve o r m etaphor i cal u se i s en dangere d
o f fanc i fu l nes s I t m ay re su l t i n a l ack o f v i r i l it y an d o f
m ental an d pos s i bly o f m or al sobr i ety i n preach i ng I t i s l i kely
to a ffect a rt i c i al resembl ance s an d to d egene rate i nto al leg o ry
I t demand s sobr i ety o f j u d gm ent but properly u sed a s the
preach i ng o f B i shop Ph i ll i ps B rook s demon strates i t grea t ly
e nr i c hes the work o f th e pulp i t Th i s l eads u s to con s i de r
a nothe r an d an ext rem e form o f analogy
T he extremest fo rm o f g
( e ) Al legor i cal adapta ti on
u r a t i v e adapta ti on
I t i s not easy s o met i mes to d e t ec t t he d i f
ference be t ween them M e t aphor i cal a nd all egor i cal l i kenes se s
a re both f o rm s o f anal o gy Paul i n h i s all egor i z i ng o f th e
s t ory o f I saac a n d I shmael a ssum e s a certa i n co rre spon d ence
between t h e rela ti on s o f t h e t wo ch i l d ren an d the relat i on s o f
the two covenants a co rrespondence to h i m s o str i k i ng t ha t
he cla i m s the r i ght a poet i c r i ght d oubtl ess to m ake the one
t h e analogu e o f the othe r Lu ther t ran sl a t e s Pau l s words

Gal
W h i ch th i ngs a re an all egory
D i e Wo rt e

be d euten etwa s t e th e wo rd s have an i nne r s i gni canc e

beyon d the ex te rna l s i gn i ca nce o f the h i stor i c personages an d
fact s Th i s s i gn i ca nce i s doubtl ess an i nven ti on o f t h e H e
bre w i magi nat i on fo r w h o but a H ebrew wo u l d have i mag i ned
i t ' I t i s a st ra i ne d anal ogy a n d t h a t i s al lego ry B u t a fte r al l
there i s an el e m ent o f l i kene ss here What d i fferent i ates t h e
allego r i cal u se o f a nalo gy from othe r fo rm s o f a nal o gy i s t hat
.

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

1 34

ada pt a tio ns u ses t hem i ll u s t r a ti vely it i s a p er fec t ly l egi tim a t e

u se an d does no t d i ffer f rom any rhe to r i cal u se o f anal o gy
Exege ti cal ly Ph i l o o f co u rs e wen t w i l d i n i n t e rp re ti ng Ol d
Tes t ament charac t ers as s i mply t ypes o f e t h i cal q u al iti es e
Abel o f dev oti on Noah o f r i ghteo u sne ss Abraham o f hol i nes s
w o n by s t r i v i ng I saac o f n a tu ral p i e t y a n d in a tt ach i ng n o im
portanc e to t he i r real it y a s h i s t or i c cha rac t ers B ut h omil et i
cal ly w ha t be t te r u se cou l d be made o f t hem ' On ly o f cou r s e
i f th u s u se d i n b iograph i cal d i sc ou rses t he u se sho u l d be rec
o gn i z ed a s rhetor i cal ada p t a ti on
I n fac t a t a ti m e wh en c r iti cal exeges i s exac t s so c lo sely
upon hom i le ti c freedom preach i ng m ay lose some t h i ng o f i ts
rhet o r i cal s u ggest i veness W it h i n t he l i m it s o f m en t al and
mora l sobr i ety we may al legor i ze i n t h e p u lp it We may get
a grea t deal m o re ou t o f the B i bl e a s we m ay o u t o f S hakes
pea re s work s o r any work o f poet i c p ro duct i veness than e v e r
wen t i nto it I f preach i ng w ere to anc h or r i g i d ly to modern
exeges i s i t wo u l d l ose m uch o f i ts q u i cken i ng power
There i s a spec i e s o f correspondence that l i es beyond t he
realm o f all egory bu t w h i ch al lego r izi ng preachers have o ften
u sed v ia verbal correspon dence I t i s a m e re verbal s u g
gest i on w i tho u t any rem otest correspondence o f t hought Such
u s e has gene ral ly marked a degeneracy o f the p u l p it Preachers
o f the Roman Cathol i c C h u rch ha v e somet i me s u se d the i r
tex t s a s pun s Cl aude seem s to h av e ha d preache rs o f th i s
*
sort i n m i nd when he w r it es
The preache r mu st be w i se
sobe r a n d c h aste
I say w i se i n oppos i t i on to those i m
pert i nent peopl e w h o u tte r j ests com i cal compar i son s qu i rk s
an d ex t ravagances an d such a re a good part o f the preac h ers

o f the chu rc h o f Rom e

Not only a fr i volou s but a la sc i v i ou s
u se o f S cr i ptu re text s was poss i bl e The P u r i tan preac h e rs
o f Engl and w ere not above th i s fr i vol it y M r S pu rgeon never
,

C o mp o s it io n

S e r mo n

Ch a p

II
,

pag

62

H O M I LETI C

CORRES PO N DEN CES

1 35

u sed h i s t ex t a s a pu n but i n h i s ea rly years he u se d t he La ti n

w ord for Jesu s i n t he l i gh t o f a p u n an d m ade i t mean I ease

yo u
Rolan d H i l l some ti mes al lo w ed h i s w i t t o ge t t he be tt e r
o f h i m i n h i s u se o f S cr i p tu r e Dean S w i f t s m o r al shal lo w
ness an d i n sob r i e t y a r e a pp a r en t i n t ha t case w h i ch has bec o me
class i c for f r i volo u s pu lp i t p r o ced u re i n w h i c h h e ad d r essed a

congrega tion o f t a i l o r s f r o m t he t ex t A rem na nt shal l be

saved
I t w ou l d be i m po ss i bl e i n ou r day for any e d u ca t ed
preache r t o do t h i s desp it e t he f r eedom w it h w h i ch we u s e t he
S c r i p tu res
11
Cor r espo n denc e o f T on e B y t h i s i s m ea nt ha rm o ny o f
feel i ng sen ti men t sp i r it t as t e l it era r y q u al it y be t w een t ex t
a n d s e rm o n Co rr e sp o n de nc e o f t ho u g h t i s p o s s i bl e w it h o u t
t h i s c o rre sp on de n c e o f S e n ti m en t Th e ch arac t e r a n d o b j e c t
o f t h e s erm o n e xac t up o n t h e t o n e o f t h e t ex t t h a t i s c h o s en
an d re ve rs el y t h e t o ne o f t h e t ex t co n d iti o n s t h e t o ne of t h e
s e rm o n La c k o fh arm o ny h er e m u s t res u l t i n a n i mp re s s i o n
o f i n ep t it ud e
w h i ch n o a m o u n t o f rh e t o r i cal sk i l l wo ul d be
abl e t o ov e r co m e H arm o ny o f t o n e i n t h e ar t o f p rea ch i n g
i s n o l e s s i mp o r t an t t h a n i n t h e ar t o f m u s i c The gro u n d
t o n e o f t h e t e x t d em an d s a n ec h o i n t h e g r o u nd t o n e o f t h e
se rm on an d reve rs ely Th ere a re t wo s o r t s o f t o n e c o rr e
s p o n d e n c e b e t we e n t h e t ex t an d t h e s e rm o n wh i c h sh o u l d b e
c o n s i d er e d t h e l it e rary o r rh e t o r i cal a n d t h e e t h i cal
1
I t i s a generally accep t e d r u l e t ha t a d i dac ti c a i m an d a
p rosa i c q u al it y i n t he ma t er i al o f a se rm on deman d a l it erary
or rhe t o r ical q u al it y i n t he t ex t t ha t corres p onds The m e t hod
o f han dl i ng t he serm on may m o d i fy t he r u l e For a rhe t or i cally
sugge s ti ve me t hod o f accompl i sh i ng t he d i dac ti c res u l t may
a dm i t o f t h e ch o i ce o f a rhe t or i cal ly s u ggest i ve t ex t S u c h a
t ex t sho u l d cer t a i nly be t r ea t ed i n a w ay co rre spon d i ng t o i t s
qual i ty H e ho w eve r shou l d be a sk i l l f u l r he t or i c i an w h o
w oul d a tt emp t it B ut a p r o sa i c d i sc u ss i on a d i sc u ss io n t ha t
a i m s p r i ma r i ly a t conv i nc i ng t he u nde rs t and i ng cer t a i nly call s
,

1 36

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

for a c orrespon d i ng t ex t I f the obj ect o f the se rm on be

eth i cal an eth i cal qual i ty i n the tex t that co rrespon d s i s needed
A n emot i onal t ex t comm i ts the preache r to the e ffort to exci te
a n em ot i on correspond i ng i n the congregat i o n A poet i cal text
pre suppose s a n appeal to th e i m ag i nat i on i n the u se o f a type
o f d i ct i on that i s ha rm on i ou s T h e w r i te r once hear d a se r

m on from I s 6 3 : I W h o i s t h i s t hat com eth from Edom

etc I t wa s a som ew h at dull an d d i s t i nctly pro sa i c an d com
mo n p l a c e d i s cu s s i o n o fs i n
T h e prea c h er h a d n o t c au ght t h e
ton e o f h i s tex t Cont ra st i n t h i s rega r d t h e u se o f the text
by B i s h o p B rook s i n t h e sermon ent i tled The Conqueror

from E d om
T h e i nsp i ra t i on o f t h e text i s apparent i n t he
el evate d tone o f t h e ent i re sermon T he d u llest h earer w oul d
not fa i l to note the h ar m ony o f ton e No p reache r w ho k new
h i s task or eve n a ma n o f o r d i na ry sent i men t an d sen s i b i l i ty

w oul d s el e c t Ma tt 1 I : 28 29 C om e u nto m e al l y e t h at la b o r
et c a s t h e b a s i s o f a p r o sa i c d i scu s s i o n o f salva t i o n a s i n
vol v e d i n subj ect i on to C h r i st s yoke al though t h e substance
o f t h a t thoug h t may be fou nd i n t h e text Joh n
21
Ne i t h e r fo r t h e s e o nly d o I pray etc i s a v e ry d i fc ult t e xt
fo r a sermon on the u n i ty o f t h e C h r i st i an chu rch a s the
w r i ter ha s fou nd by te st i ng i t I t i s not easy t o prese rve t h e
tone o f the u tterance It i s a pa rt o f ou r Lo rd s h i gh pr i estly
prayer The serm on shoul d ne v e r fo rget th i s or at l east
shoul d never d i s h onor i t s sa nc t i ty o f t o n e I n c h oo s i ng an
elevate d text one h i ghly emot i onal o r poet i c o r rheto r i cally
sugge st i ve i n i t s c h a racter one sh oul d ne v e r at out i nto com
mo n pl a ce
It i s bette r to enr i ch a prosa i c tex t t han to impo v
Emo ti onal t ex t s o r
e r i s h a poet i c text i n on e s han d l i ng o f i t
text s o f s e n t ime n t t h at have bec ome i d ent i e d w i th che r i she d
Chr i st i an exper i ences a re spec i al ly exact i ng u po n ha rm ony o f
t one Text s fo r exam pl e that rel ate t o t he su ffer i ngs o f
C h r i st o r th e j oy s o f t h e h eavenly w orl d The probl em o f se
cu r i ng harm ony o f tone i s not m erely a n ze s th e t ic probl em
.

'

TH E

1 38

WORK

O F TH E

P R EA C H E R

Cla u de r ep r ehends i n t he preach i ng o f t he Rom an Ca t hol i c

c hu rch o f h i s day an d aga i ns t whose u s e h e warns t he Protes
tan t ch u r ches o f F r a n ce
O d d t ex t s are m oral ly obj ec t i onable A t ex t i n it sel f s i mpl e
a nd c lea r m ay be m ade fan t as t i c by t w i s ti ng i t from i t s h i s t o r i c
sen se and u s e A m anly man w it h a manly ob j ec t w i l l h ave
a manly t ex t an d s u ch a man w i l l have a m anly serm on I t
was i n pa r t t he hom i l e ti c s i n o f t he ol d al l egor iz ers t ha t t hey
tw i s t ed t he i r t ex t s ti l l t hey become fan t as ti c I t r eached it s
l owes t po i n t o f degrada ti on i n t he p reach i ng o f t he Roman
Ca t hol i c ch u rch p r i or t o t he Re fo rma ti o n an d ha d not van
i s h ed i n t h e p o s t Re format i on per i od
B u t t h i s sor t o f t h i ng
h a s almo s t wh ol ly d i sappea red f rom the Ch r i s ti an p u lp it
Oc
ca s io n a l ly a p u l p i t m o u n t ebank i ndulges i n i t
bu t i t i s gen
I t m ark s a grea t a dvanc e i n t he
e ra l ly rega r de d as v u lga r
e t h i cal a s wel l a s a s th etic t one o f th e pul p i t t ha t t h i s i s no
l onge r poss i bl e A be tt e r concep ti on o f th e B i ble sec u re s a
m o re ser i o u s es ti m a t e o f i t a s a t ex t book W i t an d h um or
a re by n o m ean s i napprop r i ate i n t he pulp it M any g r eat
preache r s have m ade u s e o f t h em B u t t here i s a grea t d i ffe r
ence be t ween ashe s o f w it s u ch a s L ut he r somet i me s i n d u lged
i n an d wh i ch w ere n o t u ncommon an d some ti mes se r i ou sly
obj ec ti onabl e i n t h e p r each i ng o f H enry Ward Beech e r an d a
del i be r a t e sen sa ti onal a tt em p t t o comm i t a wh ol e sermon t o
fr i v ol i ty by t h e u se o f a fan t ast i c t ex t o r by t he fan t ast i c u se
o f an hones t t ex t An i n t ell i gen t e s ti ma t e o f t he B i bl e t end s
t o c orrec t an d r eg u l a t e t he m oral j udgmen t s i n th e u s e o f w it
an d h u mo r i n t he pul p it
Censor iou s t ex t s are e t h i cal ly obj ec ti onabl e T he clas s i cal
i l l u s t ra ti on and a d mon i tory exam pl e i s t ha t o f t he man w ho
on l ea v i ng h i s chu rch u ng as a Pa rth i an a rrow P S 1 20 : 5
Wo e i s m e th at I s oj o u rn i n M e sh e c h th a t I d wel l am o n g

t h e t e n t s o f K e da r
Such a m a n i s g u i l ty o f a gra v e m o ral
offen se N o t h i ng ca n j u st i fy a Ch r i s ti a n m i n i s t e r i n t h e in
,

H O M I LETI C

C ORRES PO N DE N CES

1 39

o f pe tt y sp i t e I t i s do u bly o ffen s i v e t o dra u gh t t he

S cr i p tu res i n t o all i ance w i th i t There are no S c r i p tu res ava i l
abl e for s u ch u s e ex cep t t he i mpreca ti on s o f t he Ol d Tes t a
men t and s u c h us e o f t hem wo u l d be a n anach ron i sm an d a
v i ola ti on o f t he rs t pr i nc i pl es o f Chr i s ti an moral it y
P uzz l i ng t ex t s are al so mo r al ly ob j ec ti onabl e T hey a r e
generally t he spec i al p roper t y o f preachers w ho a ffec t s u bj ects
o f m e r ely spec u la ti ve i n t eres t and t ha t are m oral ly u n fr u i t f u l
or o f t hose who a ffec t rhe t or i cal sensa ti on The al legor i zi ng
hab i t h a s al l i ed it sel f w it h t h e u s e o f t h i s cl as s o f t ex t s I t
h a s al ways m ar k e d a degen eracy i n t h e mo r al a nd sp i r i tu al
a nd I may add t he ms th et ic t one o f preach i ng The p reach er
wh o i n o u r day wo u l d affec t t he p uzz l i ng p r ocess i n h i s u s e o f
t ex t s wo u l d be r ega rded a s a hom i l e ti c c r an k
du lgen ce

CH A PTE R V I
CO N S I DERAT I O N S REGULAT I V E
O F S U BJ E CT S

F O R TH E

CH O I CE

M O ST p r eache rs selec t th e i r ow n t ex t s an d t hemes

In
Ch u rches t ha t foll ow the cou rse o f t he Ch r i s ti an year t he gen
e ral s u bj ec t s t o be pre sente d h ave bee n presc r i be d by t h e
eccl es i as ti cal a ut ho r i t i e s They are x ed by t h e d i fferent
per i ods i n t o wh i ch t h e ch u rch year i s d iv i ded an d t he p r eache r
i s l im i t e d by t hem The re a re conce iv able d i sa d v an t age s i n
t h i s I t seem s t o be a se v ere t ax u p o n t he p reache r s i ngen u it y
a nd s u gge sts a p rem i um u pon repe titi o n and commonpl ace For
t he i n dol en t and u nproduc tiv e preache r i t seem s t o p rom i se a
sa fe re t rea t wh i le i t al so seem s t o pl edge s u p erc i a lity a n d n u
f r u i t f u l nes s B ut i n general i t i s a seem i ng ra t he r than a real
d i fficul ty I t m ay be that t he preach i ng o f ch u rches t h u s l i m
it ed lac k s som ewha t the spon t ane i t y t he i ndepen dence an d
fr u it f u l nes s o f t he preach i ng o f t hose ch u rches tha t a re free
o f su ch l i m i ta t i o n s
B u t ob s e rv at i o n i nd i ca t e s t ha t th er e i s n o
real res t r i c t i on here fo r t he be tt er cl ass o f pr eache r s A n d t h e
necess i ty o f k eep i ng be fore t he m i nd o f t h e peopl e t h e gr eat
fac t s an d t rut h s o f h i s t or i c Ch r i s ti an it y i s a d i s ti nc t ga i n The
ga i n i s t h e grea t er tha t only s u bj ec t s and no t spec i c t heme s
an d t ex t s are t h u s prescr i bed B u t i n t h e la rger n u mber o f
Pro t es t an t ch u rches ne i ther sub j ec t s no r t ex t s a re prescr i bed
The p reache r i n s u ch ch u rches needs t he re fore an i n t el l i gen t
bas i s o f sel ec ti on H e needs t o take i n t o acco u n t the c o mpl ex
dem a n d s o f h i s v oca ti on T he re seem s t o be no goo d reason
why t he i n d i v i d u al se rm on sh o u l d be w h o l ly i sol a t ed from s ub
j ect s ch o sen fo r presen t a ti on d u r i ng a cons i derabl e p er i o d o f
.

TH E

1 42

WORK OF

TH E

P R EA C H E R

exp re s s e s a r e al wa n t an d w i ll t h e refo re b ec o m e t r i b u ta ry to
re al p ro t I t i s t rue t ha t p e opl e a re n o t alway s i n ter e s t e d i n
wh a t i s be s t fo r t h e m An d a r es p o n s i bl e p re a ch e r w i l l n eve r
p e rm i t a c o n gre ga ti o n t o s e tt l e fo r h i m u n co n d i t i o n a ll v th e
q u es tio n o f t he i r r eal an d pe rm anen t n eeds The preache r s
e s ti m a t e o f wh a t i s pro tabl e sh o ul d th er efo re h a v e pre c ed
ence Exper i ence an d obser v a ti on w i l l se tt l e t he bal ance b e
twe en wh a t i n t e re s t s a n d wh a t pr o t s N o gen e ral ru l e w i l l
s e tt l e it I t m ay b e q u e st i o ne d h owev e r wh e th er pr e ach e r s
i n ge n e ral su ffi c i e n t ly c o n s i de r wh a t p e opl e wan t t o h e a r o r
wha t t hey r eal ly w i sh altho u gh they m ay no t be m ore t han
hal f con sc i o u s o f i t The hab it o f sol i c i ti ng s u gges ti on s from
th e c o n gre ga ti o n i s a go o d o n e V e ry u r gen t wan t s h a v e
oft e n b e e n re c o gn i z e d a n d m e t i n t h i s way M any a pre ach er
ha s to a c kn owl ed ge t h a t h e i s i nd eb t e d t o h i s pa r i sh i on e rs fo r
s o m e o f h i s be s t t ex t s and m o st i mp o r t an t subj e c ts an d
t h ey m ay of t e n t h ank t h em se l v e s fo r s o m e o f h i s b e s t
s e rm o n s
B ut o f co u rse what clearly p ro t s i n dependently o f al l c a
p r ic iou s des i re i s a s al rea dy s u ggested t he ma i n cons i derat i on
The ch i e f reas on fo r i n t eres ti ng peopl e i s t ha t t he i r real need s
may be t he m ore e ffect iv ely m e t t h e need s e v en o f a l i m it ed
sec ti on o f the congregat i on somet i m es perhaps e v en o f a s i ngl e
pe rson Th i s i s pa s t oral p reach i ng Th e Pas t oral Ep i stl es l ay

accen t u pon w ha t pro ts th e b ea re r

S t r iv i ng abo u t words

t o no p ro t i s sharply rebuked The t h i ngs to be con s t antly

a f rme d a re t he th i ngs t ha t a re good an d p ro t abl e

It is a
very easy t h i ng fo r a man to becom e a pul p i t c rank by sel sh
devo ti on t o a hobby and a l ack o f sym pathy w i th t he congre
T he b ui l d i ng o f
ga t ion and o f de v ot i on to the i r m o ral w el fa re
rel i g i o u s cha rac t er an d t he better i ng o f the rel i g i ou s l i fe i s t he
i ncl u s iv e i n t ere st B u t many th i ngs a re i n v olved i n th i s I t
m u st s t a r t i n th e v all ey o f d ec i s i on where men choose Ch r i s t
a s t h e ma ster o f l i fe O rd i nary p reach i ng shoul d en t e r t h i s el d
.

T H E C H O I C E O F SU BJ E CTS

143

B ut t h er e a r e t i mes when concen t ra tio n is deman ded O ne w i ll

need to s u mm o n i n t o u s e t he a ro u s i ng conve r t i ng s av i ng t r ut hs
o f Chr i s ti a nit y T he r e are s u c h t r ut h s an d t he preacher m u s t
nd o ut w ha t t hey a r e B ut a l arge pa r t o f t he p r each i ng t h a t
pro t s wi l l have f o r its a i m t he grow t h an d enla r gemen t o f the
Ch ri s ti an l i fe S u ch p reach i ng w i l l deal w it h t hose t r ut hs o f
grace t ha t p rod u ce gr o w t h i n Ch r i s ti an charac t er I t is t he
effec ti ve p resen t a tio n o f Chr i s t a s t he s o u rce an d t he pa tt ern o f
l i fe t ha t devel o p s Ch r i s ti an charac t e r
B u t Ch ri s t i s al so th e i nsp i r a t i on an d t h e a i m o f l i fe To
i nc i t e m en ; t here f o re t o t h e ch oi ce o f t h e h i ghes t i deal s o f
l i fe t o q ui ck en t hem int o Ch r i s ti an ac ti v i t y t o u rge t hem t o t he
c u l ti va ti on o f t hose prod u c ti ve v i r tu e s o f t he Ch r i s ti an l i fe on
w h i ch t he a dvancemen t o f t he K i ngdom o f God depen ds t h i s
al so i s i n v ol ve d
There w i ll be t i me s al s o wh en t he cong r ega ti on as a who l e o r
i n pa r t wi ll need t he chee r and com for t o f t he Gospel o f
al lev i a ti on The b u rdene d an d t h e carewo rn a re t he l arger
n u mber A n d t he p reache r who wo u l d p ro t m u s t know h i s
S cr i p tu r es a s a s t oreh ou se o f com f o r ti ng t r ut h s an d fac t s N o
oppor tu n it y t o s a y t he wo r d o f chee r sh ou l d eve r be l o s t H e
wh o appl i es sympa t he ti cal ly an d s ki ll f u l ly t he cheer i ng and
com for ti ng t r ut h s o f t he G os p el t o t h ose w ho a re oppressed by
t he b u rden s o f l i fe w i l l w i n an ascen dency wh i ch were o t her
w i se i mpos s i b l e I f d on e i n m a n l y fash i on a m i n i s t e r w i l l no t
fa i l t o ma k e h i m sel f necessa r y t o h is peopl e H is l i fe w i l l b e
com e i den ti ed w it h t he i r l i ves an d he never can becom e an
ob j ec t o f i nd i fference to t hem B u t t he en d o f com for t i s en
r ich men t o f charac t e r
The en d o f p a r ene ti c t ru t h i s t ha t i t
s h ou l d b ec o me ed i fy i ng t r u th
Pl ace s houl d always be l e ft i n
one s selec ti on o f s u bj ec t s for t he p rov i dences o f t he peopl e s
l i ves H ere t hen are fo u r cl as ses o f nee d dec i s i on e dica tion
i nsp i r a ti on com for t an d t he re a re fo u r t ypes o f t r ut h co rr e
s p on d in gl y ava i labl e f o r t he preacher ; evangel i s ti c
d i dac t i c
.

'

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

1 44

e t h i cal pa rene ti c They o v erlap I t w ere we l l i f al l we r e t o

appea r i n ord i na ry p r each i ng B ut t he re w i l l be t im es w he n
eac h w i l l nee d t o rece i ve spec i al emphas i s
I I Co rrespon d i ng t o t he needs o f t he cong r ega t i on a r e th e
cl a i m s o f Chr i s t i an t r ut h Fo r wha t m ee t s t he n eed s o f t he
people sh o u l d m ee t t h e c la i m s o f t r ut h B ut i t i s a n ob j ec t t ha t
demand s spec i c con s i de r a tio n Ch r i s t i an i t y sho u l d be i nt e r
A s tate
p r eted t o m en w i t h an approx i m a ti on t o com pl e t ene ss
m en t o f t h e con t en t s o f Ch r i s t i an it y a nd o f t hei r demand s up on
Ch r i s ti a n preach i ng wo u l d read i ly f u rn i sh s u gge s ti ons a s to t he
scope o f t he preach er s presen t a ti on
Th eme s t ha t cove r t h e c h i e f h i s t o r i c fac t s o f Ch r i s t i a n i t y
h ave t h e rs t pl ace The fac t s are bac k o f t he t r ut h s T h e
t r ut hs canno t be w or t h i ly apprehen de d apar t f r o m t he fac t s
H ere i s t he v al u e t o t h e p reache r o f t he Ch r i s t i a n ye a r It
br i ngs t hes e fac t s t o h i s a tt en ti on an d summon s h i m t o m a k e
u s e o f t hem
T he l i fe o f t h e Chu rch i s dependen t u po n t hem
Ad v ent s e a s o n Pa s s i on we e k Ea s t e r Wh i t su n ti de Al l S a i n t s
Day sho u l d neve r fa i l o f recogn iti o n i n any Ch r i s ti an com
m u n io n o r i n any Ch r i s t i an p u l p it
Them es i ncl u s i ve o f t h e m os t i mpo r t an t doc t r i nes o f Ch r i s
t ia n ity espec i al ly t h e doc t r i ne s o f g r ace w i l l al so n d pl ace i n
t h e p u l p i t wh ose a i m i s t he h i ghe s t p r o t o f t he b ea rer There
a re th e grea t cen t r al gr ou ps w i t h i n w h i ch t h e d o c t ri n e s o f gr ac e
a re fo u n d They a r e b ut few an d m ay be g r ou pe d a s B i b
l io l o g y Th e ol o g y An th ro p o l o gy Ch r i s t ol o gy S o t e r i ol o gy
Pne u ma t ol ogy Eccl es i ol ogy a n d E sch a t ol o gy W i t h i n t h es e
l i m it s l i e s t he en ti re con t en t o f t h e G ospe l m ess a ge O f
spec i al i mpor t ance i s t h e recogn iti on o f v i t a l t r ut h s o r fac t s
t ha t hav e bee n n egl ec t e d o r obsc u re d beca u se t hey hav e been
u n deres ti m a t ed an d u nde rval u ed e it h e r gene r ally i n th e
ch u rche s o r i n t h e ch u rch o r comm u n i ty whe r e p r o v i dence has
pl ace d one O ne m i gh t s ti l l f u rt he r a dd a s a n imp o rt an t co n
s i de ra tio n t he sel ec ti on o f t h eme s wh o se m a t er i a l w i l l be
,

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

146

ot he r e t h i cal them es and a i m s ano t her is a t home i n t he s p here

o f emot i on an d sen ti men t A n ex tre m e o f o ne s spec i al i ty i s o f
co u rse obj ec ti onable b ut one i s s t rongest i n h i s ow n realm
an d i n the l o ng r u n o ne s ow n spec i al it y i s pre t ty s u re to dom i
na t e one Wha t one na t u rally a ffect s w i l l su rely i n u ence o ne s
cho i ce
Pers o nal fam i l i a r it y i s another c ons i de ra ti on A s u b j ec t well
m as t e r e d w i ll be t he more e ffec ti vely han dl ed Ev ery i n tell i
gen t preache r may be a ss u m ed t o have s u ch t heme s i n han d
theme s o f l i v i ng ti mely i n t eres t B i bl i cal t heol o g i cal eth i cal
soc i al w ha t ever t hey may be W it h s u ch he i s a t hom e Th e
i mpor t ance o f i nve s ti gat i ng t h o se s u bj ec t s t ha t a re o f p r i mary
i mpor t ance i s ev i den t here Those o f seconda ry i mpor t ance
i n w h i ch peopl e are b u t l it tl e i n t erested a n d w h i c h a r e o f b ut
l i ttl e prac ti cal val ue S ho u l d ce r t a i nly be avo i ded A preache r
canno t a fford t o spen d ti m e i n stor i ng u sel ess k no w ledge O ne
w ho does t h i s w i l l be a n u n fr u it f u l preache r an d w i l l w i n t h e
rep u tat io n pe rhap s o f a p u lp i t c rank Th i ngs that do n ot p r o t

shou l d have t he go by
From t he ve ry ou tset o f one s m i n
i s t ry t heme s o f p r i m al i mpor t ance t o t he Ch r i s ti an l i fe sho u l d
be chosen fo r i nve s ti gat i on H e i s t he bes t preache r whose
personal t aste s an d apt i tu des h arm on i ze w it h th e i n t e rests o f
the congrega ti on and w i th the cl a i m s o f Ch r i st i an t r ut h One
i s al ways sa fe i n c hoos i ng the ch i e f them es o f Ch r i st i an it y an d
i n m ak i ng t hem cen t res abou t w h i ch one s t ho u gh t an d s tu dy
may rally
Preach i ng regu l a t ed a s to t h e cho i ce o f subj ec t s by t he ab o ve
c o n s i d e rat i on s w i ll be s ecu re d a ga i n st capr i c e I t w i l l b e i n t el
l ig e n t d i s cr i m i n at i n g pro p o r ti o na t e p r ea ch i n g Th e g r o u n d i s
covered Ex per i ence an d good j ud gm ent w i l l x t h e balance
be t ween d i fferen t deman d s H ow to m ee t these demand s i s n ow
a p rac ti cal q u est i on m ore ea s i ly an swered H av i ng i n han d t he
need s t o be me t know i ng one s peopl e an d t he i r necess iti e s
kno w i ng one s sel f respect i ng the t r u th o f wh i c h one i s a
,

T H E C H O I C E O F SU BJ ECTS

1 47

s t eward one w i l l t he m ore eas i ly de t erm i ne w ha t to preach an d

i n a reasonabl e p rac ti cal way
Th u s w i l l be sec u red moreove r del i bera ti on i n t h e cho i ce
o f t he pa r ti c u la r t hem e fo r t he par ti c u l ar serm o n One i s no t
sh ut u p t o o ne t h i ng S el ec ti on i s poss i ble from w ha t seem s
mos t per ti nen t a t t he ti me Presen t necess it y o r p rese nt i n
One m u s t d o
cl i na t i on w i ll i n dee d s o m e ti me s dom i na t e one
s i m p ly w ha t he can o r w ha t he i s i nwa rdly sel f i mpel l ed t o do
i rrespec ti ve o f al l ot he r co n s i dera ti on s B ut t he le ss o f t h i s th e
be tt er H ere one has a br o ad an d r el i abl e bas i s f o r h i s w o r k
O ut o f t h i s t he i nd i v i d u al se r m o n w i l l t he m o r e r ea d i ly c o me
an d w it h i n t el l i gen t del i be r a ti on A p reache r w h o wor k s f r om
a bas i s so broa d w i l l al w ays have som e t h i ng t o s a y I t i s t he

hand t o mo u t h p reache r t ha t w i l l be l e f t w it ho ut any t h i ng t o

say
A n d s u ch a p reache r m ay nd h im sel f degene r a ti ng i n t o
t he per formance o f t hose rhe to r i cal an ti c s t ha t are t he ag o n i es
o f m en t al a nd moral p o ve r t y o r i n t o a commonplace s tupi d it y
eq u ally i mpove r i shed o f m en t al e t h i cal s p i r i tu al or gen u i nely
emo ti onal q u al it y
Fre e d o m a n d t n e s s o f i nve n ti o n t o o wi l l r e s u l t 5 e i n t he
d i scovery c ho i ce an d devel o pmen t o f t he t ho u gh t ma t er i al o f
t he i nd i v i du al serm o n S u ch p r o d u c ti on m u s t al ways be c o n
d it ion ed by a goo d general c o ncep tio n o f t he scope o f p r each i ng
an d goo d pl ans f o r t he real i z a ti on o f s u ch concep ti on S u rely
the p reache r who shapes t he gene ral p lan o f h i s p reach i ng w it h
re ference t o t he r i gh t so r t o f r es u l t s w i l l be p r e tt y s u r e to keep
th i s i n m i nd i n t he p r o cess o f t he devel opmen t o f t he i n d i v i d u al
sermon Fo r the q u es ti on i s no t merely w ha t does t h i s t ex t
t hem e plan and devel op men t dema n d b ut w ha t d o Ch r i s ti an
i n t ere sts demand w ha t t he w el fa r e o f m en w ha t i s dem anded
by t h e t r ut h wha t o f m e as a Ch r i s ti an p reach er n ot only here
and no w b ut a ll t h r ou gh an d al ways
,

CHA PTER I
T H E EX P O S IT O RY TYPE
S ER M O N S m ay be cl ass i e d i n a v ar i e t y o f w ays A very
comprehens i ve cl ass i ca ti on woul d g i ve u s t h e d i dac ti c an d t he
pract i cal type s o f sermon or t he argu m en t a ti ve an d t h e pe r
s u as i v e o r t h e pas to ral an d t he occas i onal B ut t h i s i s too
general fo r p u r p oses o f cl ose analys i s T he m e t h o d o f develo p
m en t woul d be ano t he r bas i s for clas s i ca ti on an d t h i s w ou l d
g i v e u s t h e t ex t u al an d t op i cal t ypes B ut t he m e t hod o f de
The s t r u e
v el op men t bel ongs p roperly t o formal hom i le ti cs
t ure o f the sermon can no t be d i scu sse d w i t ho ut cons i de r i ng t he
form i t t akes The m os t ex t e r nal cl ass i ca tio n w o u l d be base d
upon t he m e t ho d o f del i ve r y an d t h i s w o u l d l ead u s i n to a
d i sc u ss i on o f t h e m an u sc r i p t ex t empo ra neou s an d m em o r it e r
t ypes o f p reach i ng Th i s bas i s we can no t i gn o re Ou r d i s
cu s s i on w i l l t here fore i ncl u d e t hese th ree t ypes
B ut t he mo s t
complete an d sat i s fac t ory cl ass i ca ti on w i l l cen t re i n t h e c on
t en t an d obj ec t o f t he se rm o n Foll ow i ng t h i s m e t h o d o f
cl ass i cat i on w e rs t n d t he sermon whose con t en t i s B i bl i cal
mater i al an d whose obj ec t i s expos i ti on and prac ti cal appl i ca
ti on We nd secon dly t he serm o n t ha t con t a i ns t he s u bs t ance
o f s o me f o rm u la t ed d o c t r i ne and w ho se a i m i s t he i n t e rp re t a
ti o n o r t he de fense an d en forcemen t o f some t each i ng o f ch u r ch
t heology T h i rdly we have the serm on t ha t rela t e s t o m o r al
d uti es and v i r tu es an d w h o se obj ec t i s m o ral i nc u lcat i on i n t he
i n t eres t o f a prac ti cal real iz a ti on o f t he cl a i m s o f Chr i s ti an i ty
An d t hen f ou r t hly w e come t o the sermon t ha t concern s it sel f
sp ec i cally w i t h t h e cla i m s a n d pr o m i se s o f t h e G o spel o f r e
d empt i o n an d wh o s e o bj e c t i s t o p e rs ua d e m en t o th e i r
.

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52

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O F TH E

P R EA C H E R

a cc ep t a nc e S cr i ptu ral t ruth d o gm at i c t r ut h e t h i cal t ru t h

eva ngel i s t i c t ruth ; B i bl i ca l exp o s i t i o n sy st ema ti c i n d oc t r i n a
ti o n e t h i c al i n cul ca t i o n evan gel i s ti c c o n q-u e s t M any sub -d i
v i s i o n s u nde r e a ch cl a s s a re p o s s i bl e M o re ov e r a ny s e rm o n
wh a teve r i t s c l a s s m ay i n cl u d e el em e n t s th a t be l o n g t o al l
th e s e c la s s e s Th e t ru t h m ay b e B i bl i cal ly i nt e rpre t ed a r gu
m e n t a t i v e ly d i sc u s se d e th i cally enfo rc e d a n d eva n gel i s ti call y
appl i e d a l l i n t he s am e s e rm o n Pe rhap s o n t h e wh o l e t h a t
i s th e b e s t k i n d o fs erm o n fo r o rd i n ary p a st o ral u s e t h at co m
b i nes i n s om e m ea su r e el em en t s th a t b e l o n g t o a l l th e s e type s
I t i s h owev e r th e p reva i l i n g qual it y o f c o n te n t a n d th e l ea d i n g
o bj ec t tha t d e t e rm i n e th e cl a s s i c at i o n Ac c o rd i n g to t h e t wo
m eth o d s o f cl a s s i ca ti o n th en w e h ave b efo r e u s s eve n typ e s
o f h o m i l e t i c p r o du ct
We b e g i n w i t h t h e exp o s i t o ry typ e
.

TH E

C O N CE PT I O N OF E X PO S I T ORY P REA C H I N G

I t i s t he i n t erp r e t a ti on i ll u s t rat i on an d prac ti cal appl i ca ti on

i n app ropr i a t e o rde r an d f o rm o f a port i on o f S c r i p tu re A s
t o its bas i s t he ex p os it ory se rm o n res t s u pon a large r p o r tion
o f S c r i pt u re as it s t ex t t ha n any other ty p e o f serm on I n th i s
i t d i ffers f rom tex t ual p reach i ng T he ol der preachers and
w r it ers o n hom i let i c s a re i ncl i ne d t o i dent i fy the t extu al an d
ex p os it o ry m ethod s t rea ti ng s i ngl e passages expos i tor i ly
Cl au d e wo u l d cal l any me t hod o f d raw i ng ou t t he rela t e d
t ho u ght s o f a s i ngl e passage an d expand i ng t hem expos it o ry
an d w hat w e i n o u r day w ou l d cal l a t op i ca l t rea t men t h e
wou l d cal l expos i tory Bu t properly t h e t ex t ual me t ho d i n
te rp ret s th e con t en t o f b u t one o r t wo pa ssages w h i l e t he
expos it ory me t ho d deal s w i th a larger amo u n t o f Sc r i ptu re
I n i t s con t en t o f devel opm en t i t i s o f cou rse i mmed i ately
S c r i ptu ral I t ra nge s le s s w id ely fo r i ts m ater i al all throug h
tha n any othe r type o f sermon T h e body o f thought comes
d i rectly from the Sc r i pt u re s Only what i l l u strates i t come s
f rom w i tho u t
,

T H E W O R K O F T H E PR EA C H E R

54

H ere we ha v e t he d i sco u r se t ha t t a k e s a s i ngl e v e rse a s a

head i ng an d u ses othe r po r ti on s o f Sc ri ptu re as m a t er i al for
expan s i on Th e t ex t i s only a gu reh ea d c g S erm on 1 4 on

*
D a vi d
Te x t : 2 Sam ue l 1 2 : 7 Th o u a r t t h e M an Th e te xt
only h i n t s a t a s i ngl e phase o f Da v i d s c harac t er a n d l i fe w i th
wh i c h som ewha t comp rehens iv ely t he d i sc o u rse deal s Al l bears
re m o te ly u p o n t h e fa l l bu t t h e r e i s m uch t ha t d o e s n o t
r elat e to i t Th e pre ac h e r ha s e x e rc i se d h i s fre ed o m t o t h e
u tm o st
Then t he r e i s t he d i sco u rse tha t ha s a n en ti re c hap t e r a s t ex t
br i ng i ng i n al so i n a sup p l em en t al way othe r S c r i pt u re s bear
i ng u pon the ge neral s u bj ect i n t he process o f d i sc u s s i on T he
top i c s for d i sc u s s i on are s u gges t ed by t he sal i en t fea tu res o f
the se S c r i p tu re s i n t he i r rel a ti on t o t he general subj ec t e g

S e rm on 1 6 El i j a h s Fl i gh t I K i ngs
Pla n : ( I ) C i rcum
s t ances o f the ti m e i n wh i ch El i j ah l i ved ( 2 ) Fl i gh t ( 3 )
God s treatm en t o f h i m conclu d i ng w it h two i n ferent i al pra e
t i cal sugges ti ons H ere too we ha v e an i ll u s t rat i on o f h o m i let i c
freedom
A n ex
\V e h a v e too the d i scou rse that ha s n o tex t at al l
am pl e m ay be foun d i n Dr J osep h Pa rke r s d i scou rse on
Ju da s Is c a r io t l: The mater i al i s ga t h ered fro m al l th e pa s
sages in t h e New Te stamen t th a t re fe r to Juda s The rst pa rt
i s expos i tory th e secon d prac t i cal Al l these a re i l l u strat i on s
o f w i de pos s i b i l i t i es A n d these pos s i b i l i t i e s a re no t l i m i ted
to b i ograph i cal a n d h i stor i cal d i scou rse s al t hough they may
ha v e a w i der range i n t h ese sph ere s
We ha v e nally the expo s i tory sermon prope r I t i s l i ke any
top i cal sermon w i th th e d i ffe rence th a t i t get s al l i t s mate r i al
fr o m t he S cr i ptu re s I t ha s al l th e pa rt s o f a t op i cal se rm on
i n t r o d u c ti on t hem e d iv i s i ons o r d erly de v elopmen t a nd con
.

'

A r ch d e a co n F a r r a r

fD r

D a v id s o n

f Th i n g s

C o n c e r n in g

H ms e l f

'

N RC

3 49

TH E

EX PO S IT ORY

TY PE

55

l u s i on al l bo u n d t oge t her i n top i cal u n it y T h i s i s t he me t hod

o f Freder i ck W Rober t so n w it h t he l i m it a ti on t ha t he fa i l ed
to form u la t e h is t heme I t i s a v al u able me t hod I t i s no t s o
d i s ti nc ti vely d i dac ti c as t he expos it ory lec t u re nor s o d is t in c
t iv ely prac ti cal a s t he hom i ly bu t h a s t he sam e comb i na ti on o f
the d i dac ti c an d t he prac ti cal t ha t any t ex tu al or t op i cal sermon
h a s or sho u l d ha v e
I t is a me t hod t ha t m ay h a v e v ery w i de
range I t m ay i nvolve doc t r i nal p reach i ng for it i s l i kely t o h i t
upon t he f u n dam en t al t each i ngs o f Chr i s ti an it y I t may in
v olve e t h i cal p reach i ng for B i bl i cal ma t er i al i s largely e t h i cal
I t s ma t er i al may be b i ograph i cal o r h i s t or i cal M u ch ex p os i
t ory preach i ng is neces s ar i ly o f t h i s sor t I t m ay be e v angel i s ti c
i n it s c h a rac t e r i n v o lv i n g exh o r ta ti o n a n d app e al fo r it s c o n
ten t m ay be t he cen t ral m essage o f t h e Gospel I t is u sed
l argely i n t h e eva n gel i s ti c pr e ach i n g o f o u r day Th e p o s s i
b ili t i e s o f exp o s i t o ry p re ach i n g a s r e ga rds i t s ra n ge a re a
s t ro ng reco mm e n da ti o n o f i t I t m ay c om b i n e m a ny an d
v ar i ed el em e n t s o f e ffe c ti ve p re a ch i n g
e

II

H O M I L ET I C P EC U L I AR I T I ES OF E X PO S I T O R Y P REAC H I N G

Al l t ypes o f t he t op i cal sermon a r e t rea t ed i n m u ch t he same

way b ut t he re a re som e d i s ti nc ti v e feat u res i n th e han dl i ng
o f t he exp o s i tory sermon t ha t dem an d spec i al a tt en ti on Th i s
may an ti c i pate som ewha t t he d i sc u ss i on o f formal hom i le ti cs
b ut only i n a v ery l i m it ed m eas u re
A s regards t he t ex t u n it y o f con t en t dema n ds sp ec i al em
ph a s i s Th e tex t i s l i kely t o b e t o o large a n d c o v e r t o o mu ch
ground I t i s compl ex an d var i ed i n it s con t en t o f t ho u gh t
I t is des i rable t here fore t ha t i t be red u ced s o t ha t it ma v be
m ade to con t a i n but on e compl ex l ead i ng t hough t o r gro u p o f
cogna t e or rela t ed t hough t s capabl e o f be i ng ga t hered i n t o one
t heme I f the t ex t covers t oo m uch gro u n d t he t heme i f a
t heme be secu red from i t w i l l be t oo l arge an d t he d i sc u ss i on
t here fore i nadequa t e or i n t erm i nabl e I f a s i ngle t heme be
,

TH E

6
5

WO RK

O F TH E

PR EA C H E R

not fo u nd to co v er the content t he d i scourse may l ack u n i ty

I t w i l l be a hom i ly not a se rm on
A s rega rds the i ntroduct i on i t i s natu rally br i e fe r t h a n t ha t
o f t he o rd i na ry t op i cal se r m on I t en t ers l e ss i n t o explanat i on
for the w hole serm on i s expl anatory A long expos it ory i n t ro
d uc t i o n t o a s e rm o n t h at i s fr o m be g i n n i n g t o e n d e xpo s i t o r y
woul d be a gratu i tou s contr i bu ti on I f t he serm on i s pa r t o f a
ser i es t he i n t roduct i on w i l l natu ral ly a i m t o hol d t he cont i nu it y
o f expos i t i on and w i l l necessar i l y be br i e f becau se i t w i l l only
re c ap i tula t e th e c o u r s e o f t h ou gh t i n th e l a s t d i sc ou r s e o r
p o s s i bly i n th e e n t i re se r i es u p t o th i s p o i n t
A s to t he the m e the d e m an d i s that i n s i ze i t be ne i ther too
la rge no r too smal l to t the content o f thought d i scu ssed The
theme is l i kely t o be too la rge for t he rea son tha t t h ere i s
fi c u l t t o
l i kely to be a l arge amount o f t ext beh i n d i t I t i s d i f
sta te th e t h e m e o f su ch a s e rm on b e cau s e i t c o v e r s s o m uch
gro u n d Th e m o re c a re th erefo re i s n e ede d i n th e s t at e m e nt
On t he othe r hand i n reduc i ng the t heme one i s l i kely to th row
ou t i mpo r t an t m ate r i al that shoul d be i nc lu d ed i n the d i scu s
s i on Ex cep ti onal ca re i n secu r i ng an d sta ti ng th e t h em e w i l l
a i d i n gr o up i n g t h e c o nt en t o f t h e p a s age w h i ch l i e s i n c o n
fu s i on be fo re the m i nd o f t h e heare r abou t i t s cen t r al t hought
The whol e se rm on w i l l then open o u t be fore the b ea re r w i th
th e greater d e n ite n e s s an d m ental con fu s i on w i l l be a v o i ded
W i th respect to the top i cs o r d i vi s i on s o f the se rmon ca re
i s n eeded i n two d i rect i on s ; rst i n a nalyz i ng s i ft i ng and s e
l e e t i ng mater i al fo r d i scu ss i on so as t o secu re an d group only
the ch i e f sal i ent po i nt s o f th e passa g e ; and secondly i n x i ng
upon som e s i m pl e clea r o rde r i n w h i ch these po i nt s o r top i c s
may be presented S o m et i m es the pas sage i tsel f w i l l fu rn i s h
t h e orde r that i s d es i rable I t i s l i kel y howe v e r that the
t h ough t s o r top i c s w i l l need rea rrang i ng
Touch i ng the d evel opment or expans i on o f t op i c s t he s u g
Th e
g e s t i v e rathe r than the exhau st iv e metho d i s needed
.

TH E

1 58

W O R K O F TH E PR EA C H E R

t h e m em o ry o f the b ea re r I t wo u l d seem be tter t o g iv e th e

expos i t i on i n i nstal lm ents i n con nec t i on w i th the appl i cat i on
.

Q UA L I F I CAT I O N S FO R E FFECT I V E E X PO S I T O RY P RE AC H I N G
The sam e general q u al i cat i ons a re o f cou rs e needed in a l l
ty pe s o f e ffect iv e preach i ng But expos i tory preach i ng ha s some
s pec i al ex act i on s The fol l ow i ng suggest i ons m ay be ma d e
1
D i sc r im i nat i ng j udgm ent i s pe rhaps t he p r im al requ i s it e
i n succes s ful expos i tory preac h i ng Th i s i s tax e d i n t he selec
t i on an d u se o f mater i al A sense o f propo rt i on o f prop r i ety
o f tnes s o f a daptat i on i s nee d ed i n dete rm i n i ng j u s t wha t
shoul d be selected fo r u se an d j u st wha t an d h ow m u c h r e
j ec te d I t i s the ge rm thought t h e g i st o f t he pa ssage t ha t i s
wan t ed One need s a rm grasp o f the pa ssage as a w hol e a
clea r u n ders tan d i ng o f th e central and mo s t im portan t t ho u gh t s
and then good j u d gm ent i n deal i ng w i th only that wh i ch i s nec
es sa ry to the rea l i z at i on o f one s obj ec t i n the se rm on I f t he
ex eget i cal dom i nates th e hom i let i c m i n d t he preacher w i l l su rely
fa i l to d i sc r i m i nate between w hat i s i m po rtant an d w hat i s u n
es sent i al to h i s pu rpose T h e ex eget i cal m i nd i s a v e ry d i ffe r
en t pr od uct from the h om i l et i cal m i n d T he one i s accu stom ed
to m i nu te analys i s I t subj ects all parts al i ke o f a g i v en pa s
sage to i n v es t i gat i on The othe r s i m ply u ses wha t i s pract i call y
i m po rtan t Sk i l l i s needed i n hom i let i c analys i s th en sk i ll i n
comb i n i ng the resul ts synt h et i ca lly The rs t t h i ng t o do i s t o
s i ft the elements o f t h ough t i n the pa ssage an d then to sel ec t
wha t o ne needs for h om i l et i c u se Le s s sk i l l i n i n v ent i on i s
n ee ded here t h a n i n o r d i na ry top i cal preach i ng for the reason
tha t the mate r i al i n cru de fo rm l i es near at han d i n the text
But a great deal o f sk i ll i n analy s i s i s nee d ed sk i l l i n s i ft i ng
out sel ec t i ng and ul t i mately i n comb i n i ng i nto un i ty the subj ect
matte r o f the se rm o n
H i s t o r i cal and l i te ra ry sense al so i s a nec es sa ry gi f t fo r
2
the ex pos i to ry preache r One needs to cul t iv a t e t he ab i l i ty to
III
.

TH E EX PO S ITORY TY PE

59

ge t beh i n d a wr it er s l angu age t o e n t er i nto h i s sp i r it to m ake

real t o one s sel f t h e cond iti on s o f h i s though t t o ge t t he a v or
o f w ha t he says t o ca t c h wha t i s d i s ti nc tiv e i n i t an d t o i nter
pret h i m i n a l arge an d genero u s an d s u ggest iv e way I n a
w ord there i s demanded the gi ft o f t he i n t e rprete r
N o one
h a s t ha t g i f t w ho fa i l s t o see t ha t the B i bl e mu s t be s t u d i ed a s
a l it era ry p r od u c t j u s t a s any o t he r book i s st u d i ed only m ore
sym pa t he ti cal ly an d devoutly t ha n any othe r book is en tit le d t o
be s tu d i ed I t i s v ery easy t o fo i s t on e s own tho u gh t upon t h e
wr it ers o f t h e B i bl e M en o f l iv ely i magi na ti on o f n i mbl e
men t al m o v emen t are very l i kely to do t h i s One m u s t ha v e
care t o b r i ng ou t i n a leg i t i ma t e way wha t bel ongs to t h e wr i te r
wha t h e na tu ral ly s u ggests o r wha t h e fu rn i shes as a na t u ral
ba s i s for sugges ti on ra t he r t han w ha t i s force d from h i m by
some p roce ss o f ex ege ti cal o r hom i let i cal t w i s t i ng A B i bl i cal
wr it er may pro v e s u gges tiv e fa r beyon d h i s or i gi nal i nten t a s
any prod u c ti v e w r it e r may B ut fa r fetched sugges tio n s to r
tu re t h e h i stor i c sense N 0 t yp e o f p reach i ng exac t s s o cl osely
u po n a wel l balanced j u dgm en t a n d upon a chas t ened t a ste
s u ch a s a re i n separabl e from so u n d h i sto r i c a n d l it era ry sen se
The a tt emp t to m odern i z e t h e S cr i p t u re s dem and s ex t rem e
care
P ro fes s i onal e v angel i s t s and preachers who a re u n
tra i ne d th i nkers are v ery l i kel y t o deal i n c r u de anach ron i sm s
i n the i r expos i tory preac h i ng t ha t i s they deal u nh i s t or i ca l ly
w i th S c r i ptu re scenes and cha rac t ers w h i ch i s t o s a y t ha t t hey
handle them w i thou t goo d exeget i cal a s well a s hom i le ti cal
sense or w i thou t properly t ransl a ti ng t he Sc r i p tu res i nto and
apply i ng them t o t h e real p resent T he appl i ca ti ons are
s t ra i ned The scenes an d charac t e rs m asq u erade i n gr o t es qu e
M r M oody desp it e h i s stro n g common sen se an d cl ea r
gui se s
j udgm en t an d qu i ckness o f i n s i gh t wa s somet i mes led i n t o
s u ch anach ron i sms A ll t h i s resul t s from th e lack o f a t ra i ned
h i s t or i c and l i terary sense One need s t h e ab i l i ty to t rans fe r
onesel f i nto othe r t i mes to ge t i n t o the l iv es o f the men o f o t he r
,

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H ER

1 60

day s a nd t o l i v e t h em o ve r w i th t he m I t d ema n ds al s o a
k nowl edge o f t he peo p l e an d t he cond iti on s o f o u r ti me Th u s
only m ay one s u cces s f u l ly a n d co r rec tl y t ran sla t e t he pas t i n t o
the p resen t Th e B i bl e may be m ade a new boo k i n t he h and s
o f a mas t e r o f i n t e r p re t a t i on l ik e Frede ri c k Rober t s o n w ho
knows h o w t o d i scove r an d t o app rop r i a t e an d ap p ly it s l es son s
t o h i s o w n age Al l t h i s dem and s t r a i ne d p e r ce pt i on o f h i s
t or i c analog i es s o t ha t one m ay i n t e r p r e t w ha t i s spec i c i n
h i s to ry o r expe r i ence by w ha t i s gene ri c o r m ay i n t e rp r e t wha t
i s gener i c by wha t i s spec i c
Ap t it u d e fo r m o ra l i d e a s e a t ra i n e d fac i l i ty i n a p p r e
3
hend i ng a nd apply i ng t r ut h w i t h r e fe r ence to e t h i cal i n t e rests
i s ano t he r val u abl e qual it y i n t he exp o s it ory p reache r
P r eache rs d i ffe r grea t ly i n t h i s r ega r d S om e seem t o ha v e r e
c e iv ed t h e g i f t
a n d s om e have c u l ti va t ed i t m ore f u l ly t han
o t he r s I mpo rt an t a s a hom i le t i c g i f t i n general i t i s p a r ticu
l a rly s o he re
S co t ch an d Wel sh p reache r s a r e pre e m i nen t ly
g i f t ed i n t h i s ap t i tu de fo r m o ra l izi ng I t i s poss i bl e t ha t t he
expos it ory h ab it i n p reach i ng ha s devel oped th e g i ft They
hav e c u l ti va t e d t h e s k i ll to i n t er j ec t p rac ti cal admon it ory o r
ed i fy i ng s u gges t i ons i n t o t he i r expos iti on The Pu r it an preach
I t i s s u scep ti bl e
e r s w ere t ra i ned i n t he ex erc i se o f t h i s g i f t
o f i n den it e cul tiv a ti on a n d w i l l p r ov e a v al uabl e po sses
s i on fo r any man w h o wo u l d be s u ccess f u l i n t h i s t ype o f
p r each i ng
Powe r o f v i goro u s concen t ra t e d s t a t em en t m ay al so be
4
n am ed a s a val u able expos i tory g i f t The grea t am o u n t o f ma
The ex
t er i a l a t hand necess it a t e s t he g i ft o f con densa ti on

S ucces s
p os ito ry p reache r h a s a n embarrassmen t o f ri ches
depe n d s o n conden sa ti on an d concen t ra t i o n on w ha t i s o f ch i e f
i mp o rt ance H ence t he val ue o f t h e se rm on f o rm W it h a
w el l conce i ved an d wel l s t ated t heme o rderly pl an and ca re ful
m e t ho d o f d evel opm en t one ca n real i ze t o be tt e r advan t age
the requ i s i te cl ea m es s an d compac t ne ss o f s t a t emen t
.

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1 62

IV

O F E X PO S I T O R Y P REA C H I N G

T H E V A L UE

H e w h o cul t i va te s i t w i l l b e i n l i ne w i t h m uch o f t he
mos t effect i ve p reach i ng o f othe r days I t may be j u stly
cl a i med that i t ha s been t h e preva i l i ng type o f p reach i ng i n the
h i story o f t h e Ch r i s ti an c h u rc h Doub t les s t o t he theolog i cal
o r hom i let i c ra d i cal the an t i q u i ty o f any t h i ng i s no argum ent
i n i ts favo r B ut i t i s na t u ral for a pe rson o f s o un d j u dgmen t
to i n fe r the val u e o f expos i tory preach i ng fo r the futu re from
i t s va lu e i n th e pa s t I t i s i ntere s t i n g t o s e e th a t i n fa c t mo d
ern B i bl i cal i nvest i ga ti on ha s t u rn ed the attent i on o f p reac h
ers i n th i s d i rect i on Ear l y Ch r i st i an it y wa s propagate d by
B i bl i cal p reac h i ng I t rej ected t h e d i al ect i cal and rhetor i cal
method s o f cl as s i cal ant i qu i ty an d wo n i ts v i cto ry w i th ou t
them I t needed new m ethods me t h o d s that were i ts own
I t i s t ru e tha t i t de v el ope d a d i al ec ti c an d rhetor i c tha t were
pecul i a r to i t sel f an d tha t i t ul t i mately appropr i ate d them a s i t
appropr i a t ed a ph i l osop h y from out s i de sou rces B ut i t won
i t s rst conquests by t h e powe r o f the sp i r it t h a t dwel t w i th i n
i t a nd wa s nat iv e to i t an d by a subj ec t m atter tha t wa s i ts
own rather than by an i m porte d subj ec t matter o r what i s
sp e c i cal ly t o th e p o i n t i n h an d by t h e fo rm o f it s pr e s e nta
t i on An d i t i s a m ethod wh i ch i n i ts a rtl essness ha s al w ay s
p rove d e ffect i ve i n any new awaken i ng o f t he rel i gi ou s l i fe
We get back to B i bl i cal sou rces and methods a s t o t h e ever
fresh founta i n s and stream s o f rel i g i ou s l i fe an d powe r I t
i s then that p reach i ng str i kes ou t fo r i tsel f s i mpl er an d m ore
d i rect m etho d s an d m ore i n acco r d w i t h the gen i u s o f Ch r i s
By fa r th e l arge r part o f Lu ther s an d o f Calv i n s
t i a n it y
d i sco u rse s are expos i to ry I n the M eth od i s t rev i val o f t he
e i g h teenth centu ry the top i cal m et h od wa s u sed by Wesl ey
w h o i n th i s a s otherw i se fol lowe d cu stom s that were common
i n t h e Angl i can ch u rc h But th i s method was u se d succe ss
fully i n the i nte rpretat i on o f the B i bl i cal m ater i al o f the to pi c al
1

'

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E X P O S IT OR Y TYP E

sermon an d t he ex p os i tory m e t ho d i tsel f becam e i ncreas i ngly

c o mm o n I n t he Engl i sh rev i val s o f t he s i x t een t h and seven
t een th cen tu r i es t h i s was l argely t he m e t ho d by w h i ch t hey
were f u r t hered The P u r it an p reachers were l argely B i bl i cal
preachers a s w ere t he n o n con f o rm i ng p reachers o f a s u b s e
q u en t day B ax t er wa s a no t abl e exampl e o f a fr u i t f u l B i bl i cal
p reache r S co t c h p reachers hav e to a l arge ex t ent fol l o w ed
the expo s i t ory m etho d Germ an preach i ng i n it s bes t per i o d s
has rene w e d it s B i bl i cal t one and form a n d t oday it i s l a rgely
expos it ory o r t ex tu al
Fre n ch Pro t estan t preach i ng ha s
a dopte d t h i s me t hod t o a co n s i de r abl e ex t en t an d i n it s early
per i od almos t whol ly an d t ha t des pi t e t he fac t t ha t French
p reach i ng i n general i s m ore la rgely t op i cal t han B r iti sh o r
Germ an f o r t he r eas o n t hat i t has been m o re fully s u bj ec t t o
rhe t o r i cal cu l tu re S a u r i n t he grea t es t o f French Pro t es t an t
preachers generally m ade t he rs t d i v i s io n o f h is d i sco u rs e ex
I n our
pos itory al t ho u gh h i s m e t hod wo u l d be cal l ed t o p i cal
o w n day a s i n t he pas t w e n oti ce a t en dency i n per i ods o f
s p ec i al rel i g io u s awa k en i ng t o a m o re B i bl i ca l bas i s for
preach i ng w h i ch has grea t ly enhanced i ts po w e r
2
I n l i ne w it h t he preced i ng cons i dera ti on one may no t e
t ha t i n fac t it i s an accep t able m e t ho d I t i s i n harmony no t
only w i th t he needs b ut w i th t he w i sh es o f t he peopl e I t i s
i n l i ne w i th t he B i bl i cal s tu dy o f o u r day an d w i th i ncreas i ng
i n t eres t i n B i bl i cal l it era tu re T he preache r k now s o r shoul d
k now m ore abo ut t he B i bl e i n m any respec t s t han p r eachers
h ave ever kn o w n be fore H e has a more comp rehens i v e es ti mate
o f i t cr i t i cal h i s t or i cal l it era ry e t h i cal an d t heol o g i cal and
ha s or sh o ul d have a m ore i n t ell i gen t i n t eres t i n the stu dy o f
it S u nday school i n s t r u c ti on wh i ch h a s l argely d i splaced pas
t oral ca t echet i cs t ha t was formerly based on t he theology o f
t he c h u rch has done m u ch i n p repar i ng t he way among the
p eopl e fo r B i bl i cal preach i ng The preacher may have there
fo re th e great e r c o n d en c e i n th e w i ll i n gn e s s o ft h e m e mb er s
,

TH E

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WORK

O F TH E

P R EA C H E R

o f h i s congr egat io n to l i s t en to i t Popul a r p reac he rs l i ke Dr

J oseph Parke r have fou nd t hat they ca n e ffec ti vely reac h m en
i n t h i s way and i n the p resence o f p rom i sc u o u s as sembl i es
have no t bee n a fra i d t o trust them selves to it The caree r i n
N ew Yo rk C i ty o f pre ac h e rs l i k e D r W i l l i a m M Tayl o r a n d
Dr Joh n H al l w ho h ave i ntereste d grea t congrega ti on s com
pose d l argely o f men by a s im pl e s t ra i ght for w ard p rac t i cal
expos i t i on a p d appl i cat i on o f the teach i ngs o f the B i bl e i s
no t ewor t hy A l l th i s i nd i c ates and i t i s a very hope f u l i nd i ca
t i on t ha t t he re i s i ncreas i ng i nte res t i n th i s w o n d er f u l book
I f o ne w i l l w atc h a congrega ti on i n i ts r ecept i on o f t he tr u th
presente d i n a n e ffec ti ve expos it ory man ner he w i l l see an d h e
w i l l be i mp re sse d anew w i th the fac t t hat the B i bl e i s a pro
fou n d ly i nteres ti ng book to people o f ave rage i n t ell i gence an d
the p reache r w ho has t ested th i s w i l l hav e the greater con
dence i n a tt emp ti ng t o u ti l iz e the fact
A no t he r cons i de ra ti on i s tha t i t i s a metho d w h i ch i s i n
3
ha rm ony w i th the preac her s p r i mary f u nct i on T he p reache r
i s a n i nterp re t e r o f B i bl i cal t r u th L i ke all publ i c S peake rs
he i s i ndeed a n a dv ocate B u t he i s a n i nterpreter be fore he i s
a n a dvoca t e O ne m ay i n t e rpre t t r u th w i tho u t expou nd i ng i t
B i bl i cal ly B u t i n l eav i ng t he S c r i p t u re t ex t an d d i sc u ss i ng t h e
them e i ndependently th e p reache r i n t ro d u ces a new facto r i nto
h i s w o rk H e i nterprets i n d i rectly and i t may be m eagrely
Bu t l et one make the Sc r i ptu re pas sage th e i mmed i ate bas i s o f
one s work an d he w i l l real i z e m ore i mm ed i ately an d mo re
ful ly th e i n t e rpret i ng funct i on I t i s wel l to obl i ge onesel f by
th e u se o f the exp o s i to ry metho d i n a m eas u re at l ea st to keep
th e i nterpre t i ng f u nc t i on be fo re th e m i nd I t may be o f a d
van tage t o th e en ti re work o f preach i ng by hol d i ng other form s
more clo sely to the B i bl i cal ba s i s
Its valu e fo r the work o f rel i g i o u s i n str u ct i on i s ent i tl e d
4
to spec i al cons i derat i on It y i el d s an abu ndance o f fresh an d
va r i ed mate r i al Al l a d v ocat es o f i t l ay stres s upon th i s po i nt
.

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1 66

w i ll e m e rge t o v i ew t h e m ore na tu ra lly a n d th e d ivi n e s i d e w i ll

be the more i ntell i gently appre h en d e d One w i ll be put u po n the
nece s s i ty of do i n g j u st i c e t o t h e h i st o r i c s e n s e o fth e Sc r i pt ure s
a n d o f e d uc at i ng o ne s c o n gre gat i o n away from t h o s e fal s e
concept i ons o f them that a re st i l l pre v alent I n th i s way t he
B i ble may become a mo re valuabl e b o ok i n the ent i re par i sh for
t h i s sort o f preac h i ng w i l l become t r i butary to the w ork o f r e
l ig io u s i n st ruct i on i n the h ome an d i n the S u nday Sc h oo l an d
i n t h e ca t e c h et i ca l c la s s
T h e teac h i ng t h u s commun i cate d i s l i kely al so to be the m o st
we ig h ty sort o f teac h i ng I t gets back to t h e fo u nta i n head o f
the C h r i st i an re v elat i on It i s no pro d uc t o f s u bj ec t i ve s pee n
lat i on There i s but very l i ttle d oct r i nal preac h i ng i n o u r day
o f any sort But no top i cal preacher o f t h e d oc tr i nal type
even i f we h a d h i m coul d be a s we i g h t i ly i nstruct iv e a s the ol d
New Engl an d d o c t r i nal prea c h e r i n h i s d av an d ac c o r d i ng t o
h i s k i n d T h at preac h i ng was based on a wel l d e n ed system
o f d oc tr i nal theolo gy It was a fter i ts so rt d oc tr i nally in s t ru c
t i ve I t d i d i ts work i n i ts way a grand wo rk From the bas i s
o f ou r present hom i let i c an d t h eol og i c standa r d s i t i s easy to
c r i t i c i se i t O f cou rse i t woul d not succeed i n o u r day T h er e
i s no cal l for j u st t h at sort o f preac h i ng T h e modern d i d act i c
sermon i n or d e r to be success ful mo st be rhe t or i cally attra e
t iv e We no l onge r preac h ou r system s o f th eo l ogy even i f
we h a v e t h e m a n d we s h oul d not preac h them probably i f we
h a d t h em a t h an d m ore fully devel o pe d than we now have
t h em Preac h i ng by suggest i on rathe r t h an by el abo rat i on be st
sat i ses t h e m o d e rn congregat i on B u t s h al l ow ippa n t c r i t
ic i s m o f ou r h om i let i c fat h e rs i s un see mly
That ol d d oc
t r i nal preach i ng was i nst ruc t i ve i n i t s way The hear e r wa s
strongly i n d oc t r i nate d An d i n ou r d ay there may be a great
lo ss i n t h e i n st ruct i v e e d i fy i ng qual i ty o f ou r preac h i ng unl es s
w e n d so me subst i tute or suppl em ental m eth od o f con v ey i n g
Wh e re s h al l we nd i t ' It i s t h e B ib l i
s ol i d r e l i g i o u s truth
.

'

TH E EX PO S I TO RY TYPE

1 67

cal expo s i tory m et h o d t h at w i ll d o t h i s work o f i nstruct i on an d

to better pu rpose t h an t h e ol d d octr i nal me t hod T h ere i s no
reason w hy w e s h oul d sw i ng to t h e oppos i te extreme an d d ec ry
d octr i nal preach i ng i n t h e d i st i nct i ve sense I t i s to be rem em
bere d al so t h a t i n t h e presentat i on o f B i bl i cal trut h i n non
d ogmat i c form the results o f one s stu d y i n doctr i nal t h eology
w i l l appea r an d may wel l appear But a fter al l t h e B i bl i cal
w h i c h i s namely the non d og m at i c m etho d o f preac h i ng pre
sents rel i g i ou s i nstruct i on i n t h e bes t manne r N ot only i s
the substance we i g h ty bu t the form may be m a d e attract i v e
I t may lay the fo u n d at i on for a bette r and more success ful
type of d octr i nal preac h i ng a type t h at w i l l be more ful ly
i n h arm ony w i th th e t a s tes an d cul tu re o f ou r t i me B i bl i cal
sc i en ce h a s b ec om e tr i buta ry t o d o c tr i nal t h e ol o gy i n fa ct h a s
la i d new fo u n d at i on s for i t and pu t i t i n l i ne w i th present
h ab i t s o f thought An d j u st s o a broa d er an d a more correct
expos i tory and pract i cal u se o f the B i bl e i n th e pulp i t may lay
t h e foun dat i ons for a bette r type o f d oc t r i nal preach i ng
I t i s conta i ne d i n w h at h as al rea d y been sa i d that the B i b
lica l type ten d s to secu re fo r p reac h i ng i n general a des i rabl e
obj ect i ve qual i ty It w i l l be not only m ore f resh an d va r i e d
an d more correct an d we i g h ty teac h i ng but i t w i ll be l ess ex
pose d to t h e m an i fol d d e fect s o f subj ect iv e capr i ce o r sub
*
A s preac h i ng stray s from a B i bl i ca l
j ec t i ve specul at i on
ba s i s i t ten d s to subj ect iv i ty I t m ay become rat i onal i st i cally
subj ect iv e o r myst i cally subj ect i ve o r ae sthet i cal ly subj ect iv e
accor d i ng to t h e preac h er s pre v a i l i ng tendency o r t h e ten
d en ey o f h i s t i me or o f t h e c i rcle to w h i c h h e belongs Th e
restorat i on o f t h e B i bl i cal qual i ty i n v olves a restorat i on o f
obj ect iv e qual i ty bot h i n s u s b t a nce a n d form
I ts value to t h e rel i g i ou s l i fe o f t h e congregat i on com
5
men d s i t to ou r favor T h e rel i g i ou s l i fe can not grow unle ss
.

S e e P r o f S h e d d s H o m i l et i c s
2 1 ; Ch a
111
a ge 7 5 f
f

a ge

a nd

P a s t o r a l Th e o l o g

Ch a p

1 68

T H E WORK O F TH E PREA CH ER

i t i s fe d I t i s B i bl i cal pabul um j ud i c i ou sly s e r v ed t h a t i s

m ost wholesome an d n u tr i t i o u s I n aban don i ng the B i bl i cal
type p reach i ng i s l i kely to ru n i nto one s i dedness I t settle s
i nto ru t s and i t becom es u np r o table I n react io n i t pu shes
from one ex t rem e t o anothe r al l one Si de d and ul t i mately n u
protabl e Th i s may be i l l u strated cop i ou sly The B i bl i cal
m et h od o f the Re fo rmat i on fo r exam pl e wa s abandoned for
t h e d ogm at i c m et h o d o f t h e po stRe fo rma ti on wh i ch wa s a
su r v i val a n d rev i val o f t h e top i cal sc h ola st i c type Then cam e
a react i on aga i nst i ts u n fru i t ful nes s i n favo r o f a myst i cal o r
p i et i st i c w h i ch was a n ex trem e o f t h e sent i m ental and em o
t io n a l type o f preach i ng
Th i s too ran i tsel f down an d ou t
i nto equal u n f ru i t ful ne ss Now t h e i nte rest i ng th i ng i s t h a t
a fte r these react i ons t h ere i s a retu rn to B i bl i cal preach i ng
The ext remes o f dogmat i c an d o f p i et i st i c sent i m ental
preach i ng g iv e pl ace to the B i bl i cal ba s i s w h i ch i s notabl e i n
ou r ow n day Take a s an i ll ust rat i on the preach i ng o f the
Un i te d States T he ol d d octr i nal type h a d i ts ru n i n New
Englan d A t one t i m e there was alm ost noth i ng bu t doct r i nal
p reach i ng o f the top i cal o r propos i t i onal type Aga i n st the
d oct r i ne s o f th i s preac h i ng and natu ral ly aga i n st i t s m etho d
l i be ral i sm s o cal led reacte d A S a resul t there emerge d a type
o f p reach i ng mo d i e d i n substance a nd form t ha t wa s rat i on
a l is t ic
a n d eth i cal
I t h a d bette r l i terary qual i ty
This
rat i onal i z i ng eth i cal ms th e t ic or l i tera ry qual i ty ha s ch arac
t e r i z e d the preach i ng o f th e s o cal led l i beral ch u rches eve r
s i nce Ot h e r i nuences w i th wh i ch we nee d not l i nge r have
been at wo rk mod i fy i ng Am er i can preac h i ng sec u r i ng fo r i t a
m o re sym pathet i c a m ore eth i cal a bette r l i te ra ry qual i ty a nd
greate r r h etor i cal e ec t i v e n es s
An d now t h e t h i ng to be
noted i s that am i d al l t h ese mo v ements we s ee a ten d ency
back to the B i bl i cal type w h i c h ten d s to c h eck t he on e Si ded
n e s s a n d t o c o rrec t t h e u n p r o t a b l e n e s s o f any o n e d o m i nant
tendency A n d i t may be bel i e v e d t h at al l th i s i nd i cate s 3 rec
.

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1 70

wo rld a n d he ha s l e ft a more la s ti ng i n u ence than otherw i se

m i gh t ha v e been poss i bl e H e chose t he good pa r t tha t ne v er
s hal l be t aken away
A nal wo rd sh ou ld be spoke n i n behal f o f i ts r h eto r i cal
7
e ffect iv eness M uch expos i to ry p reach i ng ha s doubtl es s l acke d
such e ffec ti v eness Bu t p reach ers l i ke Robe rtson an d Parker
i l l u stra t e i ts rheto r i cal poss i b i l i t i e s The B i bl i cal m ater i al o f
such preach i ng i s r i ch i n rhetor i cal an d poet i c suggest iv enes s
I t m u st be conc r e t e an d i l l u strat i v e preach i ng What ha s been
sa i d abo u t th e r h eto r i cal v al ue o f tex t s i n gene ra l for t he w ork
o f preach i ng may be sa i d w i th i nc rea sed empha s i s o f th e u se
o f t he S c r i p t u re s i n expos i tory preach i ng The B i bl e deal s
w i t h human l i fe i n i ts m os t i n t en se real i ty Preach i ng from
such a book natu rally cul t i v a t es the conc rete hab i t o f m i nd
and it w i l l speak to the i magi nat i on an d em ot i on s I t deal s w i th
th e human a s well a s th e d iv i ne hea rt Preac h i ng tha t m o v es
i n suc h a realm w i l l natu ral ly be s i m pl e an d p ract i ca l an d
human fo r i ts a i m w i l l be pr i ma r i ly t o i nte rpret the t ruth w i th
re fe re nce t o t he i nte rests o f common human l i fe I t does n ot
cal l for grea t o ra t o ry I t cal l s fo r s i m pl e cl ea r s t ra i gh t v i g
som e ti mes pungent cumul a ti ve i n d eed bu t pla i n u n
o r ou s
a rt i st i c presen t at i on w i th re fe rence to the i ntere s t s o f a pu re r
nobl e r m ore i n t el l i gen t i n deed but abo v e al l a m ore p ract i cal
Ch r i st i an l i fe
,

CHA PTER I I
T H E DO CTRI NA L TY PE

I TH E C O N CE P T I O N O F D O CTR I N A L P REAC H I N G
T H ERE i s i n o u r day a s t rong r eac ti on aga i ns t wh a t i s k nown
S pec i cal ly a s doc t r i nal preach i ng To mee t th i s prej u d i ce and
i n t he i n t e res t o f e ffec ti veness i t were well fo r u s a t t he ou t
We w i l l l i m it
s e t t o sec u re a l i m it fo r o u r concep ti on o f i t
i t t hen t o t he p r esen t a ti on o f t hose t r ut h s t ha t are properly
ar ti cles o f a Chr i s ti an c ree d
Doc t r i nal preach i ng is t he p reach i ng o f doc t r i ne I t s m a
teria l i s doc t r i ne its obj ec t i s t o con v i nce it s me t ho d is p roo f
B ut wha t a r e w e t o un de rs t and by doc t r i ne a s t he t erm i s u sed
he r e ' I t i s n a tu ral t o t h i nk o f i t i n t h e rs t pl ace as a t r ut h
t ha t doe s no t s t an d by it sel f al one I t does n ot n d it s com
I t is a rel a t e d t r ut h I t ex i s t s i n
p lete s i gn i cance i n it sel f
o rgan i c c o nnec ti on w it h o t her t r ut hs I t i s p a r t o f t he sys t em
o f Ch r i s ti an t ho u gh t wh i ch is e v olved from t he t ho u gh t con
t en t o f Chr i s ti a ni t y
I t i s a t r ut h t he r e fo r e t ha t is cen t r al an d f u n damen t al I t
is i t s i mpo r t ance fo r Ch ri s ti an t ho u gh t and l i fe t ha t xes i ts
pl ace No t every Ch r i s ti an t r ut h m ay be ele v a t ed t o t he rank
o f a cen t ral and fundam en t al doc t r i ne The sor t an d s i ze o f
t h e t r ut h m u s t be t aken i n t o acco u n t A doc t r i ne i n th e sense
i n t e n ded here i s no t secu re d by th row i ng any sort o f rela tiv ely
i ns i gn i can t Ch r i s ti an tho u gh t i n t o t he form o f a propos i t i on
I t i s a t r ut h selec t ed on acco u n t o f it s i mpo r t ance from a l arge
number o f m i nor t ru t h s and l i f t ed i n t o pr o m i nence I t t h u s
bec om e s a s i gni can t a r ti cl e o f Ch r i s ti a n fa it h Th e d o c t r i n e
.

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1 72

th e a t o ne m e n t e g i s s el e c t e d fr o m a gro u p o f t r ut h s r e
l a ti ng t o t he sav i ng s i gn i cance o f Chr i s t s work A doc t r i ne
t hen a s u nde rs t oo d i n t h i s d i scu ss i on embod i es wha t i s ce n
t ral an d f u nd am en t al i n Ch r i s ti an it y an d i s o f s u prem e i n t ere s t
fo r Ch r i s ti an fa i t h a nd l i fe S uch a t rut h i s capabl e o f be i n g
expressed i n t erm s o f r a ti onal t h o u gh t I t ca n be fo rm u l a t ed
p ro v i s i onal ly a t l eas t A doc t r i n e i s a t ru t h b ut not e v ery
t r ut h i s a doc t r i ne Any u n fo rm ula t e d s t a t emen t o f Ch r i s ti an
t hough t may con t a i n a t r ut h M any o f t hem perhaps B ut
th e d i scu s s i on o f s u ch a t ru t h w oul d no t be doc t r i nal preach i ng
i n t he sense i n t ended h ere A t ru th becomes a doc t r i ne when
i t can b e pu t i n t o a compl ex propos iti on Th e a t onemen t for
example m ay be a fac t o r a t r ut h or a doc t r i ne The fac t i s
t ha t t h e l i fe an d death o f Ch r i s t had rela ti on t o h u m an s i n
I t i s a fac t i n depen den t ly o f any accu rate o r c o mpl e t e c on cep
ti on o f i t s s i gn i cance o r any formal s t a t emen t o f it s ra ti onal e
I t i s Ch r i s t s work i t i s Go d s wor k and i s obj ec t i vel y val i d
i ndependently o f any t heory o f it s v al i d it y B u t t o p reach
t h e fac t o f t h e a t onem en t s i mpl y as a fac t i s no t t o p reach
t h e doc t r i n e The t ru t h o f t he atonem en t belongs t o o u r con
ce p t i on o f t he m ean i ng o f redemp ti on an d rela t es t o Ch r i s t s
l i v i ng and dy i ng as a redemp ti ve prov i s i on B ut t h i s does no t
nece s sa r i ly i n v ol v e any fo rm ula t ed s t a t emen t a s t o t h e m e t h od
by wh i ch h i s sacr i c i al l i fe and dea t h becom e v al i d fo r o u r
redemp ti on The d oc t r i ne p roperly deal s w i t h t h i s q u es tio n
I t i s a q u es ti on o f m e t hod o f t he i nner rel a ti on o f t h e a to ne
m en t t o redemp ti on the ra ti onal e o f i t s sa v i ng s i gn i cance
The doc t r i ne a t any rate h as w i t h wha t e v er s u ccess o r lac k o f
su ccess u n der t ak e n t o an swe r t h i s ques ti on O ne may p reach
t h e fac t o r t h e t ru t h an d i t m ay no t be necessa ry t o fo rm ul a t e
it i n t o a doctr i ne an d presen t i t from t h e pul p i t I t i s gen
e r a ll y rega rded i n ou r day a s u nnecessa ry
B ut i t woul d seem
t o be des i rabl e t ha t an educa t ed an d i n t el l i gen t Chr i s ti an m i n
i ste r sh ou l d be abl e t o t el l h i s hearers w ha t i s mea nt by t h e
of

'

T H E W O R K O F TH E PR EA C H ER

1 74

c rat i c age makes i t o ffen s iv e I t may no t be ec cl es i a st i cal ly

en force d a t all and ye t there l i nge r s about i t a cer t a i n n o t e
o f po s i t iv enes s o f ass u rance a s o f some th i ng t ha t sho u l d be
accepted e v en i f upon noth i ng more t han ra ti onal a n d m oral
ground s Bu t the re may be to some an offe n se eve n i n th i s
Accord i ngly when we spe a k o f a dogm a ti c p r eache r we gen
e r a l ly m ea n o ne whose t one i s rathe r m o r e p o s i ti v e
o r c on
d e n t or author i tat iv e than we l i ke a s i f he ex p ec t ed u s t o
accept h i s t each i ng a s a matter o f co u rse B ut d oc tr i nal
preach i ng need no t be dogm a ti c i n tone i n any offens iv e o v e r
au th or i ta t iv e sen se S u rely it sho u l d n o t be rega r ded a s o f
fe n s iv e ly dogm at i c becau se i t i s p o s i t iv e
M u ch l e ss need i t
be dogm a ti c i n the p ro pe r ec cl es i ast i ca l sen se o f t he t erm
i
a s c o n ta i n i n g t h e t e a ch i ng th a t s om eh ow b ea rs t h e m a r k
o f chu rch author i ty Fo r one ma v n ot ful ly accep t the d o c
tr i nal stan da rds o f h i s chu rch may not accept t hem a t all sa v e
u pon the bas i s o f most l i be ral constr u ct i on a s i s the case i n al l
Protestant c hu rch es t hat st i l l reta i n th e i r doctr i nal s t anda rds
O r o ne m ay m i n i ste r t o a chu rch that has no en forced or en
forceabl e standa rds a s i n the Bapt i st or Congrega tio nal com
mu n io n s
O r one may accept the doctr i nal stat em en t s o f h i s
th eo l og i cal school o r teacher O r he may fo rm ula t e h i s ow n
statem ent s o f d oc tr i ne They need not be a r t he m a r k o f
eccles i a st i cal a u thor i ty or e v en o f chu r ch con sen su s Doc t r i nal
and dogmat i c preac h i ng may i ndee d be i den ti cal And wh y
'
sh o u l d one obj ec t
I t does not i nj u re a doc t r in e o r r ender i t
l es s tr u e o r v al u able or worthy o f acceptance that i t has bee n
fo rmal ly accepted by a ch u rch and so becom e i ts d ogm a pro
v i d ed i ts acceptance by i ts mem be r s i s no t en forced u nco n
d i t io n a l ly o r rathe r i s not en forced at al l eccl es i as ti c al l y o r
by t he ch u rch a s cl a i m i ng to be a doct r i nal a u th o r i ty Why
sho u l d o ne be a fra i d o f the word d ogm a so l ong a s i t stand s
fo r the r i gh t t h i ng an d i s u se d i n the c orrect s e nse ' B u t doc
t r i nal prea ch i n g ne ed n o t b e d o gm at i c e v e n i n th i s m i ld
,

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DOCTRI NA L TYP E

75

s en s e A nd i n ge ne ral i t i s b e tt e r t o d i sc r i m i na te b e t we e n
them
M o reo v e r doc t r i nal preach i ng need no t be rat i onal i s ti c or
spec u lat iv e preach i ng El em en t s o f specula ti on doub t les s m u s t
en t e r i n t o al l doctr i nal preach i ng To specul ate i s t o exam i ne
t o i n v es ti ga t e I t i n v ol v es analys i s compar i son class i cat i on
a rrangem en t o f the data o f a subj ec t Ou t o f these da ta a n
S i f t ed c ol l ecte d cla ss i ed hypo t he ses o r pro v i s i onal
a lyz e d
th eo r i es a re for m ula t e d i
rat i onal s t atem en t s o f the re sul t s
o f i nves ti gat i on Then the se pro vi s i onal t heo r i es a re p ut i nto
rela tiv ely pe rm anen t form an d th ey are ready for use I n ou r
i n v es ti ga ti on o f theolog i c tru th w e fol low or s h oul d fol l ow
subs t an ti ally t h i s m e t hod I n al l t h i s t here i s spec u la ti on
Even i n pre sen ti ng the resul ts o f i n v es ti ga ti on an d i t i s re
s u l t s t ha t t h e p reache r doe s p re sen t w he t her by the i n duc tiv e or
ded u c tiv e m e t hod an d t he de duct i ve i s gene rally t he preach er s
m e t hod an d i n p re sen ti ng proo fs a nd i llu s t ra ti on s o f t he t ru t h
o f the doc t r i ne d i sc u s sed one en t e r s m eas u rably u pon a spee n
l a t i v e a ra ti onal i z i ng proce ss I n a word specul a ti o n i s in
volved i n all ra ti onal i n v est i ga ti on B u t t h i s i s no t wha t w e
mean when we speak o f specul a tiv e preach i ng We mean t ha t
t h e preache r ba ses h i s t each i ng u pon i nadeq u a t e da t a da t a o f
re v ela ti on o r o f exper i ence o r o f fac t i e h e ra ti o nal iz e s
o r he t heor i ze s t oo m u ch i
h i s t heor i es a r e no t adeq u a t ely
v er i ed The y a re hy pot heses Too l arge an el em en t o f u n
certa i n t y i s t hu s i n t rod u ced i nto h i s work I n a word when
we s a y t ha t a preache r i s t oo speculat i v e we m ean tha t he i s
an u n B i bl i cal rat i onal i s t o r an i rra ti onal o r v i s i onary t heor i s t
who ha s n o respec t fo r h i s da t a o f fac t s S u ch p rea ch i ng i s
o f cou rse u nrel i able a s be i ng based on t o o mu ch u nver i ed
theor i z i ng B u t d oc t r i nal p reach i ng n ee d no t an d shou l d not
b e spe cul at iv e i n th i s o bj ect i o nabl e s en s e Prea ch i n g of
cou rse ca n never be i n fal l i ble c o u l d not be t ho u gh based on
a n i ne rran t book Any h u man s t a t emen t o f doc t r i ne t h ou gh i t
.

T H E W O R K O F TH E PR EA CH ER

1 76

m i gh t ha v e beh i nd i t the a u thor ity o f an i n fal l i bl e b oo k or

a n i n fall i ble chu rch wo u ld ha v e el em en t s o f i m pe r fect i on u n
less the tea che r we re h i m sel f i n fal l i bl e S ta t ement s o f doc t r i ne
c an o nly b e appro x i m ate ly c o rre c t a n d ne e d rev i s i o n B ut
d octr i nes ba sed o n sou nd B i bl i cal da t a an d s u ppo rt ed by ade
q ua t e ar gu m e nts
by appeal fo r v e r i c at i o n to ra t i o n al
eth i ca l an d sp i r i t u al exper i ence can not be cal led rat i onal i st i c
or spec u l a tiv e i n any obj ec ti onabl e sen se No r can the preach i ng
o f s u ch doc t ri nes be spec u l at iv e i n any obj ect i onabl e sense
,

11

M ET H O D S OF

D O CTR I N A L

P REAC H I N G

T h e obj ect o f the S e rm on dete rm i nes its m etho d o f tre a t

ment o r i t s cl a ss o r type I n all preach i ng o f th i s sort the
u l t i mate a i m i s the same But i n reach i ng th i s the i mm ed i ate
a i m may v a ry The i mmed i ate obj ec t may be s i m ply to su p
por t the doc tr i ne a ss u m i ng no op po s iti on and no anta g on i st
O r the obj ec t m ay be to de fend i t assum i ng that i t i s
c h al lenge d an d need s de fense O r th e obj ect m a y be to
att ack the contra sted e rror and the a ntagon i st wh o
suppo rt s i t assum i ng th e necess i ty o f g h t i ng d own
erro r i n orde r to e stabl i sh the truth
The ult i mate a im
i s the s am e It i s t o con v i nc e an d persuade an d thereby to
es t abl i sh t ru th and characte r i n an d by t he t ru th But the v a ry
i ng methods yi el d th ree t ypes o f d octr i nal d i sco u rse It g iv e s
u s the se rmon that i s pos itiv e and decl arat iv e i n metho d one
that i s d e fen s iv e an d a pologet i c an d one th a t is a gg ress i v e and
pol em i cal
In the d ecl a rat iv e m ethod t he a i m i s s i mply to i nte rpret
1
and to sup po rt by i nterpretat i on t he doc tr i ne d i sc u s sed I t i s
an ex pos i tory not a d e fen s iv e o r bel l i gerent task I t a ssume s
that the doct r i ne i s obscu re i n i tsel f o r i n i t s e v i dences a n d
only nee d s i nte rp retat i on an d the support t h u s fu rn i shed I t
does not a s s u me t h at t h e t ruth o f i t i s general ly chal lenge d o r
d oubted o r den i ed o r i f i t d oes assume i t the a s s u m pt i on i s
,

TH E

1 78

WORK

O F TH E

PR EA C H E R

i n th e sup re macy p r io r ity an d so v e re ignty o f G od that we r e

o nc e p r o m i n e n t i n th e o l o gy a n d i n p r e a ch i n g Th e s e t r uth s
m ight w e l l b e r esu sc itat e d i n n ew f o r m T h e y m ight b e p re
s e nt e d a s top ic s i n B i b l ical th e ology an d i nt e r p re t e d i n th e
cl e a re r l igh t o f pres e nt kno w l edg e Th e m in ds o f peopl e a r e
no l ong e r s et aga i nst th e m i n a cont r ove r sial i nt ere st Th e i r
val ue f o r th e Ch r i stian l i f e m ay e asi ly b e p r es e nt e d an d m a d e
ma ni f e s t an d al l th i s woul d p r ov e f a v o r a b l e to the i r p r actical
acc e ptanc e Th e r e a re a la r g e num be r o f Ch rist ian t e ac h ings
that m ight wel l b e p re s e nte d i n th e sam e w ay Th e d oct r in e
o f sac re d S c r iptu re o r phas e s o f th e doct r in e th e d oct r i n e o f
f u tu re p r obation an d f utur e pun i shm e nt m igh t wel l b e d i s
cu ss e d i h th i s way I f on e p er m its h im s e l f to a ssum e a man i
f e st apol og e t ic attitu d e i n hi s i nv e stigat i o n an d d i scu ss ion pa r
t ic u l a r ly o f su b j e cts ab o u t w h ich th e re i s a goo d d e al o f s e ns i
t iv e n es s h e m ay e as ily b e com e an a d v ocat e wh e n h e sho u l d
be only a n i nt e r p re t e r H e w il l hav e a cas e to mak e ou t rath e r
than a t ruth to e xpou nd Th e t r a d itional i s t easily be com e s an
adv e rsary an d th e apol ogist a p o l e m i st A pr e ach e r o f th i s
so r t m ay st i r up and i nv ol ve i n d iFc u lty a b ou t a s many qu e s
t i o n s a s h e an s w e r s an d m ay p e r pl e x abou t a s m any m in d s a s
h e conv inc e s Th e re i s s om e bas i s f o r th e cl aim that th e d e
fen s e o f th e g re at t r uth s o f Ch r i st ian ity may w el l b e l e f t n o t
w h o lly o f c o u r s e bu t t o a c o ns i d e r abl e e x t e n t t o t h e t h eo l o g ic a l
sch oo l an d th e re l igi ou s p re s s an d tha t th e pul pi t m ay w e l l giv e
i ts e l f not w h o lly o f c o u r s e b u t la r g e ly t o th e non pol e m ical
o r e v e n non ap o l o g e t ic m e th o d o f i nt er p re t ing an d incul cat ing
th e m A n d y e t th e re i s plac e an d d e m an d f o r ap o log e t ic
p re ac h ing
2
Th i s b r ings u s to th e s e c o n d m e th o d Th e de mand fo r
ap o l og e t ic p re ach ing i s i nv o l v ed i n th e b r oa d e r qu e stion o f th e
d eman d fo r Ch r i st ian ap ol ogy i n g e n e ral Ch r i st ian ity ha s bee n
i s an d w il l b e attack ed S h oul d i t b e d e fe nd ed ' A n d i s a
th e ory o f d e fe ns e n eed ed ' That i s i s that b r anch o f th e olo gy
,

TH E DOCTR I NA L TY PE

79

know n a s apol ogetics needed ' I s i t o f any val ue ' Th e re can

hardly be a doubt a s to th e proper a ns w e r Apol oge t ics i s a
legitimate a n ecessary b r a nch o f theology T he th e ologi cal
school at leas t needs i t Bu t does the pulp it need i t ' I t i s
som etimes assumed that i t do e s no t Let the school an d th e
pre ss ke e p i n hand th e wo r k o f de f en se bu t let the pulp it pre
sent th e cla im s o f Ch ri stian i ty i n a pos i tive a f r mati ve way ;
let i t d e al w ith th e b en e cen t resul ts o f Ch r i st ian i ty Th i s i s
al l th e de fen se nee ded from th e pulp it Ch ri stian ity ca n m ake
i ts ow n de fe n se i f i t i s wel l presented an d well exempl i e d
But i f the pulpit doe s n oth i ng m o r e than po i nt to the e ffect s o f
Ch ri s tian ity it d e fend s i t I t i s one o f th e most e ffect ive
method s o f apol ogy An d the pulp i t needs i t T he worl d
needs i t B u t i t need s mo r e Let u s then con si d er th i s m or e
f ul ly
( 1 ) Ch ri stian ity has b e en attacked an d i t ha s been suc
c es s fu l l y de f e nded
What m ight have been the r e sul t w ithout
such de fe n se i s hardly uncerta in I t woul d have bee n c r ushe d
out as Protestanti sm was o r nearly so i n Franc e Contro
v er s y i s o ften bad bu t i t i s s imply a h i sto r i c n e cess ity
The
hi story o f Chri stian ity an d o f the c hu rch i s l argely one o f con
t rove r s y
Ou r Lord de fended not only h im s e l f bu t h is teach
i ngs an d h i s t e ach ings more v igo rou sly than h im sel f Th e
s e r mon on the m ount i s a n apol og e t ic d iscou rse I t is a d e
fen s e a s wel l a s expos ition o f h i s conc e pt ion o f the k ingdom o f
G o d as a k ingdom o f personal right e ou sne ss i n contrast w ith
the conc e ption o f th e convent ional rel igion i st s o f h i s day
Th e pa r abl e s a re apol oget ic o f t e n polem ical
Th e y stu ng
t h e Pha ri se e s to th e qu ick b e cau se th e y sa w an d f el t
that t h e y we r e attacked an d th e y set them s e lv e s agai n st
h im Th e y a r e a m ost adroit t ruly o r i e ntal and m ight ily
e ffect iv e m ethod o f de fe n s e a n d attack Th e A postl e s
de f ended not only them s e l ves b u t th e i r t e ach i ngs an d
th e i r r e l i gi o n
Aga in s t h e ath e ni sm t h e v d e fe n d e d t h e i r
.

1 80

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA CH E R

re l igion
A ga inst Ju da ism they de f e nd e d thei r pecul i ar

teac h ings
Pau l had an d de f e nded what h e cal l ed My
Go sp e l
I n th e Roman an d Galatian letters h e de f e n d s
Ch r istian i ty a s a u ni v e rsal r e l igion aga i nst J uda i sm a r e l igion
o f na rr ow particula r i sm o f e xt er nal l e gal c e r e mony and o f
sp e c ial p r ivi l e ge I n th e Eph e sia n an d Co l o s si a n l e tt e r s h e d e
f en d s a sp i ri tual un iv e r sal i sm aga i n st m at e r ial i stic sp e culat ion s
that woul d l im i t an d deg r a d e it In the Co r inth ian l e tt er s h e
d e f en d s not only h i s apostol ic cal l ing bu t impo r tant Ch ri st ian
t e ach i ngs l ik e th e Resu r re cti o n that ha d b e en as sail e d Th e
l e tte r to th e H e b re ws i s a n ap ology a d e fe n s e o f Ch ri st ian u n i
v e r s a l is m Ch r i st ian ity i s J u d ai sm compl e t e d subl imat ed i n th e
fo r m o f a u n iv e r sal and absol ut e spi r itual r e l igion The p re
s c r ip t ion s o f th e pasto r al e p i stl e s a re ap o l og e t ic larg e ly pol e m
i cal Th e re i s a qua s i apolog e tic e l e m e n t e v e n i n th e Gospel s
Th e y a r e e ach adj u st e d to some i nte r est i n a s e m i apologetic

manner Th e tend e nz th e o r y a s appl i e d to th e book o f the

A cts i s not w ithout ba si s I t i s a n advocacy o f Paul in e Ch r is
The wo rk o f th e post A pos
t ia n i ty I t i nt e n ds t o magn i f y it
tol ic chu r ch was la r g e ly apolog e t ic I t ca rr i e d on th e d e f e nse
w hich th e A post o l ic chu r c h had b e gu n again st Ju d a i sm on th e
one s i d e and h e athen i sm on the oth e r Th e m e d i ev al chu r ch
d e fe nd e d Ch rist ian ity w ith schol ast ic w e apon s and the schol
i n th e chu r ch la rg e ly an a w aken ing to
a s t ic a w ak e n ing was
the r a tional d e fe n s e o f its Ch r i stian ity Th e R e f o r mat ion
perio d wa s on e not only o f apol ogy bu t o f pol e m ic Th e post
R e fo r m at ion i n i ts d e f e n s e re cal l e d onc e mo r e th e schol asti c
m e thod and w ith m o d ication s i t h e l d it s own fo r m o re than
two c e n tu ries I t st r ongly i n flu e nc ed th e p re ac h ing o f Engl i sh
an d Scotc h P r ot e stant ism and re ache d o n e ven i nto th e l ast
centu r y i n th e p re ach i ng o f N e w Engl and R e cal l th e c o n
t r o v e r s ie s o f th e s e v e nt ee nth and e igh t ee nth c e ntu r i e s an d o f
th e A m er ica n chu r ch e s i n th e e a r ly part o f th e n i n e t ee nth
W e hav e ou r apol ogy t o day but o f a g re atly mod i e d char
.

T H E W O RK O F T H E P R E A C H E R

1 82

cul ture o f the ag e I t s imply w i sh e s to re l ie v e i t o f its su r

plu s b e l i e f s wh ic h a re a ssum ed to be stumbl ing blocks in m e n s
way They are e x t e rnal to Ch r i stian ity ha v e g r o w n w i th its
lat e r dev e lopm ent and do not b e l o ng to the o r igi nal st oc k N o
ma n can d e ny the s ince r ity o f th is natu r al ist ic sp i rit no r qu e s
tion th e g e nu ine r el igiou s c ha r act e r o f m any o f its subj ect s
The va riou s f o rm s o f r ational i sm cla im to b e p re em inently
pat r ons o f a rational i nt e l l igent an d i nt e l l igibl e Ch r istian ity
such as the progr e ss o f th e age d e mands
A gn ostic i sm woul d hav e us un de r stan d that i t ex e r c i se s pre
e m i n e ntly th e vi r t u e s o f re l i gi o u s m o d e s ty an d r e v e r e nc e an d
t r uth f ul ne ss and s e l f po is e I t magn i e s th e imp o r tance o f a
r el igion tha t re sp e cts ve r ia b l e f acts an d i s sat i s ed only w ith
v e r iabl e t r uth I t i s th e c r itic an d s w o r n e n e my o f al l r ash
n e ss and immod e sty i n th e conc e r ns o f re l igion
Panth e ism i s d ev ou t and human an d ae sthetic e v e n i f non
m o r al Ev e n ath e i sm has a re sp e ct f ul t o n e and ha b i t an d n d s
a plac e f or subj ecti v e re l igion I t d e v e l o ps reve re nc e f o r h u

man ity an d i t sent im e ntally w o r sh ips o u r Fath e r man

Th i s
ins i d ious cha r act e r a s it may b e cal l ed ho w e v e r uncon sc ious
o f d e c e it shoul d b e re cog ni z e d a n d it sh o ul d be m e t by a typ e
o f apol o g e tic s that w il l a d j u st it s e l f to its m e th o d s an d sk i ll
f ul ly count e r w o r k i t
Cons i d e r f u r th e r th e som ew hat c o nc e ss iv e t e n d e ncy o f thos e
w h o w o ul d be re ga rd e d as l i be r al m in d e d m e n t o w a r d s th e
c r it ical an d d i s int e g r at ing t e mp e r o f o u r t im e M e n a ffe c t
b r oad v i ew s o f re l igi o u s an d th e o l ogical qu e st i o ns Th e y a re
i ncl in ed th e re f o re to mak e g e n e r o u s an d l i be r al c o nc e ss ion s
to th e agn ost ic a n d d e st r uctiv e spi r it an d th e y a r e l ik e ly to
Conc e ss i o ns o f c o u r s e mu st b e ma d e f o r e r it i
o v e r d o it
c i s m has sc o red many im p o r ta nt p o i nts
But th e r e i s a l im it
A n d th e f act that we a re o b l ig ed t o c o nc e d e s o much may w e l l
pu t u s on ou r gu a rd l e st w e giv e a w ay o u r w h o l e cas e
Ve
n ee d b r ac i ng W e mu st mak e c o nc e ss i o n s to natu r al i sm h u t
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w e m ay an d shoul d d o it w ithout gi v i ng a w ay ou r sup e r

natu r al i sm Natu r al i sm b e gin s w ith a h igh assumption th e
assumption o f the imposs ibil ity o r r ath e r o f th e un b el ievabl e
pos sibil ity o f m i r acl e s But w hy may not th e sup e r natu r al ist
hav e h i s assumption ' S o b e r m in d e d sc i e nt ic a n d ph ilo
soph ica l th i nkers am ong natu r al i sts conc e d e in f act that f r om
the th e istic po i nt o f v i ew m i racl e s a r e not ant e ce d e ntly im
poss ibl e but a re e v e n e as ily th i nkabl e Why th e n may not
the Ch r i stian th e i st assum e an d r e asonably that as re la te d
to the u n iqu e p er sonal ity o f J e su s Ch r i st m i r acl e s a r e ant e
ea sily th inkabl e Th e
c ed e n t ly p r obabl e and a re ce r tai nly
Ch r ist ian thei st surely has as m uc h g r ou nd f o r h i s assumpt ion
o f p r obabil ity as th e agnostic f o r hi s concess ion o f possibil ity
Consi de r mo re ov e r the ne e ds o f th e p r act ical l i fe o f the
chu r c h i n ou r day W ithou t pos iti v e p re ach ing th e chu r ch w il l
su ffer an d a car e l e s s habit o f m i nd w i th re sp e ct to th e g r oun d s
o f Ch r i stian b e l i e f and the bas i s o f d e f e n se f o r Ch ri st ian ity
w ill i n e v itably app e a r i n a lack o f po si t iv e p re ach ing S uch
p re ach ing w il l b e ove r conc e s siv e I t w il l l e ave the impr e ss ion
o f a l a is s ez fa ir e habi t o f m in d an d o f g e n er al u ncerta inty
about v i tal qu e st i o n s An d w ho can dou b t the re sul t o f th i s
upon th e p r act ical l i f e o f the chu rch an d e sp e c ial ly upon its
m i ss iona r y i nt ere sts A n e ra o f g e n e r al uns e ttl em e n t and o f
unc er ta inty w ith re sp e ct to th e g re at fac ts and t r u th s o f Ch r i s
t ia n ity woul d b e su re to re sul t i n a s e r iou s l oss o f m i ss iona r y
l i f e Conc e pt ions an d stat e m e nts o f t r uth o f cou r s e chang e
Apol ogetic m e thods c hang e an d th e r e can b e no d oubt that
th e m i ssi ona r y wo r k o f th e chu r ch cal l s f o r a b e tt e r apolog e t ic
than any to w h ich i t has e nt r u st e d i ts e l f i n tim e s past B ut
n o apol og e tic at al l m e ans f a ilu re o f m i ss iona r y l i f e
No m an
n e e d s so goo d an apol og e tic pa r t icul a r ly so good a th e od icy a s
a m i s siona ry A la r g e pa r t o f h i s w o r k mu st b e apol og e t ic a s
relat e d to the d i fcul ties an d o b j e ction s that a r e b r ought
aga inst th e re l igi on h e advocates Bu t th e chu rch at home a s
,

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TH E W O RK O F TH E P R EA CH E R

we l l a s th e m i ss i o na r y at th e f r o nt n ee d s a pos it iv e tone i n th e
p re ach e r fo r th e b r ac i ng o f its p r ac tical l i f e
I n de fe n d i ng th e t r uth o r w hat i s re garded a s such
3
i t i s som e t im e s n e cessa r y to attack th e oppos ing e rro r By e x
pos ing th e f al s e nes s o f i ts oppos it e th e t r u th may b e s ee n in a
cl e a re r l igh t an d i ts valu e may b e e nhanc e d by d i scl o sing th e
m i sch i e vou s cha r act e r o f e r r o r Th e r e i s a plac e th e re f o re
f o r th e pol e m ic and i n a modi e d f o r m e v e n f or the ph il ippic
i n th e pulp i t I t i s conc e i v a b l e that a t im e m ight com e w h e n
th e re w oul d be d e man d e d a v igo r ou s onset upo n th e g r os s e r
f o rm s o f e rr o r int e llectual a s w el l a s mo r al I f on e w e re to
at t e m pt i t h e w o u l d b e t t e r ma k e th o r ou gh w o r k o f i t B ut i t
shou l d b e r a re ly att e mpt ed Th e re ha s bee n too m uch pol e m
ical p re ach ing an d o f th e ba d t e m pe re d so r t I t m ay have
b ee n o f som e val u e bu t i t ha s d o ne much ha r m a nd the e v il
a s w e l l a s goo d re sul ts re ma in On e may i nd eed p re ach pol e m
i c a l ly i n a ge n e r o u s ma nly a n d e v e n th o r o ughly g r a ci o u s
man n e r an d i f w e a re to ha v e it at al l thi s i s the so r t n ee de d
Bu t w e b e st m e et th e t e mp e r o f ou r tim e by th e n o n p o l e m ic
ha b i t Th e attitu d e o f opp o n e nts i n ou r day i s g e n ial Th e
re s pe ctabl e c r it ic c h e r i sh e s th e non pol e m ical t e mp e r A man
l ik e R o be r t I ng er sol l i s e xc e ptional H e i s an anach r o n ism
H e be l ongs to the v ulga r c r o w d o f sco ffe r s c omm o n i n th e
e ight ee nth c e ntu r y V i o l e nt and v ulga r attack s a r e not th e
f ash ion Th e t o n e i s pat r o n iz ing r ath e r than pol e m ical The
p re ach e r sh o ul d a d j u st h im s e l f to thi s t e m p e r and ton e
M o re ov e r th e spi r i t o f th e chu r ch i s i n g e n er al host il e to
th i s m e thod I t i s cath o l ic an d tol e r ant i n so f a r a s i t i s i n
t ell ige n t a nd th e im p re ss i o n i s w i d e ly p re val e nt that pol e m ical
p re ac h ing fa il s t o re al i z e its o b j e ct M e n a re i ncl in e d to look
fo r th e t r uth that lu r k s be h in d e rr o r f a r m o re so tha n w as
onc e th e cas e Th e b e st m o d e r n p re ach ing fol lo w s th i s
m e tho d
But th e ch i e f obj e ct i o n agai nst p o l e m ical p re ach ing i s that it
.

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T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H ER

th i s d ictum impl ie s o r i s m ean t to imply tha t thos e w ho re

j c e t Ch r i st ian ity a l w ays have a d e quately cl e a r conc e ption s o f
i t an d do n ot n ee d to know m o r e abou t i t i n o r der to a ct i n
tel l ige n tly w ith re sp e c t to i t i t i s f al s e
Th e f ac t i s that th e
gr e at r e al it ies o f Ch r i stian ity a re o f t e n i n ve st e d w ith m uch
obscu ri ty A w e l l den ed conc e pt ion a n d cl e a r stat e m e nt o f
th em a n d o f t h e ev i d e nc e o n w h i ch th e y r e st a r e n o n e to o
common e v e n among intell igent an d e ducated p e opl e o f
v i rtuou s a n d h ono r abl e l i v e s I t i s not u nl ik e ly that a m i n
i ste r may w ithou t b e ing a w a r e o f it b e su rrou nded by those
who a re s il e ntly p e rpl e xed by d i fficu lt i e s that m ay r esul t f r om
w rong o r i nadequat e conc e pti on s o f Ch r i stian i ty Th e y r e j ec t
i t o r a t l eas t many o f i t s t r uth s b e cau s e th e y l ik e the l at e
Pro f e ssor H uxl e y have found no sati s facto r y w ay o f m ee t ing
the i r d ifcul ties P re ach e r s i n ou r day ha v e to d e al w i th
peopl e w ho do not kno w Ch r i stian i ty a d e quat e ly \V ro n g
statement s o f tru th m ay be r e spons ibl e f or th i s A w rong
sta t e m e n t o fa t r u th o r f ac t t ha t i t d e cla re d t o b e f un d am e nta l
m ay w o r k imm e n s e ha r m Much o f a p r each e r s w o r k an d
pe r haps mo r e i n ou r day tha n ev e r b e f o re con s i sts i n re mo v i ng
d i fcul ti e s o f va r iou s so r ts that block o r a re a ssum e d to block
m en s w ay in to God s Kingdom Am ong th e se di fcu lti e s in
a dequate o r p e rve r ted c o nc e pt i o n s o f Ch r i sti an t r uth may be
most s e riou s i n th e i r cons e qu e nces Th e valu e to a pr e ach e r
i n such a day a s th i s o f a good apol oge ti c m e thod e spec ial ly
th e v al u e o f a goo d th e od icy th e val u e o f a w orthy concepti on
a n d stat e m e nt o f doct r i n e s tha t a re h e l d to b e fun dam e ntal
ca n n ot b e o v e re st imat e d Th e n ee d o f fam il ia r i ty w i th th e
m e n tal p e r pl e x i ti e s o f m e n an d o f a t r a in ing that w il l t o n e
to m ee t these p e rpl e x iti e s i s al so ob v iou s
Doc t r inal p re ach i ng al so a i d s m en i n d i sc rim i nati ng b e t w e e n
what i s p r ima r y an d w ha t i s s e condary i n Ch r i st ian t r uth I t
w il l expou nd what i s p r ima r y an d w i l l sh o w m e n ho w to e s
t i m ate a t i ts t ru e v al ue what i s s e conda ry A nd so w h e n th e o
.

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TH E

logical di scu ss ions a r i s e i n the chu rches a s they hav e a r i s e n

a nd w il l aga i n and when m e n a re l ik e ly to be th row n into a
pa n ic thos e wh o a re grou nd e d i n w hat i s prim ary an d fun da
mental w il l be abl e to estim at e th e s igni cance o f the di s
cus s ion an d w il l kno w how to j u dge i t s important featu res
Much doctri nal pr e ach ing i n days past h a s f ai l e d to d iscr im
i n a te b e tw e en w hat i s p rimary an d what i s s e condary or even
to r ecogni ze the ex i stenc e o f such a dis tinct ion Rel at i vely
u nimportant doctrines have b ee n thrust i nto the foregroun d
and m agni e d a s o f fu ndamental importanc e upon w h ich s a l
vat i on i ts e l f may d e pen d P r each ing based on controvers ial
c reeds i s qu it e l ik e ly thu s to e r r Th e controvers ial cr ee d lack s
theol ogi cal perspective P r each ing bas e d on such c re e ds has
a l i k e d i stu rbance o f bal ance H ence the val ue o f c r eeds that
belong to non pol em ical p e riods o r that have be e n s i fted an d
rev i sed and m ad e more cathol i c i n sub stanc e an d tone S uch
c r eeds w i l l summariz e the prima ry articl e s o f th e Ch ri st i an
faith I t i s a des i rabl e th ing for the p reacher to s tu dy such
form ular i es w ith re f erenc e to pulp i t d i scu ss ion
S uch p r each ing begets con d e nce i n th e reasonabl e n e ss o f
Chri stian i ty I t w il l a t l e ast a im at th i s an d i f i nt e ll ig e nt
preach i ng i t w il l real i z e its a im Rat ional i ty i s not rational
ism Rat i onal ity b e comes rat ional i sm an d the rational b e
comes th e rational i sti c only by a one s i d e d u se o f re ason A
broadly rational estimate o f Ch ristian ity w il l tak e into accoun t
i ts a daptation to the w hol e compl ex natu re o f m an not to h is
i ntel l igence alone I t w il l n d i ts veri cat i on an d v i nd ication
not m e r e ly in the conceptual or specul at ive u n d e rstan d ing bu t
i n the m oral and rel igi ou s natu re a s well The wo r d r e ason
covers m or e ground an d h a s a ful l e r content th an i t once had
B u t re l igion mu st comm e n d i ts e l f to i nt e l l igenc e a s such
Otherw ise i t w il l not w i n acceptanc e I ntell igence h a s been
active i n the domai n o f rel igion for many centu ri e s Doctrinal
pr e ach ing w il l respec t the resul t s o f s uch ac tiv i ty i n r el i gi ou s
,

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i nvestigation I t a ssum e s tha t human intell igenc e may v e ntu r e

to d e al w ith th e f acts o f rev e lation and o f re l igi ou s ex pe r i
e nc e an d b r ing back v al i d re sults I t a ssum e s that w hat co m
m e nd s i ts e l f to moral and re l igi o u s m anhood w i ll som eho w
b e com e dom e sticat e d i n int e l l ig e nc e an d tha t w hat c omm e nds
i ts e l f to soun d m ental j u dgm e n t w il l al so comm e nd i ts e l f to
the h e a r t an d consc i e nc e and w in a ss e nt S c i e nc e i s a s im
po r tan t i n th e d om a in o f re l igi on a s i n any sph e re w h e re
thought i s act i ve I t has s e cu red re sults that a re o f g re at v alu e
to the chu r ch and fo r a m i n i st e r to ch e r i sh and ex p re s s c on
tempt f o r th e sc i e nc e w ith w h ich h i s p r o f e s sion d e al s i s di s
t in c t ly d isc r e d itabl e to h i s i nt e l l ig e nc e and h i s m o r al manhood
I t i s a m a r k o f ign o r anc e o r p e rv e r s ity o r both an d i s a ba d
habi t O f cou r s e th e sph e re o f t r uth i s vastly la r g e r than
th e sph e re o f doctrine N o stat e m e n t o f doct r in e can b e nal
Bu t doctri n e ha s i ts pl ac e i n th e pul pit d e f e cti ve though it s
stat e ments may b e
( 2 ) Not e it s i n d i re c t v alu e f or pu r p o s e s o f st r o ng im
p re s si on a s w e l l a s d e nit e in st r uction I t d e al s w ith a qual ity
o f t e ach ing that e d i e s
e n r ich e s and e nno b l e s cha r act e r I t
g r appl e s w ith v ital qu e stions Th e y a r e th e b o tt om qu e st i o n s
o n w h ich a r e l igi on that claim s to be a b solut e and u ni ve r sal
re sts W e a re e xalt e d and e nn ob l e d by that w h ich i s abo v e
u s I t i s th e gre at t r uth that gr e at e n s both p r e ach e r an d
h e a re r No m an ca n g e t i nt o a r e alm s o l a r g e and w e al thy
w i thou t bei ng e nl a r g e d and e n r ich e d by i t I t i nten si e s a nd
e xpand s on e s m e ntal act i v it i e s I t qu ick e n s th e im agination
I t sti r s and e n r ich e s th e e m o t i o nal l i f e W e a r e i n th e h a b it
o f sn ee r ing at sch o la st ic i sm But w ith al l i t s d e fe ct s i t ga v e
p re ach i ng a new and st r o ng im pul s e Th e pul pi t n ee d e d a
n ew i nst rum e nt It f o und it i n sch ol a stic l ogic an d it ha s had
a v e r y po w e r f ul inu e nc e i n v a r i o u s w ays u p o n th e p re ach i ng
o f th e chu r ch I t ha s bee n a v e r y p r o duct i ve typ e o f p re ach
i ng and has b e en w i d e i n it s sc o pe Pu r itan p re ach ing as a
.

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tha t ha v e p r act ical re lat i o n s an d appl ication s Bu t i n o rd e r

to apply th e m w e m u st rst kno w th e m Th e y m ust b e in
v e s t iga t e d a s t e ach ings p r ov i s ional ly at l e a st b e f o re th e y can b e
adequat e ly conc e i v ed an d stat e d i n thei r e th i cal fo r m as i n
v ol v ing a sup re m e e th ical goo d o r a suprem e eth i cal l a w o r as
conta i n ing e th ical duti e s and v i r tu e s an d b e fo re th e y ca n b e
appl i e d i n the m ost tho r ough w ay to cha r act e r a nd con duct
Cons ider fo r exam pl e th e d oc t r inal an d e th ical a sp e cts o f th e
a tonem e n t H ow ca n one kn o w in the f ul l e st sen se th e m o r al
cl a im s o f th e aton e ment w ithout kno w i ng m easu r ably w e l l a t
'
l ea st w h at the aton e m e nt i s
An d h o w can th i s be kno w n
w i thou t doc t r i nal i nv e st igation '
2
Cons ide r th e val u e o f doct r i nal p re ach i ng as r e l at e d t o
i ts fo rm
Doct r inal p re ach ing mu st b e p re em i n e ntly m e thod ical
p r each ing On e m u st stat e h i s t r uth cl e a r ly a nd e xactly i llu s
t r a te i t con v inc ingly a s w e l l a s p e r sua si ve ly a r gu e i t cog e ntly
and con duc t the w o r k o f p roo f i n an o r d er ly mann e r I ts s u c
[ c e ss depen d s on th e cl ea r n e s s e xactne s s an d o r d e r l i n e s s o f
m ethod f rom b e gi nn ing to e n d u pon i ts un ity p r o p o r tion and
p r og r ess Eve ryth ing i n i ts pl ac e an d th e w hol e th i ng m u st
mo v e on to a m e a su r a b ly su ccess f ul i f not v ic to r iou s i ssu e o r
col laps e i n h um il iating d e fe at Oth e r s e r mon s m ay ha v e a
certai n so r t o r m e a su re o f succ e ss th o ugh th e y com e th r ough
c haos Bu t th i s m u st be o r ga n iz e d and th e bu il d e r mu s t be

abl e to look up on h i s n i sh ed w o r k and b e hol d that i t i s v e r y

good
N o on e r e a son s w e l l w h o r e ason s r ambl ingly
A
p r eache r o f po w e r f ul imaginat ion may s et l ogic at d e anc e
but h i s vocati o n i s n o t i n th e sph e re o f d oct r i nal t e ach ing H e
w h o u n d er tak e s to s et a g re at t r uth b e f o re th e m in d l ay ba re
i ts f ou ndations t r ac e i t i n it s r elat ion s o f thought cl e a r u p it s
obscu r it i e s and l e av e a w e l l d e n e d c o nc e pt ion o f its g re atn e s s
and o f i t s re al ity mu st d o i t m e thod ical ly
Bu t doct rinal p re ach ing ha s sign i cance fo r rh e torical as
.

'

DO CTRI NA L

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TY P E

19:

well a s structu ral f orm I ventu re th e sugg e stion that i t d e

ma n ds and t e n ds to the cul tur e o f th r e e impo r tant qu al iti e s o f
rhetorical styl e i n th e pr e ache r p rec i s ion cl e a r n e ss an d fo r c e
A s r e gards cl e arnes s and preci s ion th e cas e i s e v i d e n t at once
Th e ch a ra ct e r a n d o bj e ct o f th e s e r m o n e xa ct p r e em i n e n tly
upon th e s e qual i ties Th e re a re s e rm ons i nd ee d o f a rh e tori cal
characte r that do not and n ee d not an d p er haps can not be
mar ke d by a sci e nti c prec i s ion o f s tatem e nt Th e y are pr e
c i se e nough suggestively to answ e r th e pu r pose T hey ar e
clear w i thou t being i nt e l l e ctual ly exact Th e y a re what we cal l
suggestiv e serm ons S uch se r m on s a re o f cou r s e d e si rabl e
The l arg e s t part o f o n e s pr e ach ing m ay w e l l b e o f th i s sort I t
i s qu ic ke ni ng an d hel p f u l preach ing B u t a p reach e r may w el l
asp i re to do m or e an d oth e r than th i s
I t i s ques tionable
wh e ther i t i s wel l to p re ach noth i ng but r h e to ri cal ly suggest iv e
sermons I t i s i n f act a bad th ing to ov e rwo rk on e s rh e toric
Th e un derstan di ng th e logical f acul ties ne e d cul t ivating for
the w or k o f the pulp it and int e l l ectual cl e arnes s an d prec i s ion
a r e th e qual ities tha t resul t
A s r e gards v igor the cas e may not at rst b e qu i te s o m an i
fes t B u t it i s possibl e that cl e arn e ss an d pr e ci sion may b e
a ssoc iated w ith f o r ce and tribu tary to i t I f on e s tates the
h e i s l ik e ly to s tate i t
t ru th cl ea r ly an d d isc r im i natingly
st rongly M en w i thou t notabl e rh e torical pow e r have o ft e n
spoken w ith gr e at e ffe ctiveness Th e r e i s cogency i n cl e ar
c u t s tat e m e n ts Th e p r e ach i n g o f J o h n Calvi n i n a w ay il lu s
I f th e truth grips th e m e ntal e nergies o f a
t r a ted th is
p reach e r i t is p r e tty su re to st i r som e emot ional i nte r est and
th i s w il l give ene r gy to one s u tt e rance One may i nd ee d ha v e
a mental an d even an em otional i nt e rest i n the truth o f a so r t
wh ich may not i nvolve a moral and r e l igiou s interest i n i t and
consequ e ntly th e exp ression m ay l ack mo r al an d r e l igi ous
cogency B u t i t is i n g e neral di fcul t to s ee how on e i s going
to get the bes t eth ical a n d r e l igiou s i n te r est in th e t ru th a n d
.

T H E W O RK O F TH E PR EA C H ER

1 92

i n i ts effe cts w ithou t an emotional i nt e re st A n d h o w i s on e

go ing to g e t th e be st and m o st p e rm an e nt e motional int er e st
w i thout a n i nt e l lectual int e re st ' An d w h e n one ha s an eth ical
and rel igiou s i nterest w h ich i n v ol ve s al so an e m ot ional a nd
m e ntal i nt e r est one i s l ikel y to g e t a comb i n ation o f clea r cut
e xac t and cog e nt sp ee ch I t i s th is comb inat ion that i s im
po r tant fo r int e ll igen t m inds A st r ong cha ract e r can not be
int e re sted i n th e t r u th w ith o u t b e i ng i ntel l e c tually inte r est e d
Th e non ma scul in e m i nd s i n th e congr ega tion shoul d o f
cou r se not b e n e gl e ct e d Th e y ha v e th ei r cl aim s on th e
p re ach e r Bu t th e mascul in e m i nd mu st b e sat is e d a n d th i s
i s the m in d that is i nt e r e st e d i n d i scu s sion I f such a m i nd i s
car r i e d i nto a stat e o f m e nta l an d e mot i onal i nt e rest by a cl e ar
an d v i g o r o u s d i s cu s s i o n o f a g r e a t t r uth i t w il l b e t h e m o re
l ik e ly to be ca r r i ed on an d o v e r i nto m o r al and r e l igi ou s r e
s p on s iv e n es s to i t

\V h o ca n ev e n re a d C an o n M o z l e y s s e r m o n o n Th e R e

v e r sal o f H uma n J udgm e nt w ith o u t e x p e ri e nc i ng th i s com

b inat i o n o f m e ntal e m o t i o nal an d mo r al ex c it e m e nt ' L e t o n e
stop an d analyz e th e effe ct an d h e w il l s ee ho w d e p e nd e n t th e
emot i o nal and e th ical imp re ssion i s o n th e m e ntal A nd h e
w il l al s o nd that al l th e s e im p re ssi o n s a r e d e p e nd e nt o n qual
iti e s i n th e ex p re ss i o n o f th e thought w h ic h d i scl os e th e en
e rg ie s o f th e p re ach e r s p e r s o nal ity
p re c i s i o n cl e a r n e s s
c g
t e r s e n e s s a n d e n e r g y o f stat e m e nt Th e s e r m o n t ha t ha n d le s
i n a pp r o p r iat e r h e t o r ica l fo r m a g r e at t r u th w i ll m o v e s t ro n g l v
on and w i ll g r o w a s i t m o ve s w ith e v e r i nc r e as ing m oral
m om e ntum
D oct r inal p re ach ing ha s re lat i o n to th e qu e sti o n o f t o n e
3
By t o n e i n p re ach ing w e g e n e r al ly m e an ha r m ony be t wee n it s
qual ity o f thought o r s e nt im e nt a n d it s qual ity o f f o rm or
be t wee n th e r h e t o r ical qual ity o f th e t e xt an d th e d i scu ss i o n
But i n thi s typ e o f s e r m o n it may re c e i ve a m o re s pe c i c app i i
cation I t may sugg e st ha rm o ny be t wee n th e st r ong qual it i e s
,

'

'

T H E W O RK O F TH E P R E A CH ER

1 94

mascu l in e s i de o f Ch r i stian ity Th e p re ach e r o f ou r day

shoul d r em embe r tha t Ch r i stiani ty mu st r al ly a n d nd scope
fo r the m en tal e ne r gi e s o f m e n o r i n a n ag e o f l ight a nd kno w l
e d ge it w i ll be i gnored o r r e j ec te d

I d i rec t att e ntion to a w o r k e nti tl e d Th e Decay o f M ode r n

*
P re a ch i ng by P r o f Ma h a ffe y
I d o n o t a g r e e w ith m u c h
that the autho r says no r d o I comm e nd th e somewhat dogm at ic
o r ove r con d en t an d ass e r t i v e mann e r o f h i s u tte r anc e s Th e
ve r y title o f the b ook i s i n my j u d gm e nt a m i snom e r an d i n
volves a n u ng r ou nded as sumption I t i s too s w e e ping But
some th i ngs sai d b y the auth o r al though th e y may be e xt r em e
stat e m e n ts a re a t any r at e w o r thy o f se r ious c ons i de rat ion

H e say s 11 I f i n such a t im e ( a s th e p r e sent ) a p r eac he r

avo i d s d ogm a he i s not l ik e ly to p r o d uc e any perm an e nt e f

f ect
A ga i n ; I Th e wo r l d has b ee n r e fo mi e d not by p re ach

ing mo r al s bu t by p re ach ing do gm a

What conv e r t ed th e w o r l d w a s not th e e xampl e o f C h r i st s
l i f e b ut th e dogma o f h i s d e ath H i s d iv in ity an d the aton e
m e nt f o rm e d th e re al sub stanc e o f e a r ly Ch r i stian p r each i ng
Th e s e ar e d o u b tl e s s e xt re m e stat e m e nts \V h a t th e a u fh o r
says i s not t r u e i n th e f o rm al s e n s e o f th e e a r l i e st typ e o f
Ch r i stian p re ac h i ng H i s conc e pt io n o f d ogm a i s d e fe ct i ve
an d what h e says o f d ogm a i n th e s e n se i n w h ich h e u n de r
stand s it i s n o t st r ictly t r u e But i t mu st b e ackno w l e dg ed that
th ere i s a s o l i d bas i s o f t r uth i n h i s e stimat e o f th e val ue fo r
th e pulpi t o f th e f o r m ulat ed t e ach ings o f Ch r i st iani ty It has
bee n r ightly cla im ed that i t i s th e d i dac tic qual ity that l a r g e ly
d i stingu i sh e s Ch r i st ian ity f r om oth e r re l igions I t i s a r e
I t i s not p r i
l ig io n that ca n h e taught that can b e p re ac h e d
m a r ily a t e ach i n g b u t t e ach i n g i s i n s e pa r abl e fr o m i t a n d d i s
It i s th e re l igi o n that has p r o duc ed a chu r ch a n d
t in gu is h es it
.

'

Th e

D e ca y

t P a g e 79
IP a g e 1 1 6
.

f Mo d e r n

Pr

ea c

hi n g

TH E

DOCTRI NA L TY P E

1 95

a t e ach ing m ini st r y and i t has pu t a n i ntel l ig e nt and i nt e ll igi b l e

an d commun icabl e cont e nt o f rel igiou s thought i nto the han ds
o f i ts m i n iste r s to be p r oc la imed to th e i ntel l ig e nce a s wel l a s
consc i e nc e an d h e a r t o f the worl d Oth e r rel igions o f cou rs e
have the i r t e ach ings an d th e i r t e ache r s B ut i n the importance
attach i ng to the t r uth a n d to th e t e ach e r s o f truth Ch ri sti an ity
is f ar i n advance o f them An d i t i s th i s that di ffere ntiates
pulpi t f rom secula r oratory to a la r g e extent Al l popula r pub
l ic spe e ch ha s a n expos itory bas is I t aim s to co n v mce a nd i t
u ltimates i n pe r suas ion What d i stingu i she s the sp e ech o f the
Chri sti an pulp i t i s the f act that its bas i s i s mor e e s sential ly
d i dacti c Ch r i stian ity i s taught i n the fo r m o f doctrine I n a
time wh en al l b r anc he s o f knowl e dge a re i n p r ocess o f de
v el op me n t th e preacher shoul d b e abl e to grapple wi th a s u b
j ect matter that bel ongs subs tantiv e ly to h i s p ro fession and
shoul d be abl e to handle i t w it h skil l and force The preach e r
who does th i s w il l hol d the r esp e ct o f the commu n i ty an d w i l l
make Ch r i stian i ty re sp e ctabl e i n the eyes o f th i nk ing men

We a re e levated by tha t wh ich i s above u s says J e a n Pau l

Richte r r e ferri ng to that typ e o f p r e ach ing i n wh ic h the g r eat
t r uths o f rel igion are p resented to men
,

IV

TH E

H A N DLI N G O F T H E D O CTR I N A L S ER M O N

The decl ine o f doctri nal p r each i ng i s not whol ly due to a

decl ine o f i nt e res t and o f f aith i n doct r i nal th e ol ogy o r to
c hang e s i n th e ological b e l ie f al though th is i n part I t i s due
al so to th e d i fculty o f handl ing i t success f ul ly Th er e i s a
good d e al o f popula r p r ej u d ice aga i ns t i t due m easu rably p e r
haps to the u n i nt e r e sting cha r act e r o f su ch p reach ing i n t imes
past an d th e tastes o f th e peopl e a re not i n l ine w ith i t The
p re ach e r th e re fo r e al though he woul d w i l l ingly d o i t d re ad s
to v e ntu re upon so d i fcul t a ta sk M o r eove r i t i s not an e asy
so rt o f se rm on to han d l e at any tim e an d under th e most fa
vo t able cond ition s
,

1 96

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

I t i s no t my pu rpose how e ve r to u n dertak e to show h o w

th i s d i fficu l t task m ay be ma de easy That were impos sibl e
B u t I woul d l ike to sugges t som e simpl e an d m ore o r l e ss
f am i l ia r cons i derati on s w h ich th e p reach er i n ou r day m ay
w e l l tak e i nto accou nt i n h i s effort to p r esen t doct r i nal ly th e
grea t t r u th s o f Ch ri st ian ity to h is people A n d these c on s i d
e r a t io n s re l ate both to substance an d fo r m
I
W i th r e spec t to i ts thought mat e r ial the doct r inal s e r
m on w il l be d i sti nct ively Ch r i stian I t i s i n deed adm i s s ibl e
to p r es e nt from th e Ch r i stian pulp i t the doct r i nes o f s o cal led
natu ral rel igion l ike th e b e ing o f God an d th e imm ortal ity o f
th e soul The r e m ay i n fact b e an a dvantag e i n d i scu ssi ng
from the bas i s o f th e testimony o f th e reason a n d m oral a nd
rel igi ou s sen se o f m e n doct r i n e s that nd re spon se even i n ou r
perv e r te d huma n natu r e I t i s impo r tan t t o know w hat may
be sa i d f o r the s e g re at tru th s f r om a basi s that i s i ndepen d ent
o f th e i r Ch r i stian evi dence s an d o f the Ch ri sti an f o rm s i n
w h ic h they appea r B u t i s i t not on th e w hol e bett e r to u n d e r
tak e to show h ow Ch ri st ian i ty i n i t s p r es en ta ion o f t h e s e
t r uth s int er p r ets al l best w i tn e ssi ng o f ou r natu re an d i n f act
complete s an d p er f ect s both th e d oct r in e s an d th e e v id e nc e s
fo r th e m ' Th i s a t l ea st w oul d s e em to b e th e mo r e app r o
I s i t n ot eas i e r to show that
p r i a t e f o r th e Ch r istian pul pi t
'
Ch r i st ian i ty i s natu r al than to show that natu r e i s Ch ri st ian
Th i s m o r eov e r i s i n ha r mony w ith th e sp i ri t an d m etho d o f
ou r day Ch ri st ian th i nk e r s do not attem pt to d r aw a ha r d
a nd f as t l ine b e tw ee n natu ral an d rev e al e d rel igion I t seem s
b e tt e r th e re fo re f o r th e pul pi t to approach n atu ral r e l igi o n
th rough Ch r i st ianity
The t e ach i ng o f th e doct r i nal se rm on i f i t i s to b e succ e s s
f u l w il l al so b e i n ha r mony w i th wha t i s b e st i n th e th i nk i ng
o f ou r t im e an d w i th i ts a ssu r e d resul ts S uch preach ing w i l l
b e po s it iv e i n i t s qual ity o f though t I t w il l se e k to n d th e
impo r tan t wo r k ing t r u t h that any stat e m e nt o f d octr ine rep re
,

1 98

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R E A CH E R

th e N e w and Ol d Testam ent poi nts o f v iew i n the i r gen e ra l

e st im ate o f m i rac les
I n the de f ens e o f sup e rnatu r al Christia n ity i n i ts broad e st
an d m os t comp re hens ive asp e cts the doctri nal p r e ache r w i ll
no t be a f ra i d o f c r i tical h i sto r i cal tests H e w il l gi v e ful l
weight to the impo r tance o f tho r ough c ritical an d h i storical
i nvestigation i nto al l the phenom ena o f w hat call s its e l f supe r
natu ra l Ch r i stian i ty as th e best modern apologi sts l i ke Pro f
B ru ce hav e done N o r w i l l he sh r i nk from a ssign ing to t he
sph e r e o f natu re what clea r ly bel ongs the r e any m or e than h e
w il l sh r ink f rom e xal tin g to the sphere abov e na tu r e wh at can
re nd e r a no l e ss w o r thy accoun t o f i ts e l f
I n d i scu ss ing esc hatological quest ion s doct r i nal p r e ach ing
w il l adj u st its e l f to th e sp i r i t o f mod e r ation an d r e s e r ve that
m a r ks the m od e rn m e tho d o f i nv e stigati on o f th e s e p r obl e m s
to ou r b e tte r kno w l edg e o f the s ign icanc e o f eschatologica l
S c r iptu r es to ou r m o re r ational an d re al istic conc e pti on s o f
pu n i shm ent a n d to th e l a r g e r and m o re human ita r ian sym
p a t h ies an d ta stes that cha r act e r i ze ou r t im e a n d that i nvolv e
an i nt e n s i e d s e ns e o f th e m i s e r y an d bondag e a s w e l l as gu il t
o f hum an s in Bu t th e p re ach e r o f st r ong e th ical m in d w il l
w i sh to a ssu r e h im s e l f that th e s e cons i derat ion s a r e i n h a r
m ony w i th j u st an d s e r iou s v i ew s o f the gu il t o f s i n an d w ith
th e t ru e m oral w e l f a re o f men
The p r act ical m o r a l b e a r ings o f th e f acts a nd t r ut h s o f
Ch r i stian i ty as cont r a sted w ith th e re su lts o f th e t e ach ings o f
i ts oppon e nts w il l natu r al ly b e d e al t w i th by th e sk il l f ul Ch r i s
t ian a pologi st Th e upl i f t tha t sup er natu r al ism has gi ve n th e
w o r l d a s cont r ast ed w ith th e ne r vel e s snes s o f th e c r as s nat
u ra li s m an d m at e r ial i sm o f m od e rn l i f e
ha s immen s e apol o
g e t ic valu e who s e sign i canc e th e p r e ach e r cannot a ffo r d t o
m in im iz e
What th e S up e r natu r al i sm o f Ch r i stian i ty ha s
w r ought i n al l d e pa r tm e nt s o f th o ught an d l i fe and what m ight
b e th e effe ct o r w hat m ight ha ve bee n upon th e worl d upon
.

TH E DO CTRI NA L TY P E

1 99

its art upon i ts l ite r atu re esp e c ial ly upon its po e try an d upon
i ts religion o f a complet e l oss o f f a ith i n th i s higher e lemen t
i n Chr i stian ityal l th i s i s o f valu e to the pr e ach e r w ho woul d
rally an d suppo r t the faith o f h is peopl e
The relat ion o f Ch r i stian i ty to the b roade r v iew o f the worl d
to tho se conception s o f an i ll im itabl e and vastly e x ibl e sp i rit
ual un iverse that are the he r itage o f ou r ag e i s an aspect o f
mode r n apolo gy wh ich n o preache r can a ffo r d to igno r e I n
the p r esence o f such a u niv er se an d w ith i t as the nat ive coun
try o f the human sp iri t ho w p e tty and i ns igni cant seem s that
v iew o f human l i f e that wou l d regard i t as a cl ose d sphere a
l ittl e e xi stence shut up w ith i n i tsel f an d w i th no touch ing
p o i nt s with th e va s t il l im i tab l e o f a s up e rn atu r al s ph e r e '
2
A s r e gards the hom i leti c f orm o f the doct r inal sermon
i t i s clear rs t o f al l tha t no typ e o f se rm on deman ds more care
i n the choic e o f texts A N ew Testament tex t i s needed fo r a
New Testament doctri n e The N ew Te stam e nt i nterp r ets the
Ol d The Ol d i nterprets the N e w bu t not a dequately Read
i ng N e w Testam e nt doctrin e s i nto Ol d Testam e nt S c riptu res
has been one o f th e s e ri ou s de f ect s o f doct rinal preach i ng The
text m ay w e l l contai n expl ic itly the g e rm o f th e doct r ine di s
cu sse d Th ere a re types o f d i dactic p reach i ng a s al r eady i nti
m at e d that m ay wel l u s e thei r texts suggestively B u t th i s
type o f d i d actic d i scou rs e shoul d rest upon th e exac t thought
o f th e t e xt o r at l e ast shoul d not b e deduce d by any remot e
i n f e re nt ial p r ocess I t i s one o f the hom il e tic s in s o f th i s typ e
o f p r each i ng that i t has abu sed t e x ts by u s ing them wi thout
a l egitimat e basi s f or the doct ri n e d i scussed
T he int r oduction w i ll natu rally be e xplanatory o r w i ll give
it s el f t o th e ta sk o f re la t in g t ex t t o th em e o r o f b r ingi n g t ex t
and context up into man i f es t connect ion w ith the th e m e a nd so
j ust i fyi ng it I f i t sta r ts w i th a gen e ral though t or f r om som e
phas e o f the general subj ect it w il l natu ral ly r u n into a nd
through th e text in r e ach ing the them e
,

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

2 00

I t i s p re supposed that the p reacher w il l f ol low the d e ductive

m e thod I n h i s i nvestigat ion an d p re pa ration h e m ay have fol
l ow e d th e i nduct ive m e thod B u t he m u st r e ve rs e th i s i n the
pulp i t One ca n not sp e n d tim e to rep ro duce h i s p rocess o f
i nvestigat io n i n the pu lp it
H e d e al s w i th r e sul ts an d h i s
p r oc es s i s r athe r th e u n f ol d ing tha n th e i n fol d i ng p roces s The
th e me there f ore w i l l b e a stat e m e n t o f the subj ec t i n han d
a n d w hethe r i n p ropos itional or i n rh e to r ical form w il l depe n d
upo n th e m ethod o f the d i scu s s ion
T he plan o f th e se r mon cons ists o f the a rguments that s up
po r t the thes i s Th e c h i e f logical int e r est i s th e weigh t an d
cogency o f th e a r gum e nt s Th e ch i e f r h e to r ical interest i s
the o rde r o f thei r p r es e ntat ion N o typ e o f serm on d e man ds
suc h cl earness a nd p rec i s ion o f stat e m e nt an d such o rde r ly
a r r ang e m e nt
T h e d e v e l opmen t w il l d e p e n d upon th e cha r ac te r o f th e
top ics o r upon the m etho d o f a r gum e nt I t m ay b e abst r ac t o r
conc rete acco r d i ng to th e m e tho d pu r su e d i n th e p r e s e ntat io n
o f p r oo fs I f one l ook s f o r r h e to r ical e ffe ct iv e n e s s i n h i s d i s
h i s d e vel opm e nt w il l be conc r et e an d i l lu st rat iv e an d
c u s s i on
I t i s no t
s o th e mo re pe r suas iv e i f n ot th e mo re conv i nc ing
th e h ab i t o f p r eache r s i n ou r day to handl e ab stract topic s in
p r ocess e s o f a r gument
The concl u s ion w i l l natu r al ly r ecap i tul at e an d w il l then de al
w i th th e e th ical e n f o rc e ment o f th e t r uth o f th e d i scu ssion
w h ich w il l come i n th e f o r m o f i n fe re nc e s e n d ing perhaps w ith
appea l
T hu s th e obj e c t o f th e doct r i nal s e rm on giv e s u s the s cop e
o f th e deman d T h e obj ect w il l be r st to stat e an d inte r p re t
the doct r i ne as sum ing a s one m u s t that the p reach e r w il l
gene r al ly fol low th e d e duct iv e m ethod Secondly to p r es e n t
th e ev idenc e s o f i ts t r u th by w hatev e r m e tho d o f proo f Th e s e
m e thod s o f p roo f w il l n e cessa r ily v ary w i th th e c haract e r o f
th e doctri n e p r e sent e d w ith th e c haracte r o f th e au d i e nc e
.

CH A PT E R I I I
TH E ETH I CA L TY P E

I TH E C O N CE P T I O N O F E T H I CA L P REA C H I N G
A L L p reach ing is i n th e broa d sen se u l timately eth ical i n s o
far a t l ea st a s i t a i m s at the p roduct i on o f ch aracte r a n d th e
regu l ation o f con duc t by i nu e nc ing the w i l l to the cho i ce o f
m o ral e n ds o r i de al s B u t th e t e rm i s u s ed h e re i n a m o re
spec i c sen se I n th i s sp e c i c sen s e eth ical p reach i ng i s the
expos iti on i ncu lcati on an d p ract ical appl icat i on to charact e r
a n d con duct o f m o ral i deal s o f du ty an d o f v i rtu e A s thu s
de ne d i t i s a d ist i nctive typ e o f p reach ing Ju st how i t
d i ffe rs from th e types o f p r e ach i ng al r e a dy di scu ss e d i s a p
pa rent a t once B oth o f them m ay hav e eth ical subs tanc e an d
a n u lt i m ate eth i cal aim Expos i to ry preach ing e g from th e
ep i stl e o f J am es woul d n e ces sa r i ly be eth i cal i n its con t e n t an d
a im B u t th e e th i cal se r m on i s not l im i te d to B ibl ical m aterial
I t h a s w i der range S om e Ch ri st ian doctri nes are e s sential ly
an d p re em i ne n tly eth i cal i n th ei r subj e ct m atter T hey a r e
doctri nal a s re l ate d to th e cont e n t o f revel at i on an d to th e
cont e n t o f Ch ri stian thought i nvol v e d i n th ei r i nt e rp retat i on ;
bu t eth ical a s rel ated to p racti cal real i z ati on i n cha racte r a n d
conduct Fo r e xampl e th e doct r in e o f Fa i th Rep e ntan c e an d
Co nv e rs ion A doct r i nal sermon o n ei th e r o f thes e subj e cts
woul d be eth i cal i n sub stance an d a im I n fact al l doctri n e has
i ts e th i cal a spects a n d th e re can be n o doctri nal p res e ntat ion
o f the p rope r sort w i thout eth i cal a im B u t th e doctri na l s er
m on i s not eth ical i n th e sen se o f ou r d e n i tion Th e d is t in c
t ion between Ch ri stian do gm ati cs an d Ch r i s tian eth ic s de nes
.

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the d i fference Dogm atic s deal s w ith th e G o d w ar d s i de o f

truth Eth ic s w i th th e m anward s i d e T h e form er deal s w it h
the obj ectively given tru ths o f r e vel ation w h ich have become
subj ects o f human reection the l atter w i th th e dut i es i nvol ved
i n the appl ication o f these truth s an d th e v irtue s real i z e d i n th e
f ul llm e n t o f t h e s e du t i e s
Th u s d o ctri n al p r ea ch i n g l ay s
th e fo u nda ti o n fo r e th ic al pr e a ch i ng H o w c an o n e s u ce s s
ful ly d i s cu s s Ch r i s t i an du t i e s an d vi r tu e s wi t ho ut s o m e
u n d e rs ta n di ng
o f th e
f un dam e n ta l t r u th s o n w h i ch th ey
r est '
We may d i ffe r e nti ate e th ical f rom w hat i s commonl y cal l ed
p ract i cal p r e ach ing A11 e th i cal p r e ach ing is p r actical bu t not
al l p r act ical p r each i ng is eth ical i n th e cl ose r sense o f the te rm
Practical p reach i ng a im s at the p ro du ctio n o f p racti cal resul ts
i n th e most comp rehen s ive sense rel igiou s as wel l a s m o r al
A ny k i n d o f serm on expos ito ry o r doctri nal that i s s o shaped
a s to pro duce p ract ical resu l ts o f any k i n d w heth e r i n thought
i n conv i ction o r i n act i on i s a practical s e rmon A persu as ive
sermo n that aim s w i thout mu ch expos i t ion o r d i dact ic d i s
cus s i on at the p ract ical res ul ts o f p e r s ua s mn l s p r e em i nently
a practical sermon T he eth i cal serm on however a im s at a
d i st i nct iv ely an d a spec i cal l y et h ical r e su l t The p ractical s e r
m on m ay att e mp t to secu re fa ith o r to p rom ote a recept ive
attitu de o f soul w ith resp ect to the grace o f G o d B u t th e
e th i ca l s e rm o n o f th e m o r e di s t i n c ti v e s o rt wi l l ai m t o s ecu r e
thos e v i rtues th a t bel ong to fai th an d w il l i ncu l cate th e dut i e s

that a re real i z ed i n such v i r tu e s

A d d to yo u r fai th v i rtue
i s an eth ical i nj uncti on
The p ractica l sermon m ay a i m at i ts
resul t by i nuenc ing th e em oti ons a s f o r exampl e the evan
B u t th e eth ical serm on
geli s t ic o r the parenet i c sermo n does
w il l aim at i t s resul ts by i n uenc i ng the consc i e nce primarily
o r p re em i ne n tly Th e on e m ay deal w i th the p rom i ses o r com
forts or a dmo n i tions o f th e G o sp e l th e other w ith the deman ds
o f the G ospel an d w i t h the obl igat i o n s that are s et ove r aga i n st
.

TH E

W O RK O F

TH E

204

P REA CH ER

th e s e d e m a n ds I n a w o rd t he o n e m ay d e al w i t h th e pr ivil e g e s
the oth e r w i th th e d u t i es th a t a re p resented by the Gospel
E th ical p reach i n g m oreove r m ay b e d i fferent i ate d from
w hat has b ee n kn ow n a s rev ival p reach i n g I n i ts u l timate i n
t e nt an d scope rev iva l preach i n g i s o f cou rse eth ical for i t
h a s r e fe r n ce to r i ghteou s ch ara c ter an d co n du ct a n d there
fore a im s a t reach i n g th e c o n sc i e n ce a n d w il l B u t i t d i ff e rs
i n th e fol low i ng pa rt i cu lars Rev ival p reach ing see k s to r e
f res h th e sp i r i tu al l i fe o f th e c hu r c h the l i fe o f rene w ed
fel l ow sh ip w i th C h r i st O n the othe r h a n d eth ical p r e ach ing
a im s at th e d e v e l opm en t o f thos e Chr is t i a n v i rtu es that are the
p ro duct o f th e sp i r itual l i fe j u st ice pat i enc e hum il ity tem
Rev i val
p er a n ce del i ty cov enan t v i rtu es p erhaps especi al ly
p reach i n g l i k e al l p reach i n g o f the ev angel i st i c typ e a im s al so
a t th e conv e rs i o n o f m en 5 e a t th e p ro duct i on o f fa i th re
n t a n ce
e
an d ob e di enc e to Ch ri st but eth ical preac h ing a im s
p
at th e r e al i z ation o f th e f ru i ts o f al l th i s i n th e im i tat i o n o f
Ch r i s t s exam pl e Rev ival p reac h i ng l oo k s a t re sul ts i n th e
total i ty o f l i fe i e to rel igiou s a s w el l a s m oral resu l ts an d o n
a w i de el d Eth i cal p reach i ng l oo k s at l i fe i n th e deta il s o f
i ts p ractica l m o ra l devel opm ent e g th e dev el opm en t o f
spec i c v i rtues an d th e d i scharge o f spe c i c dut ies
Eth i c al p reach i n g m ay al so di fferent i ate i tsel f from w hat
w a s fo rm erly cal l e d l aw p reach ing i e p reach i ng o f a n
e t h i CO -ev a n ge l i st i c t yp e wh i ch w a s r e ga r de d a s n e c e s sa ry p r e p

a rat io n fo r rev i val w or k To p re a c h th e l aw i s to p resen t

i ts G odward a n d m anw ar d cl a i m s T he cl a i m s o f l aw i n vol ve
i mpl i c itl y certa i n dut ies Th ese du t i e s a re real i z e d i n v i r tu es
In th e c o n te n t o f it s co n ceptio n eth i cs i nvol ves th e n ot i o n o f
l aw N atu ral o r ph il osoph i cal eth i c s i n volve s th e n ot io n o f
l aw a s rel ate d to th e natu ral con sc i ence ; H eb rew eth i cs l aw
a s rev eal e d i n th e H ebrew rel ig i on ; Ch r i st i an eth i cs l aw a s
reveal ed an d real i z e d i n Ch ri st Law the i st i cal l y a n d Ch r i s
t ia n l y co n ce i ve d i s Go d s w i l l tou c h i ng a m a n s d ispo s i t i on
.

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T H E WO RK O F T H E P REA CH ER

I I TH E C H R I ST I A N Q UA LI T Y O F E T H I CA L P REAC H I N G
I n som e c i rcl e s that a r e call ed e vang e l i cal the re i s or p e r
haps I shou l d s a y has b e en a p re j u d ic e aga in st e th ical p re ach
ing I t ha s b e en rega rded a s ev en antagon i stic to e vang e l ical
pr e ac h ing a n d a s such ha s be e n m uch c rit ic i s e d Thi s p rej u
d ic e has b ee n based upon a total ly w r ong conc e pti on o f i t I t
h a s b e e n c o n f o un d e d w i th th e d e i s ti c o r r a ti o nal i s ti c mo r a l i z
i ng o f a fo r mer p e riod w h e n mo ral ity w as substitu ted f o r r e
l igion and eth ics f or th e ol ogy w h e n th e nec e s si ty an d re al ity
o f re v e lati on w e re d e n i e d an d m e n s r e l ation s to th e i r f e l l o w
m e n w e re divo rc ed f r o m th e i r r elati o n s w i th Go d Th i s w a s

th e preach i ng o f s o cal l e d natu r al r e l igion ba sed on natu ral

i s t ic e th ic s an d w as i nd ee d i n a m easu re an tagon i sti c to th e
re l igi on o f r e d e mpt ion I n th i s s e ns e i t wa s O ppose d to ev an
g el ic a l p re ach ing an d i t m u st b e con f e ss e d i t w as re l at iv e ly n u
f r u it ful preach ing
Bu t l e t i t b e u n d er stood that the eth i ca l p re ac hi ng a d v ocat e d
i n th i s d i scu ss ion i s d i sti nct i v e l y Ch r i stian i n i ts qual i ty I t
r ests upon the r ev e l at ion o f God i n Ch ri st I t s ba si s i s th e
grace tha t i s re ve al ed to u s and th e g r ace that i s app r op r iat e d
by u s a t w o fol d ba si s obj e cti v e as r el at e d to w hat G o d ha s
d o ne f o r u s subj e ct i v e a s r e l at e d to what w e ha v e don e i n
th e i n w a r d app r op r iati on o f God s w ork
L e t u s e xam in e th i s t w o f o l d ba s i s and s ee w ha t l i e s back
o f th e e thic s w i th w h ich i n th e ma i n th e Ch r ist ian pul pi t m u st
dea l
1
Eth ical p re ach ing o f th e Ch ri stian typ e ha s f o r i ts ob
i
v
e
t
e bas i s th e
la w o f God a s re l at e d to th e g r ac e o f Go d
c
j
The la w that e xac ts ob e d i e nc e i s th e l a w o f Ch r is t the l a w o f
G od a s r eve al e d int er p re ted and re al i zed i n Ch rist
I t i s rst o f al l a l a w that i s re lat e d to th e fo r gi v en e s s o f
si n a s rev eal e d an d p r o cl a im ed by Ch r i st A n absol ut e ly p e r
fec t m o r al l i fe f r om th e Ch r i stian poi nt o f v i ew i s p r ac t ical ly
al though not th e o r etically u nattai nabl e h e r e belo w A mo r al
.

TH E ET H I CA L TY P E

207

law th e re fo re that shoul d e xal t a p e r f e ct obed i e nce w i thout

associ ation w i th som e p r ov i s ion by w h ich th e de fects o f mo r al
l i f e may be o verlook e d and by w h ich men may st il l b e kept i n
f avo r w i th God w oul d be an imp r act icabl e la w I t w oul d b e a
la w that coul d not be p re ach e d w ith any ex p e ctation that i t
w ould ev e r b e ful ly r e al i z ed H ow can one p re ach an absol ut e
mo ral ity unl ess such moral ity b e som e ho w a v ailabl e o r rea liz
abl e or u nless there b e som e pro v is i on f ou n d o r d i sc los e d by
wh ich m o r al d e f e cts may b e canc e ll e d i n th e p roc e s s o f i t s
r e al i zati on ' I n po int o f fac t a n absol ut e mo r al ity has p ra c
t ical ly n ev e r been i n si ste d upon I t i s only pr e s e nted a s an
i d e al Th e human rac e h as nev e r be e n u nd e r sh ee r l a w a l a w
u n r e l ieved by any pu rpos e o r p rov is i on o f grac e h idd e n o r
r e v e al e d Ther e h a s al w ays b e en an el e m e nt o f grac e i n or
beh in d al l m oral l a w Paul sh o w s that back o f th e ol d J ew i sh
an d ant e c e d e nt H e bre w or patria r chal re vel ation th e r e w a s a
h i dden pu rpose o f g r ace B u t th i s l aw o f grace i s r e v e al e d i n
its fu ll ness only i n Ch ri st N o w th i s i s th e obj e ct i v e bas i s o r
one o f the elem e nts o f a n obj ect iv e bas i s for p r act ical Ch r i s
tian eth ics Th e Ch ri sti an moral i deal th e r e f or e mu st b e p r e
s e nt e d i n its re l ation to th e grace o f G od Other w i se i t i s not
a Ch ris tian i d e al at al l an d i s a hop e l e ss i deal The ob e d i enc e
that is i nculcate d by th e l a w o f Ch r i s t an d th e v i rtues that a r e
d e mand e d by it a re ren der e d pract icabl e ar e m ade r e al i zabl e
by th e g r ac e o f G od a s r e v e ale d i n Ch ri s t and that r st o f all
proclaim s the fo rgi v e nes s o f s in No one can succ e s s ful ly
p reach a v irtu e that i s p ractical ly beyon d every man s reac h
Suc h preach ing woul d only e vok e host il ity o r woul d r e sul t i n
c ompl e t e di sh e a r t e nm e nt W e ta k e h old o f th e f u tur e h op e
ful l y o n ly a s w e s e e th at o u r r e l at i o n t o th e pa s t h a s b e e n
a dj u ste d
Th e Ch ri st ian moral law i s al so a l a w that has be e n ful ly
real i zed an d exempl i ed i n the personal cha r acter an d l i fe o f
Chri st Th i s ex empli ca tion il l ustrates an d i n e ffe ct procl aim s
,

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208

th e poss ibil ity o f its ul timate ful l lm en t by e very human be i ng

w ho w o r k s i n mora l al l ianc e w i th Ch ri st Chr i st s pr e ach ing
i s l a r gel y eth ical bu t i t i s al l ba s e d o n th e assum e d v i tal r e
l ation o f e th ical truth to h i s o w n person I t i s h i s ent ir e per
s o n h i s ent i r e compl e x s e l f
reve l ation an d not s i mply h i s d oc
t r i n e s o r teach ings i e th e rev e l ation o f h i s m i nd alone that
con sti tut e th e back grou nd o f al l e th ical p r e ach i ng Th i s i s th e
re a son la rgely a t l east w h y Ch r i st p reache d h im s e l f s o con
s t a n t ly
H e coul d not other w i s e m ak e h i s m oral i ty ava ila b l e
Th e p e cul i ari ty an d i t i s a v e ry strik ing i n fac t a u n iqu e p e
I t e xacts noth ing
c u l i a r ity o f Ch ri st ian eth ics i s j u s t th i s :
th e per f ect ex emp l ica t ion o f wh ich has not i n i t s ess e nc e o r
princ ipl e b ee n f oun d i n th e ob e di e nc e o f Chr i st s o w n l i f e

Th e comm an d i s : B e th i s f o r th i s i s w hat I am ; Do th i s

f o r I di d i t ; Th i s is my commandment that y e l ov e on e

anoth e r a s I h av e l o v e d you
An d th i s i s w h y i t i s a n ew
commandm e n t I t i s n e w i n i ts r e al i za tio n an d ex empl ic a
tion
Th e Ch ri stia n m oral la w i s m o re o v e r a l aw that i s re lat e d
to th e prom i s e an d to th e gi f t o f the H oly S pi r it th e p r om i s e
a n d th e gi f t o fm o ral p o we r by w h i ch th e sp i r i t o f l o vin g o b e
d i e n ce i s s e c u r e d an d by w h i ch th e ac tu al ob e di e nc e o f l i fe i s
d e v e l oped That i s to s a y the e xaction s o f Ch ri stian eth ics a re
o ffset no t m e r e ly by th e e xternal rev e l ation o f a grac i ou s pro
v i s ion o f re conc il iation and by a n e x ternal ex empl ica t ion o f
i ts r e al i zation i n Ch r i s t bu t b y a rev e al e d prov i si on th r ough
w h ich th e requ i si t e e th ica l m otiv e s may becom e i n w a rd ly o p
Noth ing i s demand e d by God
e ra t i v e an d p e rsonal ly e ffectiv e
w h ic h H e i s not w il l ing an d abl e by th e po we r o f h i s sp i r i t
w o r k ing w ith i n to a i d i n e x e cuti ng Th i s h e l p f ul p r o v is i o n
i s a r e vel ation o f th e H oly S pi r i t a s a w ork i ng fo r ce i n l i f e
I t i s a pa r t o f Ch r istian i ty a s an obj e ct i ve re v e lation o f God
A n d i n Wh i tsunti d e th e com i ng o f th e H oly S pi ri t a s a n e w
po w e r i n m o r al l i fe i s comm e mo r at e d by th e Ch r i stia n chu rch

o ne o f the ch i e f sou rces o f the excee d i ng hel p ful nes s o f h i s

p r e ach i ng H e p res e nts h igh i deal s T h i s i s one o f th e d i s
H e wa s an eth ical
t i n gu is h in g characte r i stic s o f h i s p re ach i ng
i deal i s t o f extrao r d i nari ly h igh d e g r ee B u t h e always b r ings
Ch r i s t i nto p r actical r e l at ion w ith th e i deal s p r es e nte d a n d h e
en deavors to l eave the imp r e s sion an d succee ds i n do i ng it
th at a f te r al l w i th Ch ri st thes e a r e atta inabl e i d ea l s
Th e attention o f the r e a d e r i s d i recte d to a P rayer M eet ing
*
A d d r es s by H en ry Wa rd B eecher i n the year 1 863 j u st b e
f o r e h i s d e pa r tu re to Eu rop e to a dvocate b e fo r e th e Engl i sh
peopl e th e cau s e o f the Ame ri can Un ion i n w h ich he i n a v ery
i nt e r e st i ng a n d i nstructiv e m anne r re fers to t he pl ac e w h ic h
Ch r i st hol ds i n h i s e th i cal p r e ach ing
2
B u t al l Ch r i sti an m o r al i ty i s the p ro duc t o f a n i n ne r l i fe
T he obed ience dem an d e d an d th e v i rtues to b e r e al i z e d a re d i s
T h i s i nn e r root o f Chri st ian
t in c t iv e ly Ch r i stian i n qual ity
v i r tu e is the subj e cti v e p r es u pp os iton o f eth ical p reach i ng I t
i s the i nte r p r etati o n an d incu lcat ion o f a l iv ing a r e al i nner
v i rtu e an d not a m e cha nical o r hea r tl e ss goodnes s
The ob e d i e nce o f Ch r i st ian m o r al ity i s r s t o f al l th e ob e d
i nce o f l ove Th e r e i s th e r e can b e no obed ience no v i r tu e
that ca n be cal led Ch ri st ian w h ich i s not r ooted i n love Lov e
i s th e l i f e o f i t
To p r e ach a hea r tl es s obed ienc e or a h e artl es s
v i r tu e i s not Ch ri stian p r e ach ing I t m ay be eth ical bu t i t i s
n ot Ch ri stianly e th ical I t i s t r u e that i t m ay som et i m
es be
n e c e ssary an d e ven d e s i r abl e to i ncul cat e human dut ie s an d
v i r tu e s f rom th e po i n t o f v i ew o f the exact ion o f th e n atu r al
con sc i e nc e i e f rom th e mot iv e o f p r u dence or pe r so nal
hono r o r sel f r e spec t o r soc ial obl igation o r a n at ive sen s e o f
righ t an d w r ong tha t ha s b e en u ntra i ne d i n the school o f
Ch r i st A l l road s m ay l e a d t o Chri st To i ncul cat e fo r e x
am pl e th e v i r tu e o f t e mp er anc e o r o f bu s i ne ss h on e sty f rom
th e motiv e o f p e rsonal p r u d e nce m ay open i nto a l arg e r v i ew
.

S er mon s

1 860 - 1 868

vo l

p a ge

44 7

T H E ET H I CA L TY P E

21 1

B ut such p reach i ng i n connect ion w ith the worsh ip o f a Ch ri s

tia n congregation m ay wel l be except ional I f o n e feel s obl iged
t o t ak e m e n o n t h e i r o wn gro u n d i t m ay we l l b e al o n g a l i n e
that w i l l lead to th e cons i derat i on o f the h igher Chri st ian
motives B ut to deal o nly w i th th e l ow e r mot ives i s not eth ical
preach ing o f the Ch ri stian sort at al l I n th e p res e nce o f a
Ch r i s tian cong re gation i t i s the w i ser w ay to approach al l m oral
subj e cts from the di st inct ively Chri st ian poi nt o f dep art u r e
I t i s not the pr e ach er s voc ati on to preach n on Ch r i stian eth ic s
S uch preach ing woul d impoveri sh th e Ch ri st ian pulp it as it
wa s impoveri shed i n th e e ightee n th cent u ry M oral i ty m u st
have a l iv ing root M en n ee d a n u n de rly i ng p r i nc ipl e o f
m o r al ity that w ill d i sclose i tsel f i n al l the i r rel at ion s w ith thei r
f e l low m en Th i s n eeds emp has i s i n ou r day I t i s needed
espec ial ly i n con ne ction w ith th e d i s c u s s io n o f soc i a l subj ect s
I t w i ll be ul tim ately fru itl ess to d i scu s s the du ties o f the d i f
feren t soc ial cl a sses to each othe r u nl es s th ey ca n be m a de
to s ee and f eel an d app rop riate the tru th that these duti e s r e st
on som e comp r e hens ive p ri nc ipl e that m us t dom i nate the whol e
l i f e That p r i nc ipl e is u nsel sh ph i l anth ropy and i t i s
g r ou nde d i n rel igion An earnes t an d v igorou s p resentat ion o f
th e c haracter an d l i f e o f Ch ri s t i s e ssent ial to the m ost succes s
ful eth ical preach i ng Any ma n wh o l ike the lat e B i shop
B rooks gi v e s h is l i f e to the w or k o f p resent ing Ch ri st in h i s
p racti cal wor k ing relat io n w i th m en who every Lo r d s day
hol ds be fore thei r m ind s th e s ign i cance o f h i s cha racter an d
l i fe for the i r own ch a racter an d l ives an d w ho i s abl e to im
p ress upon the i r hearts a n d con sc i ences h i s won der ful i n sp iri ng
pow e r i s doi n g a grea t a n d nee de d wor k i n th e interest o f th e
u n i cat ion o f th e d i ffere n t contend i ng cl as ses an d factions o f
h um an soc iety He w i l l do fa r m ore than th e pulp i t dabbl er
i n econom ic an d social sci e nce Not that on e m ay u nderval ue
the p reache r s i n terest i n th e s e sci ences I n th e natu re o f the
cas e however the ma n wh o deal s so l argely w ith th e fu n da
.

TH E WO RK O F T H E PRE A CH E R

212

m ental p ri ncipl es o f the Chri stian l i f e an d w hose el d o f a p

pl ie d Ch ri st ian i ty i s s o v as t can not hav e ve ry g r eat succ e s s
i n a n e ffo rt to exhau st any o n e b r a nc h o f soc ial e th i cs M o re
ov e r i t i s not n eces sary I n order to deal succes s ful ly w i th
Chri stian i ty as appl ied to the v e xe d i ndu st r i al an d soc ia l p r o b
l e m s o f ou r day i t i s not n ecessa r y for a p reache r to hav e an
e x hau st iv e techn ical knowl e dge o f th e econom ic o r soc ial
sc iences Knowl edge enough h e i ndeed w i l l need to secu re h im
agai nst seriou s m i stake i n the p r act ical appl icat ion o f qu e stion s
i n soc ial Ch ri s tian e th ic s B u t beyond th i s h e ne e d not go H i s
c h i e f sph e r e i s th e eth ical n ot the econom ic o r soc iological
T he obed ience o f Ch r i st ian m oral i ty i s al so th e ob e d i e nc e o f
f a ith I t i s a n obedi e nc e i t i s a mo r al ity that i s wo r th ily re al
i z e d i n an d by fa ith Fa i th i s th e i n it ial poi nt i t i s th e con d iti on
th e s i ne qu a n on a s lov e i s th e r oot th e l i f e th e s u b

stanc e o f al l Ch ri st ian v i rtu e

I n you r f a ith supply i n a d d i

t ion v i rtue ( 2 P e t 1 :
Th e e nti r e s er i e s o f v i r tu e s sta r ts
f r o m an d i s r eal i z ed th r ough f a ith Th i s i s th e N e w T e sta
m e nt c onc e ption and i t i s tha t o f J am e s a s w e l l a s o f Pau l
Ch r i st ian v i r tu e then i s as to i ts sou r c e r el igiou s v i r tu e T h e
re l igiou s l i f e i s at th e f ou n d at ion o f the m o r a l l i f e Th e r e
c ep t i v e activ i ty i s b ack o f th e ou t goi ng and ou t giv ing act iv ity
A n d as th e re i s no Ch r i stian e th ic s w h ich i s not a t bottom r e
l igio u s so th e re i s no e th ical p r each ing o f th e Ch r i st ia n typ e
w h ic h i s not at bottom re l igiou s H e nc e b r oa d ly a n d r igh tly
conc e iv ed th e re i s no p re ach ing that i s m or e c ha r act e r i st ical ly
Ch r i st ia n than th i s A l l p re ach ing mu st as a l re a d y sugg e st ed
e nd i n th e e th ical qual ity Th e a im o f Ch r i st ian ity is not
re ach e d ti l l i t i s t ra n s u ma t ed into cha r act e r an d con duct No r
i s t h e a i m o f Ch r i s t i a n p re ach in g r e a ch e d t il l b y th e p o w e r
o f Ch r i s t ia n p e r su a s i o n e n f o r c e d b y th e s pi r i t o f Ch r i st
it
p r o d u c e s t h e v i r t u e s t ha t Ch r i st i an ity d e m a n d s
S inc e no w all Ch r i st ian m o r al i ti e s a re g r ou n d ed i n th e p r i n
c i p l e s o f l ov e an d f a it h al l e th ical p re ach ing o f th e Ch r i st ian
,

TH E

214

TH E

W O RK O F

PR EA CH ER

i deal o f c haract e r an d con duct a fte r hav i ng show n what i t i s

s ho w n the need o f i t an d a f te r ha v i ng u r ged i t upon m en s
acceptance i t i s a so r t o f m ora l antic l imax for th e p r ea ch e r to
fa i l to r em i n d h i s h e a r e r s that al l th i s i s poss ibl e to th e b e
l i e v i ng t r u st ing lov ing ob e d i e nt h e a r t and that th e po s sess ion
o f right i nwa rd pri nc ipl e s an d m ot iv e s mak e s al l a not impos

s ibl e task
H i s commandm e nt s a r e not gr ev iou s not only
b eca u s e th e y a r e h i s but b e cau s e m e n tru s t a n d l ove h im wh o

has r st l ove d u s
H i s yoke i s e a sy an d h i s bu r den l igh t
not only becau se i t i s the yok e and the bu rden o f h im w h o ha s
h im s e l f bo r ne th e m bu t b e cau s e m e n w il l ingly take th e m a nd
be a r th e m i n h i s st r ength A l l th i s at any r ate m us t b e in tell i
g e ntly p r e suppos e d by the p re ache r w h o w oul d succ e ss ful ly
accom pl i sh h i s m oral ta sk

III

M E T H O D s O F E TH I C A L P R EACH I N G

Th e que st ion o f m e thod i s qu it e a s impo r tant here i f not

mo r e s o a s i n oth e r types o f s er m on f o r i t i s no i ns ign i can t
ta sk f o r any man to u n de r tak e to b r i ng m e n s h e a r ts an d con
*
sc i ences an d w il l s into subj e ct ion to th e Ch r ist ia n m o r al l i fe
N ei th e r i s i t an in s ign i cant task f o r a ny m an to u n d e r tak e to
be a gu i de to h i s f e llow s e r vant s i n such a m i n i st r y Th e
w ri t e r can cla im ne ith e r th e e xp e r i e nc e no r th e th e o r et i c know l
e dg e in th i s as i n oth e r hom il e tic re alm s that woul d mak e h im
comp e t e nt f o r such s e r v ic e L e t u s how e ve r v e ntu re upon a
f e w suggesti ons and su ch a s a re m ade w i l l b e re cogn i z e d a s i n
l i n e w ith app r ov e d m o d e r n e th ical m e th od s
I
Th e analyt ic m e thod i s n ot u ncomm on and may b e ma d e
m ost e ffect ive I n d i scu ss ing a publ ic v ice e sp e c i ally it b e com e s
n e c e s sa r y t o d e lv e i nt o t o a na lyz e a n d t o h ol d a tt e nt i o n
to
It i s t h e h i st o r i c m e th o d
it s sou rce s
It is a
val uabl e m e thod i n th e d i scus s ion o f any i n d iv i dual v i r
,

S ee D r G u t a v
.

S ch u l z e

U b er

mo r a l

p r e d i gt e n

'
.

p a ge

10

TH E

ET H I CA L TY P E

21

tu e or v ice bu t e sp e c ially thos e that are publ ic I t d iscl oses

the m ora l con d it ions o f soc i al l i f e an d m ake s m ani fest the
proces s by w h ich the mo ral o r immoral l i fe o f the commun ity
dev e lop s We s e e i t i n its natu ral h istory The preacher i s
thu s the bett e r abl e to po i nt out an d m ake mani fest it s soc ial
a n d mo ral sign i cance a nd f rom th i s as a bas i s to d i scu ss the
more e ffe ct ively its con sequence s an d the rem e di e s d e m an d e d
The v alu e o f thu s d iscl os ing the el e m ents an d the p roc e ss e s o f
a v ice l ike i ntempe ranc e i s ev i d e nt S c ient i c i nvest igators i n
to th i s di fcu l t probl e m nd t h e n ee d o f suc h a method o f
inqu i ry A sk e tc h o f the proces ses by w h i ch the publ ic con
sc ienc e i s depraved o r by wh ic h cl as s an tagon i sm a s between
cap i tal i sts and thei r employees i s gene rated o r by w h ich the
character o f a part icula r c las s i n the commun ity i s d e vel oped
l ike that o f th e Phari sees i n the tim e o f Ch ri st o r l ike th e
mode rn pol it ical bo ss i n ou r Am e rican l i fe or by wh ich in di
v idual cha racter goo d o r bad o f any part icula r type i s pro
d u c ed
th i s i s a m etho d by w h ich a n i nt e l l ig e nt and s k ill fu l
eth ica l analyst an d i nte r p re te r m ay ren der a n important pu bl ic
s e r vi c e M o de r n e t h i cal p r ea ch e r s are s k i llful i n m o ra l a n a l y
s i s On e m i gh t c i t e Ca n o n M o zl e y wh o i n t h i s p art i cula r a s
i n others rem i n d s u s o f B i shop Bu tl e r o f the e i ghteenth c e n
tu ry I n d e al ing w i th al l form s o f m o r al good o r e v i l th e rst
th i ng to do i n f act i s to u nd e rstan d it i n it s sou rces an d i n i ts
natu r e
2
The method o f contra st i s a val uabl e on e f or th e eth ical
p r eache r I t u s e d to b e sa i d by ou r h om il e t i c fath e rs that
pr e ach ing to si nn er s was o ft e n a ve r y e ffe ct ive way o f p r each
ing to sa ints and r e ve r sely We thu s r e ac h th e m i n di r e ctly Th e
val ue o f th e Ch r i stian l i f e i s thu s s et be fo re m e n by way o f
contra st I t i s a process by w h ich the Ch ri st ian m oral ideal i s
s e t b e fore m en and by wh ich they may t e st th e m s e l v e s The
test i s not appl ied to them di re ctly by another han d I t com es
to th e m from across th e bo r d e r f r om th e cou nt ry w h ic h th ey
.

216

T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

a re accu stom e d to r e ga rd a s f o re i gn bu t wh i ch th e y n d m ore

nati v e to th e m than th e y th ought B ecau s e th e test w a s not
os ten s i b ly d e s ign e d fo r them th e y m ay be the m o r e r e ady to
apply i t to th e m s e lves I t is a pha se o f th e pos iti v e m e thod
Ou r fathe r s w e r e i n th e i r g e n e r ation i n m any ways w i se r than
th e c h il d re n o f hom il etic l ight i n ou r o w n day M o de rn p re ach
i ng i s o f ten d e c i e nt i n eth ical ski l l f ul n e s s Or di na ry pastoral
p re ac h i ng wh ic h d e al s so l a r g e ly w i th t he du ties an d v i rtu e s
w i th the sati s f ac ti on s an d r ew ard s o f th e Ch r i st ia n l i f e a n d
w h ich exal ts th e Ch r i s ti an i deal o f ch aracte r an d con duct i s
p re tty su re to l e a v e som e sal uta ry imp ress ion upon tho se i n th e
cong re gation w ho d o not p ro f e s s an d cal l them s e l ve s Ch r i s
t ia ns T h e sam e p rinc ipl e hol d s goo d a s r ega r ds any type o f
e th ical p re ach ing T h e p re sentat ion o f som e d u ty to on e cl as s
p r ov e s to b e a mos t s ucce s s f ul re m in d e r o f du tie s that belong
to anothe r clas s T h e i ncu lc ation o f a v i r tue f u r n i sh e s a
power f u l a d m on it ion aga i n st th e cont r ast e d v ic e I t i s a p r oc
e s s that avo i d s al l d i re ct a ntagon i sm I t m ay be n e c e s sa ry i n
exc e pt ional ca s e s to m ak e a d i re ct a ttack on som e one m an i n
the cong re gation o r u p o n som e one cl as s o f m e n r ep re s e nt e d i n
th e cong re gat i on bu t i n g e n e r al i t i s not the w i se r o r th e m o r e
succ e s s f u l m e tho d A p re ache r m ay som etim e s touc h an d in
u en c e th e w e al thy m e n o f a congr e gat ion w h o a re th e em
p l oye r s o f w o r km en b y going a l ong way a r ou n d th r ough
othe r s e c tion s o f th e cong re gation i n o r d e r to get at them an d
by adv ic e w h ic h i s o st e ns i b ly w hol ly u n re l ated to th e m T h e
s ee m i ngly i r r el ev e n t i s o f t e n th e m o st pe r t i n e nt
Th e desc r ipt i v e an d d r am ati c m e thod has p r ov e d most
3
e ffe ct ive i n m o r al d i sc o u r s e H e n r y Wa r d B ee ch e r wa s m os t
sk il l f ul an d most po w e r f ul in a sp e c i e s o f s e m i d ram a tic re p
I t wa s th e d e
r e s en ta t io n o f m o r al p r o c e sses an d r e sul ts
sc r ipt iv e styl e appl i e d w ith g re at pa ss ion i n th e psychol ogi cal

an d eth i cal re alm H i s L e ctu re s to You ng M e n wh ich a re

among th e m ost b r il l iant an d succ e ss f ul d i sc ou r s e s h e ev e r d e
,

21 8

T H E WO RK O F T H E P REA CH ER

espec i al ly w e ighty a s be i ng brough t in to re lat ion w i th f u n da

m ental p ri ncipl es A n d they a re th e m ore e ffec tively han dl ed
by be ing touc he d briey
A tone o f m a n ly p e rsua s i v e ness is nec e s sary i n w h at
5
ev e r m etho d An o ffen s ive ha rshness w il l i nj u re th e e ffect o f
any s ermon that w oul d a w aken the con sc i e nce and cha n ge th e
cou rse o f l i f e A preach e r m ay u s e great pl ai n ne s s o f speech
H e m ay be s e vere i n h i s mo ral ea rnest n es s H e m ay o n oc
cas i a n even evo k e th e thu nders o f m oral w rath B u t al l m o ral
sev e ri ty s houl d have a backgrou n d o f hum a n k in dl i nes s an d
grac iou sness an d u n s el s h n es s Th e eth ical p reache r n eeds th e
angel o f m ercy to stan d s e nt i n e l ove r h is h eart an d h i s l ips
nee d th e gu a rd ian sh ip o f w i s dom a n d sobri e ty a n d ph i la n
t h r op y
H e w ho i nterp rets a n d en f orc e s th e l a w o f Ch ri st w i l l
doubtle ss above al l el se n e e d th e grac e o f d e l i ty bu t it i s a
d e l i ty that shou l d be tem pe re d w i th the grac e o f Ch r i stian
sympathy an d cou rtesy I t i s the del i ty o f a Ch ri st ian gentl e
m an
,

IV

TH E

N E E D O F E TH I CA L P R EACH I N G

The exam ple o f ou r Lo rd m ay wel l sugges t the vocation o f

e v ery p reacher i n w hateve r peri o d o r national ity o r comm u n ion
to i nte rp re t an d i ncul cate th e m oral cl aim s o f Ch ri stiani ty
They are c laim s that a re always u rg e n t and they appeal to th e
comm o n i ntel l ig e nc e an d consc i e nceto th e comm on human ity
o f the rac e Ch ri st s preach ing w a s l a rgely eth ical I t had
i ndeed f o r i ts back g r ou n d h is o w n personal revelat ion o f G od
I t h a d a d i st inctl y re l igi ou s bas i s I t al l cent e re d i n h i s t e
l igi on o f g r ac e and r ed e mpt ion an d i t n eve r strayed beyon d it s
bo r ders B u t th e fac t that Ch r i s t w a s a p reach e r o f m oral ity
sh oul d n eve r be igno re d o r m inim i ze d Ch ri st ian i ty i s i nd e ed

i n i ts substance f a r m or e tha n subl im at e d e th ic s and Ch ri st

i s f a r m o re than a n eth ical teach e r an d gu id e Bu t wh i le
Ch ri st ian ity i s grou nded i n rel igion i t ul timate s i n mo ral
.

T H E ET H I CA L TY P E

219

c haracte r an d moral l i f e an d the ethi cal f actor is o f suprem e

s ign i cance Ch ri st s preach i ng i s not only b r oadly bu t s pec i
cal ly eth ical
I t deal s w ith fu ndam e ntal a n d w i de r e ach i ng
p r i nc ipl es p ri nciples that l ie at the bas i s o f al l w orthy human
c ha racter an d con duc t an d a r e u niversal ly v al i d but i t do e s
not l ose i ts e l f i n general p ri ncipl e s I t appl i e s them to d e
t e rm i nat e l i nes o f con duct an d to sp e c i c acts The S ermo n
on the M ou nt w h ich is from b e gi nn ing to e n d an eth ical d i s
cou rse o r a Comp e n d ium o f eth ical expos it ions an d i ncul ca
tions do e s n ot l ose i tsel f i n g e ne ral i ti es I t deal s i nd e ed w ith
the broad f eatu res o f th e k i n gdom o f G o d an d w ith the fu nda
menta l p ri nc ipl es o f right e ou s c haracter an d condu ct in it s s ub
j ec ts bu t i t appl ie s th e se pri nc ipl es to th e detail s o f p r act ical
l i f e I f Ch ri st ha d given h im sel f s imply to the tas k o f layi ng
dow n e th ical pr i nc ipl e s for th e subj ects o f h is k i ngdom h e
w oul d have appea red i n the r Ole o f th e e th ical p h il osopher
B u t h e a dap t e d h i s m o ra l t e a ch i n gs t o sp e ci c n e e d s a n d o bl i
i
a
t
on s a s con di tione d by the spec i c rel at ions o f h i s hearers
g
I n thi s he showe d h im s e l f to b e th e p r e ache r an d prove d that
h e had th e con sc iou s v ocat ion o f th e p reach e r I t is a fun da
m ental hom iletic pri nc ipl e that preach ing shal l a dapt i tsel f to
the p resent spec i c n e eds o f i n d iv i dual m en an d cl as ses o f
m en Ch ri st recogn i z ed th i s pri ncipl e an d i n th i s he i s the
p reac h e r s e xampl e al though he is fa r m ore th an a ho mi letic
mo d e l Ther e i s doubtl ess a l arge el d fo r eth ical p reach i ng
o f a som ew hat general and comprehens ive ch aract e r Charac
te r bu il d ing i n a broad an d i ncl us i v e s en se i s a p robl em wi th
wh ich the m odern pulp i t i n i ts th e o rie s o f rel igiou s a nd eth i cal
l i f e deal s mo re l argely tha n the pulp it o f othe r days
S uch
preach ing w ill deal w i th g e n e ral eth ical pri nc ipl e s i t w il l be
pos i t i ve an d a f r mat ive rath e r tha n c ri tical an d n e gat ive ; i t
w il l tru st to the devel opment o f tim e for i t s r e su lts ; i t w i l l
deal w ith e th ical expos ition rathe r than w i th eth ical i ncul c a
ti on an d i n gen eral it w i l l m ov e fa r fro m t h e rea lm of eth i ca l
,

'

T H E W O R K O F T H E PREA C H ER

220

pol em i cs Eth ical p r ea ch ing/o f th i s s o rt as i l l u strated by such

p reacher s a s th e l at e Cano n Jam es B M o z l ey i s o f the m os t
f ru it fu l an d en nobl i ng c haracter B u t th e e th ica l p reach i ng o f
ou r day cannot l i ng e r w hol ly i n th i s b roa d e l d T he re i s
u rg e n t ne e d i n ou r t im e a n d e sp e c ial ly perhap s i n th i s cou n try
o f a m ore sp e c i c an d c ri t ical type o f eth i cal p reach ing T he
con d i t ion s o f l i fe dem an d i t T her e i s n ee d o f m o re search i ng
w or k w i th th e co n sc i ence The pul p i t i tsel f ne ed s i t i n th e
i nt e res t o f i ts ow n v i ril i ty an d mo ral power i n th e com mu n i ty
Eth ica l p reach ing that i s de n i t e c ri tical searc h i ng i s m anly
s t ra ight fo rwa r d p reach i ng , an d it shou l d do m uch i n secu ri ng
the p ulp i t from a ones i de d i ntel l ectual i sm or d i dact i c i sm on th e
one ha nd an d f rom a n over em otional o r s ent im ental qual i ty
on th e o the r han d
B u t th e th i ng to be accentuate d here i s th e p ract i cal m oral
n eed s o f m en i n ou r day an d e spec ial ly i n th e i r a ssoc i ate l ives
Th e va s t e l d o fs o c i al e th i c s i s o p e n t o th e p ul p i t a s n eve r b e
fore O n e s h r i nk s f r om e nter i ng th i s e l d w i th h i s hom i l eti c
n os trum o r w i th h is p ro f e s s iona l a dv ic e a n d e sp e c i al ly w i th
Fo r on e ru n s
h i s c r i ti cal pol em i c aga i n st th e e v i l s o f h is day
th e r i s k o f se e m i ng to l oo k too excl u s ively at th e dar k s i d e o f
l i f e o f u n derv al u ing th e goo d th at l i ngers an d st i l l re ign s an d
o f se e m i ng to sanct io n a n e gat iv e an d b e l l ige rent atti tu de to
wa rds the comm u n i ty o f w h i ch he i s a p art B u t let u s l ook
fa i rly at th e el d a n d s ee stra igh t a n d l i sten a s w e l ook to th e
s ummon s that cal l s fo r the p roph e ti c vo i ce
B e gin n i ng w ith th e ch u rch w ha t do w e n d he re ' A l iv i ng
Ch r is ti an i ty s t il l no doubt V ast p h il a n th roph y an d e nte r
p r i s i ng act i v i ty u nl im i ted B u t i n m uc h i t i s a Ch ri st ian i ty th at
car icatu r e s th e rel igion o f Ch r i st
A s rep resented by th e
c hu rch th e Ch r i st ian l i fe i s notabl y de fect iv e w ith resp e ct to
eth ical comp rehen s iveness I t i s su ch i n every age no doubt
fo r that w h ic h i s compl et e i s fa r away B u t i t is a de fect th at
i s except ional ly cha racte rist ic o f th e c hu rch l i f e o f ou r day
.

'

T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA C H ER

222

i
n
f
b
u
c i v i l i z ed l eg i sl a t iv e a s s embly
a
spec
ie
s
l
l
do
z
by
o
b
y
g

x i ng votes th ro u gh cau cu s pres su re o r by t r a d i n g

or
by b ribe ry
A n d someth i n g o f th i s s p i r i t t h e
c h u rc h h as caugh t n ot i n i ts m os t co rr u pt a n d degra de d a n d
B u t w i th too m u ch tr u th i t m ay
d eg r a d i ng form s o f cou r s e
b e c ha rged a s i t h a s bee n ch arged that s om e o f ou r eccl e s i a s
t ical a s sembl i e s m a n ip ul ate the su ffrages o f i ts m embers ra t h e r
t han c arry the i r m eas u res by the pow er o f a rgu m e n t an d per
s ua s i o n
A n d at t i m es they hav e cease d to be del ibe rat i ve a s
s emb l ies
V o tes that a re w o n by a spec i es o f cau cu s ma n ip u
l a t i o n som etim e s d i sp lac e th e suffrages o f rat i o n a l a n d r es p on
s i bl e m en
A n d al l th i s i n the n am e o f C hr i st a n d i n th e n am e
o f th e ch u rc h a n d o f the k i ngdom o f G o d ' Denom i nat i o n a l
r i v al r i es i n deca de nt
ru ra l comm u n it i es perpet u ate the u n
e co n om i c fo l ly a n d th e mora l d i sg rac e o f eccl es i a s t i ca l s ch i sm
t ha t i s to a con s i de rabl e ex te nt respon s ibl e for th e dec reas i n g
p ow e r o f rel igio n a n d for i ts f a il u re to m eet th e h ighe r n ee d s
o f m e n an d to p rom ote the gen era l m o ral w el far e o f soc i e ty
M e t ro p o l i t a n c h u rch e s c o m p e t e fo r n a n ci a l l e a de r sh ip fo r
n u m e ri c al s up r em ac y fo r s o c i al p r e s ti g e a n d p r e a c h e r s a r e
s o m e ti m e s c ru sh e d b y t h e e x a ct i o n s o f t h i s e c c l e s ia s t i c al
a mb i t i on o r a re dem o ral i z e d by i t s tax u pon th e sen sat ion
a li s m t ha t s upp o rt s a n d p e rp e tu a t es t h e u n h o l y c o mp e t iti o n
Th e c o m m e r ci al s p ir i t i s i n t h e c h u rc h e s M e n o f u n s av o ry
r e p u t e i n bu s i n e s s l ife h av e l ea d e r s h ip i n th e i r c o u n c i l s a n d
i n s t i t u ti o n al p r o sp e ri ty i s of t e n s ub s ti tu ted fo r v i tal re l ig i o u s
w e lfa r e
S els h n es s i n l i t tl e t h i n gs th at c o m p ro m i s e s th e g ra c e o f
C h r i s t i a n d el i ty a n d t h a t i s su e s i n th o u gh tl e s s n e gl e c t o r i n
d e l i b e r a t e r ep u di at i o n o f th e cl aim s o f t h e Ch r i s t ia n c ov e n an t
i s w e l l n i gh u n iv e rsa l i n Pr o t e s t a n t Ch r i s t e n do m S els h
n e s s i n th e form o f sel f i ndulg e n ce i s w i de spread a n d m os t
b al efu l i n i ts p o we r o f d e m o ral i z a t i o n an d co r r up t i o n I t i s
i n dee d v e ry c o m m o n a n d i t i s v e ry e a s y t o gi v e m o n ey fo r
,

TH E

ET H I CA L TY P E

2 23

o bj e ct s o f c h ari ty a n d b e n ev o l e n c e P e o p l e h av e m o r e t o
giv e i n d e n i t e ly m o re th a n o u r f a th e r s h ad a n d t h e h a b i t
o f giv i ng i s ge ne ral B u t i t i s al so i nc reas ingl y comm o n fo r
m e mb e r s o f Ch r i s t s ch u rc h t o pa mp er t h e m s e lv e s Th e o ld
fa s h i o n e d vi r tu e o f e c o n o my th e c o m p a n i o n vi rtu e o f t h r ift
wh i c h w a s th e p ri d e o f o u r fath e rs i s n o l o n g er w i de ly cul
t iv a t e d
Th e r e i s l avi s h fre e d o m a n d u nl i m i t e d ra n ge i n
e xp e n di tu r e fo r wo rl dly i n dul ge n c e s wh i ch c u t i nt o th e s p i ri t
ual l i f e o f the chu rch T he re i s a va st am ou n t o f fash io nab l e
c o n v e n t i o na l i s m o f s o c i a l i n s i n c e r i ty o f o s t e nt ati o u s v a n i ty
a n d o f vu l ga r d i s pl ay ev e n i n e c cl e s i a s ti c al c i r cl e s am o n g t h e

A m e r i ca n p e op l e
Th e l u s t o f t h e e s h th e l u s t o f t h e eye

a n d the va i n gl o ry o f l i f e abou n d i n ou r day a s o f ol d Pe o

pl e a r e n o t c o n t e n t t o l ive s i m ply
H i gh th i n k i n g an d pl a i n

l iv i n g we r e th e ch a ra cte ri s t i c v i r tu e s o f o u r fa t h e r s We
have l os t m u ch o f the i r h om ely m an hoo d Desp i t e ou r l iberal
i ty i n giv in g des p ite ou r i nc re as i ng p ract i cal a s w el l a s theo
r eti e i n te r e s t i n s o c i a l a n d i n du st ria l q u e s t i o n s
th er e i s s t i ll
i n th e c h ur c h e s o f th e la n d a va s t a m o u n t o f i n d iffe re n c e t o
th e n e e ds t h e w r o n g s a n d th e s u ffe r i n g s o f t h e u n bl e s s e d
c l a s s e s I t i s e a s i e r t o gi v e m o n ey th an t o g o o u t o f o n e s
way t o l oo k u p an d personal ly to i nte r e s t o n e s s el f i n those
wh o s e c h i e f n e ed i s h u m a n sym pa t hy a n d wh o m i gh t b e
r e a ch e d an d bl e s s e d th e r e by
.

L o o k i n g a ga i n a t d o m e sti c l ife d o w e n o t n d s c op e fo r
eth i cal p reach i ng o f m os t sea r ch i ng so rt ' Th e L o rd s day i s
n o t wh a t i t o n c e wa s i n th e l ife o f th e fa m i l y
O n e ca n not
very w e l l m agni fy or de fen d m any a spects o f the ol d Pu r i tan
S abb a th Its o b s ervanc e wa s wr o n g i n t h e o ry a n d i n m any
re s p e ct s i n p ra cti c e To o m u c h e m p h a s i s wa s ou t u p o n t h e
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s p e a k o f a n y s a n ct i o n a s r e l i g i o u s wh i ch i s ex t e r n a l To o
l i t tl e s t r e s s w a s l a i d u po n i t s m o ra l a n d i n g e ne ral i t s p ra e
t i c a l a s wel l a s i n w a rdly r e l i g i o u s s i g n i c a nc e a n d v a l u e
,

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224

B u t wi th al l i t s d ef e cts i t wa s a day o f p ow e r i n th e l i f e o f
th e f am ily T h e s e cul ar i z i ng o f the day lac k o f r e sp e c t fo r
i t s m o ra l a n d r e l i gi o u s m e a n i n g l o s s o f i t s o pp o rtun i ti e s n e
gl eet o f i t s i n s t i tut i o n s a n d fail u r e r e l at iv e ly t o d i ffe r e n ti at e
i t fr o m o t h e r d ays i n t h e h ab i ts o f d o m e s t i c l i f e h av e h a d
v e r y s e r i o u s r e s ul ts i n th e h o m e s o f th e p e op l e O n e th i n g
i s s h r e ; i t wo ul d b e a m o s t b en ec e n t t h i n g i f t h e p ulp i ts o f
th i s cou nt ry w e re to d i r e ct attent ion to an d to a dvocat e mo re
ful ly a n d m o r e fo rc ib ly th e i m m e n s e p ra c t i ca l va lu e o f t h e
L o rd s da y fo r f am ily l i fe Th e r e i s i t i s to b e fe a r e d a
gen era l n e gl ec t o f fam i ly w orsh ip an d con sequ e n t l os s o f
th a t s tay i n g a n d s an ct i f yi n g p o w e r t h at i s n e c e s s ary t o p r o
t e ct th e m o d e r n h o u s e h o l d a ga i n s t t h e c o rrup t io n s o f l i f e
R e l igio u s t e ac h i n g n urt u r e t ra i n in g di s c ipl i n e i s at d i s
c o u n t i n th e d o m e s t i c c i rcl e W e n d a m e a s u ra b l e l o s s o f
a s e n s e o f t h e d o m e s ti c v o c a ti o n Th o s e h o u s eh o l d v i rt u e s
th a t a re n e c e s s ary t o t o n e fo r th e l arge r a n d m o r e r e s
ec cl e s i as t i cal l i f e ar e n o t a d e
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i s t en c e o f th e f am i ly
i n g a n d a dm o n i t i o n r e l a t iv e t o fam i ly l if e t h a t a r e u r g e ntl y
d e m an d e d
L o o k i n g a t c o m m e rci a l l i f e w h at d o w e s ee ' N o t a s h a s
b e e n cl ai m e d a n e s s e nti al ly c o rr up t sy s t e m i n a c c o r d an c e
wi th w h i ch th e b u s i n e s s o f t h e wo rld i s c o nd u ct e d C o r r up t
b u s i n e s s m e n c an n o t s u c ce s s f ul l y p le a d th at th ey a r e th e p r o d ;
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u c t o f a c o rrup t sy s t em
rupt comm er ci al gr e e d an d amb i tion not o f e sse nti al ly v ic i ou s
comm e r c i al p ri nc ipl e s Th e p r i nc ipl e o f com p e t i t i on i s not
v i c iou s T h e s oc i al fou n dat ion s a re not w hol ly aw ry M e tho d s
a r e co r rupt p r oc e du r e i s co r r up t o nly b e cau se m e n ar e co r
rupt The re a re thou sand s o f bu s iness m en wh o keep th e i r
c o m m e r c i al i nt eg r i tywh o a r e n o t c o n s c i o u s o f wo rk i n g u n
.

226

T H E WORK O F TH E PR EA CH ER

publ ic o ffi c e W e s ee th e practical b r ib e ry o f Con gress b y the

p r o t ec t e d i n d u st r i e s o f th e c o u nt r y i n b e hal f o f i nc r e a s e o r

stand pa t d ef e n s e o f s ch e d u l e s o f du ty ; w e s e e a cyn i ca l
i n d i ffe r e n c e 0 n t h e pa r t o f we al thy l o r dl in g s a n d w o r l d
m o ng e r s wi t h re spec t t o t h e u n b l e s s e d c la s s e s a n d i n r e a c
ti o n w e s e e th e s e cla s s e s th e m s e lv e s d e t e r i o r a ti n g i n ma n
hood perv e rt i ng the stan d a rd s o f i ndu st ry combin ing an d
r e ckl e s sly pl o tt in g a gai n st publ ic o r d e r a nd a l l u n w itt i ngly
a ga in s t th e i r o w n h i gh e r i nt e re s ts
H a s th e pulpi t o f t h e
'
c o unt ry n o vo c ati o n
H a s i t n o v o ic e a s a ga in s t su ch c o r
r u p t io n s
c o r r upt i o n s t ha t e n d ang e r t h e v e r y e xi st e n c e o f
t h e r e publ i c '
I f we look at pol i t ical l i fe mo re sp e c i cal ly and not w h o l ly
i n its comm e rcial asp e ct s w e n d th e r ul e o f pa r ty that
o f t e n d i s cr e d it s h o n e s t pa t r i o t i sm th a t w i t h hyp o c r i t ic al p r e
t e nc e a nd w ith t h e s w agge r o f l o u d m o u th e d b lu s t e r p r at e s
o f i t s A m er i can i sm tha t a git at e s i n th e n at i o na l l e gi sl at iv e
a s s e m b l i e s with j i n g o re c kl e s sn e s s u nt o th e d i st u r b a nc e o f
i nt e r na ti o n al ha r m o ny t ha t e x alt s n o t o r i o u sly c o r r up t m e n
i nt o p o si ti o n s o f pu b l ic t r u s t an d h o l d s th e m th e r e t hat d i s
c r e d it s th e pa t r i o t i sm o f h igh m i nd e d cit iz e n s w h o i n si st
u po n t h e r i gh t o f h o n e s t v o t in g ; w h e n m e n o f in d e p e n d e n t
cha r act e r a re nom i nat e d b y u npa r t i san c iti z e n sh i p i t c ri e s ou t ;
W e c an n o t a ffo rd t o h av e t h e p re c e d e n t e stabl i sh e d that a
h an d f u l o f c it i z e n s ca n g o a h e a d a n d m ak e n om i nat i o n s r e
A nd
r d l es s o f th e n om i nat in g ma c h in e r y o f o u r pa r ty
a
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thu s i t c o m e s a bo ut that th e pa r ty stan d a r d i s e l e vat e d a b ov e
th e Ch r i st ian stan d a rd o f c it i z e n sh ip an d pol it ical m o r al ity
W e nd pol it ical pa r t i e s ca r r i ed i nt o po w e r up o n th e ba si s o f
p r o m i s e s i ssu e d i n p o l it ic al plat f o r m s that a r e sh a m e l e s sly
d i s r e ga r d e d i n su b s e qu e n t p o l i t ical act i o n t h e f ul ll m e n t o f
w h ic h i n fa ct wa s n e v e r h o n e st ly i nt e n d e d A n d int e ll i g e nt
a nd h o n e st Ch ri st ia n ci t i z e n s a r e e xp e ct e d t o stan d th i s a n d
th e y d o sta n d it a n d d e s pit e th e r api d d ev e l o pm e n t o f in
.

'

TH E ETH I CA L TY P E

227

d e p e nden t c i tizensh ip th e r e a re too f ew s til l to w ithstan d it

W e nd the l obby an d w e nd noto r iou s lobbyists el ev at e d to
important plac e s o f pu b l ic t ru st Th e boss a nd th e bull doz er
an d th e bribe r have be e n l e t l o o s e a n d pa r ty al l e gi an c e h a s
t u r n e d th e gov e r nm e nt a w ay f ro m s om e o f th e m o st c h e r
i s h e d t r a di ti o n s o f o u r f ath e r s
A n d th e n i f w e l oo k a t th e n e wspape r p r e ss w e s e e i n
ma ny o f it s r e pre s e n t at ive s a r e ect i o n o f th e l o we r ta st e s
o f the popu lac e an d u nbl u sh i ng d e anc e o f th e h igh e r senti
m e n t s a n d hi gh e r m o r al i ty o f th e c iv il iz ed p o r ti o n o f th e
c om mu n i ty W e s e e m o r e tha n a f ac i l e t o l e ra nc e o f e vil s
that shoul d b e namel e ss an d h i dden
Phases o f l i fe that
al l d ec e nt peopl e S houl d agre e to rel egate i nto sil e nc e an d
obscu r i ty a r e paraded in a d i r ty spec ies o f l it e ratu re that
masque r ades unde r the gu i se o f what cal l s itsel f real i sm
Private v ic e s a r e e xplo ite d by l thy r e al ism an d a r e p ictu r ed
to the imaginat ion i n a l ow typ e o f p ictor ial o r d e sc ript iv e
art unto th e deg r adatio n o f th e m oral taste s a n d s e nt iments
an d conv ict ion o f you ths
An d th i s u nbl u sh ing i ndecency
cal l s i ts e l f e nt e rp r i sing j ou rnal i sm ' We se e here a greed
f or coa r s e s e nsation a ta st e for l ow coars e grote squ e d rol le ry
m i snam ed humor a rel i sh f o r the in s inuations o f ev i l that ar e
o f t e n wo r s e tha n o p e n S la n d e r an d we n d h e re a sh amel e s s
i nvasion o f the sanct it i e s o f th e hom e an d o f the rights o f
pe r sonal manhood an d womanhood
Th e s e a r e s o m e o ft h e o bj e ctiv e p o i nt s t oward s wh i ch e th i
c al p r e achi ng m ay w e ll b e j u di ci ou sly di re ct ed I t may s ee m
a dark pictur e th a t ha s b e en giv e n I t i s a p ictu r e w h i ch
e v e n i f o nly app r o xi ma t e ly co r r e c t m ay ea s i ly su gge s t t h e
qu e sti o n wh e th e r th e m o r al st am i na o f th e A m er i can p e o pl e
b e not al re ady to a la r g e extent u nd e rm i n e d an d its mo r a l
b r e a l re a d y i n p r o c e s s o f v e r y d is ti n ct d e t er i o r at i o n Th e
qu e st i o n ha s al r e a d y b e e n r ai s e d an d t o s om e i n d e e d t o
ma ny it h a s S e e m ed to b e t r u e o f n o i n c o ns i d e r a b l e s e ct i o n
.

2 28

T H E WO RK O F T H E P REA C H E R

of

t he A m e ri ca n p e op l e B ut o f c o u rs e th e r e i s a b ett e r
s i d e t h at n o b r o a d m i nd e d la rg e h e a r t e d g e n e r o u s sp i r i t e d
p r e ach e r w il l p erm i t h i m s e lf t o i gn o r e o r f o r g e t P e o pl e a r e
o f t e n n o t s o b a d a s th e y s e e m a n d a r e o f te n b e tt e r i n t h e i r
i n d iv id ual tha n i n th e i r a s s o c i at e l iv e s R e c k l e s s v i o l e n c e i s
b e t t er t ha n dry r o t Th e r e i s r al lyi n g a n d s t ayi n g p o w e r
s t il l l ef t L o o k i n g a t t h e Ch r i s t ia n s e c ti o n o ft h e n at i o n wi t h
a l l it s d efe cts th e r e i s g ro u nd fo r h op e A g e n u i n e Ch r i s
t i a n i t y t h e Ch ri st i a n i ty o f Ch r i s t i s s t i l l r e p r e s e nt e d by t h e
c hu rc h an d th e i n u e n c e t he r e o f i s s t i ll v e r y g r e at Th e
p r ea ch e r wh o w ou l d c o m e t o h i s f e ll ow m e n wi th a m e s s a g e
o f hop e w i l l h ave n o sym pa thy w i th that w hol e sal e d e nu n
c i a t ion o f th e chu r c h w h i ch com e s f r om a cl as s o f m e n that
hav e l ost th e i r f ooting a n d w ho deny that the chu r ch i s
ent itl e d to th e c laim to r ep re s e n t th e k ingdom o f G o d on
ea rth
Wh a t h a s bee n sa i d i s S i mp ly t o i n d i ca t e th a t th e d e p a r t
m e nt o f soc ial e th ics fu rn i sh e s an abun dant sph e r e f o r th e
wo r k o f th e p ulp i t o n th e c r i ti c al s i d e Th e r e i s n o n e e d
howev e r th at th e ev i l s sk e tc h e d b e th e obj e c t o f d i re ct p o
l e m i c attack
Th e qu e st ion o f m e thod i s an i nd e pen den t
qu estio n I t m ay b e poss ibl e to p r es e nt th e po sit iv e si d e an d
to bri ng th e s e e v i l s to th e l igh t an d to pl ace th e m i n j u dgm e nt
b e f o r e i t Th e val u e o f th e e t h i ca l p ol e m i c wi ll d e p e n d o n
m any th ings on i ts ton e its S k il l i ts form r el at iv e i n fr e
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s e rvat io n and experi e nce o f th e m o ral e v i l s o f h is t im e an d
m a y l a c k t h e t ra i n ed s k il l r e qu i s it e t o t h e m o s t e ffe c tiv e wo r k
i n th i s l i n e I t i s n o t p e r h a p s advi s abl e th a t i n th e e a r l v
p e r i o d o f h i s m i ni s t ry h e sh o ul d p r e ac h t o a ny v e ry c o n s i d
A t l ea s t i t m ay w el l b e
e r a b l e e xte nt up o n th e s e s o c ial e vil s
o n ly a n o c ca s i o n al t a s k I t i s e a s i ly o v e rd o n e Th e r e i s a
l a r ge el d fo r eth ical p r eac h i ng that l i e s ou ts i de th e e thi cal
.

C HA PTER

IV

T H E E V A N G E L I ST I C TY P E
I

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C O N C E P T I O N O F E V A N G E L I ST I C P R EAC H I N G

IT

i s t h e p r e se n t ati o n o f t h e Go sp el w i th r e f e r e n c e t o th e
i m m e d ia te d e n i t e r e sul t o f wi n n i n g m e n to th e al l e gian c e o f
Ch r i s t I t p re s upp o s e s s o m e k n o w l ed g e o f Ch ri st o n th e
pa rt o f th e b ea rer a n d i s the re f o re to b e d i st ingu i sh e d f rom

m i s s i o n a r y p r e a ch i n g
Al l fo r m s o f m i s s i o n p re a c hi n g
wh o s e o bj e c t i s to c o nvi nc e m e n o f th e t r u th o f Ch r i st i a n ity
a n d o f th e r ea s o nabl e n e s s o f Ch ri s t s c la i m t o t h e i r a l l e g i an c e
a n d t o p e r s u a d e th e m t o a cc e p t s u c h a l l e gia n c e m ay b e t e
ga rd e d a s i t i s b y Ge r m a n p r e ac he r s a s b e l o n gi n g i n a c o m
pr eh e n s ive s e n s e t o th e e van g e l i st i c typ e o f p r e ach i n g I t i s
a t o nc e ap o l o ge t i c a n d eva n g e l i s t i c ap o l o ge t i c in i t s i mm e
d iat e m e th o d e van g e l i s t i c i n i t s u l ti m a t e a i m
E n gl i sh
p r e a c h e r s s o m e ti m e s cl a s s i f y ap ol o ge t i c wi th ev a n g e l i s t i c
p re ach i ng I ts obj ect b e ing to conv i nce th e m i n d an d by
s u ch c o nvi nc i n g t o l ay t h e f o u n da t i o n f o r su ch p er s u a s i o n

a s wi l l wi n m e n i n p e r s o na l al l e g i an c e t o Ch ri s t i t sh o ul d

b e p e n e t r a t e d wi th a n e va n g e l i st i c S p i ri t
In discussing
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I n t h e Un it e d Sta te s h o w
eve r i t i s ge n e r a l ly r e ga r d e d a s b el o n g i n g d i sti n c t ive ly t o
th e p e r su a s iv e typ e o f p re ach ing w hos e obj ec t i s th e c on
qu es t o f th e will r at h e r t ha n t o t h e ap o l o ge t i c typ e wh o s e
a i m i s p ri m a r ily t o c o nv i n c e th e m i n d I t i s a s s um e d th at
the w o r k o f c o nv i n c i n g h a s al r e a dy b e e n a c c o mp l i sh e d B u t
,

N i n e L e ct u re s
pp 1 82 282

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Pre a chi n g L e ct u re V I I
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TH E E V A N GE L I ST I C TY P E

23 1

i t i s a sp e c i c k i n d o f p e r su a s iv e p r e a ch i n g I n th e c o mp r e
h e n s i v e s e ns e al l p r ea ch in g a s h a s al r e ady b e e n fre qu e nt ly
i ntim at e d m u st b e p e rs u a sive N o ap o l o g eti c p r ea ch in g
P a ra cl e ti c p r ea ch
fe ct iv e wh i c h i s n o t p e r sua s ive
ca n b e e f
i n g a s d ea l i n g wi th th e pr o m i s e s an d c o m f o r t o f th e G o sp e l
i s n o th i n g if n o t p e rs u a s iv e A 11 e th i ca l p r ea ch i n g wh i ch
a im s t o b ri n g th e wi l l i n to s ubj e ct i o n t o th e Ch ri s t i an l aw o f
r i gh t e o u s n e ss i s i n i t s v e ry c o n c ep t i o n p e r s u a s ive Al l t e
v iv a l p r ea ch i n g wh i c h w o ul d p r o m o t e r e l igi o u s awak e ni n g
s e e k i n g th u s t o r e f re s h th e sp i r it ua l a n d m o ra l l i f e o f th e
ch u r ch a s w e l l a s th e c o n vers i o n o f m e n m u s t b e ch ara c
t e r i s t i c a l ly p e rs u a s ive B u t th e e va n gel i s ti c typ e o fp re a c h i n g
i s p e r su a s ive i n t h e spec i c s ens e th a t i t a im s a t t h e i m
m ed iat e r e su lt o f w i n n i n g me n i n f a i t h a n d o b e di e nc e t o t h e
p e rs o n a l a cc e p ta n c e o f Ch r i s t a s th e i r r e d ee m e r a n d m a st e r
To summ a r i ze th en ; De ne d a s to i t s subj ect m atte r it is the
p r e s e ntat i o n o f th e G o sp e l m e s sa g e o f g r ac e I t de al s w it h
I t ma y hav e gr ea t r a n ge a n d
t h e v e ry h e art o f Ch ri s ti a n i ty
va ri e ty o f c o n te nt b u t i t al l c e n t r e s i n th e gr e a t m e s s a g e
Th i s i s d o ub tl e s s t h e o r igi n al s ub st an c e o f Ch ri sti a n p re ac h
i n g I t i s n e a r e s t th e o ri gi nal ap o s t o l i c typ e o f p r e ach i n g
a n d n e a r e s t t h e o r i gi na l m e s s a ge o fo u r L o r d D e n e d a s t o
i ts obj ect i t i s to w i n m e n to th e d isc ipl e sh ip o f fa i th repen
t a nces ob e di e n c e a n d l ove by th e p o wer o f p e rs u a s ive sp e e c h
o r by th e pr e s e nta ti o n o f app r op ria t e m o t iv e s wit h s u ch e f
fec t iven e s s a s t o p e rsua d e th e m t o yi e l d t o th e gra c e a n d a u
t h o r i t y o f Ch ri s t
.

II

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N E E D O F P A ST O R A L E V A N G E L I S M

W heth e r t h e ch urc h i n o u r day n e e ds t h e e va n g el i s t wh o i s

n o t a p a sto r m ay b e a n O p e n qu e st i o n
Th er e i s d o ub tl e s s a
pl ac e fo n th e p r o f es s io na l evan gel i st B ut h i s valu e w i ll de
p e n d o n th e k i n d o f e va n gel i s t h e i s I t i s n o t h o w ever my
pu r p o s e t o d i s cu s s th i s qu e s t i o n Th e s u r e t hi n g i s a n d it
.

TH E WORK O F T H E PREA CH ER

232

c a n b e n o o p e n qu e s t i o n th a t w e d o n e e d t he p a s to r wh o i s
a l s o a n e van g el i s t o r a t l ea s t w h o ca n p r ea ch eva n gel i sti ca lly
Eve r y m a n w h o e n te r s th e Ch r i st ia n m i n i st ry s h o ul d t r ai n
h i m s el f t o p r e a ch th u s I t i s a s e ri o u s m i s t ak e fo r a m i n i s t e r
t o S p en d t i m e i n p u rs u it s t h at a r e o f s e c o n dary i mp o r ta n c e to
h im a s a m in i s t e r a n d t o n egl e ct h i s m e s sa ge I t i s h i s r s t
dut y t o l e a r n t o h an dl e t h e G o sp e l o f Ch r i s t e ffe ct ively I t
i s n o t c r edi ta bl e t o h i m tha t h i s ch u rc h s h o ul d b e o bl i ge d t o
l o o k t o a sp ec i al c l a s s o f m e n fo r th i s typ e o f se rvi c e Th e
chu r ch e s have t o a l a r ge e xt e nt l o s t f a i t h i n t h e ab il ity o f
e duc at e d m i n i st e r s t o d o t h e wo r k o f th e e va n gel i s t I n a
gen e ral w i d e re ach ing re l i gi ou s m ov e m e nt i n a commu n ity
t h e s e rvi c e s o f th e r i gh t s o r t o f p r o fe ss i o nal eva n g el i s t a re
wit h o u t d o ubt o f g r ea t va l u e B u t t h i s s h o ul d n e v e r sup e r
s e de th e evangel i s m o f o r d ina r y pa storal serv ic e Upon the
qu e st i o n b e f o re u s I s u g ge s t t h e fo ll owi n g c o n s i d e ra ti o n s
1
Th e d e m an d fo r p a st o r a l e van g e l i s m i s i nv o l ve d i n
th e cl a im s o f Ch r i s t i an ity u po n m e n Ch ri st p r e s e nt s h im s e l f
a s a n ob j e ct t o b e r e c e i ve d i n a n a ct o f p e rs o n al a l l e gi a n c e
Th e b e g i n n i n g o f p r a c t ical w o r k i n g r e l at i o ns wit h Ch r i s t i s
a n a c t o f f a i th N o m a n m a k e s a b e gi n n i n g wi th th e cl a im s
o f th e Gosp e l u po n h i s al l e gi anc e w i thou t a w il l ing respon s e
A l l o the r d e ma nd s pre supp o s e t h i s
A l l p r e achi n g
to i t
t h a t pres e nts th e w e igh ty t ru th s o f Ch ri s ti a n i ty w i th r efe r e n c e
t o ed i c a t i o n o r m o r a l i n c e nt iv e a ss um e s a d i s c ipl e sh i p a l
r e ady s e cu r ed by th e p re s e nt a ti o n i n s o m e way o f th e c l a i m s
o f th e G o sp el up o n p e r s o nal all e gi a n c e
Th e r st th i n g n o t
t h e l a s t th i n g th e n fo r a m i n i st e r t o d o fo r th o s e wh o h av e
n o t e nt e r e d u p o n C h r i st ia n d i s cipl e sh ip i s t o pr es e n t Ch ri st
t o t h em a s a n obj e ct o f p e r sona l f ai t h a n d al l e gi anc e Th i s
m ay b e d o n e an d d o n e e ffe ct iv e ly i n c o n n e ct i o n
of course
w i th t h e p r o c e ss e s o f Ch r i s ti a n n u r tu r e B u t s o l o n g a s th e r e
a r e t h o s e i n a ny c o n g r e gati o n wh o h ave g r o w n t o m a tu r ity
w i th o u t h av i n g e n t e re d u po n t h e l i fe o f Ch r i s t ia n d is c ipl e sh ip
,

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TH E WOR K O F T H E P REA CH ER

2 34

b e e n u nd e r th e p owe r o f evi l h abi t an d w h o n ee d th e p re s e n

t a t i o n o f s t i rri n g m o t iv es '
Th i s cl a s s i s i n c r e a s i n g ev e n
wh il e th e w o r k o f rel i gi o u s e duc at i o n i s e nl a r g i n g i t s s c o pe
T h e p ulp i t wi l l l o s e p o w e r w i th th e ch u rch a nd w i th th e c o m
m u n i ty i f i t i s u ntru e t o i t s ev an g e l i s ti c c o m m i s s i o n
Th e n e e d s o f th e m i n i s t ry ar e i nvo l ve d h e r e W e tal k
3
abou t the h om il eti c m i n d I t sh oul d be u n de rstood t ha t th i s
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t i cal im p o r ta n c e o f th e th e m
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T h e ev angel i sti c m in d i s a sou r c e o f e vangel i stic d iv i nat ion
I t i s th e e van gel i s ti c p r ea ch e r w h o w il l d e al w i th t h e v e ry
h e a rt o f th e G o sp e l O n e m ay i n de e d n o t al w ays k n ow wh at
the h ea rt o f th e G osp e l i s One m ay fancy h e has i t w hen h e

ha s i t not H e m ay cul tivat e the Gosp e l o f Go i ng O n in

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H e w il l h ave h e m u s t h av e a G o sp el o f p r o m i s e a n d h ope
a n d h e l p th at c a n b e p r e a ch ed an d m u s t b e pre a ch e d Th e
pasto r w ho cul tivates th e evangel i st ic hab i t o f m in d i s p r e tty
su r e t o n d h i m s e lf l e d to w ard a n e v an g e l i s ti c c e n tre an d h e
w il l n o t b e c o nt e n t to pl ay upo n t h e ou t s k i r t s I t h a s o fte n
b e e n th i s m a n with a n e van gel i s ti c m in d th a t h a s r e di sc o v e r e d
the G osp e l fo r th e pul pi t Lu th e r h ad i t an d he w a s an evan
gel is t ic pr e ache r such a s o f nec e s s i ty an d i t w as h e w h o red i s
c o ve r e d th e Go spe l o f re d emp t i o n Wh e n th e o l o gy b e co m e s
p e t ri e d an d ca n b e n o l o n g e r s uc c e s s f ully p r e ach e d wh o i s
i t th a t c om e s t o th e fro n t w i th a n e w way o fs ta ti n g o l d t r u th s
o r e ven w i th a n e w theol ogy th at ca n b e p r e ach e d ' I t i s t h e
evang e l i sti c p reach e r Tak e th e ca s e o f Jonathan Edward s
.

TH E EV A N G E L I ST I C TY P E

2 35

H e m ad e th e th e o l o gy o f h i s day m o r e p re a ch ab l e a n d h e
preache d i t w i th a m a z ing power T ake the cas e o f the Ten

n ant s i n t h e P r e sb yt e ri a n ch u rch Th e s e m e n w e r e n e w

l i gh t m e n Th ey were a nt ago n i z e d by th e m e n o f p as to ral

r o uti n e a n d o f o r th o do x c o nfo rm ity B ut t h ey p r e a ch e d w it h
new po w e r b e cau s e th e y o n th e w hol e got a l ittl e n ear e r to
t h e h e ar t o f th e G o sp el Tak e th e cas e o f P r e s i d e nt Fi n n e y

H e t o o wa s a n ew l i gh t m an H e h a d n e w vi e w s o f hum a n
a c co u n tab i l i ty a n d o f e v e ry m a n s p o s s ib il iti e s wi th th e G o s
p e l an d h e h a d g r e a t p owe r i n r e ac h i n g th e c o n sc i e nc e s a nd
wi l l s o f m en I t i s n o t th e tru e e v an gel i s ti c m i n d t h a t l o s e s
i ts g r ip o f t h e G o sp e l o f re d e m p t i o n fo r n e e dy m e n a n d th a t

i d e n t i e s Ch ri s tia nity wi th a sp e c i e s o f s ubl i m at ed e th i c s

I t i s th is too that fos ters pos it i v e nes s i n preach i ng
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t h e e vangel i sti c preach i ng o f H e nry Wa r d B e echer w as
pos itive and i nci s iv e a n d one fanc i e s that th i s w a s tribu
t a r y t o p o si tiv e n e s s in h i s p r e ach in g i n g e n e ral H i s di da cti c
an d e th i ca l p r ea ch i n g w a s o f a h i gh e r o r d e r th a n i t w a s s ub
se q u e nt ly D i ffe r e n t typ e s o f p re ac hi n g i n u e n c e e a ch o th e r
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ti c p r e a ch i ng i n u en c e s th em b o t h Th e e van gel i s t ic m i n d i s
pre em in ently pos i tiv e
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eve n a ffe c t it s rh e t o r i c al qu al ity i n t he b e s t s en s e o f th e wo rd
I t i s a s o f n e c e s s ity d e n i t e i n i ts a i m an d i s f e rvi d a n d s ym
p a th e ti c i n it s sp i r it H o w ca n a h abi t o f d e n i t en e s s an d o f
e a r n es tn e s s an d o f sym pat h e t i c f e rvo r i n o n e typ e o f p r e a ch
i n g fa i l t o app e a r i n o th e r typ e s ' A n d h o w sh al l i t f ai l t o
m ak e th e p r e a ch e r m o r e p ow e r f ul r h eto ri cally ' H o w S h all
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An d n al ly i t w il l b e fel t i n th e en ti r e wo r k o f o n e s m i n i s

2 36

T H E WORK O F T H E PREA CH ER

t r y I t r e c o gn i z e s th e duty o f a m in i s t e r t o w i n m e n to
Ch r i s t I f o n e s p r e ach i n g i s w h ol ly u n ev a n g el i s t i c th e e n
t i r e w o r k o f t h e p ari sh i s l i k e l y t o c o r r e s p o n d Th e c o n
v e r s e i s al s o t r u e A n d th i s s p i r i t o f t h e h e r al d o f th e sh e r
o f m e n w il l l i f t th e sp i r i tu al l i fe o f th e w h ol e ch urch a n d w il l
qu ick e n al l i ts m i ss ionary act i v i ti e s I t w il l thu s suppl e m e nt
th e e du c a tiv e wo rk o f th e ch u r ch i n t h e c o m m u n i ty Th e
chu r ch ha s to d e al i n ou r day w i th an incr e a singly l arge num
b e r o f p e o pl e w h o c an b e re a ch e d an d w o n o nly by e ff o r t s
w h o s e i ns pi ra t i o n i s th e v e ry h e a r t o f th e G o sp el t h e v e ry
h eart o f an apostol i c m in i stry th e pa ssion to r e scu e men
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I II

E V A N G E L I ST I C C U L TU R E

I n e va n gel i s t i c a s i n al l o th e r typ e s o f p r e ach in g sp e c i al

gi f ts w il l d o ubtl e s s wi n sp e ci al s u cc e s s S o m e p r e a ch e r s a r e
u nu sual ly gi f t e d w i th that po w e r by w h i ch th e y eas il y nd
th e i r w ay t o th e h e a r t s c o n sc i e nc e s a n d wi l l s o f th e i r h e a r e r s
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sp e c i al gi f t o f an d t o th e ch u r ch S u ch a o n e i s p r e t tv su r e
to n d h i s w ay i nto th e work o f th e pro f e ss ional ev angel ist
o r i nto a pas to r al m in ist ry that w il l b e a p er p e tual e v angel i sm
Un du e s t r e s s i s s om eti m e s l ai d u p o n th es e sp e ci al gift s D r
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L ect u re

V II
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Pa ge

1 82

o f cho ice d e s i rable Th i s can onl y b e done by awak e n ing

a n em o ti o n al i n t e r e s t i n i t Th e r e a r e m a ny w ays o f s ti r ri n g
suc h a n i n t e r e s t a n d o f awak e n in g a s e n s e o f th e d e s i rabl e
n e s s o f th e obj ec t p res e nted B ut on e th i ng i s o f sup reme i m
portanc e I t i s that the p r eacher h im s e l f shoul d be m ov e d
by th e obj e ct h e a dvo ca t e s N o r i gh t fe e l in g ca n b e a w ak
e n e d an d n o ri gh t d e s i r e qu i cken e d i n th e h e ar e r unl e s s th e
pr ea ch e r h i m s el f h ave th e fe el in g c o rr e sp o n din g t o th a t
w h ic h h e w o ul d a w a k e n Capaci ty fo r su ch f e e l i n g ca n b e
i nd e n i t e ly cul tiva t ed
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I t i s n o t e a sy t o m a k e i nv i s ibl e th in gs r eal I n th e l a rg e st
a n d b e s t s e n s e t h e y a r e i n de ed na tiv e t o u s an d e v ery ma n
h a s s o m e capa ci ty fo r th e i d e al B u t i t i s ba d l y o v e r l a i d by
th e s e n s u o u s l i f e Th e i nvi s ibl e c a n n o t b e m ad e r eal w i th
Th e i ma g e s o f th i n gs v i s ibl e
o u t th e u s e o f th e im a gi n at i o n
r e p r e s e n t th i n gs tha t a r e i nvi s ibl e a n d su ch r e p r e s e n t at iv e
i ma ge s m ov e th e e m o t i o n s A m i n i s te r s call i n g f u r n i sh e s
abu n da n t ma t e ri al fo r th e c ul tu r e o f th e i m a gi n at i o n H e
d e al s w i th th e i deal s i d e o f h uma n l i fe an d w i th th e l o f ty
i d e a l r e al i t i e s t ha t l i e beyo nd Th e l i t e ra tur e th a t i s t r ibu
ta ry to h is pro f e ss ional l i f e i n gene ral i s e spec ial ly t r ibu
ta r y t o th e cul tu r e o f th e i m a gi n ati o n
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p r e s e nt e d l a rg e ly th r ough th e f o r m s o f th e im agi n at i o n Th e
B ibl ic al m e th o d o ft e ac h i n g i s th e p o e ti c m e th o d Th e di cti o n
n o t s ci e n ti c
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s ch o o l fo r t h e t r a i n in g o f th e i m agi na t i o n Th e p r e a ch e r
d e al s w ith th e d r am ati c a sp e c ts o f hum a n l i fe w ith th e
t r ag e dy o f s in an d s u ffe r i ng w i th th e de f e ats o f l i f e an d w i th
i t s j oy s an d t r i um ph s O v e r aga in s t h i s i d e al l i fe s tan d s
l i f e s r e al i ty Al l th i s i s a p ow e rf ul s ti m ul a n t t o th e i ma gin a
tion The p re ach e r i s an i d e al i st : h e i s al so a real ist A n d
h i s fam il i ar i ty wi th a c tu al l i fe n o t l e s s tha n w i th i d e a l l i fe
n ec e s si t at e s t h e c ul tu re o f th e i m a gi na ti o n I n th i s p ro sa i c
.

TH E EV A N G E L I STI C TY P E
worl d
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2 39

a ctu al i ty th i s i d e al r e al i s t may b e a m o v i ng

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wi l l b e f a ta l t o a n y ma n w h o u nd er tak e s t o p r e ach e va ng e
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se e k e r can not w in m e n A pos i ti v e e n
t e rp r i s in g a spi ri n g m a n i s e xp o s e d t o th e t e m p tati o n t o s e l f
s eek i ng On e mu st l ive on gu ard an d cu lt ivate an u nsel sh
t e mp e r o f m i n d No t hi n g e x cep t p o s i tiv e o p e n v i c e w i ll
s o s o o n d e s tr oy th e i nu e n c e o f a p r e a ch e r o f th e G o sp el
No o n e e ver
a s a ny di s cl o s u r e o f pe rs o n al s e l sh n e s s
doubte d th e e nti re S i nc e rity o f M r Dw igh t L M oo dy an d
h e re w a s o n e o f th e s o u rc e s o fh i s p o w e r Th e p r o fe s s i o na l
e van g e l is t e sp e ci al ly i s e xp o s e d t o th e t e mp ta t i o n t o s e lf
see k ing an d particul arl y th e t e mptat ion to s e l f agg r an di z e
m e nt
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O n e wh o l ive s i n h i s e m o t i o n s w h o i s e ar n e s t t o wi n m e n
bu t e sp e c i al ly o n e wh o i s e a rn e s t to wi n su c c e s s i n h i s e ffo r t s
i s l i k e ly t o b e subj e ct t o revul s i o ns o f fe e l i n g
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n o t s uc c e e d a cc o r d in g t o h i s exp ectat i o n s h e m ay e a si ly f al l
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g r ea ty e xpo s e d t o th i s t e m pt at i o n
d e a dn e s s o f th e ch u rch wi th m u c h r e a s o n d o ub tl e s s a n d
th e y h a v e a ve r y l i v ely s e n s e o f h u m a n d e p ravi ty B u t t h e
tru e s h e r o f m en wi l l liv e o n gu ard a ga i ns t a c e ns o r i ou s
sp i r i t a n d a bi tt er to n gu e fo r th e y wil l cr ippl e hi s p owe r N o
m a n n e e d s s o ch e e rf ul a s o ul a s th e o n e w h o i s b e n t o n
w i n n ing men to Ch r ist
Th e d iscou rag e m e nts a re very
gre a t O n e wi l l n e e d a l l th e h op e f ul n e s s an d k i ndl i n e ss a n d
s w e e tn e s s o f t emp e r h e ca n c o m m and I t i s a l l n ece s s a r y t o
h i s m o ral e arn e st n e s s
.

TH E WO RK OF T H E PREA CH ER

24 0

Fo rc e o f w i ll i s a n o th e r e l em e n t M e n m u s t b e m a d e t o
fe e l th e s t r e n g t h o f th e p r e ach e r s pu rp o s e
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m i gh ty c o n ta gi o n i n a c o n s e c r a t e d r e s o lu t i o n O f c o u r s e
th i s i s s o m et h i n g th at c a n n o t b e pa rad e d O n e m u s t b e
a d r o i t a s we l l a s r e s ol ut e B u t o n e s pu rp o s e m u s t b e fe l t
H e w h o w o u l d s u cc e e d i n w i nn i ng m e n m u s t l e a r n t o h an d l e
m e n Th i s ab i l i ty may b e c ul tivat e d by a ny m a n w h o h a s th e
gi f t o f a l e ad e r On e m u st b e abl e to r all y m e n H e m u s t
c o nc e n t rat e h i s fo r ce up o n th e o n e p o i n t t o w a rd s w h ich h e
a im s an d d r iv e fo r i t w i th al l p o s s ibl e e n er gy M e n w i l l fe e l
th e po w e r o f su ch a man a nd h e w i l l w i n the i r respect and con
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o f eva n gel i st i c p o w er Th e s pec i c t r uth s t o w h i ch f ai th
e sp e ci al ly atta ch e s i t s el f w i l l n ec e s sa r ily v a r y i n d i ff e r e n t p e
Th e pha s e s o f truth w i th w h i ch i n t h e c h an gin g c o n
r io d s
d ition s o f Ch r i sti an though t and exper i e nc e the e v ang e l i st ic
p re a ch e r d e al s w il l va r y a cc o r di n gly I n t h e R e f o rm a ti o n a n d
p o st R e fo rm a ti o n p e r i o ds t h e c e n t r al t ru th w a s Ju s ti ca ti o n
by Fa i th o n ly I n th e En gl i sh We s l e ya n rev i v al i t w a s R e
ge n e r at i o n a n d th e Wi tn e s s o f th e Spi ri t I n Am e ric a n r e vi
v a l s o f th e m i d p e r i o d o f th e l a st c e n tu r y th e fr e e d o m o f th e
w i ll an d p e r s o n a l r e sp o ns ibil ity i n th e w o r k o f c o nv e rs i o n
r ec eiv e d spe c i al a t te nt i o n
I n l in e w ith th i s m o v e m e n t i n
ou r day th e e th ical e l e m e n t i n fai th by v i r tu e o f w h i ch m e n
s u r r e n d e r th em se lv e s to Ch r i st a s th e m a st e r o f l i fe a n d
e n te r i n t o f ell o w s h ip w i th h i s spi r i t an d hi s w o rk i s m a d e
p r o m in e nt To r e c e iv e th e i n spi r ati o n o f Ch r i st a n d t o fo l
l ow h i s e xampl e a r e th e p r o m i n e n t fe a tu r e s o f th e Ch ri sti a n
l i fe th at a r e k ept b e f o r e u s And Ch ri s t i s e xal te d a s th e
.

TH E WORK O F T H E P REA CH E R

24 2

Al l th is al so presuppos e s f a ith i n the capac i ty o f men for a

re l igiou s l i f e an d th e poss ibil ity that any ma n m ay pu t away
h i s s i n a n d e n t e r th at l i fe A n d th i s a ga i n p r e supp o s e s st r o n g
c o n d e n c e i n th e e th i ca l a nd r e l i gi o u s si gni c an c e o f t ha t a c t
a s i n v o lvin g
o f f a i th by w h ic h m e n e n t e r th e Ch r i stia n l i f e
e m anc ipat i o n fr o m th e gui l t an d p o w e r o f s in a n d a s co n
ta i n i n g i n g e r m t h e p o s sib i l iti e s o f a l l Ch r i stia n vi r tu e W i th
r e sp e c t t o th e s e th i ngs th e e van g e l i sti c p re ach e r may n o t
w a ve r t h e f a c t o f si n t h e f ac t o f r e d emp t i o n th e p o s s ibi l it i e s
o f a l l m e n i n C h r i st
a n d th e sa v i ng s ign i canc e an d ava il ing
n e s s o f f a i t h M e n may d i ffe r ab o u t m a ny th i n g s e v e n h e r e
w ithi n th i s c i r cl e o f f acts a n d t r uths Bu t i f they h ol d har d
by th e m a i n l i n e s th e i r d i ffere n c e s n e e d n o t c o mp r o m i s e th e i r
m e ssag e Theol ogical a nd ph il osoph ical d i fcul tie s w il l p re
s en t th e m selv e s to al l m en who th i nk The you ng p re ache r
o f ou r d ay i s qu it e l ik e ly to f e a r that thes e d i ffi cul t i e s may n u
t h i m fo r th i s typ e o f p r e a ch i n g A n d h e m ay nd th o s e
w h o wil l e n d e avo r t o p e r s ua d e h im th at h e i s r i gh t i n th i s
fe a r a n d th a t h i s o nly h op e i s i n a cc e pt i n g th e i r v i e w o f th e
f a c t s o r th e i r t h e o r i e s a b o u t th e m B ut i t wo ul d b e a n a l
m o s t d e v il i sh d e vi c e tha t sh o u l d su cc e e d i n p er su adi n g a si n
c e re and e a r n e st you ng p re ac h e r w h o hol d s to th e mai n
l i n e s o ft h e e va n g e l i cal f a it h t ha t u nl e s s h e a c c e p t s o m e o n e s
th e o l o gy th a t cal l s i t s e l f o r th o d o x h e w i ll f a i l a s an e va n g e
l i s ti e p r e a ch e r M e n s vi e w s o n ma ny ph a s e s o f a n e van g e l i
cal th e o l o gy h av e c ha n g e d a n d t h e e va n gel i s t ic n e r ve h a s
a n d it may n o t b e c u t i f th e y a r e s t i ll f u r th e r
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ch an g e d N o e a r n e s t m a n w h o k n ow s tha t d e spit e th e d o g
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e va ng e l i st i c p u r p o s e b y any th e o l o gi ca l d i ffi cult i e s o r by r e l a
t i v e l y i n s i gn i ca nt va r i at i o n s fr o m t h e c u r r e nt t h e o l o gy o f
h i s t im e Th e p r e a ch e r w h o kn o w s th a t m e n a r e s i n n e r s that
.

TH E

E V A N G E LI STI C TYP E

24 3

t h e y n e e d r e demptio n th at th ey hav e i t fr e e ly a n d si nc e r e ly
o ffe r ed t hat m e n m ay a nd sh o u l d a cc e pt i t wh e n e ve r c l e a r ly
ma d e k n own t o th e m a n d th at w h e n e ve r a cc e p te d i n a n act
o f s e l f s u rr e nde r
th e y e nt er up o n th e b e gi n n in g o f a r e
deem e d l i f e that conta ins the p r om i se and pot e ncy o f al l fo rm s
o f h o ly v i r tu e th e m a n wh o k n ows thi s o r wh o s tro ngly b e
li ev e s i t wh at ev e r h i s op in i o n s wit h r e f e r e n ce t o c o nt e st e d
a nd d o ub t f u l s ec o nda ry p o i n t s o f b e l i ef i s th e m a n wh o h a s
3 Go sp e l an d h e c a n pre ac h i t with e f
fe ct iv en e s s if o th er wi s e
h e have the tnes s A n d i t i s gr e atly to be hoped that i n a
t im e o f u nsettl e m e n t no young p r e ache r w i l l b e put to con fu
s ion o r t u rne d as i de by h is m e ntal perpl ex i ties I t i s not
n e c e s s ar y fo r o n e t o b e o m n i s c i e n t i n o rder t o b e e va n gel i
c al o r i n o r d er t o p r e a c h th e G o sp e l o f gra c e t o n e e dy m e n
B ut i t i s n ece ssary to bel i eve that o n e ha s a G ospel to preach
and t hat m e n n ee d i t her e an d now T her e i s n o ev i d e nce
that Pau l th o ugh t h im s e l f o m n i s c i e n t H e wa s n o t wh o l ly
c e r ta i n a b ou t e s c h at ol o gi c a l qu e st i o n s a n d wa s m an i fe s tly
f al l ibl e i n one po i nt o f eschatolo gy abou t wh i ch h e wa s
qu it e c o n d e nt th e im m e diate c o m in g o f ou r L o rd B u t i t
i s g e n er a l ly co n c e d e d th a t h e wa s fai rl y o r th o do x a nd th a t
he p reac he d h i s Go spe l w ith a fa i r measu r e o f success
Cultu r e o f t he r el i gi o us l i fe
B ad m e n h av e s o m e
5
t im e s p r e a ch e d e ffec t ively S o l o n g a s th e y we r e b el i e ve d
t o b e go o d m en th ey hav e won m en t o Ch ri st
O ne m ay fo r
a tim e c o n c eal hi s m o r a l u n s o u n dn e s s an d n o ba rri e r of
doubt i n th e m i nd s o f othe rs m ay imp e d e th e t ransm i s sion o f
t r ut h th r o u gh h im B u t i t i s a n al togeth e r e x c e pt i o nal th i n g
tha t a ma n o f im m o r al a nd e ve n o f u n sp i ri tual c ha r a c t er eve r
su cc e e ds i n th e p r e ach i n g o f th e G o sp el H e h a s n e ith e r th e
capa c i ty t o app r e h en d i t aright n o r th e m o t iv e t o pr e s en t
i t u n s el s hly I t i s the m a n o f sp i ri tual po w er that p r eache s
e ffect ively Th e sp i r it o f G od work s th rough the consecrated
e n er gi es o f th e hum an s o ul A fr e s h r e l i gi ou s exp e r i enc e
,

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TH E

244

W O RK O F

TH E

P REA C H ER

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s u r e t o i mpa rt n ew m o ra l a n d S p i r i tu al p o w e r i n th e p r o
cl am at i o n o f th e G o sp el Th e ca s e o f D r C hal m e r s i s o f t e n
c i te d i n il l ustrat ion o f th i s B u t thi s i s only o n e am i d u n
nu mb e r e d i n sta n ce s
6
Cu l tu r e o f th e e van g e l i s t i c sp i r i t t o wh i ch r e fe r e n c e
ha s a l r ea dy b ee n m a d e a sp i ri t n am e ly t h at i s c o n s o na n t w i th
t he sp i r i t o f th e G o sp e l a n d wi t h th e o bj e c t fo r wh i ch i t i s
p res e nted T h i s i s m o re than a spi r i t o f ea rnes t devotion M any
a m a n o f deep an d earnest p iety ha s f a ile d w ith re spect to th e
r i gh t eva nge l i s t i c S p i r it Wi s d o m a s wel l a s p i e ty i s i n d e
m a n d Co n ta c t wi th m e n fo r t h e pu r p o s e o f k n o w i n g th e m
a n d o f ndi n g way s t o r e ac h th e m i s n e c e s s ar y t o th e cul
t u r e o f th e evan gel i st i c sp i r it M e n a re k n o wn i nd ivi du al l y
Ev e ry h e a rt h a s i ts o wn d o o r Tac t i n h a n dl i n g m e n c o m e s
o f c o n t a ct ; capa ci ty t o t o uc h m e n s k i l l f ul ly i s p r o du c t o f
t o u ch i n g th e m p r a cti cal ly P r e l i m i nary ob s e r vat i o n o f an d
c o n tac t a n d ac qua i nt an c e wi th s u c c e s s f ul e van g e l i st i c p r ea ch
e rs wi l l b e o f v alu e t o a ny m a n wh o s e t s h i s h e a r t u p o n th e
wi n n i n g o f m e n I t i s a m i s f o r tu n e fo r any m an t o b e gi n h i s
p as t o r at e wi th o u t su c h p rep a r a to r y ob s ervat i o n a n d a c qu a i n
ta n c e Th e t o n e o f o n e s r el i gi o u s s e rvi c e s m ay b e ma d e
t ributa r y to evangel isti c e ffo r t On e may not e xp e ct to
p r e a c h e vangel i s t i c ally wi th s u cc e s s wh o s e co ndu c t o f publ i c
wo rsh ip l ack s th e evan g e l i s ti c o r m i s si o n a r y qual i ty O n e s
d ev o t i o nal m e et i n g s m a y b e c o m e a S ph e r e o f p r e l i m i n a r y
t ra i n i n g B ri e f di r e ct e ar n e s t p ray e r a n d spe e ch f u r th e r th e
e va n ge l i s t i c i nt e r e s t O n e wh o h a s f al l e n i nt o th e h ab it o f
l o ng d ul l m o n o t o n o u s c i r cu it o u s p r ay er an d a d d r e s s w il l
nd i t h a r d to work ou t o f them w h e n h e com es to pu t f o r th
di re c t e ffo rt t o p e r su ad e m e n
B ut t h e c ul tu r e o f th e e va n g e l i s ti c sp i r i t i nv o lv e s p re
e m i ne n tly a s e n s e o f o n e s o w n sp i r i tu al n e e d s Th i s c o n d i
t i on s th e r ecept iv e po stu re o f th e sou l to th e g r ac e o f Go d
Al l m e n o f e va n ge l i st i c p o w e r hav e k n o wn wh at Pa ul m e a nt
.

24 6

TH E WORK O F T H E P REACH E R

H a r m o ny o ft o n e i s e sp e cia l ly d e s i r abl e W hat e ve r t h e cha r

a ct e r o f th e t e x t w h e th e r c o m m a n d o r cl aim p ro m i s e c h e e r
f u l i nc e nt i ve o r s o l e m n a dm o n i t i o n a n d app e al t h e ri gh t
s o r t o f s e r m o n w il l ca tc h its t o n e a s w el l a s t h o u gh t a n d
m a k e i t e ffe c tive
Th e i n t r o du c t i o n wi l l b e sp e ci al ly s ol i ci t o u s t o w i n an d
x a tte nt i o n an d i n t e r e s t a t t h e o u t s e t W ha t eve r w i l l m ak e
th e t h o u gh t o r s e n tim e nt o r fe e l in g o f t h e t e x t im p re s s i v e a t
th e s ta r t i s a go o d i nt r o d uc t i o n a n d wh a t e ve r m a k e s th e o c
c as i o n o r th e th e m e o r th e a im o f t h e s e r m o n o r th e s ol i c i
t u d e o f th e p r e a ch e r fo r h i s h e a r e r s imp r e s s iv e w i l l b e g o o d
i nt r o d u c t o r y m a t e r ia l Th e th e m e w h e th e r c au s al o r n al
w h e th er i t g i v e th e s u b j e c t o r i n st e a d t h e o bj e ct o f th e
s e r m o n w i l l b e s tat e d w ith e x c e pt i o n a l s i m pl i ci t y d i re ct n e s s
d e n it e n e s s cl e a r n e s s an d b r ev i ty S u ch s ta t e m e n t p r o m o t e s
f o r c e f ul n e s s a n d imp re s s i v e n e s s
Th e o u tl i n e an d d i sc u s s i o n d e m a n d c u m ul a t iv e i mp r e s s i o n
I f on e a im s a t a d e c i s i v e re sul t h e natu r al ly a im s at a r h e
A nt icl imax i s f atal to d e c i s ive e ffe ct s Th e
t o r ica l cl im ax
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w o r d w i l l b e e s p e c ial l y we igh ty a n d im p r e s s iv e a n d
i f d o n e n at u r al ly an d s im pl y a n d s i n c e r e ly m a y w e l l b e d e
t a c h e d by a sl igh t pau s e an d gi v e n w i th d e l ib e r at ion a n d
e m ph a si s
Th e cul tu re o f th e r h e to r ical qual iti e s o f natu r al n e s s an d
d i re ctn e s s i s e sp e c ial ly impo r tan t i n ev ang e l i sti c p re ach i ng
Fo r ev e n natu r al n e ss m ay b e cul t i v at e d T h e s e qual it i e s
h ave ch a r act e r i z ed th e styl e o f th e g re at ev ang e l i stic p re ach
e r s e s p e c ially di r e ct n e s s Th i s i s th e s tyl e o f M r Spu r g e o n
a n d o f M r M o o d y a n d e a r l i e r o f P r o f Fi n n e y Th e styl e o f
\V h i te el d w o ul d no t b e natu r al i n o u r o w n d ay b u t i t w a s
natu r al f o r h im w a s f am il ia r to h i s h e a re r s and i n ha r m o ny
w it h t h e rh e t o r ical cul tu re a n d ta s t e o f h i s a g e Th e r e i s
.

TH E EV A N G E L I ST I C TYP E

24 7

n o th in g i n th e d i s c o u rs e s o f th es e g r e at e va n g e l i s t s th a t i n
s u re s th e i r p erp e t u i t y B u t th ey e xpr e s s wh a t i s real t o th e m
an d th e y b ea r t h e evi d e n c e o f r e al ity i n th e i r d i r e ct n e s s and
p un g e n cy A r e l i gi o u s awa k e ni n g i s l i k el y t o b r i n g a r e
s impl i c ity di r e c tn e s s c o mpa ct nes s a nd
v iv a l o f na tural n e s s
c o ge n cy o f sp e e ch Th e v e r y f o rm p a r tak e s o f t h e n ew
fre sh l i fe that penetrates i t
Cul tur e o f go o d persp e ctiv e o f b al anc e o f p art s an d e co n
o my o f f o r c e
i s a n o th e r i mp o r ta n t i nt e r e s t O n e n e e ds t o
k n o w n o t o n ly wh at t o s a y b u t h ow m u ch an d wh e n a n d
wh e r e a n d h ow t o s t o p Th e a de q uat e eva n g e l i s ti c s erm o n
c arr i e s n o su r plu s m at e r i al I t e l im i na t e s p a ddin g I t w a st e s
n o wo rds I t i s dan g e r o u s t o s a y t o o m u c h H e w h o sp e ak s
t o t h e fe e l i n gs o fh i s h e a r e r s m ay e a s il y ca u s e a r e vul s i o n A
l i ttl e ove r do i n g S p o il s th e i mp re s s i o n Ju s t h e r e di r ec tn e s s
b e c o m e s th e m o r e m a n i fe stly i mp o rt an t
Th e
o f ai m
p r ea ch e r w h o a im s str ai gh t wi ll k e e p w i th i n b o u nd s
.

E V A N G E L I ST I C M O T I V E S
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m ov e s Wh at m ov e s m e n va r i e s I t va r i e s n o t o nly w i th
i n div i dua l m e n a n d c la s s e s o f m e n at a ny giv e n p e r i o d bu t
i t va r ies wi th th e ch an gi n g c o ndi t i o n s o f ti m e Co n s id e r a
ti o n s th a t m ov e m e n i n o n e a ge f a i l t o m ov e th e m i n t h e
n e w con dition s and hab its o f anoth e r ag e Th e e l d o f mo
t iv e enlarg e s a s m en s co n c e pt i o n s o f t h e Ch r i st ia n l i fe e n
l a r g e a s th e i r c onc ept i o n s o f Ch r i s ti a nity e n la r g e a n d a s
th e Gosp e l tak e s b r oad e r an d m o r e va ri e d re l at ion s w ith th e
l iv e s o f m e n i n th e ch an ge s o f t im e Th e a g e i n w h ich w e
l ive i s o n e o f va st c ompl exi ty Th e e xp e r i e nce s o f m e n a r e
c o n d it i o n e d by th i s c o mpl exi ty Th er e i s a g r eat e r va ri ety
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24 8

T H E W OR K O F T H E PREA CH E R

i n rel igiou s exp e r i ence than

onc e the ca se T he r e i s l a rge r

r a n g e i n th e typ e s o f r e l i gi o u s e xp e r i e n c e Th e r e a r e m o re
w ays r e co gn iz e d a n d m a d e avai labl e o f b r i n gi n g m e n t o
Ch r i s t Th e p a r abl e o f th e h idd e n t r e a s u re a n d th a t o f th e
m e r ch a ntm a n su gg e s t a n d w e r e d e si gn e d t o su gg e st va r i e ty
i n th e way s by w h ich m e n e n t e r th e k in gdo m o f Go d Th e y
t hu s s u gg e s t t h e va r ie t i e s o f m o tiv e t o wh ic h m e n a r e s u b
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t i o n t o s o m e o f th e e van g e l i st i c m o t iv e s th a t a r e e sp e ci ally
avai labl e i n ou r day I shal l touc h a po r tion o f th e groun d
h e h a s t r av e r s e d bu t only a po r t ion L e t u s u n d er tak e to
c l a s s i f y s o m e o f th e m o t iv e s tha t a r e a va il abl e i n th e e va n
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Th er e i s w h a t m ay b e ca l l e d th e i n t e l l e ct ua l m o t iv e
S o m e m e n a r e m u ch m o r e e a s ily re a ch e d tha n o th e r s by t h e
p re sentat io n o f th e t r ut h conv i nc ingly to th e m in d pa r
t ic u la r l y b y t h e p r e se ntat i o n o f Ch r i s t a s th e o n e w h o a n
s w e r s c e r ta i n i nt e l l e c tual n ee d s a nd m ee t s t hei r i nt e l l e ctual
d i ffi cul ti e s To c o nvi nc e th e m i n d i s th e s u r e s t w a y t o r e a c h
th e h e a r t s c on sc ienc e s an d w ill s o f som e m en Conv i nce
m e n t i s t h e l a r g e r pa r t o f p e r sua s i o n
M o s t m e n k n ow
Ch r i s t a s th e s ou r c e a n d i n sp i r a ti o n o f l ife B u t t h e r e a re

t h o s e fo r wh o m Ch r i s t a s th e t r u th ha s s up r e m e at t r a e
t i o n I t i s i mp o r t an t fo r th e p r e ach e r t o k n o w th a t Ch r i st

m ay b e p r e ach e d e van g e l i s ti cal ly a s th e t ru th th e t r ut h

Ch r i st ia n it y i s th e
o f Go d t h e t r u th o f m an th e t r ut h o f l i fe
g r e a t a n d th e o nl y a d e quat e r e l i gi o u s i n t e r p r e t e r o f t h e
b e in g a n d ch a r a ct er o f Go d o f th e e xal tat i o n a n d w o rth o f
h u m an i ty a nd o f th e i nn e r m e a n in g o f th e wo r l d a n d o f l i f e
Th e Ch r i s tia n w o r l d v i e w i s th e o nl y o n e t h a t c a n s at i s f y n o t
o nl y th e h e art s an d c on s c i e nc e s bu t t h e h igh e r i nt e l l i gen c e
o f th ou gh t f u l
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that the p rimal s en se o f m o ral obl igatio n i s both

e t h i c al a n d ae s th e t i c Th e r e l i n ge r s i n th e s ou l o f e ve r y h u
m a n b e in g a n i d e al o f wh a t o n e o ugh t t o b e an d th e c o n
s c i o u s o r u n c o ns c i o u s s t r i v in g fo r s e l f r e al i zati o n i s b ut th e
s t r i v in g fo r th e r e al iza t i o n o f th i s i d e a l h ow e ve r dim l y o r
h o we v e r cl e arl y d e n e d i t m ay b e
Th i s n oti o n o f th e

o ught th e n wh i ch i nv o lv e s t h e n o t i o n o f a s t r i vi n g o f t h e
s ou l fo r t h e r e al i z a ti o n o f a m o r al go al i s bot h eth i ca l a nd
ae s th et i c
A r i gh t ch ara ct e r i s n o t o nl y th e r e al i za t i o n o f
m o r al r e ct itu d e bu t o f m o r al beauty I t i s e asy to s e e that
th e s e n s e o f an i de al go o dne s s i s b ot h e th i cal a n d ae s th e ti c
The r e a r e th o s e w h o h av e a s t r o n g s e n s e o f th e att r a ct i o n s
Th e y ca rr y ab o ut wi t h th e m a n i d e a l o f w h a t
of go o d ness
Go d inten ded th e m to b e Th i s i d eal o f m anhood l i ngers
w i t h th e m a n d h a u n t s th e m
Co n s ci e n c e c o n dem n s t h e m
Th e i r
fo r f a i lu r e t o re al i z e th e s tan da r d th a t i s s e t fo r th e m
l iv e s a r e th e r e f o re l ive s o f s e l f d i s s at i s f a c t i o n I t i s la r g e l y
th i s th at d i st in gu i sh es m e n o f h i gh an d o f l o w typ e o f p o s
s ibl e m anh ood A Ch r i stian c i v i l i zat io n n u r tu r e s th i s s e n se
I t i s th u s th a t m e n o f th e n e r m o ul d
o f i d e al go o dn e s s
w h o a r e s ubj e ct t o s uch e l e va t i n g i n u e nc e s a r e t h e m o r e
e a sil y reach e d by th e p re sentatio n o f Ch r i s t a s th e emb od i
m e n t o f th e l o f t i e s t i de al o f h um a n g o o dn e s s
I t i s th e
m o r a l b e au ty o f th e ch a r ac t e r an d l if e o f Ch r i s t t h a t w i l l
d r a w s uch m e n t o h i m Th e r e i s p e r hap s a b r o ad e r e l d t o
day fo r th e u s e o f s u c h a m o t ive e sp e c i al ly a m o n g e du cat e d
y oun g m e n a n d w o m e n w h o h av e b e e n th e s ubj e c t s o f e arly
Ch r i st i a n n u r tu r e th a n i n f o r m e r p e r i o d s
r a c l e t ic m o t i v e
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r e c e pti o n o f Ch r i s t a s th e o n e w h o b r i n gs c om f o r t s t r e ngt h
an d p e ac e Th e r e a r e i n o u r d ay i n c r ea s i n gly l a r g e n u m
b e r s o f th o s e w h o c a r r y g r e a t b u r d e n s i n l i fe w h o a r e
.

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TH E EV A N G E L I ST I C TY P E

25 1

w e a r ie d an d di s s at i s e d w ith l i fe a n d w h o s e r i o us ly e nt e r

tai n th e qu e st ion w h e th e r i t i s wo r th l iv i ng
Doubtl ess th e
e xt e r na l c o n di t i o n s o f m e n i n al l c i v i l i z e d a n d p r o sp e r o u s
c o u nt r i e s i s c o n stan tly b e tt e r i n g I t i s do ub tl e s s t r u e th a t

th e r i ch a r e g r o w i n g ri ch e r b u t th e r e i s n o ba s i s fo r th e
cry w h ic h h a s b e com e a sp e c ie s o f s e n timental can t that

t h e p o o r ar e gr o w i n g p o o r e r
D o ub tl e s s th e y k n ow t h e i r
p o v e r ty a n d fee l i t an d a r e di s co nte n t e d with i t a s n e v e r b e
f o r e b u t th e v e r y di s s a ti s f a c t i o n i s an a c c o mp an im e nt o f
b e tt e r e d c o ndi t i o n s Th e di s s ati s f a c t i o n s o f l i fe ar e i n cr ea s
i n g Wh i l e th e o u t e r c o n d it i o ns o f l i f e a r e b e tt e ri n g th e
i nn e r l i f e i s m o r e r es tl e s s a n d b u r d e n e d ev e n am o n g th o s e
wh o s e l iv e s a r e o the r wi s e f ul l o f c o m f o r t I t i s s a i d t o b e a
m at t e r o f o b se r vati o n th at th e s u ff e r i n g s a n d h ards h ip s o f
l i f e do not to any l arge ext e nt b r ing m e n to Ch r i s t that they
h ard e n r a t h er th a n s o f t e n th e m a n d m ak e t h e m r e sp o n s iv e
t o th e c al l o f Go d s g r ac e a n d c o m p as s i o n
Th e a t titu d e o f
th e b r o k e n d o w n s e c ti o n o f s o c i e ty t o w a r ds r el i gi o n s e em s t o
con r m th i s B u t i t i s poss ibl e that the com f o rt i ng Ch r i s t
i s n o t b r o u gh t t o s u c h m e n a s h e m i gh t b e a n d s h o u l d b e
a n d i t i s c e r ta i nly t r u e tha t i n t h e cas e o f a g r e at m an y th e
s u ff er i n gs o f l i fe c o n dit i o n a c e r ta i n r e l i g i o u s s u s c e pt ib il i ty
t o th e i nu e n c e s o f a h i gh e r w o r l d a n d i t w e r e a ve r y s e r i o u s
m i s ta k e fo r a s h e ph e r d o f s o ul s t o a s s um e t h a t t h e vi cti m
o f l i fe s h ard sh ip s c a n n o t t o a ny c o n s i de r ab l e e x t e n t b e l e d
i nt o a l o n gi n g fo r h igh e r f o rm s o f g o o d fo r p e a c e w ith Go d
an d fo r th e a s su r a n c e o f h e av e n ly b l e s se d nes s
.

Th e e m ot i o na l m o t iv e Th e r e a r e t h o s e w h o m ay b e [
r e a ch e d by a n app e al t o fe a r I t h a s p r ov e d i t s e l f t o b e a
po w e r f ul m otiv e an d i t sti l l m ay b e e ffe ct iv e I t i s a l egit i
m at e m o tiv e a n d w a s fre e ly u s e d by o u r Lo r d h i m s e l f M e n
n e e d t o b e w a r n e d o f th e r e s ul ts o f s i n n o t t o t h e i r cha r a ct e r s
a l on e b ut to th e i r h app i n e s s
Ch r i s t app e al e d t o a l ov e o f
t h e h i gh e r w el l b ei n g I t i s s ai d th a t m e n i n o u r day a r e
4

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25 2

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re sp o ns i ve to th i s m ot i v e
D o ub tl e s s t h e y a re n o t
respons iv e to i t a s i t w a s o nc e p r esent e d B u t th e re n e ve r
w a s a ti m e wh e n th e c o n s e qu e nc e s o f s in c o ul d b e m o r e
po we r f ul ly an d e ff ect ively p r esent e d th an no w an d i t i s i dl e
t o s upp o s e th a t h um a n na tu r e h a s s o r a d ic al l y c h an g e d a n d
tha t m e n h av e s o w h ol ly l o s t al l s e ns e o fwe l l b e i n g th a t t h e y
c a n n o t b e m ad e t o d r ea d s i n an d i t s c o n s e qu e n c e s w h e n th e y
are p r op e r ly p r es e nt e d to th e m T h e p re ach e r n e e d n ot
d e al w i th v i s ion s o f th e f utu r e w r ath o f G o d aga ins t s in i n
o rd e r t o l ead m e n to d r ea d i t H e h as o nly to deal w ith i ts
p r e s e n t c o n s e qu e n c e s ; h e ha s o nly t o d e al w i th th e f a ct s th e
aw f u l f ac t s o f l i f e No i m agi na t iv e p ic tu r e o f f ut u r e wrat h
c a n e qu al t h e app all in g f act s o f p r e s e nt r u i n
Y e t i n its el f fe a r i s n o t a m o ral m ot iv e Th e r e i s n o m o r e
v i r t u e i n d r e a di n g s u ff e ri n g o f s o ul t ha n th e r e i s i n d r e a d in g
s u ffe r i n g o f b o d y N o o n e i s e v e r m o r all y ch a n g e d by th e
i n u e n c e o f f e a r al o n e Th e val u e o f i t a s a m o t iv e i s th a t
i t a rr e st s fo r a t im e th e w r ong action o f th e soul a n d gi v e s op
i
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o th e r m o t iv e s op e r ati n g u n c o n sc i o u sly o r h al f u nc o n sc i o u sly
i t m ay be t h a t d o th e wo r k A m a n c a n n e ve r b e s impl y
f r igh t e n e d away f r om s i n i nto a l i fe o f h o ly v i rtu e A l ov e
fo r th e s o ul s t r u e g o o d i t s e l f m u s t r s t sp r i n g u p i n th e
h e a r t b e ca u s e i t i s r e c o g n i z e d a s s u ch O n e may b e s t a r tl e d
i n h i s ba d w a y s o a s t o b e m ad e a fr a i d o f Go d B u t n o
one i s ev e r a chang e d m an m o r al l y s im ply by b e i ng mad e a f ra i d
O n e m ay b e t e r r i e d a t t h e c o n s e qu e nc e s o f s i n
o f Go d
bu t i f h e d o e s n o t c o m e t o h a t e i t h e w il l n o t tu r n fr o m i t
F e a r h o w ev e r m ay gi v e f a i th an d l o v e a ch a nc e to b e c om e
D r e a d o f r e s ul t s i n su ffe r in g m ay a t
o p e r at iv e i n t h e s o ul
l a s t l e a d o n e t o h at e th e s i n tha t c a u s e s th e su ffe r i n g t h at
i s h at e f ul i n i ts e l f a n d h at e f u l t o Go d
B u t h e wh o
s t il l t o l e r a t e s s i n i n h i s h e a r t a n d i s o nly a fr ai d o f i t s
c o n s e qu e n c e s w il l st il l a dv e ntu r e i n h i s ba d way a nd
not

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T H E WO RK O F T H E PREA CH ER

2 54

h e avenl y l i f e a s t h e c r own o f o u r e art hly c o n i c t i n th e f e l

l o w s h ip o f h i s su f
fer i n gs
Th e s e w e r e th e m o tiv e s h e l i k e d
m ost to u r g e Wh e n h e re ached th e m i n h i s d iscou r s e s h e
al ways rose to the sup re m e h e igh t o f a w e l l bal anc e d e l o
H e r e h e sh o we d h im s e l f
qu e n c e an d w a s th e n a t h i s b e s t
t o b e a t h o m e an d w a s abl e t o s u s ta i n h im s el f i n th e m o s t
e xal t e d i gh t s o f e m o ti o na l e l o qu e n c e a s i n a g e n u in e i h
sp i r a t i o n H i s v e ry d icti o n b e cam e m o r e s im pl e a n d n atu r al
a n d f o r ce ful an d e v en m o re e xact H en r y Wa r d B e echer
e sp e c i al ly i n th e e a r l y y e a r s o f hi s m i n i s t r y h a d am a z in g
pow e r over th e h e a r ts o f m e n
H i s r st an d m i d p e r io d
p r e ach i ng ha d a n evang e l ical ton e wh ich that o f th e lat e r
p eri o d l a ck e d
Th e m o t iv e s w h i c h h e u r g e d a n d w h i c h
w e r e app r op ri at e d a s th e p r o du c t o f h i s o w n r e l i gi o u s e x
i
n ce s
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w e r e t h o s e th a t app e al t o th e h e a r t an d th e y
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m ight ily s e a r che d th e h earts to w h ic h they app e al e d
In
h i s l a te r l i f e h e a sp i r e d t o b e th e t e a ch e r r a th e r th a n i n spi r e r
o f m e n a nd th e re was a d i stinct loss i n tha t po w e r w h ich w a s
d i s ti n ct i v e l y h i s o w n A f avo ri t e m e th o d o f f o s t e r i n g th e
r e l i gi o u s l i fe i n th e R o m a n Ca th o l i c c h u r c h t o w h i ch th e r e
i s s o m eth i n g c o r r e sp o n d in g i n s o m e o f t he P r o t e s ta n t

It s p r eva i l ing m etho d i s to keep

chu r ches i s th e re t r eat
b e f o r e th e m i n d an d la r g e ly th r o u gh p ict u r e s fo r th e i m a gi
n at i o n th e su ffe r i n gs o i Ch r i s t An i n c r e a s e i n s u ch m e a s
u r e s fo r qu i c k e n i n g a n d cha st e ni n g t h e Ch r i s t i an l i f e m igh t
b e p r o t abl e i n al l th e c h u r ch e s o f o u r da y H o w h a s i t
c o m e ab o u t t h at s o m u c h o f th e p re ach i n g th a t w e h e a r f ai l s
'
m
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I s i t th a t p re a ch e r s a r e l o s in g th e i r h o l d
to
l o si n g th e i r h o l d o f th e h e a r t
o f th e re l i gi o n o f r e dem pt i o n
fe r i n g l o v e i n th e i n c u l
o f re li gi o n l o s i n g th e d yn am i c o f s u f
c ati o n o i a Ch r i s tian i ty wh ic h i s su mm a r i z e d a s a l a w o f l i fe
w h o s e ch i e f s i gn i c an c e i s t h e e xac t i o n o f m o r al t a sk s r ath e r
I s i t c o n n e ct e d
t h a n a s a r e v e l a t i o n o f t h e g r ac e o f G o d '
wi th th e f a ct t h a t th e e v an ge l i st i c t yp e o f p r e ach i n g i s n o t
.

'

TH E

EV A N G E L I ST I C TYP E

25 5

cul ti va te d a s o n c e i t wa s ' A n d i f s o wh y i s th i s ' I s i t th a t

i n t h e s i f t i ngs an d e l i m in at i o n s o f o u r c r i ti cal p r o c e s s e s th e
i r r e du cibl e r e ma in d e r o f o u r Ch r i s tia n ity app e a r s a s o nly a
sys t e m o f e th i cs ' Th e cultu r e o f o u r day i s l a r g e ly i n t el l e c
t u al ae s th e t i c an d e th i c al Th e r e l i gi o u s fe e l i ngs a n d a ffe c
ti o n s ar e n o t a d e qua t e ly c ul tu r e d An d w h y i s th i s ' A r e
w e p e r h ap s cul tiva t i n g o u r s e lve s away fr o m th e h e a r t s p u re st
an d s ubl im e s t i n sp i r at i on s '
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up o n t h e r e sul ts o f th e e arly t rai n i n g o f th e c o n s c i e n c e
up o n a t rai n e d s en s e o f o bl i gat i o n t o Ch r i st i n w h i c h th e
c o n s c i e n c e h a s b e e n p r e c o m m i tt e d An d i t i s h e r e tha t th e
m o r al all i e s i t s e l f w ith th e aes th e t i c m o t iv e o r a s e n s e o f
m o r a l obl i gat i o n with a s en s e o f th e at tra c tiv en e s s o f th e
Ch r i s t ia n l i f e Th e val u e o f e arly r e l i gi o u s e du c at i o n i s co n
I t c r e a t e s a c o n sc i e n c e fo r Ch ri s t I t p r e
s p i cu o u s h e r e
comm its the mo ral natu r e an d s e cu r e s a b ia s toward s h im
Th e r e a r e th o s e w h o ca n b e r e a ch e d by app e a l t o a c e rt ai n
s e ns e o f h o n o r t o a m o r al s e n t im e n t a n d j u dgm e n t th at r e s
s p e c t s a ch a r a ct e r an d l i fe th at a r e w o r thy o f a m a n a n d th e
p o s s ibil i t i e s th at a r e op en e d up i n Ch r i s t b ef o r e t h e m Th e
v e r y f act th at m e n a r e c al l e d t o b e th e ch i l d re n o f Go d th a t
i n al l th e i r d e g r adati o n th e y a r e h i s ch i l d r e n th e v e r y h e i gh t
o f th e cal l in g t h e v e r y va s t n e s s o f th e f a ct h e r e i s a n app e al
t o m anh o o d I t i s a m o ti v e th a t s h o ul d app e al t o any m a nly
y o un g m an Th e c o nt r as t b e twe e n w h a t o n e i s o f ri gh t a n d
p rivil e g e an d wh a t o n e ha s b e c o m e i n f a ct w h a t o n e wa s
ma d e t o b e an d c al l e d t o b e an d w h at o n e h a s m a d e o n e s e l f
i s a s ta r tl in g c o n t r a s t A sp i r at i o n i s a w ak e n e d by op e n i n g
up th e hop e s o f th e Gosp e l Ch r is t won m e n l a r g e ly b y
sh o w i n g th e m th at i n h i m a b e tt e r m a nh o o d i s p o s s ibl e
A s su ran c e o f th e go o d s ti r s th e c o n s ci o u s n e s s o f t h e b a d I t
wa s th e r etu r n i n g c o n s c i o u sn e s s o f s o n sh ip an d th e h op e o f
wel c o m e a s a s on at th e o l d h o m e th at won th e p r o di gal an d
,

TH E

2 56

W OR K O F

TH E

P REA CH E R

th e

p ower o fth e pa r abl e i s i n it s i ll u s trat i o n o f th i s p o s s ib i l i ty

o f a re c ov e r e d ch il d a n d h o m
e c o n s ci o u s n e s s
6
Th e s o c ia l m o t iv e P er s o na l e xamp l e va r i o u s f o rm s
ar e p ow e r ful fa c t o r s i n wi n n i n g m e n
o f p ers o n al i n u e n c e
t o Ch r i s t
Th e s o c i a l m o t iv e i s s t r o n g i n e arl y yea r s
It
o p e ra t e s p o we r ful ly i n p e r i o ds o f rel i gi o u s awa k e n i n g I n
a l l e va n ge l i s t i c e ffo r t i n th e i nt e r e s t o f th e y o u n g th i s s h o ul d
n e v e r b e fo rg o tt e n Th a t o n e s h are s wi t h o th e rs a c o m m o n
go o d m a k e s i t e a s i e r t o app r op ria te i t a s a p e rs o n al go o d
Th e dr e a d o f l o s i n g th e p owe r o f a s a c r e d s o c ia l i n u e n c e o f
b e i n g l ef t b eh i n d a n d al o n e by th e c o m ra d e s o n e l ov e s th e
c o nvi c t i o n th a t t h e a c c e p t ed t im e a n d th e d ay o f s alvat i o n i s
th e t im e wh e n G o d m a k e s i t ea sy by th e p ow e r o f c o Op e ra t
i n g sy m pa th i e s t o y i e l d al l egi a n c e t o Ch r i s t
A l l t hi s i s
Op era tive i n th e
evan gel i s t i c i n t e re s t
A n d th e r e a r e a l
w ay s th o s e i n a ny c o m m u n i ty wh e r e t h e f ru i ts o f C h r i s tia n
e d uc at i o n ab o u nd w h o m o r e s e n s i tiv e l y c o n s c i e nt i o u s th an
o ther s r e e ct r e g r et f ul ly u p o n th e i r o w n p a s t i n u e n c e a n d
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w h o wi s h t o m a k e a m e n d s t he re f o r
o n e m ay i nu e n c e o th e r s t o e n t e r th e C hri s ti a n l i fe a n d th a t
o r o th e r s
f a il ur e i s a
o n e m ay b e m e a su r ably r e sp o n s ibl e f
p o t e n t m o t ive t o a m a nly y o uth
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H o ra c e B u sh n e ll wh o r e tu rn e d t o h i s o w n al legi an c e t o Ch r i s t
u n d e r th e p r e s s u r e o fa bu r d e n in g s e n s e o f s o cia l r e s p o n s ib il
i ty a s a t e a ch e r o f c o ll e g e m e n I t i s a s i ngul a r ly i n t er e st in g
i l l u s t r a t i o n o f th e p o we r o f th e s o c i a l c o n s ci e nc e i n a m a n
o f t r e m e n do u s p e r s o n al f o r c e a n d o f u n i qu e i nd ivi du al i ty
I n a t i m e w h e n t h e s o c i al a sp e c t s o f Ch r i s t ia n m o ral ity a r e s o
s t r o n gly a c c e ntu at e d a n d w h e n m e n a r e m ad e t o f e e l th e i r
s o ci a l o bl i gati o n s i t i s a m o tiv e th a t m ay b e u rg e d w i t h g r e a t
e ffe c t ive n e s s Th e a tt r a c t io n s o f a c om m o n s ervi c e i n t h e
k i n gd o m o f Go d w a s a m o t iv e wh i ch P r o f
D r umm o n d
u r ge d wi th s ki ll a n d p ow e r i n h i s evan ge l i s t i c e ffo rt o n b e
h a l f o f e du cate d y o un g m e n Th i s wa s t h e d i s t i nc t iv e f e a
.

CH A PTE R V
T YPE S O F S ERM O N D EL I V E RY
b e s t m e th o d o f s e rm o n d e l ive ry b e st i n general o r
bes t fo r a n y pa r t i cul ar p reach er ca n n ot b e d ete rm i ne d
of
One
f hand
N o o n e m eth o d i s u n iv e rs al l y b e s t
m eth o d i s b e s t i n o n e r e sp e c t an d fo r o n e m an ; a n o th e r
best i n anoth er r e sp e ct an d fo r a nother man Ea ch ha s
i ts a dva n t ag e s
I t i s a c o n c r e t e qu e sti o n n o t t o b e
a n swe r e d by a n app e al t o g e n e r al p r i n cipl e s
It is
s e t tl e d a t l a st by ex p e r i m e n t
B u t i n app lyi n g th e t e s t
o f exp e r i m e nt s o m e g e n e ra l c o ns i de r at i o n s m ay c o m e i n t o
d i s cu s s i o n
T h e p e rsonal ity o f th e p re ache r i s a con s i de r at ion o f im
p ortance A p re acher s m e tho d an d h i s su cc e ss i n i t here
a s el sewhe r e d epen d o n th e pecul i a r i ti e s o f h i s en do w m e nt
a n d t r a i ni ng
T h e r e a re c e rtai n h abi ts o f m i n d that a r e
bette r a dapte d to on e th an to anoth e r m e thod T her e a r e
a l so quest ion s o f t e m p e r am e n t that dem an d recogn ition
G i fts o f sp e ech o r l ack o f suc h gi f ts a r e to b e cons ider e d
On e s phys ical con di ti on i n g e ne r al o r at a ny particu la r t im e
i s n o t a n i n s i gn i can t m at te r O ne s p e rs o n al t ra i n i n g d e
m ands r ecogn it ion A p r e ach e r m ay ea sily becom e a slav e
t o a p a r t i cu l a r m e th o d s o a s t o b e c om e i n c apa c i tat ed fo r
any oth e r al th o ugh o r iginal ly as w e l l tt e d f o r one a s f o r
a n ot h e r S c ott i s h an d N e w En gl a n d p r e a ch e r s h av e f u r
n i s h ed
m any e x am pl e s o f th i s ty r a nny o f h ab i t Th er e
a r e p reach e r s w h o n e v e r d i scov e r th e i r poss ib il iti e s t i ll th e y a r e
pu sh ed to the t e st
Th e su bj e c t o r th em e o f th e s erm o n d e m a n d s c o n s i d era
TH E

TY P E S O F S E R M O N D E LI V E RY

2 59

t ion S om e th e m e s are mo re eas ily m ore app ropri at e ly an d

m o r e s u c c e ss f u l ly p r e s e nt e d i n o n e t h a n i n a n o th e r
m e th o d
Th e obj ec t o f th e s e r m on challeng e s attent i on
Th e ques
t i o n m ay always w e l l b e r a i s ed ; c an I a c c o m pl i s h m y
p u rp o s e b e st by wri ti n g o u t f ul ly wh at I h av e t o s a y a n d
r ea di n g it o r by ca r ef ul ly th i n k i n g m y s ubj e c t th r o ugh
a n d t r u s ti n g t o t h e o c c as i o n fo r i t s rh e to r i ca l f o r m
or
b y w r iti n g and m em o r i z i n g i n wh o l e o r i n pa rt
or
c a n I b e s t r e al iz e m y a im by co mb i ni n g th e th r e e
m e th o ds '
Th e ch aracte r o f t h e au di enc e m ay determ i n e th e a n swer
to th e qu e st ion Th e e xceptional ly i nt e l l igent an d cul tivate d
au d i e nce p e rhap s g e ne r ally p re fe r s an d i s best e died by th e
s er m on that i s w ritten an d rea d o r m em o r i z ed
Th i s i s
not al ways the cas e
B u t i n som e sect ion s o f th e Uni te d
S tates i t i s tru e Th e au d i e nce o f only ave rage i ntel l igenc e
h oweve r g e n e r al ly p r e f e r s th e e xt e mporan e ou s m ethod O n e
w oul d ha r dly take a m anu scrip t i nto a country sc hool hou se
o r town hal l o r opera hou s e o r cam p meeti ng Th e c haracte r
an d cond ition s o f t h e au di e nc e w oul d f orb i d i t
B i shop
B r ook s w as a m anu sc r ipt p r e ach e r bu t b e fore a p rom i s
c u ou s au d ienc e h e alm ost n e ve r appeare d w i th h i s m anu sc r ipt
H e kn e w tha t h e coul d sp e ak m ore e ffect ively w ithou t i t
A n d y e t t h i s i s la r g e ly a m att e r o f h ab i t a n d c u s t om
S o m e o f t h e m o s t i nt e l l igen t a n d cul tivat e d audi e nc es are
a dap t in g
t h e m s e lv e s to e xt e mp o ra n e o u s p r e ach i n g Th e
wh o l e qu e s t i o n i s rel at ive Th ere i s n o ab s o l ut ely bes t
m e th o d
B ut l e t u s take up th e th r ee m eth ods i n succ e ss ion a n d
c o n s i d er t h e i r cl a im s an d l i m i tat i o n s Th e s ubj e ct h a s b een
v e r y f ul ly d i scu s se d ther e i s a gr e at am oun t o f l it e ratu r e
bea r i ng upo n i t an d there i s no need o f e ntering upon i t
at l ength
.

260

T H E W ORK O F T H E P REA CH E R

I T H E M ANU S C R I P T T Y P E
We w i ll c on s id e r i t s c o n dit i o n s o f val u e a n d i t s l im i tat i o n s
I
Th e u s e o f th e m anu sc rip t seem s to b e b e st a dapt e d
to th e m ental b ia s habi t an d t rai n i ng o f som e p r each e r s It
i s al so bes t adapted to th e i r l ite ra ry styl e an d g e n e r al habi t
o f p r each i ng T he l at e Pro f G e o rg e S h epa r d o f B a n go r
Theological S em ina r y i s a n i ll u st r at io n H i s m ental m ov e m en t
wa s d e l ib e r ate an d st r ong Unt i l a r ou sed by h i s subj ect an d
a u d i e nc e
h e wa s a l ittl e h e avy H e w a s e xceptional ly g r av e
s e r iou s a n d imp r e ssiv e H i s styl e was compac t a n d f o r c e f u l
an d r ose to a h igh e l evat ion o f e m otional v igo r at th e e n d
o fth e s e rm o n
I t wa s c o n c e n t r a t e d e n e r gy I t w a s h i s p u r
pos e to handl e th e comm only
accepte d t r u th s o f evang e l ical
Ch r i s ti an i ty i n suc h a w a y a s t o m ak e th em a s e ffe ct iv e a s
po ss ibl e upon th e h e a rt an d consc i e nce a n d s o u pon th e w il l
H e t ra i ned h im s e l f care f ully al ong th i s l ine H i s spe e ch wa s
i n e x trao r d ina r y m e asu r e conc e nt r at e d d i r ec t f o r c ibl e bu t
del ibe r at e w e igh ty d ign i e d H e n e v e r th re w h im s e l f ou t
u po n th e b roa d e r fre e r l ines o f m ov e m e nt nev e r gave h im
s e l f w i d e ran g e b ut ai m e d st ra i gh t a t a n e a r a n d d e n it e
c e nt re I t i s d i fcul t fo r any on e w h o u nd e r stoo d th e cha r ac
t e r o f h i s p re ach i ng to imagin e th at h e coul d h ave b e en a s
e ffe c tiv e w ithou t a s h e w a s w ith th e manu sc r i pt T h e r e wa s
a n i nte re sting co r re spond e nc e b e tw ee n t he qual ity o f h i s
though t h i s d ict ion and h i s e l ocuti on an d i t w a s th e m an
u s c r ip t that la r g e l y cond iti o n e d tha t co r re spon denc e
Th e e ssay typ e o f m e ntal habi t i f on e m ay s o cal l i t i s
i n g e n e r al b e st s e rv e d by th e u s e o f the m anu sc r ip t Th e m i n d
that d e al s natu r al l y an d habitual ly w ith th e m inut e d e ta il s
t h a t d o e s n o t g r a sp i t i n i t s b r o a d o u tl i n e s n o r
o f th o u gh t
hol d i t i n c los e re l ati on bu t m ov e s f r e e ly f r om o n e th ough t
to anoth e r al ong th e l i n e o f re l at ivel y remote sugg e st i o n
al way s tak e s k i ndl y to th e m anu sc ript Th i s i s th e re ason
doubtl es s w h y Em erson w a s al ways obl ig e d to rea d h i s a d
.

262

T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

men t that i s perti nen t to i t an d to th e subj e ct dedu ced

an d thu s w e ha v e a vari e ty correspo ndi ng to t he va r i ety o f

v eI
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t e x ts an d subj e cts Th e m anu sc r ipt se r mon i s g e neral ly the

m ore ca r e ful ly p r epar e d an d i t i s the m ore car e ful ly p re
pa re d d i scou rs e that i s l ik e l y to hav e a cha racter an d fo r m
o f i t s ow n
Th e l e s s c a ref ul ly p r e pa r ed s er m o n i s l i k e ly
to tak e th e f o rm w i th w h ic h th e m i n d o f th e p reache r has
becom e f am il ia r an d i n connecti o n w i th w h ic h i t wo rk s m ost
e as ily an d read ily becau se o f th i s fam il ia r ity w i th a l im ite d
numbe r o f top ic s I n th e w r i tten serm on the dev e l opm en t
ru n s ou t m o re ful ly i nto th e d e tai l s o f th ough t
Though t
13 m o r e
f ull y expande d T h i s e xpans ion o f th ough t c on
d i t ion s va ri ety o f thought
Th e fa r ther on e st r ike s ou t f rom
t h e m a i n stream o f though t i nto th e back cou nt ry th e m o r e
r iv ulets o f though t he taps Th e f a r ther one get s i nto a
m ine th e m o re w i de ranging ru n th e v e i n s I t i s i n pa r t p e r
haps f o r th i s rea son tha t th e m anu sc r ip t se r mon i s l ik e ly to
m e et a l a r ge r v a ri e ty o f ne e d s I t i s pe r haps poss ibl e for th e
p r e acher to su stai n h im s e l f l onge r i n a pari sh w ith a m anu sc r ip t
i f p r op e r ly u s e d than w ithou t i t T h e supe r io r l i t e ra r y f or m
o f th e m anu sc r ip t se r m on i s on e o f th e stock a rguments fo r
i t H e i s a ra r e e xt e mporan e ou s p r e ach er w h o can exp re s s
h im s e l f i n a s goo d l ite r a r y f o r m a s th e m anu sc r ipt preach e r
Th e val ue o f th i s sup er i o r l itera r y fo r m w il l o f cou r s e d e
pend o n th e u se that i s m ad e o f i t I f i t foste r s a ten d e ncy
t o m a k e th e s er m o n a n en d a n a r t i sti c p r o du ct ra th e r th a n
a n e ffect iv e rh e to r ical i nst r um e nt i t i s p e rn ic iou s B u t i n
any ev e n t th e w r i tt e n s er m on h as a n a dvan tage i n th e cl ea r
n e s s th a t f o l l o w s d e l ib e r at i o n an d e xa c tn e s s o f s tat em e nt
i n t h e f o rc e f ul n e s s tha t f o ll ow s c o nc i s en e s s o f stat e
m e n t a n d i n th e n i sh t h a t b e l on gs t o th e m o r e c a r e f ully
w r ough t p r oduct A l a r g e r numb e r o f good l it er ary qual it ies
a re cul tivate d by the u s e o f th e m anu sc r i pt I t i s fo r t h i s
r e aso n that th e w ri tten p roduc t ab i d e s Extempo raneou s s er
.

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263

mon s gen er al ly are short l iv e d I t i s to a l a rge extent th e

l itera r y qual ity o f s er mons that gives them p er p e tu i ty I n
so fa r as th e p o ssess i o n o f th e ma nu sc r ipt i n th e pul pi t
i n su res d e l ib e ration an d s e l f po is e an d s e l f
a ssu r ance an d
e a s e o f m i n d i t b e c o m es t ribu t a r y t o a n e di fy i n g publ i c
worsh ip Th e man w h o tak e s h i s manu scrip t i nto th e pu l pi t
w i l l l eav e h i s hom il e ti c bu r d e ns beh in d H e w h o carri e s
h i s se r mo n i n h i s m in d an d c a r r i es anx iety and p er pl ex i ty
w i th i t cannot b e whol ly a t h i s e as e o r at hom e e i the r i n
p r e ac h ing o r i n the con duct o f worsh ip T hese a r e al l fam il ia r
d e f ens e s o f th e m anusc r ipt T hey a r e al l at b e st r e l ativ e
an d one-s id e d They S how cl early e nough how m uch may b e
sa i d f o r i t B u t i t i s poss ibl e that m ost o f these d e f e nses m ay
be count e r w e ight e d by a r guments i n f avo r o f other m e thods
an d e spec iall y by it s ow n l im i tations
Li m i ta ti o n s o f th e m an us cr ip t I t s phys ic al l im it a ti o n s
I t i s a ta x u p o n ph ys i ca l en e r gy Th e m e n w h o b r e a k d own
i n th e m in i st ry a r e l a r g e l y s lav e s o f th e p e n Th e m e n wh o
d o th e i r w o r k at n igh t a r e g e n e r al ly th e m anu s c r ip t p r ea ch e r s
P r o t ra ct e d wo r k u n d e r gr e a t phys i c al d i s a dva ntage s s uch a s
a r e i nv o lv e d i n th e w r i t in g a n d rea di n g o f s e rm o n s wil l s a p
a m an s e n e r gi e s
I ts i nt e ll ectu al l im i tat ion s I t con sum e s tim e that m igh t
b e giv e n to broade r s tudy an d t r ain ing
Th e m anu s crip t
sl av e cannot grow a s h e othe rw i se m ight H e i s l ik e ly to
b ecom e a m ere s e rmon iz e r a se r m on m onge r a nd to l os e
th e i nu e nce that a b r oa d er cul tu r e m igh t s e cure
He is
a n authority upon no subj ect becau se h e does no t nd o r giv e
h im s e l f tim e f o r th o r o u gh i nv e s t i ga t i o n a n d s tudy Th i s i s
o n e o f th e ch i e f r e as o n s why m e n o f i nt e l l e ctual a sp i r ati o ns
a r e i n o u r day e m ancipatin g th e m s e lv e s fr o m s u ch servitud e
I ts poss ibl e mo r al l im itati on s The p re ach e r w ho al w ays
w r it e s an d read s h i s serm ons eas il y ove re st imate s th e l i t
e r a ry o r a rti st ic form
I n s o far as th is i s the case the p rop e r
-

264

TH E

W O R K O F TH E P REA C H E R

e th ical a im o f p r e ach i ng m ay b e l ost s igh t o f H ence de fect

i n th e m o r al pu r pos e o f th e p r each e r Ex c e s sive dev otion to
f o rm l im i ts m o r al a im an d m o r al pow e r T hu s th e se rm on
fa il s to do i ts wo r k I n t im e s o f r el igiou s a wa k e n i ng th e m an
u s cr ip t i s l ik e ly to d i sapp e a r i n pa rt an d fo r a t im e at l e a st
A ny m etho d o f p r each i ng m ay o f cou rs e h a v e i ts m o r a l
l im i tat ion s B u t th e m o ral l im i tat ion o f an e xces s iv e a r t i sti c
i d e al i s pecu l ia r ly th e p r oduct o f m anu sc r ipt p re ach i ng
I ts o rato r i cal l im i tati on s
Th e re ad ing o f a m anu sc r ip t
l im i ts a m a n s o rato r i cal powe rs T h e l im i tat io n o f postu r e
p a nto m i m e u s e o f ey e a n d o f v o c al o r ga n s i s e vi d e nt I t i s
p re tty su re that the conve r sa ti on al to ne an d m etho d w h ich
a r e no r m al f o r th e pu b l ic sp e ake r a re m o re re a d ily cul t ivat e d
b y th e ext e m p o r a n eo u s p r ea ch e r O n e t al k s st r a i gh t a t
h i s au di e n c e
H e n c e i t i s a m o r e n atu ral m e th od o f
p r e a ch i n g I t i s p r e t ty s u r e al s o t h a t t h e e m o ti o n s h av e fr e e r
pl ay
I ts p r o f e s s ional l im i tat ion s En sl av e m ent to th e m anu scr ipt
l im i t s th e in uenc e o f th e pulp i t i n th e s e dem oc rat ic days
Pul pi t o ra t o r y c a n n o t h o l d i t s o w n w i t h o t h e r f o r m s o f
o rato r y Th e g r eates t t r iumph s o f o r ato r y h av e be e n i n th e
e l d o f f ree u tte ranc e T h e pulp i t ca n n ev e r r e ach i t s b e s t
t il l i t i s em anc ip at e d Everybody l i k e s t o s e e a publ i c m an
stan d up i n a f ree m anl y w a y an d say ou t W h at i s i n h im
to say i n a st ra ight m an n e r Th e m an u sc rip t i s rel atively
m o de r n I t i s o n th e w hol e th e excep tional th i ng I n th e
e arly ch u rc h i t w a s w hol ly u nknown D r Dal e say s t ha t
Th i s i s too
t h e a rgum ent s a r e ov e r w helm ingly agai n st i t
st ro n g a s ta t e m en t p er h ap s F o r th e r e i s a pl a c e fo r th e
m a nu s c rip t I t o r i gi nat e d i n an h o n es t e ffo r t t o b e tt e r th e
t e ac h i n g q u al ity o f th e pul pi t I t ac c e n tu at e s i ts d idact i c
f u n c t i o n I t i s n o t a p e r vers i o n I t h a s b e e n p e rv e rt e d an d
ove r don e I t h as b een m ad e t ributa r y to agn ostic i sm na t
a n d dogm at ic o rthodoxy T h e evangel i st ic sp i r i t
ur a l i s m

2 66

\V ORK

TH E

O F T H E PREA CH E R

h e h im s e l f w a s a n e xampl e o f ext e mpo r an e ou sn e ss i n the be st

s e ns e It i s poss ibl e to w r it e w ith n ea r ly a s m uch f r e e dom
a s o n e w oul d sp e ak e xt e mp o r an e o u sly an d w i thou t th e d e f e cts
o f th e e xt e m poraneou s fo r m Th i s shou l d be th e a im o f th e
manu sc r ipt p re ach e r I t i s pos sibl e to giv e th e s e r m on an
e a sy natu r al coll oqu ial e x i b l e m o v e m e nt One w ho p r e
p a r e s w i th th e a u d i e n c e i h m i n d an d a s i f h e w e r e a ctual ly
a d d re ssi ng an au d i e nc e w il l r e al i ze th i s re sul t
O n e w ho
thu s w r it e s w il l w r it e w ith d e l ib e r at ion bu t w i th f er vo r an d
i n s ub s e qu e nt ly p r un i n g th e m anu s c r i pt h e w il l n o t c u t i nt o
th e qu ick O f cou r se on e can not d e l i v e r a s e rm on that can
not b e e a sily re ad that i s n ot w r it ten i n cl e a r bol d han d an d
p r op e r ly pa r ag r aphed no r can i t b e re a d u nl e s s th e p r each e r
i s p e r f e ctly f am il ia r w ith i t I t doubtl e s s r e qu i re s som e e ffo r t
to d e l i ve r a manu sc r ipt s e r m on natu r al ly bu t i t i s a goal tha t
may b e re ach e d On e may at la st sp e ak alm ost a s n atu r al ly
a s simpl y a s d i re ctl y an d a s f ree ly w ith a manu sc ript o r w ith
ou t i t I f th e s er m on i s w r i tt e n w ith r h e t o r ical f ree dom an d
w ith re f e re nc e to d e l i ve r y i t w il l i n v it e th e con v e rsat ional
ty pe o f ad d r es s w h ich only i s no r mal fo r th e publ ic sp eak e r
.

II

TH E

E X T E M P O RA N E O U S T Y P E

Th e t e r m e x t e mpo r an e ou s has con si d er abl e rang e I t i s

som e tim e s a ppl i ed to th e ad d re ss tha t i s p re m e d i tat e d
b o th a s to th ough t and d ict ion an d that i s re p r o
d u c e d a s p re pa red al th o ugh n o t i n st r ic t e s t s e n s e m e m
o r iz e d
Th e r e a r e p u bl i c sp e a k e r s o r h av e b e e n w h o
a re a b l e t o r e p r o d u c e th e i r p r o d u ct s i n a b o ut t h e sam e
l anguag e i n w h ic h th e y w e re th o ugh t ou t an d w ithou t con
sc i ou s effo r t Th e sp ee ch e s o f W e n d e l l Ph il l ips s ee m e d to
b e o f th i s s o r t A n d suc h p e r haps w e re th e sp ee ch e s o f
E d w a r d E ve re tt O f c o u r s e n o s e r m o n can b e p re m e d itat e d
a s to it s substanc e w ith o u t re l at i o n to i ts r h e to r ical f o r m For
though t tak e s shap e i n w o r d s B ut i t i s th e s e r m on that i s
.

TYPES O F S E RM O N D E L I V E RY

2 67

n ot r e p roduc e d i n th e pul p i t i n th e exac t l iterary form i n wh ic h

i t r s t s haped i ts e l f that i s p roperly cal l e d e xt e mporan e ou s
e xtempora neou s a t l e as t i n th e commonly accepte d sense
The great amou n t that has been w ritt e n u pon th i s subj ect
woul d ren d e r a fu l l d i scuss ion gratu itou s an d unpro tabl e I
v e n tu r e o nly a fe w su gge st i o n s w i th r e sp e ct t o th e c o n d it i o n s
o f success i n th i s type o f p re ach ing
1
Among th e m e ntal cond it ion s mu st be name d a hab i t
o f c l e a r di sc rim i nating thought N e cessa ry i n al l p reach ing
i t i s p re em in e ntly s o h er e T h e ex t e mpo raneous preach e r
h as th ree p robl e m s to m ast e r th re e tha t are o f spec ial impor
tance th e p roblem o f d isc r im i nat ing the p robl e m o f rel ating
an d th e p robl e m o f exp r e s s ing thought A ny m an w h o h a s
analytic sk ill and tra ins h im sel f to d i scrim i nat e cl early w ho
has th e ab i l ity to grasp h i s subj ec t i n i ts mai n an d subo r d i nate
f e atu re s an d to r e l at e an d dev e lop them i n a n orderly m a n ne r
w h o ca n exp re ss h im sel f r e ad ily cl e arl y an d fo r c ibly m ay
make an ex t e mpo r an eou s p r e ach e r i f h e hav e the ordi nary
su sc e ptibi l ity o f f eel ing an d oratorical impul s e
Upon al l
th e se cond ition s th e exerc i s e o f m emory o f imagi nat io n a nd
o f f ee l ing la r g e ly d e p e n ds B u t o f al l th e s e requ i s i tes m ental
d i sc r im ination i s o f ch ie f o r at l ea st o f p r i m al importance A
m u ddy th i nk e r needs the hom ileti c c rutch
Consid e r f o r a m om ent agai n the valu e o f m ental rang e I t
i s natu ral that the e xt e mpo r aneou s pr e acher s houl d give h im
s e l f p r etty f r e e scope i n the d e vel opm e nt o f h i s them e Th e
w r itt e n p r oduct general ly has a narrow e r e l d b e cau s e i t deal s
w ith th e n e r po ints o f the subj e ct an d dev e lop s th e m mor e
f ul ly P r oductiven e s s an d range ar e th e sal i ent qual iti e s i n
H e n r y Ward B e echer s preach ing and th e fo rme r i s connect e d
w i th th e l atte r Th e them e o p ens b roa dly the ma in top ics
contai n a l a r ge amount o f m atte r an d spri ng n atu r al ly an d
r e a d ily f r om th e subj e ct an d a re always such as ca n b e d is
cus sed i n a n e xtemporane ou s manne r I f one nds h ims e l f
,

2 68

T H E W ORK O F T H E P REA CH E R

shu t u p w i th in na r r o w bou n ds and i s fo r ced to cl o se w o r k i n

th e devel opm e n t o f m at e r i al h e i s l ik e ly to nd that h e lack s
th e requ i s i te faci l ity an d f ree dom o f m e ntal action w h ic h
woul d be qu ick e ned i n a la r ger el d o f thought On e ca n
tak e a s ingl e compl e t e though t w ho se e l e m e nt s a r e cl os e ly r e
l at e d an d w r ite about i t m o re eas ily than h e can sp e ak abou t
i t w i thou t w r i ti ng I t i s e a sy to re p r oduc e upon one s f ee t
a w i d e r anging m e tho dical ly outl i n e d se r mon shaped i n th e
f o r m o f a r he to r i cal ad d re s s I t i s th i s c a s e o f r e p r oduction
tha t cond i tions succes s i n the extempo r aneou s an d I m ay ad d
J u st h e re h o w e ve r i s o n e o f th e
t h e m em o r at ive s er mon
po ssibl e de f e cts o f th i s type o f p r e ach ing Th e r e i s a t emp ta
t io n to ge n e ral iz e too w i d e ly to cul t i v at e b re adth a t co st o f
depth tho r ough n e s s and d e n i ten e s s One may e as ily f o r m
t h e h abi t o f deal i ng w ith top ic s that a re too b ig and g e n e r al
w i thou t th i nk i ng th e subj ec t th r ough One thu s b e com e s th i n
i n p r opo r tion to h i s r ang e B u t th e g e n e r al p r i nc ipl e i s val i d
F ree r anging an d o r d e r ly re lat ed an d d eve l op e d th ough t i s a
p re re qu i sit e o f e xt e mpo r an e o u s p re ach ing On e can S ee w h y
Rob e r t H al l shoul d ha v e b e e n a succ e ss f ul e xt e m po r an e ou s
p re ach e r H e took a b r oa d su rv e y o f a subj e c t a n d d iscu s s e d
i t i n i ts l ogical re l at i o n s Compa re h im w i th Joh n Fost e r

t h e e s say p re ach e r
O n e ca n n o t th i n k o f Edm un d B u r k e
a s d e p e n d e n t o n a m anu sc r i pt Th e habi t o f e x t e mpo r an e ou s
S p ee c h cul t ivat e s th e m e ntal hab i t abo v e S p e c i e d a n d w ith
good r e sul ts p r ov id e d tho r o ugh n e s s an d i nsigh t a r e a ssoc i at e d
w ith b re adth
A j u d ic i ou s s e l e cti o n o f t ex ts an d th e m e s i s im portan t for
th e ex t e mpo r a n e ou s p re ach e r T e x t s a nd th e m e s d i ffe r a s
p rev i ou sl y sugg e st e d i n th e i r adaptat io n t o e xt e m po r an eou s
p re ach ing O f cou r s e m e n d i ffe r and w h at m ay b e d i ffi cul t
Fam il ia r i ty w i th th e th e m e
fo r on e may b e e a sy fo r a n o th e r
w h e th e r d i fcul t o r n o t o r w h e th e r adapt e d to th e e x tempo r a
n eo u s m e thod o r not i s al s o a n imp o r tan t con s i d e r at ion
But
,

'

TH E

270

W O R K O F TH E P REA CH ER

o f c o n s t an t p repa r a ti on u nde r a l l cond i ti ons The m an w h o

t u rns al l th e m a t er i al o f t ho u gh t ga t h ere d f r om a t ho u san d
so u rces i n t o hom i le ti c pabul u m i s p ret t y su re l i ke H en ry Wa rd
B eecher t o b e a n ex temporane ou s p reac he r
.

A m o n g t h e rh e t o r i cal c on di t i o n s o f s u cc e s s i s a c o n
c re t e h ab i t o f m i nd I t i s i n th e realm o f t he concre t e t ha t th e
m i n d m o v e s mos t freely w i tho ut a m an u sc r i p t I t f u r n i s hes
i mage s fo r t h e i mag i na tio n an d i n t en s i es t h e ac ti on o f t h e
emo ti ons T he abs t rac t t h i n k e r needs a m an u sc r i p t Frenc h
p reachers na t u ral ly fol low t h e f ree m e t ho d fo r t h e reason t h a t
they a re na tu ral rhe t or i c i an s an d ora t ors w h o are fam i l i a r
w i th conc re t e real iti e s t ha t appeal t o feel i ng a n d i mag i na ti on
Connec t e d w i th t h i s i s t he c u l tu re o f t h e o ra t or i cal t empe r a
m ent Th e p reache r w h o i s no t respon s iv e t o h i s au d i enc e
w i l l n e e d t h e pulp i t c ru t ch B u t t h e m a n w h o wh i l e h e i s
sel f po i se d an d del i bera t e an d does no t al l ow h i s emo ti on s t o
dom i na t e o r conq u e r h i m i s sympa t het i c w it h h i s hea re rs an d
read i ly responds t o i mp res s i on s f rom t h em i s th e one w h o
s u c cee d s h ere A fre e a n d fac i le u s e o f l an gua ge i s a n ec e s
sa ry el emen t i n t h e e qu i pm en t o f t h e ex t emp o ra neo u s
p reach er Th e lack o f l i ngu i s ti c fac i l it y d r i ve s on e t o t he
man u scr i p t S uch fac i l i ty i s dependen t on many t h i ngs o n
th e ch a ra c t e r o f o n e s m en t al m ove m e n t a n d o n t e mp e ra
m en t Th e Fre n ch m a n s m en t a l a n d t em p e ram e n t al h ab i t s t
h i s fo r th i s t ype o f s o e ech I n l i n gu i s ti c g i ft s h e i s i n ge n e r a l
s u p er i o r t o th e G e rm a n En gl i sh a n d Am er i ca n p r e ac h e r B u t
al l t h i s i s l a rgel y a m a t ter o f cul tu re A l a rge an d v ar i e d
v o c abul ary i s i m po rtan t Th e v o c ab ul a ry o f t h e p ul p i t i s i n
general t oo l i m i ted T ha t o f t h e ave rage extem po raneo u s
p reach e r i s probabl y mo re l i m it ed t h an t ha t o f t he man u sc r i p t
p reac he r T h e l atter i s l i kel y t o ex erc i se m ore care i n t h e
c ho i c e o f d i c ti on T h e f ree p reach e r n e eds espec i al ly t o b e
a d i l i ge n t s t u den t o f l an gua ge A ge neral h ab i t o f a cc u ra cy
o f speech i s t r i bu t a ry t o ex t emp o ra neo u s powe r
W ri t i ng
2

'

TY P ES O F S E R M O N D E L I VE RY

27 1

c u l ti va t e s t h i s Th e bes t free speech r es t s u pon t h e m an u

s c r i p t W r iti ng ha s l a i d t he fo u n da ti on M os t p reachers
w ho hav e s u cceede d here hav e begu n w it h t h e m an u scr i p t
M r B eeche r an d Dr R S S to r r s a re exampl e s Goo d h a b it s
o f speec h i n da i ly i n t erco u rse even w it h t h e i l l it era t e w i l l
s t an d by o ne i n t h e p u lp it The l ac k o f s u ch hab it s w i l l d i s
cl ose it sel f in sp it e o f o nesel f
A s t o e t h i cal con d iti ons w h i ch a re among t h e m u s t s ig
3
n ica n t m u s t be nam e d a s t rong an d earnes t p u rpose t o real
i ze a s ful l y a s p o s s i bl e t h e l eg iti m a t e r e s u l t s o f o n e s m i n i s t ry
O f co u rse al l p reachers wh a t ev e r t h e i r m e t ho d need t h i s an d
a re s up pose d t o hav e it B ut t h e m an w ho i s s u premely ben t
o n r each i ng m en an d on b r i ng i ng t hem i n t o s u b j ec ti on t o t h e
t ru t h a n d espec i al ly t h e evangel i s ti c preache r w i ll be s u
p r emely s oli cit i ou s w it h respec t t o t he q u es ti on o f m e t ho d i n
approach i ng t hem I i ncl i n e t o t h e op i n i o n t ha t t he ex
t em p oraneo u s serm on i s esp ec i ally dependen t o n t h e p reach er s
m oral ea r nes t ness O ne m ay hol d an a u d i ence by a t ho u gh t
ful l u c i d el e ga n t e s say l i k e s t yle o f m anu s cr i p t p re a ch i n g
B u t it i s d i f cul t t o s e e h ow a n ex t emp o r an eo u s p r e ach er
w h o mu s t m ea s u rab ly sa cr i ce l it erary ex cel le n c e c a n h o l d
h i s au d i enc e a nd d o t h e wo r k h e s h o ul d d o w i t h o u t m ak i n g a
s t rong i mp r ess i on o f moral power I t i s he w h o sho u l d hav e
by p re e m i n e n c e t h e m ark o f m o ra l fo r ce A s t r o n g m o ra l
pu rpose w i l l q u i cken an d ennobl e t he ac ti on o f al l t h e fac u l ti es
Concen t ra t e d force o f w i ll powe r o f feel i ng an d a ffec ti on an d
t h e v i go r o f a s t rong and heal t hy con sc i ence sho u l d d i scl ose
t hem sel v es p re e m i nen t ly i n t h i s t ype o f p reach i ng an d i f t h e
p reach i n g b e o f t h e r i gh t s o r t t h ey w i l l d i s cl o s e t h em se lves
The m an w h o p reaches on t h i s w i s e ge t s nea res t t o h i s a u d i enc e
and s u b j ec t s t hem t o h i s po w e r H e can b e t remen do u sl y
w ro u gh t u po n by h i s hearers H e comm i t s h i m sel f t o h i s
hearers w i th sel f aban donmen t H e i s l i f t e d i n t o sel f forge t
f u l nes s a n d i n t o m o ra l el eva tion an d effec ti veness i n s u ch s o r t
.

TH E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

27 2

t h e m an w ho i s cha i ne d dow n t o a m an u scr i p t m ay no t be

Connec t ed w i th t he abo v e i s a s t rong p u rpose t o s u ccee d i n
t h i s m e t h od o f speech A t ho ro u gh t r i al o f it an d a p romp t
beg i nn i ng are t o be re comm ended M any beg i n t oo l a t e fa i l
t o pu t i t t o t h e f u l l p roo f an d g iv e i t u p be fo re th ey ha v e
d e m o n s t ra t e d th a t t h ey c a n n o t s u c ce e d i n it Th e t e s ti m o n y
o f t hose w h o ar e comm i t t e d i n p r i nc i pl e t o t h e m e t h od a n d
w h o beg i n ea rly i s w or t h con s i der i ng
P reach i ng w it ho ut
m an u sc r i p t hal f t h e ti m e f rom t h e v ery rs t w i l l p robabl y
real i z e t he bes t resul t s On e w i ll hav e be tt e r m a tt er be tt e r
m e t h o d b e tt e r s t yl e a n d i n ge n e ral bet t e r h ab i t s o f car eful
n e s s t h o ro u gh n e s s a n d fa c i l i ty i n p r e ach i n g by fo l l ow i n g b o t h
m e t ho ds fo r a con s i derable per i o d o f ti m e
T ra i n i ng i n sel f posses s i on i s a n i m por t an t fea tu re i n ex
t em po raneo u s p reach i ng A n d t h i s i s a n e t h i cal con s i dera ti on
M oral pu rpos e ha s m uc h t o do w it h t h e han dl i ng o f o n e sel f
*
an d o f one s subj ec t i n t he pul p i t
H e w h o fo rge t s h i m sel f
i n t h e subj ec t tha t m as t ers h i m an d i n t h e obj ec t a t w h i c h
h e a i m s w i l l w in f reedom One s gene ral hab i t o f s el f
c omman d w h i c h i s a m oral ach i e v em en t w i l l s t an d by on e
a n d sa v e on e from t h e embarra ssm en t s t ha t b r i ng con f u s i o n
Phys i ca l con d iti on s a re i n v ol v e d h e re Th e ex t emporaneo u s
p reache r sh ou l d h a v e spec i al ca re t o en t er t he p u l p i t i n j u s t
a s goo d phy s i cal con d iti on a s poss i bl e
B u t i t i s m oral p u rpose
t ha t i s abo v e al l el se i mpor t an t A sens e o f voc a ti on r e
s p on s i v e n es s t o t h e powe r o f t h e t ru t h
l o v e a n d devo tio n t o
o n e s fel l o w m e n ; t h e s e ar e c o n d i ti o n s o f fre e ut t e ran ce
S pec i al sp i r itu al p repara ti on al ways i mp o r t an t i n e n t er i ng
t h e pul p i t i s e spec i al l y s o fo r t h e e x t emporaneo u s p reach er
fo r i t i s a con d i t i on o f sel f po ssess i on an d o f f reedom an d
c oge ncy o f speech H e w h o i s l i f t ed i n t o a grea t he i gh t o f
S p i r itu al i nsp i ra ti o n i s a free m an T he e x t em po raneou s
p rea ch e r n e e d s t h e t ra n qu i l l i ty o f t h e u pp e r re a l m H e i s
as

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T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

2 74

q u en t ly d i d T he m ore t h oro u gh t he p rev i o u s p r epara tio n ha s

been the m ore read i ly sugges ti ve o f f resh m a t er i al i t w i l l be
I t i s t h i s t horo u gh nes s o f p repara ti on w h i ch l i es back o f f ree
dom i n d el iv ery tha t natu ral ly comm e n ds i t t o German an d
S co t ch p reach ers I t i s i ts freedom an d n i sh u pon a gro u nd
w ork o f w el l d i ge sted ma t er i al t ha t na t u ral ly c ommen ds i t t o
F rench p reachers Th e t i m e an d l abo r o f comm itt al are t he
c h i e f obj ec ti on s B ut t h e m emory m ay be t ra i ned t o do i ts
w ork w i th won der ful fac i l it y an d rap i d it y Wha t t a k es a t
rs t par t s o f t h ree o r fou r days i s a t l a s t ea s i l y accompl i sh ed
i n an ho u r on S u n day m orn i ng a s i n t h e cas e o f P r o f Ch r i s t
l i eb a n d o f D r Gu t h r i e The o bj e c t i o n m ad e b y D r R o b i n s o n
t ha t t he t ask cul t i va t es t h e m em o ry d i s p ort ion a t el y i nj u r i ng
t h e p owe rs o f i m ag i n at i o n o f fe el i n g j udgm e n t a n d o f p r o
d u ct iv e th o u ght by c o n c e nt ra t i n g t o o m u c h e n e r gy u p o n t h e
w ork o f rem ember i ng i s ha rdly s u ppor t e d by exper i enc e I f
o ne w r i te s w i th re ferenc e t o del i very w i thou t t h e m anu sc r i p t
an d w i th th e aud i enc e i n m i n d w r it es a s h e w o u l d speak i n h i s
bes t m an ner w i th a free han d an d w i th cl ea r o ut l i n e h e w i l l
eas i l y m emo r i z e i t an d w i thou t any d i spropor ti ona t e ex e rc i se
o fm e m o ry
M e m o ry m ay b e s o c u l t i va t ed a s t o ac t w i t h u n e m
ha rra s s e d free dom Th e m ere a c t o f re m em b e r i n g i n c o u rs e
o f ti m e become s wholl y i ns i gn i can t s o i ns i gn i can t t ha t
o n e i s har d ly c o n sc i ou s o f i t a s a n e f
fo rt A n d t h i s m ay an sw e r
th e obj ect i on t ha t the m emor i te r serm on al wa y s be t rays it sel f
a n d can not h a v e the sam e e ffec t upon an au d i e nc e t h a t a n
extempo raneou s sermon has Th e obj ect i on a s sum e s t ha t o ne
w i l l neve r be abl e to free onesel f f rom t h e appea ranc e o f e ffo r t
i n m em o r i z i n g a n d th a t i t w i l l al ways s e e m l i k e a re c i t at i o n
I f t h i s we re t ru e i t woul d doubtl ess be a fatal obj ec ti on B u t
th i s i s no t a necessa ry resul t
T h e al leged fac t tha t th e
m em o r it e r s e rm o n i s s o o n fo rgo tt e n i s a dduce d a s ev i de n c e
th a t th e m i nd i s i nj u red by the p roce ss o f m em o r i z i ng I t i s
a s s u me d t ha t i t m u s t be an u nna tu ral a n d so i n j u r i o u s p r o ce s s
.

TY P E S O F S E R M O N D E LI VE RY

275

el se i t w o u l d no t be so eas i ly fo rgo tt en B ut t h i s p r oves t oo

m u ch Tha t o ne eas i ly forge t s i s no p r o o f t ha t t he p roces s
w h i ch sec u red t he t ran s i en t res u l t t o t h e m emory w a s u nn a t
u ral an d i n j u r i o u s B u t t h e t r ut h o f t h e asser ti on t ha t t h e
m em or it er sermon i s eas i ly fo rgo tt en m ore ea s i ly by i mpl i ca
ti o n t h a n o t h e r t ypes o f s e rm o n m ay b e c h al l e n ge d I t is a t
a ny r a t e tr u e t ha t i t i s very eas i ly recal l ed
O ne o f t h e de fec t s o f t h e m an u scr i p t sermon i n t h e han ds
o f a p reach e r esp ec i al l y w h o l acks rhe to r i cal an d o r a t or i cal
i mp u l se i s it s t emp t a ti on t o r u n i n t o an o ver
d i dac ti c d i s
c u s s i on an d i n t o a n es say m e t ho d
I t i s w r i tt en t o b e read
no t del i vere d I t i s t h u s l i k ely t o l ac k t h e rhe t or i cal an d
o ra t o r i c al qua l i ty t h a t b el o ng s t o an a ddre s s B ut t h e s e rm o n
t ha t i s w r itt en t o b e del i vere d w it hou t t h e m an u scr i p t w i l l as
o f n ecess it y hav e t he charac t e r o f an addre s s No t e t he t e
s u l t i n t h e p reach i ng o f D r G ut h r i e O ne can hardl y c it e
h i m a s a n exampl e o f s u prem e s u cces s i n m emo r it er p reach i ng
B ut i n t h i s respec t h e w a s s u cc es s f u l ; h e w ro t e w it h re fe rence
t o freedom o f a ddress an d w it h re ferenc e to comm itti ng t o
m e m o ry an d t h i s s e c u re d fo r h i s p ro d u c t t h e r e q ui s i t e o r a to r i
cal q u al it y
T h e ch i e f de fec t o f t h e ex t emporane ou s se r m on i s as a l
r eady s u gges t e d t h a t i t i s l i kel y t o r u n i n t o gene r al it i es to
l ac k cl o senes s an d d en iten es s o f t ho u gh t var i e t y o f form
c o mpa c t ne s s b r ev i t y a n d p r e c i s i o n o f s t a t em e n t I t i s a t
l eas t cl ea r w ha t ever el s e m ay b e sa i d ab out i t t ha t t he
mem o r it er m e t h o d w i l l co rr ec t t hes e de fec t s
.

M ET H O D S O F H O M I LET I C A RT

WE

a r e h ere i n t roduced t o wha t i s t ech n i cal ly d e s i gna t ed

a s F o rmal H om i l e ti c s and w e shal l n d ou rsel ves ch i ey i nter
e s t ed i n t he o rgan i c o r s tr u ctu ral rat h e r than i n th e rhe t o r i cal
form o f t h e s e rmon I t i s t hu s tha t th e a rt i s ti c aspect s o f
p rea ch i n g b e c o m e p ro m i ne n t A s su m i n g a s w e h av e d o n e
tha t the t ex t bel ongs m ore p rope rly to m ate r i al t han to forma l
h om i l et i c s l et u s fol low t h e u sual analy s i s o f t h e o rgan i sm o f
t h e S erm on
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TH E I NTRODUCT I O N
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I f t h e in
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t o x a t t en t i o n o n wh a t i s c o m i ng

s ays a Wel sh p re a c h er th e
t r o d u c t i o n b e n o t p er ti n e n t
p rea ch e r do e s n o t k n ow wh e re h e i s go i n g a nd i f t h e
i nfere nc e s b e n o t p e r ti ne n t i t i s ev i d e n t t h a t h e d o e s

Th e sam e i s t ru e a s r e
n o t k n o w wh e re h e h as b e e n
ga rds t h e h e are r
Th e i n t r o du c ti o n s h ows t h e h e ar e r
w h ere t h e p re a cher i s g o i n g
Wh e n h e a rr i ve s a t h i s
lan d i n g pla ce wh i c h b e c o m e s a n ew po i n t o f d epa r t u r e
t h e h ea r c r s e e s h o w h e l an de d t h e re
Th e i n t ro du c ti o n
w i n s an d x e s a tt e n t i o n o n t h i s par t o f t h e j ou rn ey I t i s

t o render one s h earers a t t h e o ut se t a tt en tos t o u se t h e

cl as s i cal t erm i n o rder t ha t a f t erward t hey may t h e m or e

read i ly becom e doc i l es as regards t h e subj ec t a n d perhap s

Th e t ex t i s bu t a gen
b e n ev ol os a s regard s t h e preach e r
e ral s ta r ti n g p o i n t I t su gge s t s t h e s ubj e c t o nly i n a gen eral
a n d p e rh ap s wh o lly O b scur e m a n n e r A t ra n s i t i o n i s n ee de d
fr o m t h i s ge n e ra l s t a r ti n g p o i n t t o a de n it e sp ec i c t he m e
an d th e n c e o nward B y a dva n c i n g fr o m t h i s u n d i s c r i m i na t ed
compl ex t ex t t hough t t o t he d i scr i m i na t ed spec i c t heme
t ho u gh t t h e p reacher show s h i s h eare r t h e m e t ho d o f a p
p roa ch I t i s a pro c e s s s i m i l a r t o t h a t w h i ch h e fol l ow e d i n h i s
o w n work o f prepara ti on
H e t h u s t akes t h e h earer along
w i th h i m O r i f he ge t s h i s t h em e i ndependen t ly o f t he t ex t
t h e i n t rod u c tio n h el ps h i m p ut t ex t an d them e i n m an i fes t
rela ti on Th i s proces s hol ds a tt en ti on I f an equ i val en t r e
s u l t c ou l d be sec u re d a t t he s t ar t by d u mp i ng t he t hem e u pon
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2 80

TH E W O R K O F T H E P REA CH E R

t h e a u d i enc e th e p r eacher m i gh t beg i n a t once S ome ti me s

t h i s m ay wel l be done Ab rup t ness i s som et i mes o f grea t
rheto r i cal v al u e S u rp r i se i s a n el em en t o f i n t e re s t B u t
th i s i s exc ep ti onal I n general atten ti on i s no t sa ti s fac to r i l y
secu re d by a sk i ng fo r i t a t the s t a rt o r by ass u m i ng t ha t on e
has i t a s o f cou rse I t m u s t be w o n An d i t i s wel l t o secu re
th e bes t k i n d o f a t tent io n a nd t o s ec u re i t a t bes t a dvan t age
I t i s t hu s tha t th e i n t roduc ti on a dap t s it s el f t o th e con d iti on
o f t he h eare r I t h as t here fore a psycholog i cal s i gn i canc e
a nd v a l u e I t app roa ch e s i t s o b j e c t i n s u ch way a s w i l l
m ost e ffec ti vely secu re fo r i t t h e req ui s it e m en t a l an d em o
t ion a l po i n t o f contac t w it h t h e h ea rer
2
I n x i ng atten ti on t he i n t ro duc ti o n al so s ti m u l a t es i n
q u i ry I n s t ea d o f t h r u s ti ng t h e subj ec t u pon t he h earer s u d
d en l y and w i t hou t any coOp er a t ion o f h i s o w n t h e preach er
t akes h i m i nto a sor t o f m en t al an d m oral copa r t ne rsh i p l ea d s
h i m o n s t ep by s tep i n s u c h wa y a s t o s e cu re th e e x e rc i s e o f
h i s fac u l ti e s and t o an ti c i pa t e fo r h i m sel f m easu rably perhap s
th e s u bj ec t ahea d A m en t al p roce ss i s t hu s q u i ckene d W e
t ake i n O bj ec t s o f though t i n t h e i r r el a ti ons O ne t h i ng l ead s
u p t o anothe r Eac h though t becom es t h e more s i gn i can t
a n d i mp res s i ve by reaso n o f i t s rel a ti o n to ot h er t ho u gh t s

We gra sp th e whol e by fol l o w i ng t h e de t a i l s

I nven ti on
woul d be i mpo ss i bl e i f w e took i n eve ry t h i ng a t onc e a n d i n
a l um p Every body i s more o r l es s i n q u i s i t i ve a t t he s t a r t
Th e i nt roduc ti on ava i l s i tsel f o f t ha t fac t I t say s ; Look ou t
fo r wha t com e s n ex t H ere i s the z es t o f it S k i l l fu l rhet
Dr
o r ic i a n s know h ow to st i m u l a t e th i s m en t al sea rch
Guth r i e wa s accu stome d to work u p h i s i n t rod u c ti on s a rt i st i
cal ly H e began abr u ptly an d w i th some t h i ng tha t i s s t r i k i ng
H e quot es som e p rove rb pre sen t s to t h e i mag i na ti on som e
m ater i al ph enom enon t ha t has l i fe an d m ovem en t a c rawl i ng
worm o r a sh i p en t er i ng th e h a rbor u nde r f u l l sa i l H e t o u ch es
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2 82

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TH E

O F T H E PREA CH ER

m ay app rehen d i t t h e be tt e r an d perhap s v al ue i t t h e m o re

T here fore I com e t o you i ntroduc i ng my subj ec t s t ep by s t ep
l ead i ng th e w a y t o i t an d for i t i n t o yo u r m i nd s a nd I hope
you r con sc i ences an d hea r t s The w ays o f do i ng t h i s a re
var i o u s bu t t h e e n d i s t he sam e i t i s t o pu t th e h ea re r m os t
a d v a n t ageo u sl y i n posses s i on o f t h e t ruth
Thu s a s hav i ng re ference t o t h e nal m oral pu rpose o f t he
serm on t h e i n t rod u ct i on has e th i cal s i gn i cance T he ob j ec t
b e i n g t o reach a n d i n u e nc e m e n t h e i n t r o du c ti o n w i ll e n ab l e
t he sermon t o do t h i s t he m ore e ffect i v el y \Vi t h t h i s e t h i cal
s i gn i canc e i s assoc i a t e d a n ar ti st i c Si gn i cance By con
t r i but i ng t o t h e u n i ty an d s ymme t ry o f th e serm on i t sa ti se s
t he des i re fo r completenes s Th i s o f cou rse i s a subord i na t e
b ut i t is no t a w hol ly i n s i gn i can t cons i derat i on Th e serm o n
i s a n o rgan i sm
The i n t roduc ti on i s a pa rt o f i t a n d i s n ec e s
sa ry t o i ts symm e t r i cal de v el opm en t O r t o ch ange t h e gu re
i t i s a p i ec e o f rhetor i cal arch it ec tu re T h e i n t roduct i on i s
a s necessary t o i ts s y mme t ry a s t h e beg i nn i ng o f any ar ti s ti c
p roduc t Th i s doe s no t m ean tha t a s a wo rk o f ar t it h as n o
e n d bey o n d i ts el f N o wo rk o f a r t i s p ro pe rl y a n e n d
t o i t s el f
Th e e n d m a y n o t al way s b e c o n s c i o u sl y p r e s e n t
i n th e m i n d o f th e a rt i st bu t i t w i l l h av e s o m e e nd a n d
th e refo re s o m e et h i ca l s i gn i c a n c e
Th e go o d i n a r t a s

el sewh ere i s alway s t h e good fo r some t h i ng

O ne o f t h e
el em ents o f per fect i on i n any art p ro duc t i s i ts adap t a ti on
i n al l i ts pa r t s to som e appropr i a t e end I t i s p re e m i nen t ly s o
i n any p rod u c t o f rhe t or i c a r t T he se rm on i s a rh e t or i cal
i nstr u m en t The per fec ti on o f t he i n s t r u m ent i s t h e compl ete
n es s o f it s a daptat i on t o i ts end The a r ti s ti c s i gn i ca nc e o f
the i nt roduc ti on t he re fo re i s ul ti ma t el y i n i t s contr i bu ti on
t o th e w ork o f the sermon and th e ar ti s ti c become s al l i ed w it h
t he eth i cal i nterest
Pr i m ar i ly t hen t he i n t roduc ti on i s fo r t h e sak e o f t h e sermon
an d o f the heare r no t fo r t h e sake o f t h e p reac h er I t i n t r o
.

TH E

28 3

I NT R O D U CT I O N

d u c e s t h e s u b j ec t no t t h e m an T he ch i e f i n t e r es t i s here
Even i n mode rn sec u l a r o ra t ory t h e speake r m u s t l ook ou t
fo r t h e handl i ng o f h i s s u bj ec t r a t her t han fo r t h e h andl i ng
o f h i s a u d i ence by t he t r i c k s o f o ra t ory I n t h i s p u lp i t o ra t ory
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l a i d s u preme s t res s u po n t h i s I t k new no t h i ng o f rhe t or i c
an d o ra t o ry I t d i s t r u s t ed an d d i scre d i t ed t hem T he d i s
cou rse w a s ar t less I t was pa r t o f t h e s erv i ce o f a wors h i p
p i ng congrega ti on N e it her t h e speake r nor t he d i sco u rs e
neede d i n t rod u c ti on fo r t h e worsh i p had p repared t h e m i nd s
a nd hear t s o f t he congrega ti on fo r t he d i sco u rse w h i ch w a s
t h e expos iti on an d appl i ca ti o n o f a g i ven passage o f S c r i p tu re
B ut ad v anc i ng c u l tu re bro u gh t rhe t o r i c an d o ra to ry i n t o th e
p u l p i t H enc e t he exord iu m A s t h e se rmo n d i spl aced t h e
hom i l y t he exord iu m becam e a rhe t o r i ca l necess it y Wh en
eve r t he p u l p i t has re tu rned t o t h e hom i ly a s i n t h e p e r i o d
o f t h e Re form a ti on i t h as d roppe d t h e i n t ro d u c ti on L ut he r
u sed t h e hom i ly an d h e speaks sl i gh t i ngly o f t h e i n t r o d u c ti on
decl ar i ng tha t he does no t k now h ow t o p reach ar ti s ti cal ly
N a t u re t a u gh t h i m h i s ar t B ut i n d i spl ac i ng t he hom i ly t h e
s e rmon has no t d i splace d expos iti on Th e expos it i on o f t h e
t ex t i n t h e i n t roduc ti on t akes t he pl ac e o f t h e hom i ly i n s o fa r
a s i t was expl ana t ory
H ence t h e sermon som e ti mes has bo t h
i n t rod u c ti o n an d expos iti on T h e i n t ro d u c t i on i s a gen e ra l
app roac h t o t h e sub j ec t T he expos it i on i s a spec i c an d
expl ana t ory app roach t o it by cl ear i ng u p t h e m ean i ng o f t h e
t ex t an d show i ng how t he t hem e comes f rom i t S om e hom i
l c ti c w r it ers s ti l l d i s ti ngu i s h be t ween i n t rod u c ti on an d ex p os i
ti on B ut i t i s needl e s s Expo s iti on is on e o f t he bes t s or t s
o f i n t roduc ti on W ha t expl a i n s t h e t ex t bes t i n t rod u ces t h e
s u b j ec t I t also p repares t he hea rer fo r i t an d l eads h i m i n t o
it Wha t eve r t h e m e t ho d o f t he i n t ro d u c ti on it s ch i e f o b j ec t
i s t o p ut t he hea re r m o s t s u cc ess f u l ly i n p o ssess io n o f t he s ub
.

2 84

T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

j ce t To an no u nce t he s u bj ec t ab r u p t ly e i ther be fore o r a f t e r

g i v i ng th e t ex t does no t gene ral ly succeed i n do i ng t h i s mos t
a d v an t ageou sly S om eth i ng to a i d t he h ea re r i n a pp r Op r ia t
i ng t h e subj ec t i ntel l i gen t ly and i n app rehend i ng it s s i gn i cance
adequatel y i s general ly des i rabl e Expos iti on m ay no t al way s
be necessa ry fo r t h e t ex t m ay be cl ea r an d s i mpl e B u t some
m eth o d o f app r oac h i s o f v al u e fo r t h e a ppre h e n s i o n o f th e
subj ec t Eve n t ho se who annou nce t he subj ec t a t t h e ou t se t
do no t ge t on w i tho ut t he i n t ro d u c ti on fo r t hey t u rn back
an d s t a r t o v e r aga i n A p rompt annou ncemen t o f t h e s ubj ec t
i s wel l enough bu t ha v i ng done t h i s one woul d be tt e r
pu sh o n W hy shou l d on e i n e ffec t s a y t o t he congrega ti o n ;
B re t h ren I h av e been a l i t t l e p rec i p it a t e i n ge tti ng t h i s t h i ng
be fore you I take i t al l back ; l e t u s tu rn abou t a nd beg i n
a new '
B u t p re pa r i ng t he subj ec t for t he h eare r i nvol v es p repar i ng
the hearer fo r t h e subj ec t S k i l l i n open i ng th e way t o t h e
subj ec t m ay p ro v e t o be an e ffec t u a l way o f w i nn i ng th e hea re r
t o t ha t good w i l l a tt en ti on a nd doc i l e i n t eres t i n t h e s u bj ec t
t hat i s th e c h i e f a i m o f t he se rm on it sel f I n a w ord ; do j u s
ti c e t o t h e s ubj e c t a n d yo u w i l l b e t h e m o re l i kely t o d o j u s ti c e
t o t h e a u d i ence
,

M ET HO D S O F I N T R O D U C T I O N O R P O I N T S O F D E PA R TU R E
Sp ec i c m e t h o d s a re i n nu m e rabl e F o r c o nv en i en c e l e t
u s gr o up t h em a b o u t c e r t a i n c e n t e r s wh i c h fu rn i sh
p o i n t s o f d epa rtu re fo r t h e w o rk F i v e o f t h e m m ay b e
n am e d
I
Th e p reache r may be the cen t e r o r po i n t o f depar t u re
\Nha t rel a t es t o th e m an el i c i t i ng o r conc e n t ra ti ng i n t eres t i n
h i s personal it y o r h i s exper i ence s m ay be a v al u abl e m eth od
o f approach Secu l a r o ra t ors a v a i l t h em sel v es o f th i s d e v i c e
an d sh ow sk i l l i n i t Pul p i t ora t ory need no t be a sham ed
of i t
Preach ers l i k e Ch rysos t o m t ra i ned i n t he school s o f

II

2 86

TH E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

l i k e t o hea r abou t s u ch m a tt ers a s cen t re i n t h e i r p reache r

They a re i n t eres t ed i n person s e v e n i f t hey a re som ewha t
conce it e d o r s el f consc i ou s person s a s M r S p u rgeo n seeme d
to be B u t t h e m ore s i mpl e an d na tu ral and genu i ne a m an i s
th e m ore e ffec t i ve t h e personal i n t ro d u c ti on w i l l be
Mr
M oody was suc h a man an d w it h grea t e ffe c ti venes s h e o f t e n
i n t roduced h i s sermon s i n a ve ry s t ra i gh t forwa rd and e v ery
way p rope r man ne r w i th a re ference t o some O bservat i on o r
ex per i enc e t ha t serve d h i s p u rpose I n o rd i na ry pas t ora l
p reach i ng t he pe rsonal i nt ro d uc ti on w i l l b e rel a ti vely i n fre
quen t One no ti ces bu t few o f s u c h i n t roduct i ons i n vol u mes
o f o rd i na ry pas t oral d i sc ou rses
2
T he occas i on m ay fu rn i sh a bas i s fo r t h e i n t rod u c ti on
It
T h e occas i onal i n t rod u ct i on be t s t h e O ccas i onal s e rmon
g i ve s a n app ropr i ate fes t al ton e t o a n Eas t e r o r Ch r i s t ma s
serm on t o br i ng t h e i n t roduct i on i n t o connect i o n w i th t h e
j oyo u s na t u re o f th e occa s i on S pec i al m i ss i ona ry serm on s
f requen t ly O pen w it h a re fe rence to th e occas i on
B i shop
B rook s recogn i zed the no t e o f ti mel i ness i n i t an d some ti mes
accen t ua ted t h e s i gn i cance o f h i s m i ss i onary sermon s by th e
u s e o f t h e occa s i onal i n t roduc ti on
B i shop S i mpson recog
n iz ed t h e p r i nc i pl e o f adap t a ti on i n i t
B i shop H u n ti ng t on s
s e rm on de d i catory o f Appl eton Chapel a t H a rvard e n ti tl ed

The H o u se o f Praye r open s w i th a h i s t ory o f t he b u i l d i ng

The occa s i onal i n t roduc ti on m ay he i gh t en th e i mpo r t anc e o f
t h e occas i on o f th e sermon o f th e t r u th pe rhaps i n t h e r i gh t
way o f t h e preache r h i m sel f i n t he es ti ma t e o f t h e congrega
ti on T h e m o re except i onal a nd i mpo r t an t t he occa s i on t h e
m o re natu ral a n d i m press i ve suc h a n app roac h w i l l be P u bl i c
f u nera l d i scou rse s m ay w in spec i al i mpres s i vene ss by i ntro
I t woul d
d u ct o ry re fe rence to t h e sol e m n i ty o f th e occa s i on
be al most a ma rk o f s i ngula r i ty i n a serm on on som e grea t
publ i c cal am i ty t hat i t s h oul d fa i l to ope n i n t h i s way Th e
w r it e r recal l s t h e note s o f sym pathy an d o f awe t ha t rang
.

TH E

I NTR O D U CT I O N

28 7

t h ro u gh t he open i ng utt erances o f d i sco u rses p reached o n t h e

S u nday foll ow i ng t he a ssass i na ti on o f Pres i den t L i ncol n
Ch rysos t om wa s acc u s t ome d t o ca t ch t h e no t e o f t he occa

s i on i n h i s i n t rod u c t o ry words I n on e o f h is H om i l i es on

t he S t a t ues p reache d i n A n ti och o n t he occas i on o f t h e de

vas t a ti on o f t he c it y by order o f t h e Emperor Theodo s iu s I h e
opens w i th a re ference t o t h e c i rc u m s t ances o f t h e as sembl y
I n ano t her he re fers t o t h e p resence i n t he assembl y o f t he
hea t hen p re fec t o f t he c it y Aga i n h e open s w it h a v i v i d de
sc r i p ti on o f t h e desola ti on s o f t h e c i t y Ex t empora neo u s
p reachers a re abl e t o do t h i s w it h fac i l it y Ord i nary sermon s
e v en may some ti me s ava i l t hem selves o f t h i s t yp e o f i n t ro du c
ti on M r B eeche r wo u l d som e ti m es sm u ggl e i n t o h i s open i ng
word s som e re ference t o w ha t ha d b een s u gges t ed t o h i m as
h e en t ere d t he ch u rch o r by i nc i den t s connec t e d w it h t he con
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it s goo d t as t e an d pe rhaps rel a ti ve i n freq u ency B u t i ts
per ti nency an d ti m el i nes s are ev i den t a t once
The app roach t o t h e t hem e m ay b e t h ro u gh t h e worsh i p
3
Germ a n p reachers a ffec t t he l itu rg i ca l i n t roduc ti on T h e
S c r i p t u re l esson s o r t h e hym n be fore t h e sermon f req u en t l y
f u rn i sh t h e po i n t o f a tt achmen t Th i s i s t he m o re freq u en t
w i th t h e ex t emporaneo u s t han w it h t he m an u scr i p t p reach er
T hos e w ho i n t he i r p reach i ng fol low t h e o rde r o f t h e Ch r i s
ti an yea r are m u ch more l ik el y t o u s e t he scr i p tu re l essons a s
a po i n t o f depar tu re Canon L i dd on i l l u s t ra t es t h i s i n h i s
Eas t er serm ons Trench i n h i s a dven t d i sco u rs e i n t he vol um e

en tit le d Wes t m i ns t er S ermons B roo k s i n h i s d i sco u rse o n

Al l S a i n t s Day an d on Tr i n it y S u nday
I t has been t h e
cu s t om o f Germa n p reachers t o make t h e s o cal l ed hom i l et i c
p raye r a par t o f t he i n t roduc ti on t o t he sermon some ti me s
p reced i ng a nd some ti mes foll ow i ng t h e t ex t When i t fol low s
t h e t ex t i t t h e more man i fes t ly becom es a pa r t o f t he i n t r o
.

2 88

T H E W O R K O F T H E P REA C H E R

d u c ti o n
Its o b j ec t d ou b t les s i s t o d i rec t a tt en ti on t o t he
cl os e connec ti on be t ween t h e s e rm o n a nd t h e w o rsh i p an d t o
accen tu a t e t h e l itu rg i cal a spec t o f p r each i ng I n t h i s i t a d
m i ra bly s u cceeds
I t enhances t h e i mp res s i veness o f t h e s e r
m on an d h ol d s i t t o it s app ropr i a t e plac e i n wo rs h i p I t i s no t
al t oge t h e r i n harm ony w i t h t he hab it s o r t a s t es o f Am e r i ca n
p reach ers o r w i t h t h e general charac t e r o f t he i r w orsh i p o r
o f t he i r p reach i ng o r perhap s o f t h e i r t h eo ry o f w orsh i p an d
o f p reach i ng A nd s o m u ch t h e w ors e one may b e perm itt ed
t o s a y for t he wo rs h i p an d fo r t h e p reach i ng an d fo r t h e
t heory We s ee h ere how d i dac ti c o r rhe t or i cal cons i dera
t i o n s h av e d o m i n a t e d l it u rg i c al c o n s i de ra ti o n s i n t h e c o n
du c t o f p u bl i c w o r sh i p N o o n e c a n h ea r o r re a d t h e
h o m i l e t i c p rayers o f Ge rm a n preach er s l i k e th o s e fo r
ex a m pl e o f S ch le i erm ache r w h i c h on e regre t s t o s ee a re
p a s s i n g i n t o des ue t u d e w i t h o u t be i n g s t ro n gly i mp res s e d by
t h em
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t ache s i t sel f t o t h e ge neral t ho u gh t o f t h e t hem e an d a n ti c i
pa t es som e phas e o f it Th e t ex t m ay s u gges t t h e t hem e onl y
i n t h e remo t es t a nd vag u es t man n e r pos s i bl e a n d i t becom es
t he w ork o f th e t op i cal i n t rod u c ti on t o b r i ng t h e t h em e i n t o
m an i fe s t r el a ti on w i th t h e t ex t W it h t h e l a rge r number o f
t op i cal p reachers th i s i s p e rhaps t he po i n t o f depa r tu r e T hey
sta r t w it h t h e general t ho u gh t o f t he t hem e M os t i n tr od u c
ti on s a re s u gge s t e d by t h e t hem e o r t h e t ex t T hey are f r ui t
fu l so u rc e s B i s lIOp B rook s general ly s t a r t s t h u s p i c ki ng u p
t h e t ex t be fore h e n i shes t he i n t rod u c ti on a n d a dj u s ti ng i t
to t he t hem e Bu sh nel l gene ral ly s t ar t s w it h t h e t ex t ra the r
than w it h t h e them e A study o f t op i cs w i l l be o f val u e i n
connec ti on w it h t h e s t u dy o f t he t hem a t i c o r t op i cal i n t ro du c:
ti on A v ery comm on m eth od o f s t ar ti ng t h e t op i cal i n tro
du c ti o n i s al on g t h e l i n e o f ge n e ral i za ti o n o r it s revers e
p a r ti cu l a r iz a ti o n Th e gre a t m as t e r o f t h i s m e t h o d i n o u r d ay
.

TH E

290

W O R K OF

TH E

P REA CH E R

na tu ral ly b e t h e p r i cel es s wor t h o f t h e h u m an s ou l t ha n th e

Ol d Fa u s t Legen d '
There i s v as t range fo r genera l r eec ti on i n t h e i n t r o
d u c ti o n t ha t s t a r t s w it h t h e t hem e A hab i t o f gene ral i z i ng o r
o f pa r ti c u l ar i zi ng o r o f t rac i ng anal og i es t ha t i s o f apply i ng
a gen e ra l t r ut h to spec i c ca se s o r general p r i nc i pl e s to con
c re t e sp ec i c i n s t ance s o r o f t ran s ferr i ng w ha t i s t r u e i n on e
r ealm o f ex p er i ence t o w h a t m ay be a ss u me d t o b e t r u e i n
a no t her a n d anal ogo u s realm i s a goo d on e fo r t he p r eache r
T h i s hab i t w i l l appea r i n on e s i n t rod u c t ory w ork Wel sh
p reac h ers a re f r uit f u l i n genera l reec ti ve m a t er i al S o w ere
t h e Engl i s h P u r it an p reac he rs H ow o f t e n w e n d W i l l i am

J ay say i ng a t t h e cl os e o f h i s i n t rod u c ti on s These reec ti on s

m y b re t h ren a re i n t en ded t o i l lu s t ra t e t h u s a n d s o '

T h e m os t comm on po i n t o f depa r tu re p e rhap s i s t h e
5
t ex t a n d pe rh ap s t h e m o s t va l u abl e Th e t e x t u al i n t ro du c t i o n
h a s a w i d e ran ge o f p o s s i b i l i t i e s Th ey a re al l o f a n e x p l a n
a t o r y ch a ra ct er
d e al i n g w i t h t h e c o n t ex t w i t h t h e m e a n i n g
w it h t h e w r i t e r t h e c i rcu m s t an c e s t h e ti m e a n d
o f t erm s
pl ace o f h i s u t t erance an d m a tt e rs o f s u c h sor t I t i s a val u
abl e k i nd o f i n t ro d u c ti o n i n th e t rea t m en t espec i ally o f d i fc u l t
t ex t s an d i n t h e h i gh er gra de o f d i dac ti c d i sco u rse s I t cl ears
a w ay ob sc u r iti es cl ears u p d i fcu l t i e s an d p repares t h e w ay
fo r i n t el l i gen t app reh en s i on o f t h e s i gn i canc e o f t h e t hem e
I t bel ongs t o a n educa ti ve pulp it t he pul p i t o f m en l i ke Robe r t
B u sh nel l Li ddon S ou t h I t i s t h e ex p l ana t o ry p roce s s
s on
t ha t m akes cl ea r t he m e t hod o f sec u r i ng t h e t hem e I t t a k e s
t h e a u d i ence along w it h t h e p reache r as i f h e w er e s ay i ng

I w an t t o S ho w m y h and I w an t t o j u s ti fy m y h om i l e ti c
w ay s t o yo u s o t h a t t h ere b e n o m i s u n ders t an d i n g b e t we en u s

a n d n o p re j u dgm en t t ha t I hav e m ade a m i s t ake

It is a
m e t hod t ha t no t only i n t ro d u ces t h e t h em e s u cces s ful lv an d
s o p rep are s t h e h earer fo r i t b ut i t m ay f u rn i sh a favo rabl e
i n t r o d u c tion f o r t h e p reach e r h i m sel f by i n d i ca t i ng r e spec t
,

T H E I NT R O D U CT I O N

29 1

fo r t h e i n t el l i gence o f h i s hea rers a n d a p u r p o se t o b e i n s t r uc

t i v e a n d help f u l an d perhap s by sh o w i ng sk i l l i n ded u c i ng
per ti nen t an d s t r iki ng t h em es T he expl ana t ory i n t rod u c ti on
has w i de range N o t e som e o f it s pos s i b i l iti e s VVor d
expl ana ti o n i s common H ere t he m ean i ng o f t h e cen t r al
o r s t r ess w ord o f t he t ex t i s i l l u s t ra t e d by comp ar i ng o r con
t ra s ti n g it s u s e i n o t her rel a ti on s an d connec ti on s
B i shop

H u n ti n g t o n h a s a s erm o n fro m I Co r I : 2 6 Y e s e e y o u r c al l
i ng
T he i n t rod u c ti on expl a i n s t h e d i ffe ren t u se s

o f t he w o rd Cal l i ng o r t h e d i fferen t sphe res i n w h i ch i t

i s appl i ed a dvanc i ng t h u s t o i ts u s e i n t h e t ex t N a r ra ti ve ex
pl ana ti o n general ly i n t rod u ces t h e h i s t or i cal o r b i ograph i cal
se rm on an d p repare s t h e w ay fo r t h e l es son s or re ec ti on s t h a t
are deduc i bl e from t h e m a t er i al a s t h u s p resen t e d T he im
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t e x t S u c h t ex t s fo r ex a mp l e a s A c t s 4 : 1 2 N e it h e r i s t h e re

S al va ti on i n any o t he rs e t c
C i rc u m s t an ti al expl ana ti o n w i l l h av e re fe r ence to a ny t h i n g
t h a t he i gh t ens t h e s i gn i c ance o f t h e t ex t a s fo r exampl e t h e
c ha rac t e r o r con d i t i on o f t h e on e w ho sp e ak s i n t h e t ex t o r i s
spoken o f t h e ti m e pl ace occas i on ob j ec t
T h e compar i son o r con t ras t o f cogna t e pas sage s m ay t h r o w
i n t ro d u c to ry l i gh t u po n t h e i mp o r t o f t h e t ex t a s f o r exampl e

M a tt 1 8 : 1 5 I f t hy bro t he r s in aga i n s t t hee e t c compare d

w i t h M a tt 5 2 3 24 I f t hy b ro t h e r h a t h o u gh t a ga i n s t t h ee
e t c S o al so t h e pas sages rela ti ng t o t h e p owe r o f t h e k eys
A col loca ti on o f d i ffe ren t p as sage s i ll u s t ra ti ng v ar i o u s phases
o f t h e m a i n t ho u gh t o f t h e t ex t m ay t h row l i gh t u pon it s
m ean i ng i n a prel i m i nary way : pas sages fo r exampl e s u gges t
i ng d i fferen t sor t s o f fear m ay a i d i n u n ders t an d i ng t h e m ean

i ng o f t h e t ex t ; The Fear o f t h e L or d i s t h e beg i nn i ng o f

W i sdom
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T H E W O R K O F T H E PREA CH E R

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L o nel i nes s o f Ch r i s t deal i ng w it h d i fferen t k i n ds o f l o nel i nes s

p repare s t h e p reache r t o u n de rs t an d t he be tt e r t h e lonel i nes s
o f Chr i s t A re ferenc e t o any t h i ng t ha t i s s t r i k i ng or p ec u l i a r
i n th e t e x t su ch a s we nd i n Can o n M o z l e y s i n t ro du ct i o n s
s t a r t s t he h eare r w it h a new i mp res s io n o f i t
A re fe r e nce t o t h e i mp ress i o n t h e t ex t h as m ade u pon som e

w el l k n o w n person a s fo r exampl e Pa u l s w o rd s : S o t he n
eve ry one o f u s shal l g i ve acco u n t o f h i m sel f
o n Dan i e l
Webs t e r w i l l very l i kely neve r b e f o rg ott en
Th e u s e o f a nal ogy i ll u s t ra t e s t he s i gn i cance o f t h e t ex t

Ta k e t h e i n t rod u c ti on to D r G ut h r i e s serm on o n E arly

P i e t y fr o m 2 T i m 3 : 1 5 From a ch i l d w e
A m an i s l i kely
t o be w ha t h is c h i l dhoo d i n d i ca t e s We s ee t h e sol d i er t h e
s t a t esma n th e poe t in t h e boy N a tu re has he r p rop he ti c
i n ti ma ti on s S O ha s rel i g i on T he t hem e i s t h u s a general i z e d
t h ou gh t base d on analogy a n d th e anal ogy i s s u gges t e d by t h e
t ex t no t t he t hem e
Con t ra s t o f t en f u rn i sh es a s t r i k i ng expl ana t o ry i n t rod u c ti on

a s i n Dr Gu t h r i e s sermon Th e Goo d F i gh t o f Fa i th f rom

2 Ti m
4 : 7 C o n t ra s t t h e sp i r i t o f B e n h a d a d s b o a s t ful m e s
sage to A hab abo ut h i s m i l it a ry p rowes s an d A hab s repl y

Le t no t h i m t ha t g i rde t h o n h i s arm or boa s t h i m sel f a s h e

t ha t p u t t e t h i t off w i th Pau l s ex u l t a ti on i n t h e w ords o f t h e

t ex t Pa u l wa s obnox i o u s t o no su ch re p r o ach a s w a s B en
hada d
Th e t ex t l i k e t h e t hem e m ay be general iz e d o r par ti c u l a r i z ed
an d i t s i mpor t t h u s be t he m ore cl early seen a s i n Ph i l l i p s

B rook s se rm on on Th e Pu rpose an d Us e o f Com for t f rom

2 Co r I
feren t w ay s o f d e s i r i n g c o mfo r t
3 4 Th e re a re d i f
T he q u al it y o f t h e des i re w i l l de t erm i ne t h e w o r t h o f t h e com
f o r t d e s i red T h e sor t o f com for t Pa u l des i re d i s s u gges t ed
T hen c o m es an appeal to t h e heare r w hen Go d com for t e d yo u
d i d yo u de s i re t o u se i t fo r ot hers a s Pa u l d i d ' I f so yo u
h av e t h e c o m f o r t Pa u l had
.

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294

e m i n e n t ly t h e gr o u n d cl ear i n g i n t ro d u c ti o n
Ro b er t s o n s

s e r m o n o n T he I l l u s i venes s of L i fe i s de fec t i v e he r e I n
s t ead o f n i sh i ng i n t h e i n t rod u c ti o n t h e expl ana ti on o f th e
t ex t an d f u l ly clea r i ng u p t h e m a tt er h e ca rr i es i t ove r an d re
i n t ro d u ces i t i n t h e rs t d i v i s i o n o f t h e s erm on a s i f h e w e re
d i s sa ti s e d w it h h i s p rel i m i nary expo s iti on
H e tu r ns u po n
h i s t rack H e r e en t ers t h e harb o r a f t er r each i ng t h e o p en s ea
Th i s i s pa r ti c u l a rl y ob j ec ti onabl e i n a serm o n w h o se t hem e
t ake s u s s o w i de a el d f rom t h e o r i g i nal h i s t or i c sen se o f t h e
pa s sage a s t h i s doe s a n d t ha t pu t s u s u po n a w hol l y n e w l i ne

o f t ho u gh t
N o s t e p back w a r d i s a goo d m o tt o fo r t h e
p reache r
Coherency o r cl ose an d harmon i o u s rel a ti on o f t ho u gh t

i n t h e i n t rod u c ti on i s ano t he r qual i ty

Th e t ho u gh t s o f t h e

i n t rod u c ti on says Cla u de m u s t hol d each o t h er by t h e han d

an d h av e a m utu al depen de nc e an d subo rd i nat i on

P rogres s
i s necessa ry t o cohe renc e T h e i n t rod u c ti on t h a t m ove s i n a
s t ra i gh t l i ne i n an o rderl y p rogress i ve m an ne r w i ll be s u re
t o m ov e c on nec t edl y an d cohe ren t ly B u sh nel l s i n t rod u c ti on s
i n al l ways adm i rabl e are espec i al l y no t abl e fo r t h i s s t ra i gh t

l i ne m ovemen t Rober t son s serm on o n Ca i aph as v i ew o f

V i car i ou s S ac r i ce i s a goo d ex ampl e o f t h e p r o gress i v e

coheren t i n t rod u c ti on I t m oves s t ra i gh t o n s t ep by s t ep e ach
s u ccess i ve s t ep b r i ng i ng u s nea re r t h e t hem e ; al l t h e par t s
suppo r t each o t h e r and al l t h row l i gh t u po n t he c o m i ng t h em e
T h ey are a l l t r i b ut ary t o t h e p re ach er s p u rpos e t o sh o w
Ca i apha s s t a t e o f m i n d i n utt er i ng t h e w o rd s o f t h e t ex t
2
T he f o rm qu al i t i e s o f t h e i n t rod u c ti o n are s u ch a s r el a t e
t o t h e ex p ress i on o f i t s t h ough t
Co nc re t en ess i s one o f t hem Th i s i s i ndeed a q u al it y o f
s u bs t anc e a s w el l a s o f form I t s u gges t s t h e absenc e o f
abs t rac t f o rm s o f t ho u gh t an d ab s t r u se form s o f expres s i o n
S u ch form s o f exp re ss i on a re t oo remo t e f o r i n t rod u c t ory
w o rk
I n t h e p r o ces s o f d i sc u ss i on t h e p reache r w i ll n d
-

THE

I N TRODU CT I O N

29 5

h i m s el f i n t h e real m o f ab s t rac t t h o u gh t N o i n s t r u c ti ve
p re ach e r h oweve r i llu s t ra ti ve h i s m e t h o d c a n wh o l ly ev ade i t
n o r S h o ul d h e w i sh t o d o s o
B ut s u c h t h o u gh t eve n i n t h e
d i sc u ss i on woul d bet t er be exp res sed i n concre t e t erm s I n
the i n t ro d u c ti on it i s o f st i l l grea t e r i mpor t an ce N o heare r
i s rea dy o r w i ll i ng t o s t ar t i n t h e realm o f t h e ab s t rac t an d
t h e abs t ru se H e i s i n no con d iti on o f m i n d for i t W ha t i s
sa i d here m u s t be read i ly apprehended Wha t i s s a i d m ay b e
rem o t e an d for t h e m om en t obsc u re i n it s bear i ngs b ut i f i n
it sel f read i ly i n t el l i g i bl e an d exp res se d i n co ncre t e l angu age
i t w i l l awa k en t he grea t er i n t eres t Tech n i cal exeges i s m ay l i e
beh i n d t he expos it ory i n t ro d u c ti on b ut i t sho u l d n eve r b e ex
p ressed i n tech n i cal l ang u age A p reache r shoul d c u l ti vate
l it erary sk i l l i n i n t erp re ti ng h i s t ex t A sk i l l fu l paraph ras e
o f wh i c h D r B u shnel l was m as t e r i s a n e ffec ti ve m e t hod o f
expos iti on I n t he i n t rod u c ti on espec i al ly a comb i na ti on o f
w ha t m ay be rela ti vely rem o t e i n i ts bear i ngs o r even for t h e
m om en t O bsc u re i n i ts m ean i ng w it h w ha t i s fam i l i a r an d near
a t han d i n it s form s o f exp re ss i on a n d i n t erp re t a ti on i s d es i r a
bl e We hav e a l i k i ng fo r w ha t i s f am i l i ar b u t t he m erel y
fam i l i ar i s t he comm onplace an d t he commonpl ace does no t
a tt rac t o r move u s I t i s t r u e t ha t w e h ave a c u r i o u s l i k i ng
for wha t i s u n fam i l i a r a n d rem o t e p rov i de d w e see o r bel i ev e
o r su spect t ha t it ha s som e rel a ti on t o w ha t i s know n B u t
w ha t i s s i mpl y an d w hol ly rem o t e an d u nk now n i s s o far away
f rom u s t ha t it fa i l s t o i nu ence u s I t i s when w e as soc i a t e
w ha t i s fam i l i ar w it h w ha t i s rel a ti vel y u n fam i l i a r an d poss i bl y
obsc u re i n it sel f o r esp ec i al ly i n i t s b e ar i ngs t ha t i t becom es
i n t eres ti ng a t once H ere l i es t he powe r o f concre t e l an gu age
O ne can no t m ake wh a t i s s o rem o t e a s t o b e u nknown o r u n
i n t ell i g i bl e i n t eres ti ng w i tho ut a ssoc i a ti ng i t w it h som e t h i ng
t ha t i s be tt er known o r s o w el l know n a s t o b e fam i l i a r j u s t
as one ca n no t m ake wh a t i s so fam i l i a r as t o be commonpl ace
i n t e r es ti ng w it ho ut ass o c i a ti on w it h w ha t i s l e ss w el l k now n
.

2 96

T H E W O R K O F T H E P REA CH E R

A story m ay be i n i tsel f s o fam i l i ar a s t o be u n i n t eres ti ngly

common bu t w hen i nt ro d uced to i l l u strate a t ru th that i s no t
w hol ly fam i l i a r o r i s l es s fam i l i a r o r fo r t h e m omen t remo t e
i n i ts bear i ngs i t become s i nte rest i ng a n d i m p re ss i ve an d i n
st ruc tiv e The t ruth takes on a n ew m ean i ng an d th e story
i tsel f has a new m ean i ng Th i s i s why a pe rt i nent wel l tol d
s t o ry i s v aluable i ntro d uctory m ater i al
S i mpl i c i ty i s i n v ol v ed i n conc re t ene ss bu t may wel l b e
spec i cal ly con s i de red I t i s the O ppos i te however n ot onl y
o f t h e abstrac t an d t h e abstru se an d th e rem ote t he p u zz l i ng
a n d obscu re bu t O f the a rt i c i al o r per fer v i d or th e bombast i c
I t i s as soc i ated w i th wha t i s natu ral an d genu i ne a n d sel f
po i sed A n uttera nce tha t seem s s t ra i ne d an d a r ti c i al o r
ove r d ramat i c i s e v erywhe re i ntol e rabl e i n p reach i ng B u t i t
i s espec i ally i ntol erabl e t o start w i th a sc ream o r w i t h a strut
One m ay i n deed beg i n a t h i gh p res su re The subj ect t h e
occa s i on th e p repa rat i on m ay sanc ti on o r e v en nec ess i ta t e i t
Ph i l l i p s B rook s began w i th a ful l v ol um e o f energy an d kep t
i t u p to t h e end H e wa s em ot i onally ful l o f h i s subj ec t a t the
ou tse t and i t was al l natu ral an d genu i n e B u t a fte r al l i t
w a s la rgely a m atte r o f del iv ery
Th e i ntroduct i on a s rea d
does not str i ke u s a s per fer v i d o r l ack i ng i n re ect i v e po i se
a n d c e rta i nly i t i s per fectly s i m pl e rhetor i cal l y Th e n o rmal
m ovem en t o f an i ntroduc t i on i s from a s i m pl e qu i et sel f
p o s s ess e d a n d p o s s ibly s o m ew h a t re s erve d b e g i nn i n g t o a n
i n c re a s e o f em ot i o na l vi go r A n atu ral d el i be ra t i o n a n d s el f
p o i s e cl ea r d i st i nct a rt i c ul at i o n a n d a s i m pl e n atu ral
p e rsp i cu o u s type o f di ct i o n alway s m ak e a fav o ra bl e i m pre s
s i on at th e outs et Rober t so n som et i m e s cl osed h i s serm on
i n a tem pest bu t h i s i ntroduc t i on s i l lu st rate th e power o f s i m
i
l
p c i ty o f reect i v e d el i berat i on and sel f maste ry
Propr i ety i s a s soc i ate d w i th s i m pl i c i ty I t i s a qu est i on no t
only o f good l i te ra ry o r rhe t o r i cal bu t o f good eth i cal ta ste
a n d j u dgm en t N ot h i ng ca n redeem a sermon th a t s t ar t s w i th
,

2 98

T H E W O RK O F T H E P REA CH E R

o f spec i al v al u e B ut i t i s a f t er al l by cons t an t an d i n t ell i gen t

p rac ti ce t h a t on e a t l as t bec o m es w h o l ly u n fe tt e r e d an d s po n
ta n e ou s i n h is w o r k
.

CH A PTE R I I
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t h em e i s t h e s u b j e c t i n i t s u n d evel o p e d fo r m I t i s
t h e germ o f t h e serm on L i ke al l germ s i t i s compl ex co n
t a i n i ng m ore t han a s i ngl e el em en t I t co ns i s t s o f a compl ex
o f t ho u gh t s ou t o f w h i c h i n h is d i sc u s s i o n t h e p reache r b r i ngs
s u ch var i e ti e s a s a re adap t e d t o t h e r eal i z a ti o n o f h i s ob j e c t
T he t hem e m ay al ways be p ut i n t h e form o f a de n it e c o m
plex s t a t em en t I t con t a i ns ex p l i c it ly o r i mpl i c it ly a p ropos i
ti on S u ch p ropos iti o n al ways con t a i n s t h e u n i ed el em en t s
o f c o mpl ex t ho u gh t Un it y i n compl ex it y i s t here fore th e
charac t er i s t i c an d p rope r t es t o f a t hem e T he t i t l e o f a s er
m on may no t b e it s t hem e I t m ay b e m u ch m ore comp reh en
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s i v e an d i n de n it e t ha n t h e t heme
p rop er tit le b ut i t i s neve r a p rope r t hem e We s u gges t t h e
u n it y o f t h e t hem e w he n we s a y t ha t th e S e r m o n ca n hav e b ut
on e s u b j ec t We s u gges t t he d en it en es s o f t he t hem e w hen
w e s a y t ha t i t s ho u l d b e s o conce i v ed an d s t a t e d a s acc u r a t ely
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be cal led th e log i cal q u al iti es o f t he t hem e o r t hos e q u al iti es
t ha t ar e i nvolv ed i n it s t ho u gh t rel a ti ons
T her e are va r i o u s t e rm s u se d t o des i gna t e t he complex
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w ha t l i es u n der t h e w h ol e serm on t h e o n e
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subj ec t i s no t al ways t h e exac t t hem e Top i c i s t oo narrow a
t e rm I t i s t h e pl ace w he re al l t h e elemen t s o f t ho u gh t i n t h e
d i scu ss i on a re fo u n d an d f rom w h i c h t hey a re der iv e d t he
storeho u s e w h e re t h ey a re al l ga t h ered and a s com i ng f r o m
t h i s one s o u rce t hey a re al l i n t errel a t e d an d s o are l eg iti m a t e
to t h e d i scu ss i on B ut p roperly t he t op i c i s no t i den ti cal w i th
t h e t h em e fo r i t i s ge neral l y al t ho u gh no t al ways appl i ed t o
a s i ngl e p hase o f the t h em e
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fore t h e preache r as t h e on e obj ec t o f h i s hom i l e ti c ac ti v it y
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w i l l speak abou t som e t h i ng

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a ro u n d som e c en t re an d i n all t he i r com plex iti es t h ey a re
hel d t oge t he r i n u n it y
H e w i l l a dd res s t he congrega ti o n

upon o r on som e s ubj ec t T ha t i s h i s d i scu ss i on w i l l

res t u pon a s i ngl e foun da ti on H e w i l l spea k o f o r f rom

s u ch an d s u ch a t ex t o r t hem e W ha t h e says w i l l t here fore

h a v e u n i ty o f sou rce H i s d i sc u ss i on i s concern i ng t h i s o r

t ha t I t i s th e one obj ec tiv e po i n t w it h wh i c h h is m en t al
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r e e c ti n g Up o n th e i r s i gn i can c e B u t w e u se t h em l e g i t i m a t el y
only a s w e a re fa it h fu l to t he i r i mpl i ca ti on s S om eth i ng i s
accompl i she d w hen t h i s p r i nc i pl e o f t hem a ti c u n i t y i s dul y an d
s ec u rely x ed I t is a ba d t h i ng t o b e obl i ge d t o s a y o f a
serm on w ha t t h e Frenchman sa i d o f h i s boo k i n t h e ti tl e g iv en
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E PREA CH E R

30 2

t o h av e advance d fa r beyo n d i t To ge t a p r op e r t hem e t hen

a de n it e compl ex u n i e d t ho u gh t capabl e al t ho u gh i t nee d
n o t always b e d o n e o fb e i n g p ut i n t o t h e fo rm o fa p r op o s iti o n
t h i s i s a n i mpor t an t s t ep i n sermo n p repara ti on A p r o ces s
o f a nalys i s m ay b e necessa r y i n o r de r to sec u r e t h i s O n e
m u s t n d out t h e e l emen t s o f t ho u gh t t ha t l i e in t h e t ex t
m u s t de t ac h t h es e el em e nt s o r s u ch o f t h em a s one m ay w i sh
t o sel ec t fo r u s e an d t hen ga t he r t hem by recomb i na tio n i n t o
som e cen t ra l al l emb rac i ng u n i e d t ho u gh t T h e p r o d u c t
o f s u ch a n alys i s an d syn t hes i s S ho u l d be a p rope r t hem e
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spac e i t occ u p i e s i n t h e o rgan i sm o f t he s ermon Li ke t he
h ear t o r b ra i n i n t he h u m an body i t i s t o be m eas u red n ot by

it s S i z e b ut by i t s f u nc ti on P r o f Phelp s i n h i s Th eo ry o f

Preach i ng devo t es e i gh t y t w o p ages t o t h e d i sc u s s i on o f i t ;

s i x t y pages t o t he p lan a nd no t q uit e t h i r t y page s t o t h e de
v el op men t o f t he serm on
T ha t i s t h e t hem e r ece i ves m ore
t han on e t h i r d t he a m o u n t o f a tt en ti on t ha t is g i ven t o t h e pl a n
an d almos t t h ree ti m es a s m uch a tt en ti on a s t ha t g i ven t o t h e
devel opm en t T h e e n ti re d i sc u s s i o n i s ove r el abo ra t e perhap s
T he re m a y al so be a d i sp ropor ti o n i n i t B ut a t any r a t e i t
s u gges t s t h e cen t ral i t y t he v i t al i t y a nd t h e s u p rem e s ign i
canc e o f t he t heme
.

II

IT s

F O R MU LAT I O N

T h i s q u es t i o n rece i ves b ut l itt l e a tt en tio n i n t h e p reach i ng o f

o u r day an d seem i ngly i t i s rega rde d a s u n i mpo r t an t R ea c
ti on aga i ns t t h e fo rm al m e t hods o f a form er per i o d a nd de
v ot ion to t h e o f
fhand b u s i nessl i ke m e t hod w i t h w h i c h w e a re
,

TH E TH EM E

3 03

al l s o fam i l i a r l argely acco u n t s fo r t h i s B ut a s aga i ns t al l

t h i s I i n s i s t up o n i ts i mp o r t a n c e Fr o m wh a t ha s b ee n s a i d
i t m ay b e i nfe rred t h a t t h e t h e m e sh o u l d a t an y ra t e t a k e
ve ry de n it e form i n t h e m i n d o f t h e p re ach e r W i t h
r e sp ec t t o t h i s q u e s ti o n t h e fol l o w i n g s u g g es tio n s a r e
p e rt i n e n t
I
The t hem e sho u l d ha v e a p rom i nence p r o p o r ti ona t e to
i ts i mpor t ance
A d i s ti nc t nes s o f s t a t em en t o r a d en i ten es s
o f s u gges ti on o r i n ti m a ti on a deq u a t e t o a cl ea r app re hen s i on
o n t h e par t o f t he hearer is t he c h i e f dem an d O ne m ay
p ut h is a ud i ence i n posses s i o n o f h i s t hem e i n a grea t var i e t y
o f ways I t m ay b e don e by fo rm al anno u ncemen t or by
fac i le i n ti m a ti on It m ay b e don e p ropos iti onally o r rhe t or i c
al ly i n ex cep ti onal cases fol low i ng t he i nd u c ti ve m e t hod i t
m ay b e done a t t h e en d o f t he serm on o r fol l ow i ng t h e de
d u c tiv e m e t hod w h i ch i s t h e m ore comm on hom i l e ti c m e t hod
a t t h e beg i n n i ng Fac i l it y an d v ar i e t y i n t he m e t ho d o f p ro
j ectin g t he t hem e are des i rabl e I t i s w el l t o awa k e n t he
c u r i os it y an d i nq u i s iti venes s o f t h e h e are r i n one s ap p roac h
t o h i s t heme B ut how ev e r i t m ay be done i t sho u l d b e done
w it h s u fc i en t d en i ten es s for cl ea r app rehens i on an d how
ev e r one m ay reach h i s t hem e t he b ea r er s ho u l d k now t h a t he
h a s reache d it an d s ho u l d k now w ha t it i s
I f a p reache r
does n t propose t o t el l h i s hearers w ha t he i s go i ng t o t al k
abo ut i f he p ut s u pon t hem t he t ask o f nd i ng o ut fo r t hem
s el ves l e t t hem s o u n de rs t an d it B ut i f h e a tt emp t s t o ge t
h i s t hem e be fore t hem i t i s a p rop er t h i ng for h i m to s u ccee d
i n do i ng it I n del i bera ti v e an d j u d i c i al o ra t ory t h e exac t
q u es ti on i n d i sc u ss i on i s o f som e i mpo r t ance Respec t fo r
h im sel f a s a publ i c speake r for h i s p ro fes s i on for h is a u
d ien c e for h is case o r q u es ti on respec t for h i s s u cces s i n ca rry
i ng h i s case o r q u es ti on i mpel s t he sec u l ar o ra t or t o exac t nes s
o f c o n c ep ti o n a n d o f s t a t em e n t
Is Ch r i s ti a n o ra t o ry l e s s
'
i mpor t an t
Respec t for t he t r ut h an d regard fo r e ffec
.

TH E

30 4

W O RK O F

TH E

P REA C H E R

t iv en e s s

a ccen tu a t e t h e dema n d u po n t h e p reach e r W hen

h e u n de r t a k es t o ge t h i s S ubj e c t b efo r e h i s au d i e n c e
h e S h o ul d s uc c e e d s o t h a t t h e r e b e n o m i s app r eh e n s i o n
ab o u t i t
E spec i al ly neces sa r y is t h i s w h en eve r t here i s l i ab i l i t y t o m i s
app rehens i o n by reaso n o f de fec t i n t h e h eare r Imm a tu r it y
i gno rance dul l nes s i na tt en ti on an d i n d i ffe re nce a re p ro l i c o f
m i s u nders t an d i ng an d hos ti l it y m ay rea d i l y pe rv e r t t h e
p reache r s m ean i ng I t i s s i ngula r w it h w ha t fac i l it y e v e n i n
t el l igen t hea re rs m i s i n t er p re t t h e p reach e r
T here are b ut
few p reache rs t ha t hav e no t ha d s t a r t l i ng exper i ences i n t h i s
m a tt e r De n i t e form al s t a t em en t i s des i rabl e w heneve r on e
a n ti c i p a t e s s u ch l i ab i l it y t o m i s t ak e Fo r t he sak e ev en o f a
sm al l sec ti o n o f t he congrega ti on one i s bou n d to cl ea rne s s o f
s t a t em en t One m ay respec t h i s a u d i ence w it ho ut ov e r t ax i ng
i t I t i s i dl e to i m ag i n e t h a t one m ay s u cc es s ful ly t h row t h e
respon s i b i l i t y upon th e congrega ti on o r t ha t t hey w i l l re sen t
t he p reache r s sol i c i tu de fo r cl ar it y o f s t a t em en t
Th e
p r ea ch e r i s r e sp o n s i b l e t h a t t h e b ea r er k n o w j u s t w h a t h e i s
go i ng t o t al k ab out
D i fcu l t s u bj ec t s dem an d ca re f u l s t a t em en t sub j ec t s t ha t
a re i n t h em sel v es w e i gh t y an d dem an d ca r e f u l d i sc u ss i on o r
t ha t h ave d i fc u l t t ex t s t ha t req u i re ca r e f u l explana ti on o r
t ha t are compl i ca t ed o r p u z z l i ng o r t ha t fo r w ha t eve r r eason
requ i re cl os e a tt en ti on De n it e s t a t em en t m ay eve n be con
d u c iv e t o r he to r i cal e ffec ti veness
I t i s gene rall y ass u me d t ha t t h e t ex tu a l s erm on m ay t rea t
t h e t hem e w it h grea t freedom B ut i f t he con t en t o f t he t ex t
i s excep ti onal ly compl ex i t m ay wel l be ga t he red i n t o a t hem e
fo r t he sa k e o f u n i t y Rober t son s t h em es are al ways i ncl u de d
i n h i s to p i cs The t op i cs cov e r t h e t h em e w el l eno u gh b ut no t
i n freq u en t l y i t w o u l d be be tt er i f t h e t hem e w ere de t a che d
from t h e d i v i s i on s an d d e n i t el y s t a t ed T hen a t a glance
t h em e an d d i v i s i ons w ou l d v i nd i ca t e each o t h e r
.

'

'

306

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

TH E

subj ec t Th e e d u ca ti ve p reach er w i l l t rea t h i s t h em e w it h

r espec t
2
B ut d en iten es s o f apprehen s i on i s n o t u ncon d i t i o nal ly
dependen t upo n formal s t a t em en t I n u nel abo ra t e d i scou rse
elabora t e s t a t em en t i s n eve r neces sa ry Fac i l e i n ti m a ti on m ay
be m ore app rop r i a t e Formal s t a t em en t w oul d seem gra tu it ou s
a n d p erh ap s p re t en t i o u s
Th e Tex t m ay a deq u a t ely sugges t t h e t hem e I f i t i s shor t
s i mpl e cl ea r an d p resent s a t once a de n i te compl ex t h ou gh t
i t i s al l t ha t i s needed I t w o u l d be m ore t han needl es s t o

fo rmu l at e a t h e m e fro m t h e wo rd s Ch r i s t w h o i s o u r l i fe

o r t h e w o rds
O n e th i n g i S n ee d fu l A n o ffha n d s u g ges t io n
i n rh e t or i cal form m i gh t be w o rth w h i l e b ut eve n t h i s i s
n eedl ess
D r Gu t h r i e gen e ral ly l e t s th e t e x t s u gge s t h i s t h em e e g

H o s e a 7 : 9 Gray h a i rs are h e re a n d t h e r e upo n h i m e t c

T i tl e ; Negl ec t e d wa rn i ngs
T h i s woul d b e a goo d s u gges
ti on o f t he t hem e B u t t h e p reach er a s sume s t ha t th e t ex t ha s
d o n e th e w o rk an d th e re i s n o s t a t e d th em e a t al l Th i s i s a

ca s e w he re th e nal t hem e m i g h t w el l b e s u bst it u t e d fo r

th e ca su a l t h em e i f o n e were t o s u gge s t a t h em e a t al l
e
t he obj ec t rath e r t ha n t h e subj ec t o f th e se rm on m i gh t be

stated e g I t i s my pu rpos e to rem i n d yo u o f t h e dange r o f

u nheeded a dm on i t i on B u t there i s n o n eed even o f t h i s T he

t ex t i s su fc i ent P S
Th ere i s fo rg i ven es s w i th Thee

t hat t ho u m aye s t be feare d

T he ti tl e w o u l d be a good t h em e

Fo rg iv en e s s an d fea r
B u t D r Gu th r i e d o e s n o t ava i l h i m
sel f o f i t H e p o i n t s o ut i n t h e i n t rod u ct i on the appa ren t i n
congr ui ty between forg iv ene ss an d fea r a n d a t tache s h i m sel f

a t o nc e t o t h e t ex t w i th t h e wo rd s ; I n op en i n g u p t h e subj e c t

o f t h e t ex t I obse r v e etc I s 5 9 : I B ehol d th e Lo rd s h an d

i s n o t sho r t ened e t c T h e i n t rodu c ti on t ake s u p th e t h ough t

o f c hange B u t God does not change an d i t concl u des t hu s :

Th erefore sp e ak i n g o f H i m t h e p ro ph e t say s B eh ol d e t c
.

TH E T H EM E

307

Th e t ex t a s t h u s r ep e a t e d t o ge t h e r w it h t h e i n t r o d u c ti o n f u r
n i s h e s a s u ffi c i e n t ba s i s fo r t h e d i s c u s s io n Th e t it l e wo ul d
m a k e a go o d s t a t emen t o f t h e t h e m e B u t D r Gu t h r i e i s t o o
o ffhan d t o uti l iz e it H i s t ex t s how ever a re general ly s i mpl e
and cl ear an d read i ly s u gges t h is s u bj ec t s
Th e i n t ro du c ti o n m ay a deq u a t ely d o t h e w o r k o fan n o u nc e
m e n t e spe c i al ly i f i t b e t h e ex p o s i t o ry i n t ro d u c t i o n C a n o n
L i dd o n ge n e rally m ak e s h i s i n t ro du c ti o n s d o t h i s w o rk H i s
t ex t s a re Si mpl e h i s sub j ec t s com e obv i o u sly f r om t hem an d
h i s i n t rod u c ti on s are expl ana to ry an d s u cc e ed i n ge tti ng t h e
t ho u gh t d i sc u ssed cl early be fore h i s h earers A s w e h av e seen
D r G u t hr i e r e l i e s u p o n h i s i n t r o duc ti o n s a s w el l a s t e x t s i n
t h i s i n t ere s t S o does B i s hop B r o ok s H ere i s t h e val u e o f
good i n t rod u c t o ry wor k
The occas i o n m ay f u r ni s h t h e t hem e A f u neral o r a m em o
r i al d i sco u rse s p eak s fo r it sel f S u ch d i scou rses have al w ays
bee n charac t er i z ed by hom i le ti c f ree dom
Evangel i s ti c d i s
c o u rs e s a re l e s s dep e nden t t h a n pa s t o ral di s c o urse s Up o n t h e
form u l a t ed t hem e D i rec t i mp re ss i on ra t her t han i ns t r u c ti on
i s t he obj ec t I t is w hen w e w i sh t o m ake a n i mp r e s s i on in
di r e ctl y i
t h ro u gh m en t a l an d m o ral j u dgm e n t s t h a t w e
are care ful t o fo rmul a t e t he t hem e H ere w e deal w it h t h e
subj ec t i n it s r el a t e d t h o u gh t el em e n t s I n t h e ev an gel i s t i c
s e rm o n wh e r e t h e t ex t i s u s e d fo r d i re c t app l i c a ti o n ra t h e r
t han fo r i n s t r u c ti o n a s t a t em en t o f t he ob j ec t may b e be tt e r
t h an a s t a t em e n t o f t he s ub j e c t
.

'

I I I M E T HO D S O F S T A T E M E N T
A 11 m e t hods a re i ncl uded i n t h e comp reh en s i ve d i v i s i on o f
rhe t or i cal a nd l og i cal o r p ropos iti onal We w i l l cons i der t hem
i n o rde r
I
Th e rh e t o r i ca l me t h o d o f s t a t e m en t i s n on p ro p o s i ti o n a l
I t con t a i n s no de n it e expres s i on o f j udgm en t I t i s a dap t e d
t o s u ch d i sc u s s i o n a s seeks i mp res s i on by rhe to r i cal m e t h o ds
.

308

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

a s d i s ti ngu i shed from i mp ress i on by a r gum en t d i al ec ti c o r

l o g i c H en c e ca l l e d t h e rh et or i cal m e t h o d 6 g H eb

S o we s ee t ha t t hey were no t abl e t o en t e r i n ( t o res t ) b e

cau se o f u nbel i e f
The u n res t o f a n u nb el i ev i ng H eart

M at t
Fo r wha t shal l a m an be p ro t ed e t c Th e

pr i cel es s w orth o f the H i ghe r L i fe H o sea 7 : 9

G ray h a i rs

a re here an d t here u pon h i m e t c N egl ec t e d wa rn i ngs I s

B eh ol d th e L o rd s h an d i s n o t s h o r t e ned e t c Th e
59 : I

Un de cay i n g P owe r an d Grac e o fGo d A c t s 1 0 : 1 9

Whil e

Pe t e r t hough t o n th e Vi s i on e t c V i s i on s an d Task s Joh n

S i m o n P e t er sa i th u n t o h i m L o rd wh i t h e r go es t

thou e t c The W i th hel d Com pl e ti on s o f L i fe

2
The l og i cal m e t hod i s p ropos i t i onal I t i s a formal ex
p ress i on o f j u dgmen t an d cal l s fo r p roo f I t i s th e m e t hod
t ha t i s adap t ed to a rgu m en t a ti ve proce sses Th e d i scu s s i on i s
r e sp o n s i bl e t o b r i n g o u t t h e rel a ti o n s o f t h o u gh t c o n ta i n e d i n

the p ropos i t i on H ence cal l e d l og i cal : c g

Unbel i e f i s a
s o u rc e o f u n re s t I am h er e t o rem i n d yo u th a t t h e re i s d an
g e r i n unh e ed e d a dm o n i t i o n Th e re ar e n o l i m it s t o th e P ow e r
a n d G rac e o f Go d Vi s i o n re al iz e s i ts pu rp o s e o nly a s t ran s

l a t ed i n t o Ta s k H um an l i fe n e ve r re a l i z e s it s ful l fru i t i o n
Th e s e a r e fo rm al e xp r e s s i o n s o f j ud gm e n t Th ey c al l fo r
s o m e s o r t o f ev i de n c e I t m a y b e a rgum e n t a ti ve o r i l l u s
t r a t iv e a cc o rd i n g t o th e n a t ur e an d O bj e c t o f t h e d i s cu s s i o n
Th e S i m pl e r s ubj ect s a r e n a t u ra l l y i l l u s t rat e d B u t n o t h em e
s tat e d p r op o s i t i onal l y sh o ul d fa i l o f supp o r t by s o m e s o r t
o f ev i dence T h e th ough t rela ti on b e t ween subj ec t a n d p red i
ate m u st be m a i n t a i ned c g t he t hough t rel at i on i n t h e
ab ov e m e nt i o ne d th em e b e t wee n u nb el i e f a nd u n r e s t o f
T h e po s s i bl e ran ge i n t h e d i sc u s s i o n o f subj e c t s
s o ul
th u s s t at ed i s ve ry great a n d t h e p o s s i bl e l i m i ta t i o n s o f
th e rea s o n s wh y u n re s t fo ll ow s
t h e s ubj e c t va r i e d e g
u n be l i ef t h e fo rm s o f su c h u n res t t h e k i n d o f u nb el i e f
A s to t h e
w h e th er m e nta l o r m o ral t ha t p ro du c e u n re s t
,

TH E

1
3 0

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

w e r e m o re c ar eful ly c o n s i d e re d it i s p o s s i bl e t h a t p re a ch
i ng wo ul d b e m o r e va r i ed m or e a tt ra c ti v e a n d m o r e
p e r s u as i ve
I t i s ev i de n t a t o n ce t h a t t h e tw o fo rm s a r e i n t e r
4
cha n geabl e Th e p o s s i b i l i t y o f s u c h i n t erch an ge i s t h e m ar k
o f a p r op e r th em e
Th e rh e t o r i cal fo rm al ways c o n t a i n s
a p o t en t i al p r o p o s iti o n
Th e ch o i c e o f fo rm w i l l d ep e n d l a rgel y up o n t h e ch ar
5
a c t e r a n d O bj e c t o f t h e s e rm o n B u t t h e qu al it y o f t h e t ex t
th e o c ca s i o n t h e a u d i enc e o r t h e t en d e n c i e s o r cap a c iti e s
o f t h e p r ea ch e r ar e al s o c o n s i dera ti o n s t o b e t ak e n i n t o
account
6
Th e p o i n t s o f r e l a ti v e v al u e i n t h e t w o fo rm s ma y
w el l b e c o n s i d e re d
Th e rh e t o r i cal fo rm p r e s e n t s t h e t h em e i n t h e m o s t c o m
p re h e n s iv e a n d i n de n it e m a n n e r ; t h e l o g i ca l fo rm m o r e
l i m i tedly a nd d e n i t el y I f o n e w i s h e s ra n ge h e w i l l ch o o s e
t h e fo rm e r i f cl o s e l i m it s t h e l a tt e r
Th e rh e t o r i cal fo rm a dm it s o f gr ea t e r v ar i e t y o ft r e a t m en t
Ran ge c o n d iti o n s v ar i e t y Th e o nly a s s i gn abl e l i m i t i s t h e
n a t u re an d o b j e c t o f t h e s e rm o n A g re a t va r i e t y o f
m e t h o d s o f t r e atm e n t o r o f t o p i c s i s t h erefo re a v a i l abl e
Take on ce m ore H eb
N o t e t h e p o s s i bl e m e t hod s
e g
d i scu s s i o n by re ec ti o n o r d edu c ti o n o fi nfere n ti a l t op i c s
b y i ll u s t rat i o n a n d exampl e by e xpl i ca ti o n o r a naly s i s by
p ra c ti cal appl i c a ti on b y t h e i n t e rr o ga t i v e p r o c e s s
Th e
l o g i ca l fo rm b e cau s e i t i nv i t e s a m o re d e n i t e fo rm al d i s
c u s s i o n an d h enc e l i m i ts t h e p rea ch e r
w i l l n ot s o re ad i l y
y i el d i t s el f t o a w i d e ran ge a n d v a r i e t y i n t re a t m e n t B y
l i m i t i n g fre e d o m h owe v e r i t m ay s ec u r e a m o r e de n i t e
c o n c e n t r a t e d an d v i go r o u s d i s cu s s i o n a n d s o s e cu r e a
m o r e d e c i s iv e r e sul t S o m e th em e s d em an d cl o s e r t re a t
m en t t h a n o th e rs an d s om e se rm o n s dem a n d m o r e de n it e
a n d spe c i c a i m t h a n o t h e r s
,

TH E

TH E M E

31 1

Th e rh e t o r ic al fo rm i s adap t ed t o t h e s i mpl e r cl a s s o f
s e rm o n s t h e l o g i ca l t o t h e we i gh t i e r cl a s s N O p r e a ch e r o f
good t as t e o r j u dgm en t woul d t h i nk o f put ti ng i nto p rop

On e t h i ng i s need
o s i t ion a l form a t hem e from t h e t ex t

ful
Th e t ex t al t h o u gh i n t h e fo rm o f a p r o po s i t i o n i s
o r d i s cu s s i o n b y way o f r e e c ti o n
s o s i m pl e t ha t i t ca l ls f
rath e r t ha n a rgu m e n t a ti v e el ab o ra ti o n Th e rh e t o r i ca l fo r m
i s t h e o nly o n e a dm i s s i bl e
Th e r he t o r i cal fo rm i t fo l l o w s i n t h i s c o n n e c ti o n i s
a dapt e d t o wha t i s cal l e d s u gge s ti ve p reach i n g i a pre a ch
i ng i n wh i ch t h e m a t er i al is u sed i n d i rec t ly by som e p roc
o f reec ti on o r i ll u s t r a tio n o r p rac ti cal appl i ca ti on
es s
ra t he r t ha n by a n el ab o ra t e p ro c e s s o f d i s cu s s i o n Pe rh ap s
m o s t B i bl i c al t e x t s ar e b e s t a dap ted t o t h i s fo rm R evel a
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t i a n t ru t h w h i c h s eem t o s t ar t fo r o u r p ra c ti ca l i ns t ru c t i o n
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c o n c i s e s u g g e s ti o n l i k e t h i s : L e t u s c o n s i de r s o m e o f t h e
l e s s o n s fro m t h e my s ti cal s t o n e Th e b e s t p re a ch ers o ft en
fa i l h e r e Eve n t h a t m a s t e r o f c o mp ac t s t yl e Pr of G e o rge

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d i s cu s s i o n ; g i v i n g o f wh a t Go d m ay h av e g i v e n u s a s a
m ea n s o f d i s c i pl i n i n g pu r i fy i n g el eva t i n g t h e ch a r ac t e r
An d I m i gh t sp e ak o f t h i s d i s c i pl i n e a s b o t h r e t ro sp e c ti v e

a n d p ro spe c ti v e Th i s i s t o o d i ffu s e a n d e l ab o ra t e Th e tit l e

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t h em e Th e L ov e t h a t i s ab ov e m o t h e r L ove w i l l il lu s
t ra t e t h i s Prea ch e r s of t h e La ti n Ch urch 6 g L eo t h e
G r ea t were ac c u s t om e d t o g i ve t h e i r t h em e s rh y t h m i c al l y
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i n th e Ga rden o f L i fe S uch s t a t em en t s o f co u r se w i l l cal l fo r

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t h em e S e n sa ti o n a l p re ach e rs ove rwo r k fel i c i t y a n d i t b e
c om es gro t e s qu e e g t h e l a t e D r Tal m ad ge a n d Ro wl an d
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t h e d ev el op m e n t o f a ny o r ga n i s m ev e ry p a r t sh o u l d fi n d
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gu re a nd aft e r t h e m an n e r o f t h e c l a s s i ca l rh e t o r i c i a n s
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l ar gel y b y t h e s k i l lfu l a rran g e m e n t o f fo r c e s an d t h e s u c
c e s s o f p re ach i n g i s c o nd iti o n e d i n p ar t by t h e s k i l l fu l a r
r an g e m e n t o f t h e e l em e n t s o f t h e s u b j e c t
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wh e r e h e b el o n g s a n d do i n g h i s d ut y a t h i s p o s t W e u s e
a v ar i e t y o f t erm s t o d e s i gna t e t h e p a r ti ti o n o r d i v i s i o n

o f t h e e l em e n t s O f t h e t h e m e
I t i s t h e pl a n o f t h e s er
m o n i e t he a rrangem en t o f t h e d i fferen t gro u p s o r cen t re s
O f t h o u gh t c o nt a i ne d i n t h e t h em e i n a c c o rda n c e w i t h s o m e
s ch e m e o f a rra n ge m e n t 5 0 a s t o S h ap e t h e d i sc u s s i o n i n t o
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u n it y i n a c c o rda nc e w i th a n a rch it ec tu ral pl an We sp e a k

t h e r efo re o f t h e arch it e c t u r e o f t h e s erm o n

I t i s t h e s ch e m e o r va ry i n g t h e t h o u gh t to m ak e t h e

n o ti o n o f u n i t y a nd o rd e r t h e m o r e em ph at i c i t i s t h e s k el e

to n
s u gge s ti n g a n i m it a t i o n o f n a tu re s m o s t sym m e t r i cal

w o r k Th e d i v i s i o n s are t h e h ead s o f t h e s e rm o n Th ey
s u gg e s t t h e p r o m i n e n c e w i t h w h i c h t h e gr o u p s o f t h o u gh t
s h o ul d s t a n d o u t t o t h e h e a r e r s app r e h e n s i o n i n t h e l i n e
o i d ev e l opm e n t
Th ey a r e t h o s e ch i ef c e n t re s o f t h o u gh t
i n t h e c o n t en t o f t h e s erm o n t h a t c o n t a i n al l s ub o rd i na t e
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t h e b o dy

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d e n i t iv en es s o f o u t l i n e t o s u gge s t t h e d e n it e n e s s o f o u t
l i n e t h a t s h o ul d m a rk t h e p r o gr e s s o f t h e dev e l o pm e n t o f
t h e s e rm o n o r t h a t s h o u l d ch ara c t e r i z e it s s t r uc tu r al f o rm
i e th ey a r e p r o m i n e n t fe a tu r e s of th e s u b j e c t t h a t j ut o u t
i n t o v i e w l i k e s a l i e n t p o i n t s to m ar k t h e l i n e o r c o u rs e o f
t h o u gh t
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la n d i n g p l ac e s
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Th e
p re ach e r l au n ch e s o u t fro m h i s p o i n t o f d ep ar t ure a n d h ea ds
t oward t h e s e d i ffe re n t l a n d i n g pl ac e s i n h i s c o u r s e p a s s i n g
fro m o n e t o a n o t h e r ti l l t h e l a s t i s re a ch ed a n d t h e c o u r s e i s

e n de d
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t h ey a r e re s t s t h a t m ar k

p r o gr e s s
Th e y a re m i l e s t o n e s t h a t m a r k t h e s t age s
o f t h e j o u rn ey
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su gge s t t h e n a t u r e o f t h e w o rk a n d by t h e i r va r i e t y p e r
h a p s s u gge s t it s i mp o r t a nc e
O rde rly m e t h o d i n t h e de
v el Op m en t o f t h e s erm o n
i s t h e p r eva i l i n g s u gge s ti o n a
m e t h o d t h a t c o nfo rm s to t h e r el a ti o n s o f t h o u gh t an d t o th e
l aw s o f t h e s o u l s a c ti o n W i t h t h i s i s i n cl u de d t h e n o t i o n s
o f u n it y an d p ro gre s s i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n
Th e s e qual iti e s
a r e ne c e s sa r y n o t o nly to cl ea rn e s s b ut a r e al s o c o n du c i v e
,

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

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ev e n t o fo rce a n d g r ac ef u l n e s s
e ffe c ti ve n e s s i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n

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o f th e t e x t o r t h e t h e m e ; wh i c h h av e al rea dy b e e n b r o u gh t
t o o u r a tt e nt i o n
Th e y a r e t h e t ex tu al a n d t h e t o p i cal o r
th e a n aly ti c a n d t h e syn t h e ti c a s t h e y a r e s o m e t i m e s c all e d
Th e fo rm e r an aly z e s t h e el em e n t s o f t h e t e x t a n d d i s t r i b u t e s
t h e m a s t ex t ual t op i c s i n t h e d i v i s i o n s o f t h e s e rm o n Th e
la t t e r s e cu r e s a t h em e fr o m t h e t e x t b y a s yn t h e s i s o f i t s
e l e m e n t s o r b y a syn t h e s i s o f t h o u gh t s s u gge s t e d by i t b u t
w h i ch m ay h av e a r el a ti v e i n dep e n d e nc e o f i t a n d t h e n d i s
t r i b u t e s t h e s e el e m e n t s u n d e r c e r t a i n t op i c s o r rub r i c s o f
t h o u gh t Th u s t h e t e xt u al m e t h o d de al s d i r ec t ly w i th t h e
e l em e n t s o f t h e t ex t a n d d i s t r i b u t e s t h e m a n d t h e m o nl y a s
t op i c s t h r o u gh o u t t h e s e rm o n Th e t op i ca l m e t h o d d e al s
i n d i r e c t ly w i th t h e t ex t a n d d i r e c t l y w it h t h e t h e m e d i s
t r i b u ti n g i t s el em e n t s a s t op i cs i n rel a ti ve i ndepen denc e o f
t he t ex t Th e t wo m e t ho ds res u l t i n t w o ve r y d i ffere nt t ype s
o f p r e a ch i n g
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i n g in t h e m
L e t u s e xam i n e t h em
1
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ges ti o n s r e l a ti v e t o it s u s e m ay b e o f v al u e
Th e c h ara c t e r o f t h e t ex t i s t h e r s t r e g u l a ti v e c o n s i d e r a
ti o n A p a s s a g e t h a t i s c o mpl e x i n i t s c o n t e n t o f t h o u gh t
l e n d s i t s elf rea d i ly t o th e t ex t ua l m e t h o d Th e p a s sa ge t h a t
i s s h o r t a n d s i m pl e a nd cl o s e l y u n i e d i n it s c o n t e n t o f
t h o u gh t i s b e tt e r a dap t e d t o t op i cal t re a t m e n t
Th e t ex t u al m e t h o d i s a d ap t e d t o t h e s i mpl e r sub j e c t s
an d t o t h e r el a ti vely u n i n s t ru c t e d a n d u n c u l tu r e d c l a s s o f
h ea re r s
I t i s a S i m pl e m e th o d o f p r ea ch i n g d e al i n g a s
i t do es i n a n u n a r ti s ti c w ay w it h t h e expl a n a ti o n a n d
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

3 22

t h e t ex t w i l l o bv i a t e t h i s Th e t op i ca l t ex t u al o r syn t h e ti c
a n aly ti c i s t h e o nly S a ti sfac t ory t ex tu a l m e t h o d
Th e t e x tu al d i v i s io n m ay a tt ach it s elf to t h e s t re s s w o r ds
o r t o t h e s t re s s t h o u gh t o f t h e p a s sa ge
Pa s sa ge s w h o s e
ch i ef wo rds a re p r e gn an t w i t h m e a n i n g a n d a r e s o re l at e d
a s t o s e cu re u n i t y o f t h o u gh t m a y b e c o m e t h e b a s i s o f a

su cc es s ful v erbal de v elopm en t 6 g Rom an s

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we k n o w t h a t t o t h e m t h a t l ov e Go d al l t h i n gs w o r k t o

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e rn m e n t o f Go d
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H i s a c ti v i t i e s wo r k c o Op e r a t i v el y t o ge t h e r
Th a t t h e y
3

w o r k t el eo l o g i cal l y w o r k fo r s o m e t h i n g 4 Th a t t h e y

w o r k b en e c en t l y o r t owa rd s t h e g o o d
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w o rk c o n d i ti o n al ly t o wa rd th i s b en e cen c e t o t h e m t h a t

l ove Go d
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Th e o bj e c t i o n a ga i n s t t h i s
m etho d o f t reat i ng t ex t s is t ha t i t i s l i kely t o degenera t e
i n t o al l ego ry a r t i ci a l it y an d l ac k o f u n i t y Th e t ex t ual
d i v i s i o n t h a t a t ta ch e s i t s elf t o t h e s t r e s s t h o u gh t s o f th e p a s
s a ge m a y b e i d e n ti cal w i th a n d n o t d i ffere n t i abl e fro m t h e

t op i ca l m e t h o d 6 g R ev 3 : 20 B eh o l d I s t an d a t t h e d o o r

a n d k n o c k e t c m ay b e t re a t e d a c c o rd i n g t o th e suppl e
m ent al t ex t u al m e t h o d i n wh i ch a s n o t i nfre qu e n tl y i n
R ob e r t s o n s pr e a ch i n g top i c s fro m w i th ou t m a v b e c o m b i n e d

2 Co r 5 : 1 4
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w it h t o p i c s f u rn i shed by t h e t ex t

o f Ch r i s t c o n s t ra i n e t h u s
m ay b e t rea t e d ac c o r d i n g t o t h e
-

T H E OUT LI N E

32 3

xp a n s i v e t ex tu al m e t h o d
by e d u c in g t h e e l em e n t s o f
t h o u gh t i nvol ve d i n t h e c o n s t ra i n t o f Ch r i s t s l ove 1 A
ra ti onal co ns t ra i n t 2 A m o ral con s t ra i n t e t c Joh n 6 :

68
S i mon Pe t e r answe red h i m : To w hom shal l w e go
e t c may be t rea t e d accord i ng t o w ha t m ay b e cal l ed t he
i mpl i ca ti v e t e x tu al m e t h o d
b y e d u c i n g t h e i mpl i ca ti o n s
I
We m u s t i n rel i g i o n g o s o m ewh ere m u s t
o f t h e t ex t
ge t b eyo n d ou rs elve s 2 M u s t app ea l t o a l i v i n g p e rs o n al
b e i n g 3 I t i s t o Ch r i s t o r n o o n e e t c A p as s a ge l i k e

Ac t s
Wha t m u s t I do t o be s ave d m ay be t r ea t ed
a cc o r d i n g t o t h e gram ma ti ca l t ex t ua l m e t h o d fo l l ow i n g
t h e su b j e c t pr e d i ca t e an d ob j e c t 1 Th e p e rs o n al s e a r ch
2
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2
A s t o t h e t op i ca l m e t h o d t h er e ar e t w o cl a ss e s t h a t
S h o u l d b e ex am i n e d O n e d eal s i m m e d i a t ely an d d i r ec t l y
w it h t h e m a i n t ho u gh t o f t h e t hem e a n d d i s c u s se s i t w i t h
refe r enc e t o t he wo r k o f i ns t ru c ti o n Th e o t h e r d eal s i n
d i r e c t ly w i t h t h e t h ou gh t o f t h e t h em e a n d u s e s i t i n t h e
w ay o f a ppl i c a ti o n a nd w it h r efe r e n c e t o p rac ti cal i n t e r e s t s
O n e l ays s t re s s up o n t h e s ubj e c t a n d th e o t h e r up o n t h e
o bj e c t o f t h e
s e rm o n
Th e fo rm er a s b e i n g exp o s it o ry
o f t h e t h o u gh t o f t h e t h em e a n d a i m i n g a t i n s t r u c ti o n
m ay
b e c al l e d t h e d i da c ti c t op i c al m e t h o d an d t h e l a tt e r a s d e
d u c in g i nfe ren c e s fro m t h e t h em e fo r p ra c ti cal u s e m ay b e
call e d t h e appl i ca t o ry t op i cal m e t h o d
( I) I n t h e d i dac ti c p l a n o r d i v i s i o n o f t h e t h em e t h e
i m m e d i a t e obj e c t i s t o b r i n g o u t t h e d i ffe ren t gro up s o f
t h o u gh t t h a t l i e i n t h e t h em e w it h r efe r e n c e t o t h e wo rk
o f t ea ch i n g
Th e subj ec t i s t h e i mp o r t a n t m a tt e r a n d m u s t
b e d i s cu s s e d o n t h e b a s i s o f i t s i mp o r t a n c e a s a s ubj e ct Th e
appl i ca ti o n m ay b e m ad e i n c o n n e c ti o n w i th t h e d i s cu s s i o n
or
sub s e qu en t ly i n t h e c o ncl u s i o n
B u t wh en eve r a n d
w h e re v e r m ade i t i s b a se d up o n t h e d i s cu s s i o n a n d i s i n
a way s ub o r d i na t e t o i t Th e i m m e d i a t e t h i n g i s t o ge t t h e
e

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T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

324

e l em e n t s o f t h e s ub j e c t b efo r e t h e h e a r e r i n s u ch way a s
t o i n cr e as e o r cl a r i fy o r r e c ti fy h i s k no wl e d ge o f it
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t op i ca l s e r m o n s o f t h e we i gh t i e r s o r t b el o n g t o t h i s cl a s s
S u ch w a s t h e o l d N ew En gl a n d t op i c al s erm o n
I t s ob
j c e t wa s i n d o c t r i na ti o n a n d i t w a s s h ap e d w i t h refer e n c e t o
t h i s e n d D i da c ti c m e t h o ds va ry Th o s e c u rr e n t i n o u r d ay
d i ffe r fr o m t h o s e o f a p r ev i o u s p e r i o d B u t wh a t ev e r t h e
m e t h o d t h e a i m o f t h e d i dac ti c s e rm o n i s t h e s a m e
It
i s e d i ca t i o n b y i n c r e a s e o r cla r i ca ti o n o r c o rr e c ti o n o f
k n owl e dg e S o l o n g a s d u e a tt e n ti o n i s g i ve n t o t h e m o ra l
a n d re l i g i o u s a i m o f t h e s e r m o n t h e d i da c ti c m e t h o d o f
ha n dl i n g i t s m a t e r i al i s v ery i mp o r t a n t T h i s i s p as t o ral
p r e a ch i n g by p r e e m i n e n c e
( 2) I n t h e app l i c a t o ry m e t h o d t h e m a t er i al o f t h e s u b
j e ct i s h a ndl e d i n a p ra c ti ca l a n d s u gge s ti v e m a n n e r a n d
w it h refe r e n c e p r i m ar i ly t o m o ral a n d r e l i g i o u s i n c en ti v e
I t t a k e s up a t o nc e t h e b e ar i n gs o f t h e s ubj e c t u p o n p rac ti cal
i n t e re s t s I t m ay be i n t h e f o rm o f i n feren ces t ha t h ave
a bear i ng up o n m en s bel i e fs fo r t r ut h m ay h av e a p ra ct i
c al bear i ng u pon one s O p i n i ons o r i t m ay h av e a p rac ti cal
b e a r i n g u p o n t h e fo rm a ti o n o ft h e i r cha r a c t e rs o r u p o n t h e i r
g e n e ral c o n du c t o r up o n s o m e S p e c i c a n d i m m ed i a t e l i n e
o f a c ti o n
I t ge n e ral l y d e al s w it h i n fe r e n ti al t h o u gh t s o f

a s u gge s t i ve q ui c k e n i n g c ha ra c t e r 6 g M a t t
Eve n

a s t h e S 0 11 o f m a n ca m e n o t t o b e m i n i s t er e d u n t o e t c
Th e s ub j e c t s u gges t e d h e re i s fam i l i a r a n d do e s n o t c al l fo r
el ab o ra te d i da c ti c t re a t m e n t I t i s b e tt e r t o apply t h e s u b
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a s c e n den cy o v e r m e n 2 I t s u gge s t s o u r s u p r em e wa nt
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no t fa i l i n d i scu ss i on Th e appl i ca ti on s t hem sel ve s a re d i s
c u s s e d B u t i t i s d i scu s s i o n by th e p ro ces s o f i n d i re c t io n I t
m a y re s c u e t h e s e r mo n fro m u nfr uit fu l d i s c u s s i o n o r u n
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

32 6

III

N ECE SS I T Y O F O UT L I N E

TH E

elab o r a ti o n o f t h i s t o p i c i s c al l e d fo r Th e r e a r e b ut
t w o su gg e s ti o n s
1
Th e r e c a n b e n o s e rm o n w it h o u t o u t l i n e m o r e o r l e s s
d i s t i n c t Th e t ex t u al s e rm o n h a s o f c o u rs e t h e d i v i s i o n s
B u t h ow ab o ut t h e t op i ca l s erm o n ' M u s t
of th e text
i t h av e d i v i s i o n s a s wel l ' I rep ea t n o s e r m o n i s p o s s i bl e w i t h
o ut d i v i s i o n
Why ' L e t u s s e e O n e h a s a t h em e N o t h em e
I t m a y b e h i dd e n o r a t t h e s u rfa c e
n o s erm o n b u t h o m i l y
i mpl i c i t o r e xpl i c i t h el d i n s o l u ti o n o r e m e rge n t i n fo rm
B u t i t i s t h e r e a n d i t i s o n e A n d i t c o n t a i n s gro up s o f
s u b o r d i n a t e t h o u g h t Th ey ar e al l w rapp e d up t h e re i n t h e
t h em e Th e t h em e i s c a pab l e o f fo rm ul a ti o n i n s om e s o r t
o f p r op o s iti o n o r a f
rm a t i o n o r s t a t em e n t a n d ab o u t i t n o t
N ow
o n e t h i n g b u t m any c o mpl e x t h i n gs m ay b e s a i d
w h a t w i l l o n e d o ' Us e o r appl y t h e s ub j e c t p erh ap s ' V e ry
w el l Th i s i nv o lve s pa r t iti o n o r d i v i s i o n i n t o d i ffe re n t a s
p ee t s o r p h as e s o f wh a t i s t o b e u s e d o r appl i e d O n e d o e s
n o t u s e o r apply t h e s u b j e c t b y s ay i n g o n e t h i n g o v e r a n d
o v e r a ga i n i n t h e s am e w a y i n wh i ch i t h a s b e e n s a i d i n t h e
t h em e Th e r e i s n o d evel opm e n t o f t h e sub j e c t i n t h i s
Th e r e i s n o b r i n g i n g o u t o f t h e c o mpl ex it i e s o f t h ou gh t t h a t
a r e h i dd e n i n t h e t he m e Th e t h em e i s appl i e d o nl y wh e n
d i ffe re n t appl i ca t o ry a sp e c t s o f i t a r e b r ou gh t o u t B u t p e r
h ap s o n e w i l l d i s cu s s r a t h e r t h a n app ly t h e s ubj e c t ' I t
m ay be done va r i o u sl y N o m a tt e r h ow O ne W i l l dis cus s
it
e t ym o l o g i c ally o n e w i l l S h a k e i t a s u n der i n to i t s
el em e n t s o n e w i l l b re ak up t h a t c o m pl e x m a s s t h e t h em e
i n t o i t s c o n s tit u e n t el e m e n t s To d i s cu s s a s ubj e c t i s t o
d i s i n t e gra t e i t an d t o e xam i n e re e c t up o n a n d u s e t h e
p a r t s o f wh i ch i t i s c o m p o s e d
Ot h erw i s e o n e d o e s n o t
d i sc u s s i t h e f o o l s w it h i t N o w h e re i s d i v i s i o n I t i s a
m an i fe s t n e ce s s it y Th e o n l y qu e s ti o n i s ; wh a t s o r t o f d i v i
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TH E

O UT LI N E

3 27

sh al l i t b e ' S o m e s o r t t h e r e m u s t b e
On e m u s t k n ow
t h o s e h i d de nt h o s e p o ss i bl e gro up s o f t h o u gh t t h a t l i e
t h e r e el s e o n e do e s n ot k n o w h i s s u b j e c t W h a t c a n o n e
d o w it h i t w it h o u t k n ow i n g s o m e t h i n g ab o ut i t ' To k n o w
a n d h a n dl e t h e t h em e t h e n i nv o lv e s d i v i s i o n N o w i t n e e d s
a rgu m e n t o r s h o ul d n ee d n o n e t h a t i n ge n e r al t h i s
no
d i v i s i o n p ro c e s s s h o ul d i n s o m e way b e m ad e app a r e n t
a t l e a s t s u f c i en t ly s o fo r t h e a c c o m pl i sh m en t o f o n e s p u r
p o s e Th e p rea ch e r mus t h av e s o m e s ch e m e o f t h o u gh t i n
m i n d a n d t h e au d i en c e oug h t t o h av e t h e av a i l o f i t i f t h e
p re a ch er w i l l r e a s o nab l y exp e c t t o d o a ny t h i n g fo r t h em
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t o t h i s q u e s ti on
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t h a t i t b e i n s t r u c ti v e Th e a u d i e n c e t h e refo r e s h o u l d b e ab l e
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o f t h e s e rm o n de p en d s o n t h i s
n ot o n a m er el y fra gm e nt ary
i mp re s s i on Th e s ubj e c t S h o u l d s t an d o u t cl e a r l y i n o ut l i n e
i n t h e m i n d o f t h e pr ea ch er an d t h i s cl ea r n e s s o f o ut l i n e
sho u l d appea r i n h i s d i sc u ss i on Th e so r t o f t op i cs t ha t a re
a dap t e d t o t h e w o r k o f t e ach i n g S h o u l d b e c h o sen o r s u ch
p r o ofs a s w i ll carry h i s arg u m e n t i f i t b e a n ar g u m e n t a ti ve
d i s c o u rs e The y w i l l b e a rran ge d cl e arly a n d m e t h o d i call y
s o t ha t t hey m ay b e foll o w ed eas i l y
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t here fore som ewha t p rom i nen t a n d ob t r u s i v e The t h em e
w i l l b e b ro k e n u p i n t o it s par t s ea c h p a r t wi l l b e e xam i ne d
b v i t s e lf a n d i n i t s r el a ti o n s a n d t h e wh o l e s ubj e c t a s t h u s
a n alyz e d w i l l b e p re s e n t e d i n a c l os el y o r gan iz e d m an n e r
No t t ha t t h e d i v i s io n s m u s t b e m a t hema ti call y f o r ma l They
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3 28

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c e r t a i n ly sh o u l d n ot r u n o n i n a f o rm al m a n n e r e a ch
t op i c i n s u c c e s s io n o u t o fi t s pr ed e c e s s o r ra t h e r t h a n d i re c t ly
out of th e t h e m e
a s t h e s c h o l a s ti c s e rm o n d i d ti l l t h e
p r e a ch er h a d p i l e d t o ge t h er a n i n t e rm i n ab l e m a s s o f b u l ky
f ra gm e n t s a h u n dr e d o r mo r e a s we n d ev e n i n p r e a ch er s
l i k e B ax t e r an d othe r P u r it an p reach ers
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b e a cl ea rl y o u t l i n e d d i s cu s s i o n t h a t w i l l d o t h e w o r k o f

d i sc u ss i on Th e w or d Sk el e t on ha s done d ut y i n hom i
l et i cs a n d it h a s f r i gh t ene d a goo d m a ny m o dern p reach ers
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a b o u t t h e h um an b o dy t h a n t h a t i t h a s a sym m e t r i ca l fo rm
I t m e a n s t h a t i t i s r a ti o na l l y a n d i n fac t aes th e ti c al l y o r
I t do e s n o t
g a n i z e d a n d t h a t ev e ry o n e c a n s e e t h a t i t i s
m ea n s i m p ly t h a t i t i s e s h l e s s a n d l i fel e s s A d i da c ti c s e r
m on w it h a cl ea r o ut l i ne n eed no t b e a S kel e t o n i n t h e ob
j ecti o n a b l e s e n s e t h a t i s i s l i fel e s s A l i v e s erm o n j u s t
b e ca u s e i t i s s u ch d e m an d s s t ru c t u ral qu al it y a s a ny l i v
i n g o r ga n i s m o f h i gh gra d e d e ma n ds i t d e ma n d s i t b e ca u s e
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i t i s a n o rga n i s m o f h i gh gr a de
th e m o r e i n t r i ca t e a n d e l ab o ra t e n o t o nl y b ut t h e m o r e
m a n i fe s t it s s t ru c t u r e Th e l owe r t h e o r g an i s m t h e l e s s

m an i fes t i t s s t ru c t u r e W e sp e a k o f t h e b o dy o f t h e s e r
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mon
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t h e b o dy o f a n o r gan i s m fr o m it s p a r t s
(2) B u t w i t h r e sp e c t t o t h e a ppl i c a ti v e o r m o r e p ra c ti c al
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a s t r o n g c o m pl e t e m e n t a l c o n qu e s t b u t a s tr o n g u r ge n t
m o ra l an d e m o ti o n al i n c e nt i ve o r s u cc e s s i o n o f i n ce n ti ve s
th a t i s s o u g h t Th e obj e c t i s t o ca r ry i n t o t h e m i n d o n e
s i mpl e m a i n t ho u gh t var i ou sl y i l l u s t ra t e d i n su ch a w a y a s
,

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3 30

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

m en t s a s d i s ti ngu i she d f rom d i al ec ti cal o r ph i loso p h i cal

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n ec t ion w i th t he s u bj ec t do no t a t o nc e read i ly sugges t t hem
selve s Th ey need to be h u nte d u p There i s need o f a

p la ce wh e r e th ey m ay b e s t o re d a n d fo u n d wh e n d em a n d e d

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m e t hods o f handl i ng t he ma t er i al o f t hough t Th e s tu dy
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i
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m en t s t hem sel v e s
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t op i c s o r m e th o ds o f di s cu s s i o n e spe c i al l y a d ap t e d t o ea ch
j u s t a s i n p re ach i n g t h er e a r e
o f t h e s e sp e c i e s o f o rat ory
t o p i c s o r m e th o d s o ft rea t me n t t h a t a r e a dapt e d t o t h e d i d a c
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w o rd t op i c th e n a s appl i e d t o p rea ch i n g m ea n s t h e me th o d s
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m ethods o f s t a ti ng i t me t hods o f develop i ng i t an d me t h ods

o f c o n clu d i n g i t
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t h e p r i n c i pl es o f m en t a l a s s o c i a t i o n o r o f t h o s e t ho u gh t
r elat i o n s t ha t o n e m ay fol l ow i n t h e t r e a t m e n t o f a s ubj ect
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th e ch aract e r o f t h e s erm o n i
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s ubj e c t a n d i n t h e prop er o b j e c t of t h e s e rm o n a n d i n t h e
.

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p rop e r t h o u gh t rel a ti o n b e t we e n t h e s ub j e c t a n d o bj e c t wh y
o n e sh oul d c h o o s e o n e r a th e r t h a n a n o t h e r c l a s s o r gr o u p
o f t op i c s
O f co urs e t h e r e i s gre a t r an ge o f p o s s i bl e c h o i c e
O n e c a n n o t l a y do wn a ny h ar d a n d fa s t r ul e h er e B u t i t i s
ev i de n t en o u g h t ha t t h e r e a re t op i c s t ha t ar e a dap t e d to
d i ffe r e n t t yp e s o f s e rm o n I w i ll a d d d i ffe r e n t t yp e s o f t h e
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o f t op i c s t h a t r ea d i ly a d j u s t th em s e lve s t o Ch r i st i a n t h e m e s
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t o p i c s r ea d i ly adj u s t t he ms e lve s t o d i ffe re n t t yp e s o f s er
mons
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a dap t e d t o d i d ac t i c s erm o n s A v e ry l a rge n u mb er o f o u r
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t e rp r et a tio n
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t h er e a r e d i dac ti c t op i c s tha t t t h e s e t ex t s a n d th e s ub j e c t s
d e du c e d fro m t h em
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t op i c s Th ey b el o n g t o t h e rea l m o f ab s t rac t t h o u gh t p e r
h ap s a l t h o u gh th e y m ay b e s t a t e d c o n cr e t e l y o r r ep re s e n t a
I n d i sc u s s i ng suc h sub j ec t s w e a re l i kely t o d i rec t
t iv ely
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grou nd s o r sou rces i t s ev i dences t h e obj ec ti on s aga i ns t i t e t c
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o f du t y o f m o ral n e c e s s it y o f m o ral p r i v i l ege o f m o ral a i m
w ha t eve r t o u ch e s t h e d o ma i n o f c o n s e qu e n c e s
o r m o ti ve
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t ak es u s a t o n c e i n t o t h e
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t op i c s t h a t a r e a dapt e d t o t h e w o r k o f e t h i ca l i nc ul ca ti o n
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a n d are p e cul i a rly t te d t o t h e w o r k o f m o ral i m pre s s i o n t h a t
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TH E W O R K O F T H E P REA C H E R

3 34

m ay b e fo u n d H e n ce w e a re enc ou ra ge d t o s eek i t I t
i s v a l ua ble B ut i t i s s o val u abl e th a t o n e c a n n o t w o rth i ly e s
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t e nde ncy t o c omb i n e t h e i n t e res t o f t h e o bj e c t w i th t h a t

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it i n a va r i ety o f a sp e c t s are i n e ffe c t t h e t op i c s M o re o ve r
al l t he t op i cs w he t he r m any o r f ew sho u l d y i el d t hem selves
na t u ral ly t o t h e p rea ch e r s p r e s su r e u p o n h i s t h em e an d
sh o u l d n o t b e fo r c e d o u t by far fe t ch e d a s s o c i a t i o n o f i de as
The to p i c s a l l c o m e o u t o f t h e t h em e a s a wh o l e a n d
3
d o n o t r ep re s en t a m e re fra gm e n t o f it I t i s th e th em e
a s a u n it t h a t y i el d s e a ch t op i c O n e ca n n o t d i s c u s s a
p ar t o r a fra gm e n t o f t h e c o mpl ex t h em e a t o n e p o i n t a n d
some phase o f t h e whol e t hem e a t ano t he r po i n t w i tho u t i n t ro
d u c i ng con f u s i on an d c o n t rad i c tio n
Tha t i s t o s a y ; one ca n
n o t ch an ge o r re du ce o r m u t i la t e h i s t h em e i n t h e p ro ce s s
M o re ove r t h e t op i c s sh o ul d r epre s en t a n d
o f d i s cu s s i o n
ma k e m a n i fe s t a n d fel t t h e o bj e c t a s we l l a s t h e s ub j ec t o f
th e serm o n When t hey r u n o u t o ft h e t h em e a s c o n d i ti o n e d
by t h e o bj ec t t h e wh o l e s e rm o n i s he l d i n u n it y a nd w i th i n
p r op e r l i m it s On e o f t h e s er i o u s defe c t s o f th e o l d s cho l a s
ti c s erm o n w a s t h a t th e t op i c s d i d n o t ru n bac k t o t h e
th e m e as c o nd iti o ne d b y t h e p rop e r o b j ec t o f th e serm o n
n o r d i d th ey al l ru n b ack t o t h e t h em e a s a u n i t
Th e s u c
ces s iv e top i c s rel a t ed t h em selve s ea ch t o th e o t h e r o n e p o i n t
su gge s t e d a n oth er an d tha t an o t h er and s o t h e s erm o n dr i ft e d
a w ay fro m th e t h em e fo ll o w i n g t h e l ea d o f su c ce s s i ve d i v i
.

336

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H ER

s i o n s a n d i n th e p r o c e s s fo rg o t i t s p r o p e r o b j e c t Th e to p i c s
o f t h e p l an ar e n o rm al ly r e l a t e d t o e a ch o t h e r
Th e y p ro p
e rly do n o t o ve rl ap Th ey a r e m utu al ly ex cl u s i ve Ea ch
t op i c d i s cu s s e s a Si n gl e p h a s e o f th e t h em e a t t h e e x cl u s i o n
o f a ll o t h e rs
a n d ea c h i s o f i t s o wn k i nd O n e ca n n o t

di s cus s th e h o w o r t h e why u n de r t h e c a t e g o ry o f t h e

wha t
Resul t can no t be d i scu sse d u n der t h e ca t egory

o f c au s e
S i m pl i c i ty o f c o n t en t i s t h e p o i n t Ea ch t o p i c
h a s i n th e q ual i ty o f it s t h o u gh t a r e la ti ve i n d ep e n de n ce o f
a l l o t h e r t op i c s O n e ca n n o t tu rn b a ck i n t h e d i s cu s s io n
o f a t o p i c t o p i c k up s o m e th i n g t h a t b el o n gs t o a p revi o u s
t o p i c n o r rea ch fo rwa r d to a n y s ub s e qu e n t t op i c a nd a n
t i c ip a t e t h e d i s cu s s i o n o f it
S u c h c o nfu s i o n o f t h o u gh t
wre ck s t h e l o g i c o f t h e s e rm o n
Th e t op i c s a re a rran ge d w i t h r efe re n c e t o u n it y a n d
4
p r o gre s s o f i m pre s s i o n Th e d i dact i c t op i c s ar e na t u ral l y
a rran ge d i n l o g i ca l o rde r an d w i th r efe re nc e t o u n it y a nd
p r o gre s s o f m e n t al i mp re s s i o n
Th e p ra c ti c al t op i c s o r
su ch a s a r e c h o s e n w i th r efe r e nc e t o rh e t o r i cal a n d p r ac ti c a l
i mp re s s i o n a r e n atu ral ly a rr an ge d i n wh a t i s cal l e d r h e t o r i ca l
o rd e r o r w i th r efe renc e t o u n i t y a n d p ro gr e s s o f e m o t i o n al
c o m pr e h e n s i v ely p ra c t i ca l i mpre s s i o n
o r e th i cal
or more
I t i s n o t i m p o s s i bl e h o wev e r t o c o mb i n e t h e t wo obj e c t s
a rrang i n g t h em w i th r efe r e n c e a t o n ce t o u n it y a n d pro gr e s s
o f m e n t a l a n d o f e m o ti o na l a n d e t h i c al i m pre s s i o n
.

V A L U E O F T H E OUT L I N E

Th e p la n n i n g o f th e s e rm o n c o n s i s t s i n t h e ch o i c e a n d a r
r a n gem en t s o f t o p i c s Th e va l u e o f t h e pl a n i s t h e val u e
t op i c s i n ev o lv i n g i n t e rpr et i n g a n d apply i n g t h e
o f th e
th o u gh t c o n te n t o f th e t h e m e Th e o nly way o f ge tti n g
a t th e r i gh t t o p i c s an d th u s sec ur i n g t h e r i gh t pl a n fo r t h e
s e rm o n i s t o ge t at th e m fro m t h e i n s i d e rath e r t h a n t h e
o uts i d e i
by a n aly zi n g an d s i fti n g t h e t h o u gh t m a t e r i a l
.

338

TH E

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

t op i c s i s n e c e s sa ry t o d i s cl o s e t h e re s o u r c e s o f t h e s ub
j ce t I t r e s u l t s i n a th o ro u gh k n owl e dge o f i t O n e k n ows
h i s t h em e a n a lyt i cal l y k n ow s i t i n i t s t h o u gh t rel a ti o n s a n d
s o i n i ts p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f devel opm en t
O n e t e s t s i t s pos
s i b ilit i es by t ry i n g m an y m e t h o d s
Th i s d i s cl o s e s t h e r e
s o u rc e s o f t h e s ubj e c t an d t h i s a i d s i n i n v en ti o n W i t h o u t
s uc h a n aly s i s o n e ca n n o t k n o w t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f h i s t h e m e
Th e m a t er i al o f t h e s e rm o n i s l o c k e d u p t h e r e I t i s e u
t ir e l y h i dd e n u nt i l i t i s u nl o ck e d an d b r o u gh t t o l i gh t
It
m u s t b e d i s c ove re d cla s s i e d gr oup e d ab ou t i t s p r o p e r
c e n t re s Th i s d o n e o n e k n ows i t s s c op e a n d r an ge a n d
wh a t i t i s wo rth fo r u s e A m i n e h it h e rt o un k n own h a s
b e e n O p e ne d I t s t r ea su re s ru n i n v e i n s t ha t ar e c o n c eal e d
u n t i l t h e p reach er h a s e n t e re d a n d O p en e d t h em u p Tha t
i s th e r e h a s be e n s e t i n m ovem e n t t h e ac ti o n o fm e n t al a s s o
c i a t io n
a n d t h e t h ou gh t rel a ti o n s o f t h e S ubj e c t h av e b e e n
l a i d ba re W e speak o f fr ui tfu l t h e m e s Wh a t a r e t h ey '
Th e y a r e t h em e s t h a t o p e n u p t o t h e m i nd t h e i r co mpl e x
i t i es a n d w i d e ran g i n g re la ti o n s o f t h o u gh t Th e r e i s do u b t
l e s s a d i ffere n c e i n t h em e s i n t h i s r e ga rd
Som e are in
t h em s e lv e s m o r e fru i tf u l t h a n o t h e rs B u t i t i s l a rgely a
r el a ti ve m a t te r rela t i ve t o t h e r e s o u rces t h e ap titu d e t h e a t
t i t u d e a n d t h e a c t i v i ty o ft h e p r e a ch e r Th e o nly w a y t o k n ow
w h e t h e r a s ubj ec t i s fru i tful o r n o t i s t o t h ru s t i n t h e p r ob e
a n d t e s t i t by o pe n i n g up i t s t h o u gh t r el a ti o n s i n a w el l
o r d e red pl an
I t i s t h i s t e s t e d capa c i ty o f th e s ubj e c t t o
o p e n i t s e l f u p t o t h e m i n d tha t qu i ck e n s m e n t al a c ti o n I t
m ay al s o q u i c k e n th e i m a g i n at i o n a n d i n s o d o i n g m ay
q u i c k e n t h e em o t i o n s a n d p o s s i bly t h e m o ral a n d S p i r i t ual
s u scept i b i l iti e s a s o n e g et s i n s i d e o f i t Th i s i s a c o n d i t i o n
B y th e fru it ful n e s s o f a s ub
o f h o m i l et i c p ro du ct i ve n e s s
j c et t h en w e m ea n i t s capa c i ty t o y i el d i t s t re a s ur e s t o
t o p i c al a naly s i s a nd a rra n gem e n t O n e m ay n d th a t sub
j ect s wh i c h a t rs t se e m e d b a rre n w i l l op e n w i th w o nde r
,

T H E O UT LI N E

3 39

ful i n t er e s t a n d p ro d u c ti ve n e s s wh e n s ub j e c t e d t o t h e t e s t
Th e h ab i t o f s k e t c h i n g o u t l i n e s al o n g d i ffe re n t
o f a n a l ys i s
l i n e s o f m e n t al a s s o c i a ti o n i s a val u abl e o n e Th e o ut l i n e s
S h o w t h e s ubj e c t i n d i ffer e n t l i gh t s i n d i ffe re n t r el a ti o n s
A n d t h i s a g it a ti o n o f t h o ugh t i n i t s va r i o u s r el a t i o ns w i l l
y i el d a w ea l t h o f m a t er i a l fro m w h i c h o n e m ay s el e c t fo r t h e
par ti cula r l i n e a t l as t c h o s e n
(2) I h ave al re ady s u g
g e s t e d t h a t a s tu dy o f t h e p l a n m ay q ui ck e n m e n t a l an d
e m o t i o na l ac ti v it y B u t i t m ay b e w el l t o l i n g e r w i t h it
Th e m i n d i s a t h o m e o nl y i n t h e r e al m o f o r de r Ge t i t
o n t o t h e r i gh t t ra c k
S e t i t i n m o ve m en t al o n g t h e r i gh t
l i n e a n d i t w i l l m o v e fre el y a n d v i go r o u sly I t m u s t m ov e
no rma lly i n t h e i nves ti ga tio n o f as s ubj e ct i
it must
m ove i n l i n e w it h it s o wn l aw s
I f it ge t s a t c ro s s p urp o s e s
w it h it s elf i t c e a s es t o ac t Ev ery e arn e s t t h i n k e r k n ows
t h e gl ow o f e n t h us i a s m w it h wh i ch h e en t e rs a s ubj e c t
wh e n h e s e e s t h a t h e i s o n t h e r i gh t t r a c k t h a t t h e way
open s u p b r o adl y an d t ha t h e h a s f ree r ange a s along
a g re a t h i ghwa y R e cal l R ob er t H al l s decl ara tio n t h a t h e

c o ul d d o n o t h i n g a s a p rea ch e r ti ll h e h a d cu t o u t a

ch a n ne l fo r h i s t h o u gh t s
I t i s a gra n d e xp er i e n c e fo r
a p reach e r t o k n ow t h e j o y o f m e n t al a n d em o t i o nal a n d
sp i r i t ual fr e e do m i n m ov i n g a l o n g t h e l e a d o f a gre a t r el i
g i o n s t ru t h t h a t o p e ns u p it s b r o ad ave nu e s b ef o r e h i m
( 3) A c arefu l s t u dy o f t h e pl a n i s n e c es s a ry fo r t h e s el e c
ti o n o f t h e r i gh t s o r t o f m a t er i al m a t er i al tt e d t o t h e p a r
t i c u l a r s o r t o f s erm o n i n h a n d o r t o t h e p ar ti c u la r obj e c t
o r to t h e a u d i e n c e
o f t h e s e rm o n
I t r e s c u e s p rea ch i n g
fro m capr i ce W e of t e n wo n de r w h y p r e ach e r s p it c h u p o n
c e r t a i n t h em e s i n t h e i r u s e o f t ex t s a n d wh y t h ey h a n dl e
t h em a s t h ey d o P o s s i bl y t h ey d o n o t k n ow th o ro ugh l y
w el l t h em s elves o r d o n o t k n o w t h a t t h ey k n ow o r h o w
t h ey k now I t s o m e ti m es s e em s al m o s t a m a tt er o f cha n c e
o r o f ca p r i c e
S u i t ab l e r e ec ti o n a n d c h o i c e b as e d o n s u ch
.

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340

r e e c ti o n wo u l d s e c u r e p e r ti nen c e an d h a rm o ny i n t h e d i s
c u s s io n
fo r j u s t t h e t o p i c s n e e d e d a r e ava i l abl e
S u ch r e
ec t i o n w i l l s ec u r e v a r i e t y i n t r e a t m e n t
A s t e re o t yp e d
,

m e t h o d i s t h e p ro du c t o f t h e p r e a ch e r s u nfa m i l i a r i t y w i t h
t h e p o s s i b l e c a t e go r i e s o f t h o u gh t t h a t m i gh t b e evo lve d
fr o m t h e s u b j ec t
Fam i l i ar i t y w it h t h e m w o u l d p u t t h e
p r ea ch e r u p o n t h e w o r k o f d evel o p i n g t h e s e rm o n va r i o u sly
O n e ca t e g o ry s u gge s t s a n o t h e r R e e c ti o n a n d c h o i c e s e
cu r e va r i e t y
va r i e t y n o t o nl y i n t h e t r e a t m en t o f s u b j e c t s
b u t va r i e t y a s t o t h e t yp e s o f t h e s e rm o n F o r i t e n ab l e s
o n e t o d i s ti ng ui sh b e t we e n
m e t h o d s t h a t ar e app r o p r i a t e
I t i s al s o a n a i d i n d i s
t o d i ffe ren t c l a s s e s o f s e rmo n s
c r i m i n a ti n g w i t h r e sp e c t t o m e t h o ds o f h an dl i n g n o t o nl y
t h e t h e m e bu t o t h e r p a r t s o f t h e s erm o n
I t h el p s o n e i n
t h e wo r k o f i n t ro duc ti o n i n d e du c i n g t h e m e s fr o m t ex t s
a n d i n c o n cl u d i n g t h e s e rm o n I n t h i s way o n e a c qu i r e s
fa c i l it y i n t h e h an dl i n g o f h i s s e rm o n s B ut i t i s o f S p e c i a l
v al u e i n S h ap i n g a ny s o r t o f s e rm o n w it h r efe re n c e t o t h e
r ea l i z a ti o n o fi t s p r op e r o b j e c t N o t e ve ry t h i n g m ay b e s a i d
i n a n y s e r m o n t h a t m i gh t b e s a i d o r t h a t o n e w o u l d li k e
t o s a y o r t h a t t h e a u d i en c e m i gh t l ik e t o h av e o n e s a y
o r t ha t t h e s u b j ec t i n an d o f i t sel f an d by it sel f m i gh t
s an c ti o n o n e i n s ay i n g F o r t h e s e rm o n i s n o t a t h e s i s o r
a t r ea ti s e o r a d i s q u i s iti o n n o t s o m e t h i n g fo r t h e ey e t o
b e r ea d an d s tu d i e d I t i s an o ra t or i cal p ro d u c t fo r t h e ea r
I t m u s t be ca u gh t a t once I t i s l i m i t e d by i t s c harac t er
a n d f u n c tio n a s a n a ddr e s s I t i s d e s i gn e d t o O p e n u p a
s u b j e c t n o t fo r t h e s ak e o f t h e s ub j e c t al o n e i n it s w i de
r e ach i n g r e l a t i o n s o f t h o u gh t b u t fo r t h e p u rp o s e o f i h
u e n ci n g a n au d i e n c e O n e m ay s a y t h eref o r e o nl y wh a t
t h e o b j ec t o f t h e se r m o n r e qu i re s o n e t o s a y A s t o i t s
qual i t y q u an tit y a n d m e t h o d t h i s m a t e r i al s h o u l d b e tt e d
A p r o c e s s o f s el ec ti o n
t o t h e r e a l iz a t i o n o f t h i s o b j e c t
t h e ref o r e i s n e c e s sa r y N ow i t i s t h e p l a n t h a t c o nd i ti o n s

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34 2

r es ul t i n t h o u gh t

I t w i l l h ol d a l l t h e e l e m e n t s o f t h o u gh t
bo u n d b ac k to o n e c e n t r e B u t h o m i l e t i c un i t y s h o u l d al s o
p o u r al l th e fo rce s o f p e r s o nal it y a s wel l a s o f t ho u gh t i n
t h e ha ndl i ng o f t h e se rmon concen t ra t e u pon on e m oral
r e su l t
Th e n e e d o f t h i s d o u bl e u n i ty i s gr o u n de d i n t h e
c o n s t ituti o n o f t h e h um a n s o u l L e t a s p e a k e r s e c u r e o n e
s t r o n g l ea di n g m e n t a l i mp r es s i o n a n d a t t h e s am e ti m e
o n e s t r o n g e m o ti o na l
a n d m o ral i mp r e s s i o n a n d h e h a s
wro u gh t a r e s ul t wh i ch t h e s o u l by t h e v e ry m ak e o f i t
c rav e s a n d wh i c h i s c o n d uc i v e t o i t s w el far e fo r i t i s c o n
d u ci v e t o i t s q u i c ke n i n g en la rge m e n t a n d grow t h
W e a re
n o t a t h o m e w i th d i sh a r m
o ny Th e e n d o f al l h i gh ar t i s
u n i ty a n d h arm o ny I t i s p e rh ap s p re e m i n e n t l y s o i n t h a t
gr ea t e s t a n d n o bl e s t o f al l a r t s i n s o m e a sp e c t s t h e ar t o f
e ffe ct i ve publ i c spee ch Th e h i gh e s t S o r t o f m o ral q u i c k e n
i n g an d e nl a rge m e n t m ay b e c o n d i ti o n e d by i t ( 2) Co m
p l e t e n es s i s al s o es s e n ti a l t o t h e h a rm o n i o u s t hou gh t
re l a ti o ns o fa s e rm o n Un it y o f s ub j e c t a n d o bj e c t c o m m i t i t
t o c o m pl e t e n e s s fo r i t m u s t b r i n g o u t wh a t th e r e i s i n t h e
s ubj e c t c o nc e i ve d a s o n e wh o l e a n d i n s u c h w a y a n d t o
su c h ex t e n t a s w i l l r e al i z e i t s o b j e c t A S t h e germ o f t h e
s e rm o n t h e t h em e S h o u l d gr o w i n t o t h e ful ly d eve l ope d
o rga n i s m
W i th o u t t h e d ev el o pm e n t o f wh a t b el o n gs to
i t a n d i s p r o co mm it t e d t o it b y t h e t h em e i t i s a m u ti l a t e d
p r odu c t j u s t a s a ny o r gan i s m w o u l d b e m u ti l a t e d t h a t sh o ul d
n o t c o n ta i n wh a t p rop e rl y b el o n gs t o i t a n d i s pl e d ge d t o
i t by v i r t u e o f t h e fac t t ha t i t i s a n o r gan i sm Co m pl et e
n es s h oweve r i s rel a ti ve r el a ti v e t o t h e sp ec i c c o nc ep t i o n
a n d s t a t em e n t o f th e t h e m e F o r wh a t i s n ec e s sa ry t o b r i n g
o u t ad e qua t ely th e m e a n i n g o f th e th em e a s c o nc e iv e d a n d
s ta t e d i s e s s e n t i al
It i s r el a t iv e t o th e l i n e o f t h o u gh t
ch o s e n F o r wh a t i s e s s e nt i al t o t h i s l i n e o f t h o u gh t s h o ul d
b e b r o u gh t o u t B u t c o m pl e t en e s s i s al s o r el a ti ve t o th e a i m
F o r w h a t w i l l t t h e s e rm o n fo r t h e t e
o f t h e s erm o n
.

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liz a t i o n

34 3

it s ob j e c t sh o u l d c o m e i n t o d i s cu s s i o n W el l
n ow
i t i s c areful a nalys i s t h a t S e tt l e s t h i s t o a c o n s i de r
abl e e x t e n t a t t h e o u t s e t Wh e n o n c e o n e h a s a rra n ged th e
e l e m e n t s o f h i s t h em e ac co rd i n g t o a s ch e m e th a t h a s
refe re n c e t o a g i ven i mpr es s i o n h e w i l l o f c o u r s e k n ow t h e
b e t t e r whe t h e r t he s erm o n w i l l d i s c u s s t h e s ub j e c t as i t
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m ay h av e a c e r t a i n u n i ty a n d c o mp l e te n e s s an d ye t l ac k
sym m e t ry i
p r opo r tio n o f p ar t s A s i n gl e t o p i c m ay
h ave a p ro m i n en c e a n d ful n es s o f d evel opm e n t d i s p r o p o r
i t s i m p o r t a nc e a s
t i o n a t e t o i ts i n t r i n s i c i mp o r ta nc e 6 g
a ph ase o f t h e s ubj e c t o r d i s p r O p o r t i o n a t e a s r e la t e d t o t h e
o bj e c t o f t h e s e rm o n s o a s t o t h r o w wh a t i s o f e q u a l o r
gre a t e r i mp o r t an ce i n t o t h e b a c k gr ou n d Th e S e rm o n i s
a d i spr op o rt i o na t e w ho l e I t i s i n j ure d n o t Si mp ly a s a wo rk
o f a rt
bu t a s an e ffec t i v e i n s trum e n t Un i ty o f m e n t al a n d
m o ra l i mpre s s i o n m ay b e i nj u r e d A m e ch an i c al sym m e t ry
o r a pro p o r ti o n o f pa r t s t ha t s a ti s e s t h e ey e a s i t res t s
up o n t h e p age o r t h e e a r as i t l i s t e n s t o th e s e rm o n a s o r t
o f Fre n c h a r t i s ti c p eda n t ry
i s n ot t h e t h i n g a dv o ca t ed b u t
a p ro p ort i o n a s re la t e d t o m e n t al an d m o ra l i mp r e s s i o n
N ow t h i s p rop o rt i o n i s a s s u r ed b y a p ro ce s s o f m e t h o d
i c al a rran gem en t o f t h e el em en t s o f t h e t h em e W i th o u t
a c a reful ly a rra n ged pl a n i n t h e m i n d o n e i s l i k ely t o ove r
el ab o rat e o n e o r tw o t op i cs th a t i n t e re s t h i m m o s t a t th e
ti m e an d t o l e ave t o o l itt l e t i m e fo r t h e expa n s i o n o f o t h e r
t op i c s o f e qu al o r eve n o f gr e a t e r i m p o rtan c e fo r th e s u c
c e s s o f th e se rm o n Prea ch er s a r e l i ke l y t o o v e rwo rk t h e
rs t o n e o r two t op i c s an d t o cr owd o r m u ti la t e th e latt er
p a r t o f t h e s erm on s o th a t i t l ac k s rh e t or i cal e ffe c t i ve nes s
A m eth o d i ca l o utl i n i n g o f t h e wh ol e s ubj e c t b a se d o n a
car eful s urv ey o f i t a t t h e o u t se t m i gh t r e sul t i n an avo i d
a nce o f t h i s

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344

(4 ) F i n al ly p r o gre s s i s e s s e n t i al t o h a rm o ny a n o rderl y
m o vem e nt fro m o n e l an d i n g pl ace t o a n oth e r a n d fro m t h e

l es s t o t h e m o re i mp o r t an t t op i c s o f d i s cu s s i o n A S e rm o n

s ays V i n e t i s a pro ce s s i o n n o t a p ro m e na de
I t m ay b e
on e
m ay b e c om pl e t e m ay b e p rop ort i o na t e a n d y e t d i s
o rd e rly t h e pa r t s a re a l l th e r e al l r el a t e d t o t h e w h o l e al l
th e r e i n sym m etr i c al de v el op m e n t a l l run n i n g o n t o o n e
g oa l a n d ye t t h e p a r t s m ay b e d i s pl ac e d
A d i so rd e rly
o r a d i s arran ge d wh o l e i s a m o n s t ro s i ty i n a r t a s i n n a t ure
Ea ch p a r t o f a s e rm o n sh o ul d h av e a r el a ti ve c o mp l e t e
n e s s o f i t s o w n wh i l e i t s o m eh ow l e a d s up t o th e n e x t p ar t
b e vo n d i t a n d s o h o l d s t h e h eare r i n th e l i n e o f m ov em e n t
to t h e e n d
Carefu l pl a nn i ng o f t h e s e rm o n d i s tr i bu t e s t h e
t op i c s an d s et s t h e m i n th e i r p r o p e r pl ac e s
P ro gr e s s i s
a n i mportan t m ark o f a n o ra t o r i cal product
The e s say
m ay c i rcl e ab o u t a c e nt r e o f th o u gh t a n d m ak e n o h ea d
Th e o rat i o n t he a ddre s s th e s e rm o n m u s t m ove o n
It
s h o ul d b e i n s o m e s o rt a t r i ump h an t m o vem en t To rea ch
suc c e s sful ly th e cro wn h e i gh t s o f a n o ra t o r i cal p r oc e s s i s
t o s e cu re t h e s uprem e i m pre s s i o n S o u gh t Cu m ul a tiv e p ower
th e p ow e r t h a t a dd s s t ro k e af t e r st ro k e t o t h e i mpre s s i o n
e ach s ucc e s s i v e st ro k e m o re e ffe ct i v e t h a n it s p rede c e s s o r
an d th e l a st m o s t e ffec ti ve o f al l t h i s i s es s e n ti al t o t h e b e s t
o rat o r i ca l e ffe c t s
N o w i t i s e v i de n t en o u gh t h a t c areful
plan n i n g o f t h e s erm o n w i l l s e cu re i t a ga i n s t a z i g za g o r
r et r o gra d e m o v e m en t N o p reac h e r ca n d evel o p a n e ffe c t
i ve pl an a n d a t o u t i n a nt i cl i m ax
Th e v al u e o f ca reful o utl i n e w it h r e fer n c e t o rh e t o r i ca l
3
exp re s s i o n L o g i c i s pra c ti c al ly a p a r t o f rh e to r i c I n h om
i l et ic s i t d e al s w i th th e rel at i o n s o f t h o u gh t n o t fo r i t s
an d n o t fo r t h e s ak e m erel y o f t e
o w n s ak e a s a sc i e nc e
g u l a t i n g t h e t h i n k i n g o f t h e p re a ch e r b u t w i t h refe re nc e
t o p ra ct i cal u s e i n th e a rt o f spe e ch an d w i th r efe re n c e t o
p ra c ti ca l r e sult s i n deal i n g w i th m e n Lo g i cal e ffe ct i ve ne s s
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TH E

p e rc ep ti o n o f i t i n i t s re l at i o n s o f th ou gh t a n d tha t i n s o
d o i n g h e h a s m a stere d i t A c l e a r s tyl e i s d e pe nde n t o n
th is
N o t ev e n i n sp i rat i o n i t s el f c o ul d n eu tral i z e t h e i n
effe c t i v e n e s s o fa sh a mbl i ng i n c o ns e qu e n ti a l m e th o d o fh an d
l i ng a s u bj ec t Th e re a re p r ea ch e r s s u gge s t i v e p rea c h e rs
w e ca l l t h em w h o d o n o t ca re t o exp o se t h e i r o utl i n e
Th e i r th o u gh t a n d d i ct i o n m ay b e cl ea r e n o u gh fo r o b t ru
s i o n o f o u tl i n e i s n o t a lway s n e ce s s a ry t o c o rre c t n e s s a n d
cl e arn e s s o f o u tl i n e B ut o n e c a n n o t nam e a n e ducat i v e
a n d e d i fy i n g p re ach e r wh o s e wo rk h a s p e rm an e n t r e sult s
w h o s e s e rm o n s a r e se r i o u s ly d efe ct iv e i n s t ruc t ura l qu al i ty
o r w h o h a s n o w el l d e n ed o u tl i n e
E d uc at iv e p rea ch i n g
wh i ch i s i n th e ful l e s t s e n s ee d i fy i n g pr ea c h i n g wh o s e m ar k i s
c l e a rn e s s o f t h o ugh t an d e xp re s s i o n w i ll alway s val u e t h e
c le a rly m a n i fes t d i v i s i o n
I f o n e a i m s al s o a t i m m ed i a t e
v i v id cu m ul at i ve rh e t o r i ca l i m p re s s i o n o f t h e b e s t s o rt h e
w i l l l o o k o u t fo r h i s m e th o d R e c al l th e j u d i c i o u s w o rd s

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o f Ph i l l i p s B ro o k s
s i s t en t p r o gre ss an d d o n o t h es it at e t o l e t yo u r h ea re rs
s e e i t d i st i n ct ly fo r i t w i ll h el p th e m rs t t o u nd e rs ta n d

and then t o reme mber w ha t you s a y

Th i s a dv i c e i s per h aps
th e m o re we i ghty t h at h e wa s w i l l i ng t o g i ve i t i n t he face o f
th e fac t that he wa s not al ways sc r u pul o u sly fa i th ful to i t i n
h i s ow n p reach i ng
( 2 ) Fo rc e V i gorou s p reach i ng i s n o t whol ly a m a tt e r o f
i nc i s i v e i n d ivi d ual t h ough t o r o f i n t en se rhe t or i cal express i on
E ssay w r i ters l i ke Eme rson h ave doubtl es s a v i go r o f t he i r
ow n wh i c h i s not d epen d en t on cl ea r o rder o f t hough t B u t the
v i go r o ft h e e s say i s t i s n o t t h at wh i ch i s de m a nd ed i n prea ch
ing
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A v i go rou s s e rm o n sh o uld b e t e n se a n d c um ul a
m e th o d
t i ve
I t sh o u l d b e o r ga n i z e d cl o s el y m ov e rap i d ly and
r i se a s i t m o v e s l t s h oul d pre s s s t ra i ght on to i ts goal
,

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T H E O UT L I N E

34 7

and ea c h p ar t sh o ul d p u sh t h e m o v em e n t v i g or ou sl y o n
I f o n e s e ek s s t re n gt h o f i mp re s s io n h e m u s t s ay w i th h i m s elf

a n d me a n i t
Th i s o n e t h i n g I d o : I p r e s s o n
No w
th i s m e an s o rd erly m ovem en t A d i s cu s s i o n t hat ows o n

a t it s o wn swe e t w i l l e a s i l y ows b eyo n d p r op er b o u n ds

an d b e c om e s i ne ffec t i v e be c au s e i t i s s t ra ggl i n g an d t h i n
B u t: a th o ro u gh d i s cu s s i on
th o ro u gh i n i t s o r de r w it h
th o ugh t s m ars h all e d a s a ge n eral m ar sh al s h i s t r o op s a n d
h url s t h e m upo n o n e p o i n t i s wo n dero u sly i n t e n se an d c i
fe c t i v e
Th i s i s t h e Nap ol e o n i c s t ra t e gy o f t h e pulp i t o ra t o r
I n fo re ns i c o ra t o ry m o s t gre a t t r i umph s h av e b e e n w o n
i n t h i s way Th e o rat o r m a r sh al l s h i s m a t e r i al pu sh e s i t o n
t owa rd o n e p o i n t s e cu re s cu m ul a ti ve fo rc e fo r it a s i t
m oves ga t hers i t al l u p a t th e en d a n d a s Theodore Pa rke r

say s o f a gr ea t En gl i sh o ra t o r l e t s t h e ru i n y
M a ny
o f t he t r iu mphs o f t h e p u l p i t rh etor i cal ly speak i ng h av e
b e e n wo n i n s o m e t h i n g t h e s am e wa y Th e s e rm o n th a t i s
i nt e n s e i n i t s v i go r i s c o nd en s e d a s b e i n g c om pac t e d t o ge t h e r
an d crowde d upo n i t s obj ec ti ve p o i n t a n d i t i s c o mp a c t
be ca u s e m e t h o d i ca l a n d m e t h o d i ca l b e cau s e t h o ro u gh ly
t h o u gh t o u t an d pl a nn ed Th e o d o re P a rk e r wh o k n ew t h e
grea t o ra t o rs k n ew t he s e cre t o f th e i r m e t h o d a n d r e al i z e d

s om e t h i n g o f i t i n h i s o wn p re ach i n g
N oth in g we a r e
*
t ol d
wa s c o mme n ce d u n ti l a br i e f o r s ch em e o f i t l ay
c om pl e t e up o n h i s de s k Wh e n r ea d i n g a nd m e d it a ti o n t ak
i n g c Op io u s n o t e s m ea nwh i l e h ad fu rn i s h e d h i m w i t h a v i e w
o f t h e wh o l e sub j ec t
s o th a t h e s aw n o t o n ly t h e e nd fro m
th e b eg i n n i n g but t h e de t a i l s a nd s ub d i v i s i o n s o f ea ch h ead
h e be ga n t o w ri t e
H e n ev e r u n de r t o o k t o l ay
h i s t ra c k un t i l h e ha d m ad e a m o s t ca refu l an d m et h o d i ca l
su rvey o f t h e r o ut e h e m u s t t rav el H e w a s al l th e t i m e
H o w m any
m ak i n g s t a t em e n t s a n d o rgan i z i n g t h ou gh t
.

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p ag es

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8, 9 ,

1 2, I3

a nd

C or r e s p on d e n ce

of

T h e o d or e P a r k e r ,

v ol

ii

348

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

cl e r gym e n u s e t h e i r b ra i n s fo r b a i t a n d w a i t i n re s i gn a

ti o n fo r t h e n i bbl e o f a t ex t
(3) G r ac e El e ga n c e o f l i t
e r a r y s t yl e i s n o t m e re l y a m a tt e r o f syn t ax an d vo c abul a ry
Th i s i s one o f t he comm onplaces o f rhe t or i c A sem i p o e ti c
d i c ti o n a n d u en t sy n t ax a l o n e d o n o t s e c u r e gra c e o r
e l e ga nc e o f u tt eran c e N o r i s i t wh o ll y a m at t e r o f t h o u gh t
a n d fe el i n g I t i s a qu e s ti o n o f m e t h o d a s w el l W r i ter s
o n rh e t o r i c
an d h o m i l e t i c s h av e n ot m i n i m iz e d t h i s fa c t
*
i
Pro f S h e d d h a s s om e d i s c r i m i na t i n g wo rd s u p o n t
In
p ulp i t sp e e ch we n ee d gr ac e o f fo rm a s w el l a s o f c o l o r
V o c ab ul a ry m ay fu rn i sh c o l o r b u t s t r u ct u r e y i el d s gra c e o f

fo rm D raw i ng g i ve s t h e s k el e t o n s ays Bal za c a n d c o l o r

g i ves t h e l i fe ; bu t l i fe w i th o ut t h e skel e t on i s a fa r m ore i n
c o mpl e t e t h i n g t h a n th e s k el e t o n w it h o u t t h e
O rde r
p r op o rt i o n u n i ty h arm o ny p r o gre s s t h e s e a r e i m po r t an t
e l e m e n t s i n grac e o f p ulp i t s tyl e M e re ve rbal d e co ra t i o n s
a re taw d ry I f a sermo n lack s orde r i t l acks el egance I t
wa s n o t o rn am e n t a ti o n al o n e t h a t c o n s t i t u t e d t h e e l e ga n c e
Tayl o r s p ulp i t styl e
D r Th om a s Guth r i e s
o f J e re my
s tyl e ha d c ol o r bu t h i s p rea ch i n g l ac k e d t h e h i gh e s t qua
T h e s erm o n th a t h a s go o d m e t h o d w i th
l it i e s o f el e gan ce
fre s h a n d w el l exp re s s ed th o u gh t w i l l alway s b e i n t e re s t
i n g W e a re ca rr i e d al on g by a c l ea r s t e ady o rd erly m ove
m e nt o f su gge s t i ve t h o u gh t A d i s o rd e rl y s e rm o n i s s u r e t o
l e a d t o d i sa gre eabl e s u r pr i s e s O n e d o es n t k n ow wh a t w i l l
t u rn u p n ext
I t i s a gre a t m i s t ak e t o i ma g i n e th a t a n
ae s t he t i c i nt e re st i s p r o m o t e d by a b an d on i n g cl ea rn e s s o f
o u t l i n e a s i f i t wer e o f n o i m p o r t anc e A m a n w h o i s a l i v e
w i l l h ave n o st i ff formal a r ti c i al method i n t h e pul p it
b u t method h e w i l l h ave m e th o d t h a t i s t h e pr o du c t o f l i fe
Su ch m e th o d w i ll h av e gra c e o f m o vem ent fro m b e gi nn i n g
th rou gh al l t ra n s iti o n s t o t h e e n d
,

III
H o m i l et ics C h a
TB a l z a c on P a in t i n g i n
*

Th e H id d e n M a s t er p i ece,

p a ge

317

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3 50

TH E

WO R K OF

P R EA C H E R

wh o l ly d i dact i c o r wh o l l y p e rsua s i v e B u t a s al rea dy s u g

ge s ted th e o rd i na ry s e rm o n s h o ul d h ave re fe re nc e t o b o t h
o f t h e s e i n te re s t s
I t i s w el l i f t h ey i nt e rbl e nd a n d ar e n o t
wh o l ly s epa ra t e
Th e t ea ch i n g s e rm o n m ay we l l h av e a
p rac t i c al a i m a n d a c o n c rete fo rm a n d th e i m pre s s i o nal o r
p e rs ua s i v e s e rm o n m ay wel l pre supp o s e a n d re s t u po n a
d i d act i c b a s i s There n e e d b e n o h ard a n d fa s t l i n e be t we e n
t h em Th e b e s t s o rt o f s e rm o n i n gen era l i n t e rpre t s t o
t h e m i n d wha t n e e ds i n t erp re t at i o n a n d a t t h e s am e t i m e
m ak e s p ra ct i ca l appl i c a ti o n o f i t
I t r ea ch e s a s la rg e a
n um b e r o f th e fac ul t i e s a s p o s s i bl e I t speak s t o t h e m i n d
t o t h e i ma gi na ti o n t o th e c o n sc i e n c e t o t h e e m o ti o n s a n d
i t i m p el s t o a ct i o n
I n di ffe re n t typ e s o f s e rm o n h owever
th e r e w i l l n a t u ra lly b e pre po n d e ra nc e O f t h e o n e o r t h e
o th e r qual i ty Th e re a r e th re e p o s s i bl e way s o f i n t ro duc i n g
t h e s e el em e nt s i n t o a s erm o n I t m ay b e d o n e by se parat
i n g th em a s th e S c h ol a st i c s erm o n d i d o r i t s su cc e s s o r
t h e O l d New En gl an d d o c t r i n al s e rm o n
H ere w e h av e
r st ex po s i t i o n o r d i sc u s s i o n o r a r g um e n t an d th e n a p
Th i s wa s l argel y t h e m eth o d o f S au r i n t h e gre a t
p l i ca t i o n
Fr en ch Pro t e sta n t p reac h e r o f t h e p re a ch e r s o f t h e An gl i
c a n Chu rch i n th e s eve nte e nt h c e n t u ry ; S o u t h an d B arr o w
w h o m H e n ry Wa rd B e ech e r fol l owe d i n a m e a su r e i n h i s
e a rl y p re a ch i n g a n d o f D r Em m o n s o f Ma s sa chu s e tt s wh o
a lway s s epa rat e d a rgum e n t fro m appl i c at i o n
I t m ay b e
d o n e s e c o n dl y by g i v i n g t h e s erm o n t h a t i s p reva i l i n g ly
d id act i c a c o nt i nu o u s p ract i ca l t u rn a s wel l a s b y t h e ln
t r o d u c t ion o f i n feren t i al an d m o re d i s ti nct i vel y p ract i cal
th ou gh t s a t th e en d T h e m et h o d l a rgely o f D r H o ra c e
B u sh ne ll
O r th i rdly i t m ay b e d o n e by g i v i n g th e s er
mo n t h a t i s p reva i l i n gl y i mp re s s i o n al s o v i go r o u s a gr i p
u pon t h e m i n d by th e sk i ll fu l u se o f expos i to ry meth od s
t h at i t a t o n c e i n t e re st s a n d i n st ruc t s a s we l l a s m ove s t h e
h ea re r Th i s wa s ch ara ct e r i s ti c o f th e p rea ch i n g o f Ph i ll i p s
.

T H E D EVE LO PM E NT

35 1

B u t l e t u s c o n s i d e r t h e s e two m e t h o d s o f d e
I t i s o f c o u r s e un d ers t oo d t h a t
v e l O p m e n t i n su cce s s i o n
t h e two a re s epa ra t ed o n ly fo r pu rp o s e s o f an al ys i s
1
Th e d i dac t i c devel opm e n t
( I ) Co ns i de r rs t it s
val u e I t i s n ec e s sa ry t o t h e p ra ct i ca l e ffec ti ve n e s s o f p r ea ch
i n g Th e p rea ch e r i s a pub l i c t e ac h e r
H e S h o ul d w i sh
t o b e th e i n t el l e c t u al l eader o f h i s p e opl e
It is a mis
t a k e t o supp os e t h a t eve n co m m o n p e o pl e s o calle d a re
i n t e re st e d i n p reach i n g i n p r op o r ti o n a s it i s u n i n s t ruc ti ve
P r op e rly h an dle d i n s t r u ct i ve p re a c h i n g c a n n o t fa i l t o b e
e ffec ti ve Th e ave ra ge m an i s i n qu i s iti ve e spec i al ly ab o u t
t h e p ro bl em s o f r el i g i o n
A cl e a r v i g o r o u s i ll u s t ra ti vel y
p e rsuas i v e h a n dl i n g o f a rel i g i o u s t h e m e w i l l h av e a tt ra c ti o n
fo r such a m i n d
Th e t o o c o m m o n d efec t i n d i da c ti c pr ea ch
i n g i s t ha t i t do e s n o t c o m e t o t h e b ea r e r i n app r opr i a t e
p opu l ar form
Th e pu lp i t p r ob l em i s n o t t o s a y j u st a s
l itt l e a s p o s s i bl e b ut t o pu t s u b s t an ti a l t h o u gh t i n t o a t
t rac ti ve c o n c re t e fo rm Th e el em e n t o f s u c c e s s i f we m ay
sp ea k o f i t a s h av i n g any s u c c e s s i n s o
c all e d s e n sa t i o nal
p re ach i ng i s n o t it s p ov e r t y o f m a t e r i al b u t it s v i v a c i t y
a n d c o n cre t e n e s s o f fo rm Su ch s p e e c h i s a tt rac ti v e B u t
i t i s a grea t m i s t a k e t o i ma g i n e t ha t go o d t h i nk i n g i s p r o
r
i
o
o n a t el y u n a tt ra ct i ve
t
Pre ach i n g s h o ul d n ever d ege n
p
era t e i n t o a barre n i n t el lec tu al i sm
Tha t i s n o t p reach i ng
B u t i t sh ou l d b e m a sc u l i n e i n q u al i t y I t sh o u l d h av e s om e
m e n t a l gr i p
S e n ti m en t fa n c y fe e l i n g a re n ec e s s ary i n
p rea ch i n g b ut t h ey m ay d e ge n e ra t e i n t o s en ti m e n t al i s m o r
s en sat i o nal i sm o f an o ffe n s i v e s o r t Tru e d i dac ti c pre ach i n g
wh i ch i s s o u n d t h i n k i n g :pu t i n c o n cre t e p opul a r fo rm
av o i ds th e ex t re m e o f i n t el l e c t u al i s m o n t h e o n e s i de a n d
o f s e n ti m e n t al i sm o r s e n sa ti o nal i s m o n t h e o t h e r
I t s ec ure s a n i n t el l i ge n t fa it h a n d b u i l d s up s tro n g ch a
r a ct er
I t d eal s w i t h m e n a s ra ti o nal b e i ngs I t furn i sh e s
i n t e l l i ge n t a n d i n t el l i g i bl e r ea s o n s fo r a ccep ti n g t h e t r u t h
Bro oks

TH E

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W O R K O F TH E P REA C H E R

th a t i s n ec e s s ary t o bu i l d c h arac t e r
I t n e e d n o t be p o
l e m i ca l n o r eve n ap ol o ge t i c a n d ye t s o m e h o w o r o t h e r
th at wh i ch i s fel t t o b e t h e t ru th m u s t b e s e e n t o b e t h e
t ru t h ( 2) Co n s i d e r s e co ndly s o m e o f i t s m eth o d s Th e re
a r e var i o u s m eth o d s o f e xp o u n di n g o r i n t e rp ret i n g t h e t rut h
o r o f ge tt i n g t h o u gh t o u t b e fo re t h e m i nd
Some of them
a r e pa rt i cul arly wel l a d apt ed t o th e wo rk o f p ulp i t t e ach i n g
W r i t e rs o n rh et o r i c h av e d i scu s se d th e m C op i o u sly an d t h er e
i s n o n e e d t o l i n ge r w i th t h e m i n t h e i r pul p i t appl i c a ti o n s
B u t a few o f t h em m ay wel l b e n o te d
Th e m eth o d o f
ge n eral i z a t i o n i s empl oye d b y t h e m o st th o ugh t ful a n d i n
s t ru c t i ve a s we l l a s p e rs u as i ve preach e r s o f o u r day I h ave
sp o k e n o f i t i n ot h e r rela t i o n s bu t i t m ay wel l b e t o u ch e d
u pon i n conn ect i on w i th th e de v elopmen t o f th e se rm on
O f c o u rs e th e ch o i ce o f t op i c s c o n d i t i o n s l a rgely t h e d i d act i c
m eth o d o ft h e dev el opm en t B u t t o t o uc h up o n i t i n th i s i m
m e d i at e c o n n e ct i o n i s h a r d ly repe t i t i o n l t w a s t h e O p i n i o n
th e refo rm e r o f Ge rm an p re a c h i n g t h at i n
o f M o sh e i m
t h e h i gh e r cla s s o f d i d a c t i c s e rm o n s a gen e ral v i ew o f t h e
s ubj ec t o r t h e c o mp re h e n s iv e a n d u nde r ru nn i n g p r i n c i pl e s
It
o f th e t ruth i n d i scu s s i o n s h o ul d alway s b e p re se n t e d
i s a ma tt e r o f ob s e rvat i o n t ha t th o s e pre ac h e r s w h o ge n
e ra l i z e th e i r d i scu s s i on s
w h o sh ow t h a t th e pa rt i c u l a r t ru t h
i n h a n d h a s w i de reac h i n g rel at i on s a n d e x empli c a t io n s
i n va r i o u s real m s o f t ho u g h t an d expe r i e nc e a re pe cul i arly
i n struc t iv e attract i v e and h el p ful preach ers They S ho w
t ha t C h r i st i a n t ru t h i s n o t p rov i nc i al b u t co sm op o l i t a n a nd
th e y th u s sh ow i t s r ea s o nabl en e s s Pa rt i cul ar i z a ti o n i s t h e
o ppo s i t e m et h o d T h e u s e O f i t a s a n e xp o s i t o ry m e t h o d
m ak e s p re ac h i n g d e n i t e a nd S p e c i c
I t h ol d s att ent i o n
fo r t h e t i m e t o bu t th e o n e t h i n g i n h an d an d i n t en s i e s
i m pre s s i o n I nfe ren c e o r d e d uc t i o n o r w h a t i s ca l l e d r e
A l a rge am ou nt o f exp o s i t o ry
e c t io n i s a n oth e r m e t h o d
w o r k l a rge r th a n o n e w oul d i m ag i n e c o n s i s t s i n i nfe re nt i al
.

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W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

j e c t s t h em s elve s t h a t be l on g t o t h e s e d i ffe re n t S ph e r e s b u t
i n th e i r r el at i o n s t h ey m ay b e a l i k e 6 g t h e a na l o g y i n t h e
p ara bl e o f t h e Pro d i gal S o n i s n o t pr i m a r i ly b etwee n b e
i n gs bu t b e twee n th e r e lat i o n s o f b e i n gs b e l on g i n g t o t wo
d i ffe re n t sph er e s
Th e l i k en e s s i s n o t p r i m ar i ly b e twe e n
G o d a nd a h u ma n fath e r b u t b e t we e n G o d s re l a ti o n t o
m a n a n d a fa t h e r s r el at i o n t o h i s s o n
A ny S p e c i e s o f
a na l o gy ex c ept th e s tra i n e d a nal o gy cal l e d al l e go ry m ay
b e u se d i n th e d i d a ct i c d e ve l op men t I t h a s alway s b e e n
a n a tt ra c ti ve a n d v al u ab l e d i da c t i c m et h o d
T h e p ul p i t
i s h e i r t o i t Th e m a n w h o i s sk i llful i n h a n dl i n g i t ge t s

a h ea r i n g Wo rk s l i k e th a t o f Prof D ru m m o n d N atu ra l

Law i n t h e Sp i r i tu al Wo rl d s e cu r e a n a t t e n ti o n s om ewh a t
d i s p r O p o r t i o n a t e t o th e i r re a l m e r i t s p e rh ap s b ec au s e t h e
u s e o f a nal o gy i s s o attract i ve A n d i t i s ra t h e r s u rp r i s i n g
t h a t a m e th o d o f p re s e nt i n g th e t ru t h wh i c h i s pre e m i n e n t ly
a New Te s t a m en t m e t h o d a n a l m o s t d i st i n gu i sh i n g p e cu
l ia r it y o f th e fo rm i n wh i c h Ch r i st i a n r evel a ti o n app e a rs
a m et h o d t h a t m a k e s Ch r i s t qu i t e u n i qu e a s a t e a ch e r o f
r el i g i o n sh o ul d n o t b e m o r e ge n e ral ly cul ti vate d i n t h e
p ul p i t
A fre e u s e o f anal o gy bo th o f t h e i ll u s t rat i v e
a n d t h e au gm en tat iv e s or t w o ul d b e a v ery e ffe c ti v e m eth o d
Argum en t a s a m e th o d o f
o f c o n v e y i n g Ch r i st i a n t ruth
d i dact i c dev el opm e n t c all s fo r b r i ef c o n s i d e ra ti o n I t s i m
p o rtan c e fo r th e w o rk o f th e pulp i t h a s d oubtle s s b e e n
o vere s t i m ate d Th e o bj ec t o f a s e rm o n i s th e d i s cu s s i o n
o f t ru th w i th re fe re n c e t o p ra c t i c al r e s ul t s
Al l t e ach i n g
t h e refo r e sh o ul d h a v e s o m e o f th e el em en t s o f p e rs u as i o n
I t i s t h e O bj e c t o f a c o n vi nc i n g d i scu s s i o n t ha t i t sh oul d b e
m ad e a pe r su as iv e d i scu s s i on I n fa c t a t ru ly c o n v i n c i n g
s tatem e n t i s i n an i m p o rtan t s e n s e a t ruly p er s ua s i ve s ta t e
m e n t a n d a rgum en t i s n o t al wa ys n e ce s s a ry t o m ak e a
stat em en t c o n vi n c i n g
M o s t B i bl i cal t ru t h s a re h ardly
a dap t ed t o elab o rat e a rgu m e n t
Cl e a r s t a te m e n t m ay be
,

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3 55

a s u bs titut e Th e m o s t c o nv i nc i n g p r e a ch i n g i s oft e n s i m
pl y a fr ma t o r y o f w h a t i s a s su m e d a n d m ay w el l b e a s
s u m e d t o b e ge n e ral ly r e co g n i z e d a s t r u e I t i s a n app e al
t o wh a t i s c o m m o n t o c o m m o n sen s e c o mm o n c o n s c i en ce
c o mm o n s e n t i m en t co mm o n o b s e rv a ti o n a n d e xp er i e n c e
I t m ay b e a s t a t em en t o f fac t o r a s t a t e m e n t o f pr i n c i pl e
Wh a t ever it b e t h e a s s ump ti on i s t ha t t h e t ru t h o f wh a t i s
a i r m e d m ay s o m eh o w b e r e co gn i z e d w i t h o u t b e i n g s c i en ti
c a l ly d em o n s t ra t e d
I t m ay t a k e t h e fo rm o f exp o s i ti o n
o r o f i l lu s t ra ti o n o r o f i nferenc e a s w el l a s o f ar g u m e n t
Af t e r al l b u t re l a ti vely few a r e c o nv i n ce d o f r el i g i o u s t r u t h
by S h ee r ar g u m e n t B e l i ef is t h e p ro du c t o f a grea t v ar i e ty
Th e ex ampl e o f Ch r i s t a n d o f h i s Ap o s t l e s
o f i n u en ce s
m ay b e n o t e d h er e
Ch r i s ti a n it y w a s n o t p rop a ga t ed by
l o g i ca l argum e n t I t re fu s e d to ava i l i t se l f o f s u ch m e t h o ds
Th e a rgum e n t s o f Ch r i s t s o fa r a s we m ay sp ea k o f h i s
t ea ch i n g a s a rgum e n t a t al l a re n o t a n a t temp t a t d em o n
s tr a tio n
Of c o u rs e t h ey fu rn i sh r ea s o n s fo r a c cep ti n g t h e
t r u t h a n d s o fa r fo r t h t h e y a re p ro o fs B u t t h ey ar e n ot
a tt e mp t s a t demo n s t ra ti o n
S o w it h t h e t e a ch i n g o f t h e
Ap o s t l es Th ey S pe a k a s by m o ra l a n d re l i g i o u s au t h o r i t y
Th e i r a rgum e n t s ar e o f t h e p opul a r a d homi nem s o r t Th e y
a s sum e n o t o nly a c om m o n s e n s e o r a c o m m o n c ap a c i t y
o f m en t a l j u dgem e n t
b ut c ap a c it y o f i ma g i n a ti o n o f fe el i n g
an d o f m o ral an d s p i r i t ual c o nv i c ti o n They a s sum e a
con s i derabl e m ea s ure o f c o mm o n exp e r i enc e w i t h l i fe o fco m
mo n m o ral a nd r e l i g i o u s t ra i n i n g a n d o f g e n er al p rep ara
ti o n t o rec e i ve t h e t ru t h wh e n o n c e i t i s r i gh t ly p res en t e d
Th e o bj e c t i s t o ge t a t t h e i nn e r l i fe t o i n t e ns i fy m o ral a n d
r el i g i o u s c o nv i c ti o n t o re m ov e d i f cul t i e s by a cl ear s u g
It is not
g e s t iv e a n d p e rs uas i ve p re s en t a ti o n o f t h e t ruth
t o p u s h th e t rut h up o n t h e m i n d by p r o ce ss e s o f Io g i ca l
p ro o f Th e pr e s e n t a ti o n i s l argely e xp os i t i o n i n p op u l a r
fo rm Th e p arabl e a s u s e d b y o u r Lo rd is a n exp o s i t o r y
.

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T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

m e t h o d I t i s exp o s i ti o n by i l l u s t ra ti o n I t i s al s o a s o r t
o f a rgum e n t
A s i t i n t e rprets i t p re s e n t s r ea s o n s for b el i ef
I t r ea s o n s by exp o s i t i o n
Paul r e a s o n s fro m p o pula r a n
al o g i e s A rgum e nt at i v e p re ac h i n g i s re l a ti vely m o de r n
I t w a s n o t i n t h e s c i e n ti c s e n s e k n own t o th e p r i m i ti ve
c h u rch S ch o l a st i c i s m d i d n o t o r i g i n a t e i t b u t i t xe d i t
Th i s i nvo l ve d i f n o t a fal s e a n e x t re m e c o n c ep ti o n o f t h e
n e e d s o f t h e p u lp i t
D o ub t l e s s i t d i d it s w o rk a ft e r a
fa sh i o n
B ut i t i s pa s t
B i bl i ca l p re ac h i n g c o rr e c t s t h e
ex t r em e s o f t h e d i al e c ti cal m e tho d s o n th e o n e S i d e a n d
o f t h e h o r t a t o ry o r n o n d i s cu s s i o n al m e th o d o n t h e o t h e r
S i d e I t u n it e s i n d u e p r op o r ti o n t h e ra t i o nal a n d th e e t h i ca l
a nd sp i r i tu al Th e c h i ef a i m i s t o m a k e Ch r i st i a n i ty s e e m
rea s o n abl e a n d n atu ra l i n t h e s e n s e o f r ea s o n abl e a n d
th i s m ay b e do n e w i th o u t fo rm a l a r gum e n t
I t i s h ar d l y
w o r t h wh i l e t o d i s cu s s t h e a rgum en t a ti v e m e t h o d o f d ev el op
m ent
An d ye t a fe w w o rd s m ay b e d e s i ra b l e Th e re ar e t h re e
p o i n t s o f v i ew fro m wh i c h w e m ay l o o k a t p ulp it a rg u m e n t
t h a t o f q ual i ty o rd e r a n d t o n e
A S re gard s t h e qu al it y o f h o m i l e ti c argum e n t i t i s d e

A
m a n d e d rs t o f al l th a t i t b e s ub s t a n ti al a n d c o ge n t

l am e an d i mp o ten t c o n cl u s i o n
i s l i k el y t o i nvo lv e a
la m e a n d i mp o t e n t pr o c e s s o f r e a s o n i n g wh i ch i s a d i s
c re d i t t o t h e preac h e r I f o n e u n d e r t a k e s a l i n e o f r e a
s o n i n g h e sh oul d m ak e i t t h o ro u gh A pr ea ch er l o se s
i n u e nc e by a n i n e ffec t u al att e mp t a t i t Th e w eakn es s o f
h i s a rgu m e n t i s ch arged e i th e r t o h i s o w n i n t ell e c t u al i n co m
p et en cy o r t o t h e weak n e s s o f h i s ca s e a n d i n e it h e r eve n t
h e i s d i s c red it e d i n t h e o n e ca s e p e rso n all y i n t h e o th e r p r o
Pro c e s s e s o f rea s o n i n g S h o ul d al s o b e adapt e d
fe s s io n a l ly
A l i n e o f r ea s o n i n g
t o th e ca p ac i ti es o f o n e s au d i e nce
t h a t w i l l s at i sfy o n e cl as s o f p e opl e m ay no t s at i sfy an o th e r
Wh a t i s su f
fi c i en t fo r a n u n t ra i n e d m i n d w i l l n o t sa ti sfy
.

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358

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W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

ca u s e th ey a re i n t o l e rabl y t ed i o u s I n day s wh e n p eo
p l e h a d m o re l e i su re an d m o re pat i e nce th ey woul d t o l era t e
t h em a n d s e em e d t o th r i ve up o n th em B u t n o o n e fol l ow s
t h e m n o w a n d t h e i r val u e a t a ny t i m e i s qu e st i o nabl e Th e
we i gh t o f a m a n s a rgum e nt s i s o f mo re i m p o r t a n ce th a n
th e n um b e r
Wi t h re spe c t t o t h e t o n e o f o n e s re a s o n i n g th e pr i m al
re qu i s i t e i s ca n do r N o prea c h e r w h o i s a S pec i al pl e a de r
o r w h o sh u f
e s o r e vade s d i ffi cul t i e s ca n h ol d th e c on d en c e
o f r i gh t m i nd e d p eo pl e
Ca n d o r i s o f sp ec i a l i mp o rtan c e i n
t h e di s c u s s i o n o f r el i g i o u s p robl e m s a nd ab o ve al l i n t h e
u s e o f S c r i pt ure
a r g u m e n ts U nfa i r rea s o n i n g i s h eav i ly
d i sc o un t ed Th e re i s a l arge el e m e nt o f pe rso nal fa i th i n
p e opl e s a c c epta n c e o f a ca n d i d m a n s r ea s o n i n g s A s s e nt
i s oft e n s e cu re d q u i t e a s m u ch by c o n d e n c e i n th e can d o r
o f th e m an
a s by t h e c o ge ncy o f h i s a rgu m e nt s
W i th
c an d o r s h oul d b e a s s oc i at e d p o s i t i ven e s s a n d st re n gth o f
co n vi ct i on
Th e j u d i ci al t h e p o s i t i ve a n d c an d i d a t t it ud e
o r i ts o w n sak e o r a s a p o s i t i ve
o f m i n d se ek s th e t rut h f
m o ra l go o d T h e ap o l o ge t i c i s th erefo re m o re s at i sfac t o ry
t h a n th e p ol e m i c m eth o d
Po l em i c d i sc u s s i o n e a s i ly d e
ge ne ra t e s i nt o pa rt i san s h i p i n t o u n ca n d i dn e s s an d u nfa i r
n e s s a n d m ay rea d i l y b ec o m e p e rs o na l a n d b itt e r
Th e
gh t i ng pul p i tee r seek s a personal o r pa rt i san a d v an t age
ra th e r th a n t h e l i be ra ti o n o f t rut h an d t h e co n qu e s t o f
e rro r
( 3) S o m e o f t h e s o u rc e s o f t h e d i dact i c d e v el o p m en t
m ay w el l b e c o n s i d e re d T h e c h o i c e o f t o p i c s w i l l m e a s u r
abl y c o n d i t i o n t h e t h ou gh t m at e r i al o f t h e d evel o pm e n t
B u t i t i s a l s o a spe c i c que s t i o n fo r t h e d ev el opm e n t i ts el f
Th e re a re gen e ral s o u rc e s u p o n w h i c h t h e p re ac h e r r el i e s
fo r h i s m at e r i al o f t h o ug h t an d o f wh i ch h e a v a i l s h i m s el f
i n t h e u s e o f var i o u s e xpo s i t o ry o r d i dac t i c m e th o d s
A ll
t h e m a t e r i a l o f o n e s e d uc at i o n a n d cul t ur e i s o f c o u rs e
.

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s o u rc e fro m w h i ch o n e c o n ti n u al l y draws B u t j u s t h ere

w e deal w it h s o m e o f t h e spe c i c s o urc e s
Th e S cr i p t ur e s are o n e o f t h e s e s o u rc e s We u s e t h e
B i bl e n o t o nl y a s t h e b as i s fo r o u r t h e m e s an d a s th e
b a s i s fo r t op i cs a s i n t h e t ex t u al m e t h o d b u t i n t h e pr o ce s s
We m ak e a n i m m ed i a te u s e o f i t
o f d evel opm e n t a s wel l
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i t s b i o graph i cal a n d h i s t o r i ca l m a t er i al i l lu s t ra ti vely by
c i t i n g i t s a ck n owl e dge d ge n era l t ru t h s an d p r i n c i pl e s by
c i t a ti o n s a n d t h e u s e o f it s rh e t o r i c al a n d p o e ti c d i c ti o n
I f p r e ach er s w e r e m o re fam i l i a r w it h t h e i r En gl i sh B i bl e s
t h e y wo ul d p r obably m ak e m o re c op i o u s u s e o f i t I t i s
a s o u rc e o f v e ry i n s t r u c ti v e an d i n t e r e s ti ng m a t er i al S c o t ch
a n d We l s h p rea ch ers m ak e ab u nda n t u s e o f i t a n d t h ey
ar e fo r t h i s reas o n am o n g t h e m o s t i n t e re s ti n g a n d e d i fy i n g
o f p rea che rs
Th e val u e o f s u ch u s e i n gi v i n g t h e p e opl e a n
acq u a i n t ance w i th t he B i bl e can no t be o v e r es ti ma t ed W e
a pp eal t o t h e B i bl e p r i m ar i ly b ec a u s e w e a s sum e t h a t i t
b ear s t h e a u t h o r i ty o f revel a ti o n
I t p r e s u pp o s e s a l s o a
r e sp o n s e i n o u r m o ral a n d r el i gi o u s n a t u re s O n t h i s b as i s
we u s e i t eve n i n S p eak i n g t o t h o s e wh o a re n o t p r ofe s s e dl y
Ch r i s t i a n s an d i n fa c t eve n t o t h o s e w h o m ay d e ny t he
t ru t h a n d au th o r it y o f revel a ti o n B u t it s m o s t s u c c es sfu l
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pre s upp o s e s Ch r i s ti a n exp e r i e nc e i
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t o t h e w it nes s o f S cr i p tu res w it hou t To t h e response o f nat iv e
i n t el l i gence conv i c ti on feel i ng i s adde d the response o f
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m a t e r i a l w i l l hav e gre a t e s t w e i gh t w i t h t h e Ch r i s t i a n s ec
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360

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ti o n o f th e c o n gre ga ti o n a n d i t i s m o s t appr opr i a t e i n

p a s t o ral p r e ach i n g i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e w o r sh i p o f a
Ch r i s t i a n a s s em bly
B u t i t d o e s n o t alwa y s a s s um e th e
auth o r i ty o f r ev el at i o n
T h e B i bl e i s a b o dy o f h um a n
l i te ra tu r e a s wel l a s a r ec o rd o f d i v i n e reve l a ti o n
It is
a t re a s ure h ou s e o f hum a n expe r i en c e s a s wel l a s o f h eave nl y
t e a ch i n gs I t i s a S o u rc e o f i ll u stra ti o n a s w el l a s o f a u
t h o r i t y a s t o re h o u s e o f su gge s ti o n a s we l l a s o f p ro of
It
spe ak s t o t h e i ma g i na t i o n t h e s e nt i m e nt s th e fe el i n gs a s
w el l a s to th e m i n d a n d t h e co n sc i ence a n d i n t h e u s e o f
i t a s s u ch th e p re ach e r m ay b e e m i n e ntl y i n s t ru ct iv e a s wel l
a s qu i c k en i n g W e u s e t h e B i bl e a s a l it erary p ro duc t I t
i s a s ou rc e o f fre s h a tt r ac t iv e m at e r i a l t h a t m ay b e u s e d
su gg e s t i ve ly a s wel l a s a rgu m e nta t i vely an d t h i s i s a d i da c
ti c u s e
I t i s n ot ewo rthy tha t th e u s e o f S cr i ptu re s by
Ch r i s t a n d t h e N ew Te st am e n t wr i t e rs a s a d i re ct s o ur c e
i s r e la t i vely i nfre qu e n t T h e m o r e
o f p ro o f i n a r gum e nt
c o m m o n u se i s i n t h e way o f fru i tful su gge s t i o n
I t fu r
n i sh e s anal o g i e s o r p e r ti n e n t i nfe re n ti al i nt i m at i on s i n va r
i o u s fo rm s th a t pu t th e t rut h i n s t ro n ger l i gh t a n d g i ve
i t fre sh a tt ra c t i v en e s s an d i m pr e s s i ve n es s
M o s t o f our
d i d act i c u s e o f t h e B i bl e i s l i t e ra ry i n i t s ch ara c t e r I t i s fo r
i l l u s t rat i o n rath e r t h a n a r gum e n t
H i st o ry i s a n o th e r s o u rc e H i sto ry b el o n gs t o t h e gen e ral
real m o f hum a n e xp e r i e nc e a n d a n a ppeal t o i t i s o n e fo rm
bu t i t m ay we l l ha v e d i st i n c t
o f t h e appea l t o e xp e r i e n ce
c o n s id e rat i o n H i st o r i c fa ct s g re at l y e n r i ch a m a n s preac h
i n g B i bl i cal h i st o ry i s i ll us t ra t iv e o f w i de reach i n g e t h i co
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i s h i st o r i c al o r h a s a h i st o r i c b ack gro u nd e xpl a i n s w h y
p re ach i n g o f the r i ght so r t from i t i s S O i nt e re st i n g B u t
s ecula r h i st o ry a s well i s o f grea t val u e t o t h e prea ch e r
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B ut t h e u s e o f h i s t o r i c m a t e r i al fo r pu rp o s e s o f i ll u s t ra t i o n
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36 2

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

wh a t i s a s s um e d t o b e fa c t s I t i nv o l ve s a n a ppeal t o
exa mpl e o r t o c o nc ret e i n s t an ces a s i ll u s t rat i n g a s t a t em e n t
of fa c t o r p r i n c i pl e
T h e a t t ra c ti ven es s i mp res s i ve nes s
a n d sea rc h i n gn e s s O f t h e be s t typ e o f m o d e r n p reac h i n g
a re c o n d i t i o n e d b y s uc h appeal
P ers o n al exper i enc e
m ay fu rn i s h m at er i al fo r i n st ru c ti ve a s we l l a s p ers ua s i v e
p re ac h i n g W i s el y ha ndl e d a n d i t n e e d s m o s t j ud i c i o u s
u s e i t m ay b e c o m e a va l uabl e d i dac ti c s o u rc e P aul s p e r
s o n al e xp e r i e nce s always h a d g rea t we i gh t w i t h h i m i n h i s
p ro c la ma t i o n o f h i s Ge nt i le G o sp el a n d th ey h a d c o rre s
p o n d i n g w e i gh t w i t h o t h ers Th i s i s wh a t m a k e s t h e
C o r i nth i an Gal at i a n an d Ph i l i pp i a n l e tt e rs s o p rofo u n dly
i n t e re st i n g a n d i m pr e s s i ve
I wo nd e r i f we a de qua t ely
u n d ers ta n d h o w po t en t i n t h e fu rth era nc e o f Paul i n e Ch r i st i
a n i ty th e s to ry o f Paul s l i fe a n d perso n al e xp e r i en ces w a s '
w e ta l k ab o u t t h e fo rc e o f Paul s p e r s o n al i ty W e m ea n
by i t o r S h o ul d i f w e spea k u nde rs t an d i ngl y th e p owe r o f
h i s p er s o n a l exp e r i en c e s
Th ey a r e exp e r i e n c e s t h a t a r e
m ad e s i gn i c an t by t h e p e rs o na l fo rc e o f t h e m a n b u t i t
wa s p re c i sely t h es e exp e r i en ce s t h a t ev o k e d t h e p owe r t ha t
wa s i n h i m Th e exp e r i e n ce s i nvo l ve d i n h i s c o nve r s i o n wer e
i n fac t th e t u r n i n g p o in t i n t h e fo r t u n e o f e arl y Ch r i s ti an i ty
Pe r s o nal e xp er i en ce wa s a m o s t po t e n t fac t o r i n t h e e arl y
su c c e s sful p ro cl am at i o n i n ge n e ra l o f t h e Go sp e l a n d i t
w as th e awa k en i n g o f n ew p e rs o n al r el i g i o u s e xpe r i enc e
ra th e r th an i t s l og i c al d efen s e s t h a t s ave d th e Ch r i st i an i ty
o f t h e n i n et ee n t h c en tury
T h e w e i gh t o f th e exp e r i e n c e
w i l l o f c o u r s e d ep e nd l argely o n th e we i gh t o f t h e m a n
a n d t h e e ffect i v e n e s s o f i t s u se i n p reach i n g w i l l dep e n d
I t m u s t h ave
o n i t s i m po rta n c e a n d o n w h a t i t i ll u s t ra t e s
we i gh t i n o rde r t o sa n ct i o n i t s i nt ro duct i o n i n t o th e pulp i t
O th e rw i s e i t w i l l d e gene ra t e i nto fr i v ol i ty o r c an t an d th i s
w i l l alway s b r i n g a re ac t i o n a ga i n s t i t
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363

T H E D EVE L O PM E NT
it

w i l l n o t fa i l o f e ffe c ti ve nes s I t i s th e we i gh t o f t h e m a n
a n d t h e wo r t h o f wha t h e h a s p ers o nal ly k n own an d fel t
t ha t w i l l c o n d iti o n r i gh t u s e I t m ay b e t h e e xp er i en c e o f
o t h e r m e n W e qu o t e o t h ers e xp er i e n ce s b e cau s e t h ey i n
t e r s t u s a n d b e cau s e w e k n o w t h a t t h e y w i l l i nt e re s t o u r
h e a re rs b eca u s e al s o t h ey h av e a n i ll u s t ra ti v e val u e S t o r i e s
m a y h av e a n i ll u s t ra ti v e an d s o a d i dac ti c v al u e Th ey are
a n app ea l t o fac t a s i l lu s t ra ti v e o f p r i n c i pl e s
An d t h i s
s h o ul d x t he i r l i m it s A n e xc e s s o f s t o ry t el l i n g i s l i k e
a n exc e s s i n t h e u s e o f gu ra ti v e l an g u a ge W e l o s e Si gh t
i ll u s t ra t e d a n d a n i mp r e s s i o n o f i n t ell e c t ua l
o f th e th i n g
It
n o t t o s a y m o ra l w e a k n e s s a n d fr i v o l i ty i s l ef t w it h u s
m ay b e a n ap p ea l t o c o mm o n o r gen e ral e xp er i e n c e Chr i s t
app eal ed t o m an s j u dgm e n t s a s b a s ed o n c o m m o n e x
Th e p arab le s furn i sh s u ch an app ea l
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h i s app ea l o n t h e Sabba t h q u e s ti o n ; wh i ch o n e o f yo u
do e s n o t i n fa c t do t h e l i k e o f t h i s v ery t h i n g t ha t I am
n ow d o i ng o nly i n a l owe r r e alm ' I t i s a n app ea l to wh a t
It
w e cal l c o m m o n s e ns e o b s e rva ti o n an d e xp e r i en ce
p r e supp o s e s fam i l i a r it y w it h l i fe an d k n owl e dge o f t h e way s
Pre ach i n g S h o ul d dea l c op i o u sl y w it h a c tu al l i fe
of m en
Li fe fu rn i sh e s t h e r i ch e s t s o r t o f m a t e r i al A k n o wl e dg e
o f m e n a n d o f th e wo rl d a t l a r ge i s i n i nc r e as i n g dem a n d
A s tu dy o f h um a n l i fe a s i llu s t ra ti ve o f t h e gr e a t t ru t h s a n d
p r i n c i p l e s o f r el i g i o n l i e s b ehi n d t h e b e s t p re a chi n g o f
o u r day a n d i t i s t h i s l a r gely t h a t m ak e s r e l i g i o n s e e m s o
m uch m o r e n a tu ra l a n d h u m a n Th e s tu dy o f dram a ti c l i t e r
a t u r e a s a p o r t r a i tu r e o f h u ma n l i fe ha s ch i ef val u e j u s t h er e
fo r t h e p u l p i t
2
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ti cal develo pm en t Th e wo r d p r a c ti c al s u gge st s a n e ffo r t
t o i mpre s s t h e c o n sc i e nc e an d t o secu re act i o n ra th e r t h a n
t o s e cu r e a s t r o n g m en t a l i mp re s s i o n
A n d t h e wo rd per
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364

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TH E

t h e e m o t i o n s an d t o t h e m o ral a n d r el i gi o u s s e n
t i m e n ts
A full d i s c u s s i o n o f t h e a r t a n d m eth o d s o f p e r
s u a s i on i s n ot cal l ed fo r j u st he re I t i s su fc i en t i n general
t o s a y t ha t a l l p e rs u a s i v e m e t h o d s a r e b as e d o n th e a s s u mp
t i o n an d p re supp o s e t h a t th e obj e c t i s rs t o f al l a p p r e
h e n s ib l e
I t i s t h e refo re s uppl em ental t o t h e e x po s i t o ry
m et h o d o r a s sum e s th e wo rk o f i nt e rpr e t at i o n a s al re a dy
a de q ua t ely a c c o mpl i sh e d B u t t h e t h i n g t h a t i s a p p r eh en
s i bl e an d a d e qua t ely k n own m u s t n ex t b e m ad e t o s e em de
s i rabl e
P e rs u as i o n i s t h erefo re a n e ffo r t t o m a k e t h e
t ru t h a tt ra c t i ve
B u t i t c a n n o t b e m a d e a t tract i v e u nl e s s
i t i s s e e n a n d k n ow n t o b e ava i labl e To s h ow t ha t t h e
o bj e c t p re sent e d i s w i t hi n r e ac h i s a n i m po r t a n t e l em e n t
i n p e rs u a s i o n B u t th e c ro wn p o i nt i n t h e p ro c e s s o f p re
s e n t i n g t h e a p p r eh e n s ib l e n es s t h e d es i rabl en e s s a nd t h e
ava i labl e n e s s o f th e O bj e c t i s th e enfo rc em en t o f p e rs o n a l
obl i gat i o n w i t h r e spe c t t o i t H e n c e i t c o nc e nt rat e s up o n
th e c o n s c i e n c e a n d w i ll
B u t w i t h r e sp ec t t o p e rs u a s i ve
m ethods the fol low i ng sugges ti on s a re al l tha t seem
n ecessa ry
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a n d i n th e b e s t s e n s e p ra ct i ca l b y app r op r i a t e h an dl i n g a n d
su ch h a n dl i n g p re supp o s e s a n e ffor t t o i n t e rp re t t h e t ru th
w i th s up rem e re fe re n c e t o m o ral a n d r el i g i o u s i n t e re s t s
I n st ruc t i o n m ay b e s o c o m b i n e d w i t h d e n it e d i re ct m o ra l
a n d rel i gi o u s i ncul ca ti o n t h a t i t m ay b e c om e p e rsu a s i vel y
a nd p ra c ti c all y i mpres s i v e
An d t h i s i s t h e b e s t typ e o f
i n s t ruc t i v e p r eac h i n g B y t he u s e o f t h e fo rm s o f t h o u gh t
a n d S p e e c h th a t appe al t o t h e i m a g i nat i o n a n d th e e mo
t i on s o n e m ay s o h an d le h i s exp o s i to ry m a tt e r a s t o r each
p e r s ua s i vel y t h e h e a r t an d th e w i l l o f th e h ear e r Al l t h e
e xp o s it o ry m et h o d s t o w h i c h a t t e nt i o n h a s b e en d i re c t e d
m ay be c o m e i n s k i l lful h and s p ra ct i cal ly e ffec t i ve
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366

T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

A m as t e ry o f gram m a ti ca l a s wel l a s verb a l gu re s ma y

fu rth e r a d ram a t i c i n te n s i ty o f s tyl e
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t h e de s c r i p ti ve s t yl e wo ul d m ak e p re ach i n g m o re p e r s u a
s i ve Prea ch e r s o f a graph i c d ram a t i c s t yl e d o m uc h t o
wa r d s n e u t ral i z i n g t h e de fe c t s o f a b a rr e n wo rs h i p Th e
B i bl e ab o u n d s i n ma t er i a l th a t i s expre s s e d i n d e s cr i p t i v e
p i ct o r i al fo rm t h at i nv i te s t h e s tu dy o f t h e p r e a ch e r
(4 ) Th e u s e o f a n ec do t e s p ro verb s an d c i tat i o n s e n
r i c h e s p rea ch i n g an d b e c o m e s c o n du c i ve t o i mp re s s i ve n e s s
Eva n gel i s t s m a k e abun da n t u s e o f a n e c d o t e s L u th e r d eal t
o u t p ro ve rb s
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i l l u s t ra t e i s t h u s mo re l i kel y t o ab i d e w i t h t h e m Q u o t a
t i o n i s w i t h i n l i m i t s a v al uabl e rh e t o r i cal d ev i c e
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t o o ne s o w n t h ou gh t o r O p i n i o n o r s en ti m en t b y qu o t i n g
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a nd pe rt i n en t i t s e cu re s ad d i t i o n al val u e I t h a s a dd iti o na l
we i g h t i n t h e r ea l m o f s e n t i m en t an d fe el i n g
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e ra b l e t o l o n g a n d c o nt i nu o u s c i t at i o n
b ec o m e te d i o u s a n d i n t h e e n d l e s s e n ra th e r th an i nte n s i fy
i mpre s s i o n
I f o n e w i l l hav e s u ch a q u o t a ti o n i t s h o u l d
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b e g i nn i n g or i n t h e m i ddl e i t
th e Sh o rte r a n d th e m o r e p er
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P R O D U C T I O N O F M AT E R I A L

Pla n n i n g a n d p r o d u c i n g m ay b e qu it e o r n e a r ly s i m ul
t a n e o u s Ye t t h ey m ay b e to a l ar ge ex t e n t s ep a r ab l e Af t e r
p l a n n i n g p ro du c i n g a n d expa n d i n g a r e ge neral l y n e ce s s
s ary M e n d i ffe r gr ea t ly i n t h e i r p ro duc ti v e p o w er S o m e
gen e ra t e t h o u gh t w i t h n o tab l e fa c i l it y b u t pla n S lo wl y a n d
l ab o r i o u sl y O t h e r s p l a n m o r e e a s i l y t h a n t h ey p ro d u ce
Th e e a sy p ro d u c e r m a y e a s i l y r u n i n t o d i s o r de r an d s up er
ci a li ty
O n t h e o t h er h a n d t h e s k e t ch i n g o f o ut l i n e s
ma y b e c o m e a s o r t o f k nac k
I t i s no t a t al l d i f cul t e ven
fo r v e ry s up er c i al p r e a ch er s to a c q u i r e fa c i l it y i n t h e pl a n
n i n g o f s erm o n s
The o u t co m e o f s u ch fa c i l it y m ay b e
p ove r t y o f m a t e r i al Th e s e r m o n m ay b e a l l s k el e t o n A
p r op e r r e ga rd fo r b o t h sub s t a n c e a n d fo r m i s n e e d ed P r o
du c ti o n h o w eve r i s m u ch e a s i e r fo r any ma n w h a t ev e r
h i s fac i l it y o r l a c k o f fac i l it y m ay b e i n p r op o r ti o n a s t h e
p rel i m i n ary w o r k h a s b e e n w el l d o n e
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l e t s i t o pe n it s e lf
o f h i s t h em e a n d l e t s i t g e t h o l d o f h i m
o u t clearl y b efo re h i m i f h e m a k e s h i m s e lf fam i l i ar w i t h t h e
r oa d ove r wh i ch h e i s t rave l i n g i t S h o u l d n o t t a k e h i m l o n g
t o m a k e t h e j o u rn ey
I t s h o u l d no t i n gen e ra l b e a t t h e
l o n ges t m o r e t h a n a t h r e e d ays j o u rn e y B ut p r o d u c ti o n o f
t h e r i gh t s o r t i s n o ea sy t a s k fo r any m an h o weve r g i fte d
Th e p ro bl e m o f p r o d u c ti o n i s p ar t o f t h e l arge r p robl em
o f ge nera l e du c at i o n a nd c u l tu r e o f t ra i n i n g i n p r o fes s i o na l
exp e r i e n c e a n d o f t h e l a r ge r p e d ag o gy o f l i fe A n d t h i s
i s far m o r e t ha n a h o m i l e ti c p r ob l em I t c a n n o t t h erefo r e
b e s a ti sfac to r i ly t r ea t e d m e re ly a s s u ch B u t t h er e a re c o n
s i de r a ti o n s b e ar i n g up o n t h i s ge n era l qu e s ti o n o f t ra i n i n g
a n d u p o n t h e m o r e s p e c i c p r obl e m o f h o m i l e ti c p r o d u c
.

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T H E W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H ER

ti o n w i t h w h i ch h o m i l e ti c s m a y d ea l
Th e s e c o n s i d e r a
t i o n s h a ve a d i r ec t o r i n d i r e ct a n i m m e d i a t e o r rem o t e
be a r i n g u po n t h e p r ob l e m b efo r e u s Le t u s l o o k a t s o m e
of th e m
1
I s u gge s t rs t t h e n e e d o f a h ab it o f m e n t al c o n
c en t ra ti o n up o n t h e a c t u al wo r k o f s erm o n p r o du c t i o n
S uc h c o nc en t ra ti o n w i th i n t h e l i m i t s o f a p r op e r ran ge i n
ge ne ra l cul t ure i s n e c e s sa ry t o e ffe ct i v en e s s i n p r o du c ti o n
a n d exp an s i o n N o p r ea ch e r sh o ul d e ve r b e c a rel e s s ab o u t
t h e sp e c i c t a s k o f s erm o n p repa ra ti o n W i th o u t c ar e a n d
c o n ce n t ra t i o n h i s w o rk w i l l la c k d en i t e n e s s o f a i m a n d t h e
i nte ns it y t h o ro u gh n es s an d e ffe c ti ve n es s t h a t a re c o n d i
t i o n e d by t hem
W e n e e d t h e m e n tal an d t h e m o ra l d i s

c i p li n e o f wh at Em e rs o n c al l s
th e s t ate d t a s k t h e l ac k
o f w h i ch i n h i s o wn exp er i e n c e h e la m e n t e d
A m a n wh o
do e s n ot fe el t h e p r e s s u r e o f p ro fes s i o na l d ut y m a y e a s i ly
l o s e i n t el l e c t ua l a s wel l a s m o ral s t am i n a A d e s ul t o ry h ab i t
o f l i fe
i s a fru i tfu l s o u rc e o f fr i vo l i ty s u p er ci a l it y a n d
m ental an d m o ral i ncom pe t ency The f reedom o f m i n i s
t e r ia l l i fe fr o m th e s te r n e xa c t i o n s o f s t at ed h o ur s o f w o r k
e n da n ge r s th e p rea ch e r o f fal l i n g i n t o s u ch a h ab i t I t d e
m an d s m o ra l r e s ol u ti o n t o r e s i s t t h e da n ge r
Ev e ry s e r
m o n sh o ul d a i m a t a d e n i t e s t ro n g i mp r e s s i o n I t S h o u l d
r ep re s e n t n o t o nly a ge n eral a n d c o mp r eh e n s i ve b u t a
sp e c i c h o m i le t i c a i m
Th e p rea c h e r sh o u l d d o h i s b e s t
w i th i n t h e g i v e n l i m i t s i n eve ry s e rm o n
Th a t c o u n s e l
m ay b e g i ve n w i t h al l p o s s i bl e em ph as i s Th e s e rm o n sh o ul d
sta n d fo r a m o ra l ach i e v em e n t a n d i t c a n n o t b e m o ral
a ch i ev em e n t i f i t b e n o t a re sp ec t abl e m en t al a ch i evem en t
I t i s a wh ol e s om e t h i n g fo r a m a n t o gr appl e v i go ro u sl y

w i t h a d e n i t e m en t al an d m o ral t a s k
I nven ti o n i s t h e
rh e t o r i ca l t e rm fo r p rod uc ti o n
I t S u gge s t s t h a t t h o u gh t
i s a d i sc ov e r y I t su gge s t s a m e n tal s ea rch M e n d i ffe r
a s al rea d y s u gge s t e d i n t h e i r i nve n ti ve a n d p ro d u c ti ve
.

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a fa i r m e a s u r e o f fr e e do m u n de r d i f c ul ti e s t h a t a t rs t
m i gh t s ee m i n s u rm o u n t abl e A n d it m u s t b e s a i d t h a t a
m i n i s t er s t a s ks are o f s u ch so r t t ha t h e w i l l be obl i ged
t o t ra i n h i m sel f t o w o rk u nde r d i ff
i cu l t i e s
B ut de sp i t e
t h e s e l i m it a ti o n s e ve ry m a n h a s h i s o w n p e r so n al n ee ds
They a r e t h e r e s ul t o f c o n s tit u t i o n a n d t emp era m e n t a s
w el l a s hab it They sho u l d be respec t ed O ne ca n n ot w o r k
s u cc e s sf u l l y u n d e r c o n s t an t fr i ct i o n
(2) E ff o r t t o b e a t o n e s b e s t i n h o u r s o f p repa ra
ti o n P e rhap s n o o n e i s ev er i n j u s t t h e s am e co n d i t i o n
fe re n t o c
p h ys i ca l ly m en t al ly o r e m o ti o n all y o n t wo d i f
ca s i o n s We a re s u bj e c t t o v ar i an t m oo d s
L i tt l e t h i n gs
affe c t u s I t i s s u r p r i s in g h ow l i ttl e W e ar e m o r e cl o s ely
i de n t i e d w i th t h e wo rl d i n wh i c h we l i ve a n d o u r m o o d s
a re m o r e dep e n de n t u p o n i t t h a n w e su sp e c t Th e s e var i an t
m oo d s d i s cl o s e t h e i r re sul t s i n wo r k fo r t h e p ul p i t W e
de t e c t t h e m o ur s elve s i n d i ffe r e n t p ar t s o f t h e s am e s e r
m o n o r i n t h e s e rm on as a wh ol e a n d i f we fa i l t o de t e c t
t h e m t h e wa t chf u l h e a r e r d o e s n o t Th e p re a ch e r i t i s
e vi de n t w a s no t a t h i s b e s t i n t h e p rep ara ti o n o f t h e
e n ti re s e rm o n
Th e sam e t ex t t h e me o u tl i n e w i l l y i el d
a d i ffe r e n t p ro duc t o n tw o d i ffe re n t o cc a s i o n s Th e p re ac h e r
i s i n a d i ffe re n t c o nd i t i o n p ro duc ti v e ly Th e s e va r i at i o n s o f
m o o d a re m ea s u rably u navo i dabl e I t i s ev e ry m a n s p r o b
l e m t o re d uc e th e i r ba d r e sul t s t o a m i n i m u m a n d t o d o t h e
b e st h e ca n u n d e r e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n s Th e y a re pa r t ly u n de r
c o nt r o l At any ra t e o n e ca n t a k e h i s m o o d i n t o a cco u n t
O n e S h o ul d n o t fo rce h i m s elf t o wo r k wh e n a t h i s wo rs t
B u t o n e ca n d o m o re an d be t t e r t h a n t h i s
B y go o d
p hy s i c al hab i t s pr o pe r h ab i t s o f s tu dy a nd l i fe i n ge n e ral
p ro pe r ch o i c e o f h o u r s o f wo rk a n d m e t h o d s o f w o r k o n e
m a y k e ep o n e s s e lf v e ry n e arl y a t o n e s be s t fo r h o u rs
o f p repa ra ti o n
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( 3) T h o ro u gh n e s s i n t h e p re l i m i na ry wo rk
.

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D EVE L O P M E NT

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t h i s o n e w i l l n d h i m s elf obl i ge d i n t h e w o r k o f p r e par a

ti o n t o pau s e a n d m a k e n eed e d c o rre ct i o n s i n h i s s ch eme
o f t h o u gh t
H e m ay n d i t n e c e s s a ry t o re ec t fur t h e r
up o n h i s t ex t a n d t h em e a n d t o r et rac e h i s gr o u n d fo r t h e
p urp o s e i n fa c t o f s ecur i n g t h e m e n t al g u i da nc e an d qu i ck
I f t h e gr o u n d
e n i n g wh i ch h e s h o ul d h a v e a l re a dy s e c ur e d
i s t h o ro u ghly go n e ov e r a t t h e o u t s e t t h e t ex t a n d t h e m e w i l l
co n s ta n t l y d i s cl o s e t h e i r t r ea sur e s t h ro u gh t h e m ed i u m
o f th e plan
O ne w i l l n d t h a t h e ha s t appe d a fo u n t a i n
t h a t w i l l o w i n t h e r i gh t d i r e c ti o n fo r h e h a s op e n e d a
ch an ne l fo r it
A fre e dev el op m e n t p re s upp o s e s s u ch a
c h ann e l
O n e c a n n o t o v e r e s ti ma t e t h e v al u e fo r fre e a n d
fru i tfu l p r o d u c ti o n o f a t h o ro u gh p rev i o u s s t u dy o f th e
sub j ec t i n it s t op i cal con t e n t s an d rel a ti ons N ew t rea s u re s
u n de r suc h con d iti o ns w i l l con s t a n t l y com e t o v i ew t ha t
o t h erwi s e w o u l d n ev e r hav e b e e n s u gge s t ed
(4 ) A rm gra sp o f t h e p r ope r de n it e obj e c t o f t h e
i n d i v i du al S e rmo n Th i s c o n d iti o n s n o t o nl y t h e p er ti n e n t q u a
l i ty o ft h e d ev el o p m e n t i n ge n e ra l b u t al s o fac i l i t y o fp ro du c
t i o n i n d e t a i l D en i t en es s o f a im m ay b e u rge d fo r t h e
s a k e o f i m pul s e i n p ro du c ti o n Ev e ry m a n w h o k n ow s a ny
th i n g ab o u t p r e a c h i n g k n ows t h i s T h e gl ow o f e n th u s i a s m
th a t i s ge n dere d b y t he s ti mul u s o f a d e n i t e s t ro n g e arn e s t
a n d l o vi n g pu rp o s e ca n n o t fa i l gr eat l y t o fac i l i t a t e p r o du c
tion
I t i s p sych ol o g i cal ly i m p o s s i bl e t h a t i t S h o ul d b e
o t h e rw i s e
M o r e o ver a n d t h i s i s o n e o f t h e m o s t i mp o rtan t
p ra c ti ca l c o n s i dera ti o n s t h e m a t er i al o f t h o u gh t i s r ea d i ly
s u gges t e d by th e c o n cr et e p ra c ti ca l rel a ti o n s o f th e o b
j e c t s th a t fal l w i t h i n t h e co mpa s s o f o n e s h o m i l e t i c a i m
Th e p ra c ti c al ch ara c t e r o f o n e s p rea ch i n g i s a c o n d iti o n
o f fru it ful i nve n t i o n
( 5 ) Th e p res e n c e o f t h e au d i en c e w i th t h e p re ach e r
du r i n g al l t h e h o ur s o f p reparat i o n
Th i s is n e c e s sa ry
n o t o nly t o t h e p ro du c t i o n o f a s o r t o f m a t er i al t h a t w i l l b e
,

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372

a dap t e d t o t h e n e e d s o f o n e s hea r e rs a n d a s i n ce n ti v e
to th e
p ro du c ti o n o f a v i go r an d d i re c t n e s s t h a t wer e
o t h e rw i s e
i mp o s s i bl e b ut i t w i l l i n ev it ab l y r e s u l t i n
a ge n eral q ui c k e n i n g o f al l t h e p ro d u c ti v e a c ti v i ti e s o f t h e
m i n d b e cau s e t h ey are i n sp i re d by t h e m o ra l en e r gi e s a n d
t h e re l i g i o u s s ympa th i e s o f t h e p re ach e r Th e e t h i ca l a n d

sp i r itu a l con d iti ons o f i nven ti on a re o f even m o re im

p o r t a n c e t h a n t h e i n t ell e c tu al a n d t h i s i s t h e ch i ef c o n
t r i b u t io n t h a t h o m i l e ti c s i s l i k el y t o m ak e t o t h e s ub j e c t
2
I s u gges t secon dl y t h e nee d o f b roa d an d ge ne r o u s
a s we l l a s cl o s e m e n t al d i s c i pl i n e a n d cul t u r e I n a dv o ca t
i n g c o nc e n t rat io n o n e S h o ul d l ay p ro p o r ti o na t e s t r e s s u p o n
b r e a d t h A ge n e r al fa c i l it y i n t h e h andl i n g o f o n e s fa cu l
t i e s a n d t h e s t or i n g o f m e n t al r e s o u r ces co n d i t i o n fa c i l it y
a n d fe r ti l i t y i n t h e sp e c i c wo r k o f s erm o n p r ep a ra t i o n
Th e e n d o f al l m en t al t ra i n i n g i s fr e e d o m i n t h e h a n dl i n g
P rea ch i n g b e c om e s c o n s t a n t l y ea s i e r i n
o f o n e s p ow e rs
t h e p r o ce s s o f cl o s e cl e ar c o m pr eh e n s i v e a n d v i go r ou s
t h i n k i n g Th e p r obl e m o f t h e i nd i v i du al s e r m o n i s t h e
p ro bl e m o f o n e s ge n e ra l t ra i n i n g
I n t h e l o n g r un t h e
p r e a ch e r w i l l fa i l w i th o u t i t Th e s e rm o n w i l l a lwa ys b e
wh a t t h e m a n i s I n t h i s m a tt er o f p rofe s s i o n al t ra i n i n g
t h e r e ar e t wo e x t re m es O n e ex t re m e w o u l d c o n ce n t r a t e
al l effo r t u p o n t h e sp e c i c w o r k o f p re ach i n g u p o n t h e i n
d i v i dua l s e rm o n a t th e e xp e n s e o f t h e ge n e ral t r a i n i n g o f
t h e m a n Th e o t h e r w o ul d cul ti va t e t h e m a n b ro a dl y a n d
c o m p reh e n s i vel y a t t h e exp e n s e o f t h e p r e a ch e r a n d t h e s e r
mo n B o t h a i m s a r e n e c e s sa ry Ea ch t e n d s t o l i m i t t h e e x
t r em e d efe c t s o f th e o t h e r E i th e r e x t rem e i s b a d Th i s
c o mb i n a t i o n I S h al l d i sc u s s far t h e r o n
Ju s t n ow l e t u s
c o n s i d e r s o m e o f t h e ba d r e su l t s o f a na rr o w h o m i l e ti c
t ra i n i n g Th e s e r e sul t s a c c e n t u a t e t h e d ema n d fo r b re a t h
a n d ran ge o f cul t u re O n e b a d r e sul t i s p o ve r t y o f m en t a l
r e s o u rc e s
No p rofe s s i o n c all s fo r s o l i b e ral a n d co m
,

TH E

3 74

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

I t ca n n ot b e s p ecia l i s t ica l ly e xcl u s i v e an d b e s u c

c e s s i n l i n t h e l ar ge s t a n d b e s t s e n s e
A no t he r ba d res u l t o f narrow p ro fe ss i onal t ra i n i ng i s n ar r o w
symp a t h i e s B r o a dm i n de dn e s s i s n e c e s s ary t o l a r ge h e a r t e d
n e s s a n d b o t h a r e n e c e s s ary t o ful n e s s o f m en t al l i fe I t
i s tr u e t h a t a m a n m ay hav e a t h o r o u gh ly t ra i n e d m i n d w h o s e
h e ar t i s l ef t e m p t y a n d s t e r i l e B u t i t i s i mp o s s i bl e t h a t
s u ch a m a n S h o ul d h av e e ve n t h e i n t ell ec t u al p r o du c ti ve
ne s s t h a t a p r e ach e r n e e ds Th e b e s t k i n d o f m e n t a l t ra i n
i n g wh i l e i t b ro a de n s e n r i ch e s a n d s ti mu la t e s t h e m i n d p r o
O u t o f s u ch s o i l w e ge t t h e
p or t i o n a t ely e n r i ch es t h e h e ar t
b e s t s o r t o f fe r ti l it y Th e s erm o n sh o ul d c o m e o u t o f a ful l
m i n d a n d a fu ll h ear t a n d ge n e r o u s cu l t u r e i s n e c e s s ary
t o b o th
A pre ach e r s h o ul d grappl e w ith h a r d t a s k s I t i s
a c o n d i ti o n o f m en t a l an d m o r al m anh o o d A l a z y m i n i s t e r
i s a n a n o m aly a n d a d i s gra c e t o h i s p r ofe s s i o n I t i s n o
w o n de r th a t Ph i l l i p s B ro o k s d e n i e d t hat t h e t i m e c o ul d
eve r c o m e wh e n a p reach e r wh o s e wh o l e s o u l i s i n h i s w or k
a n d w h o i s c o ns t an tly t ra i n i n g h i m s elf i n t h e gr e a t s ch o o l

w o u l d h av e n o t h i n g t o s a y
Th e r e s ul t s o f cl o s e
o f l i fe
a nd
gen e ro u s t ra i n i n g a r e c u m u la ti ve a n d th e y app ea r
i n th e a u e n ce o f o n e s p r ea ch i n g
O n e S h ou l d n o t b e
s a ti s e d u nl e s s h e s e e s t h a t th e t a s k o f p r e a ch i n g b e co m e s
e a s i e r a n d t h e qu al it y o f t h e p r o du c t b e tt er O n e wh o i s
a lway s t ra i n i n g h i m s elf always a dd i n g t o h i s s t o r e s o f
k n owl ed g e a n d e xp e r i e n c e alway s i n c re a s i n g t h e fa c i l it y
o f h i s m e n t a l ac ti o n
al ways e n r i ch i n g t h e t r e a su r e s o f h i s
h ea r t w h o h a s l e arn e d t o th i n k and i s always t h i nk i n g h a s
l ea rn ed to l o v e a n d i s al ways l o v i n g w i l l alway s h av e s o m e
t h i n g t o s ay t h a t i s wo rth say i n g a n d w o r t h h e ar i n g
I h ave t h u s a dvo ca t e d t h e n e e d o f m e n t al a n d m o ra l
c o n cen t ra t i o n i n t h e pr e ach e r s t a s k a n d th e p rop o rt i o na t e
n e e d o f m e n t al ran ge
I t i s b a d t o cul t i va t e b re a d t h a t
t h e e xp e n s e o f c o nc en t ra t i o n a n d t h u s b e c o m e u np r o t abl e
ca l l i n g

T H E D EV E LO P M EN T

375

i n t h e e t h i ca l a n d sp i r i tu al q u al i ty o f o n e s p r e ach i n g B u t
i t i s j u s t a s b a d t o c ul ti va t e co n ce n t ra ti o n a t t h e expe n s e
o f b re a d t h a n d t h u s i mp over i s h o n e S h o m i l e ti c r e s o urc e s

N e quid nimi s
I s u gges t t h i rdly a n d i n l i n e w i t h wh a t h a s a l r ea dy
3
b e e n s u gg e s t e d t h e n e e d o f cul ti va ti n g wh a t i s fam i l i arly

k n own a s t h e h om i l e ti c m i n d Th i s i nvo lv e s a c o mb i nat i o n

o f ra n ge a n d c o n c e n t ra ti on i n o n e s m e n t al a n d m o ral a n d
r el i g i o u s a c ti v i t i e s
B u t i t i nvo lv e s s o m e t h i n g m o r e
It
i s m o r e t ha n ge n er o u s t h o r o u g h v i g o ro u s t ra i n i n g i n ge n
eral I t i s m o r e t h a n c o n c e n t ra ti o n u p o n th e i n d i v i d u a l s e r
Th e e ffe c ti ve p r e ac h e r n e it h e r t r a i n s
mo n i n pa r ti c u l ar
a n d c u l t i va t e s h i m sel f w it hou t re ference t o h i s p ro fess i onal
cal l i n g n o r d o e s h e t r a i n a n d c u l ti va t e h i m s e lf w it h r efe re n c e

Th e
t o h i s c al l i n g i n a n arr o w an d p a r ti cul a r i s ti c way

h o m i l e ti c m i n d i s t h e m i n d t h at i s t ra i ne d o r t ha t t ra i n s
it s elf t o m a k e a l l res o urc e s t h e gen e ral a s w el l a s t he
spec i c t r i b ut ary t o t h e work o f p reach i ng or rather t o t h e
gr e a t o b j e c t o f al l p re a c h i n g t h e w i n n i n g a n d t h e b ui l d i n g
o f men
Th e b es t p rea ch e r s d o n o t i m p o ver i s h t h e m s elv e s
b y a t o o S p e c i c pr ofe ss i o na l c o n c e n t ra t i o n no r do th e y
e nr i c h th em s elv e s a t t h e e xp e n s e o f t h e i r p r ofe s s i o n Th e
r a t h e r d o t he y e nr i c h t h e i r p ro fe s s i o na l s erv i c e by dev o t i n g
al l t h e we al t h o f t he i r r e s o u rc e s t o it H e n ry Wa r d B e e ch er
wa s a mo s t n o t abl e e x amp l e o f t h i s h ab i t o f m i n d a m on g
m o d e rn p re ach e r s a n d i n de e d a m o n g al l t h e p re a ch ers o f
t h e c h u rch i n eve ry age N o pr ea ch e r o f h i s day n o n e
t h a t t h i s c o u n t ry h a s p r o du c e d fe w i f a ny i n a ny a ge
ar e to b e c o mpa re d w it h h i m i n t h i s c apa c it y fo r a ccum ul at i n g
v a s t s t o re s o f m a t er i al fr o m al l d ep a r t m e n t s o f kn o wl edg e
a n c i e n t a n d m o dern p ar ti c u l a rly m o d ern a n d fo r t h e a c
c o mp l i s h m e n t o f t h i s u n der t h e d o m i na n c e o f t h e d i dac ti c
an d e t h i ca l i mp u l s e t o c o nve r t t h i s m a t er i al i n t o h o mi l e t i c
p ab u l u m an d t o c o n c e n t ra t e i t u p o n t h e w o r k o f p r e a ch i n g
.

'

370

TH E

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

Fe w pre a ch e rs we r e eve r s o l av i s h o f m a t er i al a n d few ev e r

wa s t e d l e s s
Th e n o t ewo r t hy t h i n g i s n o t m e r el y t h a t
h e was a ma n o f t ra n s ce n de n t ge n i u s th a t h e h a d a s u r
p a s s i n gly p r o duc ti v e a s s i m i la ti v e a n d i n t e n s ely a c ti v e m i nd
al l o f w h i ch i s t r u e b u t t h at p re a ch i n g wa s w i t h h i m t h e
a l l a b so rb i n g i n ter e st t h e pa s s i o n o f h i s l i fe
H e s aw
a n d fel t eve ry t h i n g i n i t s r el a ti o n t o it s p ulp i t u se i
B u t to b e
t o i t s e t h i ca l an d re l i g i o u s s i gn i c a nc e a nd va l u e
m o r e S p e c i c wh a t d o e s t h e c ul ti va ti o n o f t h e h o m i l e t i c
m i n d i nv o lve ' L e t u s a t t em p t a p ar ti al analy s i s o f i t I n
a d d i t i o n t o w ha t h a s al re a dy b e e n s u gge s t e d i n ge n e ral
i t i nvo lve s t h e fo ll ow i n g p a r t i c ul ars
F i rs t of al l a l a r ge
c o nc ep ti o n o f t h e w o rk o fp r e a ch i n g H e w h o ha s s u c h c on
cep t i o n w i l l s e e th a t i t de m an d s l ar ge r e s o urc e s t o d o t h e
wo r k o f p re a ch i n g su cc e s sfu l ly a n d s u ch a o n e w i l l b e
s ti m ul a t e d t o t h e a c qu i s i t i o n o f a bu n d an t r e s o u rc e s i n t h is
i n t e re s t To su ch a o n e n o th i n g t h a t ca n b e c o nve r t e d i n t o
m a t e r i al fo r t h e pul p i t w i l l b e i n s i gn i ca n t H i s m o tt o w i l l

b e ; I a m a pre ach e r an d I r eg a rd n o t h i n g t h a t i s c o n

v e rt i bl e i n t o p ulp i t p ab ul u m a s fo re i gn t o m e
An d a l l t h i s w i ll i nvolve a st r o n g p r ofe s s i o na l pu rp o s e
i n ge n e ra l I m ea n a d o m i n a ti n g p u rp o s e t o m a k e t h e s e r
v i c e O f o n e s p r o fe s s i o n a l l i fe a s e ffec ti v e a s p o s s i bl e S urel y
n o m an w h o u n d er e s t i ma t e s h i s p r ofe s s i o n
w h o t r e at s th e
wo rk o f t he m i n i s t ry l i gh t l y o r a s i f it we re o f seconda ry
o r sub o rd i na t e i m por t ance w i l l ever be al er t t o c row d eve ry
t h i ng i n to it s se rv i ce
A c om p e ll i ng d i dac ti c i m pul s e i s e s s en t i al i
a n im
p u l se t o i mpa r t t o others th e t ru t h as one sees i t an d feel s
i t N o on e c an b e a p reache r a t al l muc h l ess a p ro
d u c t iv e p r e a ch e r w i t h o u t t h i s
I t i s a n e c e ssary i nc ent i ve
i n w i nn i ng from al l so u rces ma t er i al wh erew i th t o i ll u s
t ra t e and e n fo rc e t h e t ru t h one seek s t o i m par t Th e m e re
i nve s ti ga t o r i s no t a p reache r
Th e p reacher i n t erp re t s
,

3 78

TH E

W O R K O F TH E P REA C H E R

Th e hab i t o f x in g m a te r ia l th a t m ay b e m ad e ava i l abl e

fo r f utu r e pulp i t u s e i s o n e t h a t n ds i ts s t r o n g e s t m o tiv e
i n t h e c u lt ure o f th e h o m i l e ti c m i n d
I n t h e s e days o f
m i sc e l l an e o u s av o cat i o n tha t ex a ct s up o n th e p r e a ch e r
ta xi n g h i s t i m e a n d st r e n gth s o m e u s ef u l m e th o d o f s t o r
i n g m at e r i al i s ab s o l ut e ly n e c e s s a r y N o b u sy p r e a ch e r u n
d e rt a k e s t o ge t o n w i th o u t i t
D r R W D al e h a s t o l d
*
u s h i s m e th o d
I t i s a v e ry j u di c i o u s m e th o d M a ny o f
t h e h elp s o f wh i ch p r e a ch e r s ava i l th e m s e l ve s a r e wo rs e
th a n u s e l es s
Th ey a r e d e m o ral iz i n g
B u t a n y m e th o d
th a t c o n s e r ve s t h e f ree d o m an d vi tal i ty o f th e p r e ach e r w il l
b e a b o o n t o t h e m o de r n h a r d w o r k e d pul p it e e r
Th e i mp o rt an c e o f rel i gi o u s c ul tu r e i n th e i n t e re s t
4
o f pr o du c t i o n
cal l s fo r sp e c i c m e nti o n
O n e s sp i r i tua l
c o n d i t i o n i n th e h o u r s o f p r e p a r at i o n n o t o nl y b u t a s
th e h ab i t o f l i fe m ay b e m o r e cl o se ly al l i e d w i t h
m ental p r oduct iv e n e s s than at r st m igh t b e im agi n e d
I t s n e cess ity f or th e right so r t o f p r o duct ivenes s i s m uch
m o re e vi den t a nd i s s t il l m o r e m a rk e d
Imp o v e r i s h e d
S p i ri tu al l i f e m e an s u np r o t abl e p r e a ch i n g I t m e an s d e
v i ta l i z e d p r e achi n g
M e n t al l i f e i s n o tabl y qu i ck e n e d
st r e n gth e n e d a n d e n ri ch e d by th e st i mu l u s o f th e spi r i tua l
l i fe
A m a n w il l g r o w m e n t a l l y a s wel l a s m o r al ly an d
S pi r i tual ly w h o s e pu r p o s e i s h i gh an d w h o s e l ov e fo r Go d
an d m e n i s st r o n g
M e n n o t h i gh ly gi f t e d m en tal ly o r
r h e t o r i call y s o m e t im e s w in d is ti n gui s hed s u cce s s i n th e
h e l p f u l p r e s e ntat i o n o f th e G o spel Th e m a n wi th ful l h e ar t
a n d s t r on g pu r p o s e w h o al s o h a s di l i g e n ce a n d g o o d s e n s e
w il l al w ays b e l i k ely t o h av e s o m et h i n g wo r th w h il e t o say

i n th e p ul pi t
R e cal l Lu th e r s
B e n e o r a ss e e st b en e

H e w h o s e spi r itual l i fe i s e x al t e d w il l s e e th e
s t u du i s s e
m o r e cl e a r l y an d f e e l th e m o r e s t r o n gly a n d h i s p u r p o s e
t o b l e s s m e n wi ll b e th e m o r e i nt e n s e a n d h i s l o v e a n d
g

Yal e Le ct u re s

Le ct u re III

a nd

IV

T H E D EV E L O PM E NT

3 79

sympa th y th e de ep e r The m o s t h elpful p r e ac h i n g i s p r o

du c t o f a d e v o ut f r am e o f m i n d a n d t h e b e s t typ e o f i t i s
imp o s s ibl e w i tho u t spi ri t ua l el eva t i o n i n t h e h o u r s o f p r e
Th e h u m an s o ul i s o n e M e n tal
p a r a t i o n a n d del iv e ry
l i f e can not sa f ely b e d ivorced from sp i r itual l i f e I f one
wo ul d a im s up r em e l y a t w h a t i s p r o tab l e i n h i s p r e ach
i ng l et h im cul ti vat e h i s sp i ritual l i fe I t ha s be e n j u stl y
s a i d t ha t th e u s e o f th e B ibl e a s a b a s i s for p r e ach i n g i s
It
n o gu ara nt e e f
o r t h e Ch ri sti an qual i ty o f t h e s e rm o n
a l l d e p e nd s o n o n e s u s e o f t h e B ibl e a n d t h i s d ep en ds
A s a m e r ely exte r na l
o n th e c o n dit i o n o f o n e s sp i ri tu al l ife
s o u r c e i t may b e o f n o m o r e v al u e t h a n th e w o r k s o f Pl at o
I t i s a d e e p e xp e r i e n c e o f th e p owe r o f th e g r a c e o f Go d
i n Ch r i st an d t h e n u r t u r e o f th a t g r a c e th at w ill s e cu r e t h e
p ulp i t fro m a n u np ro tabl e i nt e l l e c tu al i s m a n d m o ral i sm
A n y d ivorce o f sp i r itual f rom m ental l i f e w i l l dev ital i ze th e
p ulp it
H e wh o l o ve s t h e trut h n o t m e r ely fo r i t s o wn
s ak e b ut fo r th e s ak e o f i t s w o r th t o o n e s f el l o wm en w il l
n e v e r d e ge n era t e i nto an u n fr u i t f u l d o gm ati s t no r i nt o a n
u n f rui t f u l ra t i o n al i s t a n d m o ral i st
Th e n e c e s s i ty o f a n i n t e l l i g e n t a n d p e rs i s t e n t h ab i t
5
o fp ro du ci n g i s evi de n t
Every n e w c o m e r m u s t w i n h i s o wn
f aci l i ty an d m u s t l e arn t o p r o du c e i n h i s ow n way R i gh t
h ab i t wi ll w in I t i s c o n sta n tly ea s i e r t o d o wh a t o n e h a s
tri e d t o d o w e l l Th e h ab i t o f w r i t i n g sh ou l d b e p erp e tuat ed
I t s h o ul d b e d il i ge n tly cul t iva te d e sp e c i al l y i n th e e arl y pa r t
of o n e s
m i n i s try
O n e wo u l d b et t e r wri t e m u c h e v e n
th o u g h h e m ay n o t c a r ry h i s p ro duc t i n i t s wri tte n f o rm
i n t o th e p ulp i t
6
S o m e co n s i de rat i o n o f th e a r ran ge m e n t: o f m at e r i al
as i t i s p r o duc e d wi th r efer en c e t o rh e to r i cal int e re s t s m i gh t
w e l l cl o s e o u r di s c u s s i o n o f th e d e v e l opm e nt
I n d o i ng
t h i s h o w e ve r w e s h o ul d o nly tra v e rs e g r o u n d al r ea dy pr et t y
th o r o u ghly c ov e red i n t h e di s cu s si o n of t h e o u tl i n e Th e
.

3 80

TH E

TH E

WO R K OF

P R EA C H E R

o nl y p o i n t s th at wo ul d n e e d e mp ha s i s a r e th o s e al re a dy di s
cu ss e d mz ; u n ity compl et e n e s s symm et r y an d p r ogr e s s i n
t h e p r o c e s s o f u n f o l di n g B ut th e di s cu s s i o n o f th es e p o i n t s
a s r e la t e d t o th e d eve l opm e n t w o ul d i nvo lv e n o n e w f e atu r e s
I t m ay b e w o r t h w h i l e h o w e v er t o s u gge s t t h a t i t w o ul d
b e w e l l t o p au s e a t di f
fe r e n t s ta ge s o f th e d e vel op m e n t a n d
r a i s e t h e qu e s t i o n wheth e r th e w h o l e di s cu s s i o n a s it p r o
c e e d s i s b o un d di r e ctly b ac k t o th e th e m e a n d t o th e t op i c s
a n d wh e th e r i t p res s e s f o r wa r d s t r a i gh t t o i t s obj e ct iv e
p o i nt a n d wh e th e r t h e r ef o r e th e w h o l e t h i n g i s b ou n d t o
ge th e r i n u n i ty e a c h pa r t w i th e v e r y o th e r a n d w i th th e
w h o l e ; w h e th e r t h e s ubj e ct i s b e i n g di s cu s s e d w i th s u f ci e n t
f ul n e s s a t each s t ag e w h e th e r t h e p a r t s a r e r h e t o r i ca l ly
p r op o r ti o n at e a n d sym m e t r i cal a n d w h e th e r th e s e rm o n
h a s a st r aight l i n e m ov e m e nt i n al l i ts pa r t s on to th e e nd
Th e s e qu e s t i o n s d o n o t a n sw e r th e m s e l v e s n o r c a n th e y
b e s u c c e s s f ul ly a n s w e r e d w i th o u t p r o t t o p r ea ch e r
a n d h e ar e r Th e y ar e n o t i n t r u s iv e a n d n e e d n o t di s turb
th e i n sp i rat i o n s o f th e sa c r e d h o u r s o fp repa rat i o n
'

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8
3

TH E

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

j ect u n n i shed an d th e w hol e th i ng hanging i n the a i r i s

a n o th e r m a tt e r I n d r am at i c m ove m e n t w e fe e l th e sh o c k
o f a p r e m a tu r e c on cl us i o n th e m o r e i n t en s ely b e c au s e i t i s a
m ov e m e n t i n a ct i o n r ath e r th a n i n t h o u gh t Th e au d i e n c e
i s w r o u gh t up t o a h i gh p i tch o f fe e l in g a n d i s s u ddenly
d r opp e d I f th e pl o t i s n o t p r o p erl y e n ded th e a r ti s ti c s e n s e
i s o ffe n d e d I t ri gh tly d e m an ds c o mpl et e nes s I n th i s d r a
m ati c a r t r e p r e s e nt s i d e a l r e al i ty B u t a s r e ga r d s th e s e r
m o n th e p r i n c ipl e i s th e sam e
Th e c o n cl u s i o n th e r ef o r e i s
m o r e th a n a d ev i c e fo r a n n o un ci n g t o th e a u di e n c e t h at th e
p r e a ch e r ha s r e a ch e d t h e e n d o f h i s d i s cu s s i o n
It is a
d e vic e fo r get ti n g th r o u gh i n th e p r o p e r w ay e g r a c e f ul ly
i f yo u pl e a s e o r b e tt e r i n s u ch way a s w il l s at i s f y m e nt al a n d
m o r al n e e d s S at i s f ac ti o n fo r th e a r t i st i c s e n s e o f un i ty a n d
c om pl et en e s s i s a r el at i v e ly i n si gni c an t c o n sid e rati o n i n a
m o ra l p r o du c t l i k e a s e r m o n
B ut i t m ay s t an d fo r s o m e
th ing m o r e important b e h in d i t An d he r e th e ze s th eti c an d
a r t i s ti c r ep re s en t th e e th i cal i nt e r e s t
.

TH E

VA L U E

T H E C O N C LU S I O N

or

F r o m wh at h a s b e en s aid i t m ay b e i n fe r r ed th a t i n ge n e r al
t h e s er m o n wh at eve r i t s s o r t m ay w e l l h av e a s ome w h a t
w e l l d e n e d c o n clu s i o n a s w e l l a s i ntro du ct i o n
Th e r e
w o ul d ce rta inly b e n o th in g gai n e d fr om th e a r ti s t i c po in t o f
v iew i n l opp ing th e h e ad and tai l o f a serm on an d j u s t a s
l it tl e ga i n e d f r om th e e th i c al p o i nt o f v i e w
Th e val u e o f t h e c o nc lu s i o n i s r st o f al l th a t i t giv e s th e
subj e c t di s cu s s e d a n e w tu r n I t th r ow s n e w l i gh t u po n i t
a n d s ecu r e s fo r i t n e w im p r es s iv e n e s s I t t h u s l eav e s a n e w
i d e a o f wh a t th e subj e ct i s capabl e o f i n th e way o f fr uit f ul
s u gge s t i o n Th i s i s o f c o u r s e e m i n e ntly t r u e o f th e i n fe r e n
ti al c o n cl u s i o n B u t i t i s i n a w a y t r u e o f al l f o r m s o f c o n
el us i o n
I t al s o c a r ri e s th e tru th h o m e w i th c o nc e nt r ated f o rc e I t
,

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C O N C L US I O N

38 3

i s th e s tr o k e th at h a s beh i nd i t th e c o m p ac t e n ergy o f th e
wh o l e s e rm o n
A n d i t c a r ri e s th e nal i mp r e s s i o n
Th e r e i s n o th i n g
b eyo n d i t t o w e ak e n th e i mp r e s s i o n o r t o n e u t r al iz e o r d i s
s ip a t e i t I t i s t h e p re ach e r s l a s t ch a n c e a t h i s audi e nce
H e re the gi st o f th e s e rm on o r som e m ost v ital a n d seriou sly
i mp o rtan t su ggest i o n fr o m i t i s gath e r e d u p i nt o a c o mp ac t
m a s s an d th ro wn a s a l as t s ho t s o t o say , a t th e a ud i e n c e
I t i s l i kely to g o h om e I t c e rt ai n ly w i l l if i t b e we i gh ty i n
i t s e l f b ecau s e i t i s l o a d e d w ith th e cu m ul at ive forc e o f th e
e n ti r e s e rm o n La s t w o rd s s ti c k if th ey a re wh a t th e y
o u gh t t o b e
Th i s i s th e r e a s o n wh y i mp o rta n c e s h o ul d b e
attache d to them Th e p ractical val u e o f th e concl u s ion m ay
b e su gge st e d by s o m e o f th e t e rm s appl i e d to i t Th e cl a s
s i c a l t e rm s a r e f
o r th e m o s t p ar t w i th o ut m u ch s i gn i c an c e
Th e y a r e ch i e y a rt i sti c te rm s su gg e s t i n g m e re l y t h e e n d O f
t h e di s cu s s i on (2 g ep i l o gu e p e ro ra ti o n c o n c lu s i o n Th e y
m ay s u gges t h owev e r n al i mp re s s i o n a n d s o a c c e n tu at e

th e p r a ctical i nt er e s t o f th e d i s c o u r s e Th e wo r d c um ul u s
h o w ever a s s u gge s tin g th e c rown po i n t o f th e d i s cu s s i o n
m ay al so conv e y th e not io n o f gath e r i ng u p th e cumul at ive
f o rc e o f th e sp e e ch an d o f applyi n g i t a t th e e nd Th e tw o
i d ea s o f cu mu l at ive fo rc e a n d nal i m p r e s s i o n were p reva l ent
i n cl a s s i ca l o rat o ry i n i t s c o n c ep t i o n o f th e fun c t i o n o f th e
p e r o rat i o n Th e two c h i e f f o rm s w e r e r e c ap i tul at i on
d e si gn e d t o cl i n ch th e m e nt al imp r e s s i o n o f th e a ddr e s s an d
app eal de s i gn ed fo r na l em o t i o na l i m p r e s s i o n Th e co n
c l u s i o n by i n fe ren c e wh i ch giv e s th e s ubj e ct di s cu s s e d a n ew
t u rn i n th e way o f n al appl i cat i o n an d fo r th e pu r p o s e o f
f re s h m ental an d e th i cal impr e s sion i s ch iey cha r acte r i stic
o f p ulp i t o r at o r y
Th e term s u s e d by Ch ri s tia n r h e t o r i c t o
des i gn at e th e wo rk o f c on cl u s i o n su gg e st s at o n c e i t s p r a c

t i c al c ha ra c te r e g
i mpr ovem e n t
use
appl i cat i o n
a n d t h e t erm s th at c o m e t h ro u gh s ch o l as t ici s m fro m 2 T i m
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P REA C H E R

38 4

i n s t r u ct i o n
rep r o of
c o rr e c t i o n
adm o n i ti o n

and
e nc o u ra g e m e n t
O b s erva t i o n
i nf e r e n c e
and

e v e n re cap it ul at i o n s u g g e s t a l s o t h e ga th e r i n g up o f a
s ubj e c t o r ph a s e s o fi t w i th r e fe r en c e t o p ra c t i c al u s e Th u s
th e c oncl u s io n m a ke s th e p r act ical a im o f th e serm on the
m o r e app a re nt a n d w o u l d m a k e i t th e m o r e d e c i s iv e ly
fel t
Th e s o r t a m o u n t a n d m et h o d o f th e c o n cl u s i o n w il l o f
c o u r s e d e pen d o n th e s o r t o f s e rm o n A di dac t i c s erm o n
w i l l na tura l ly h av e a c o nc l u s i o n c o r r esp o nd in g t o i t s ch a ra c
t er an d aim I t wi l l b e tt e d to h e l p o n it s di dact i c p u rp o s e
e
t o l e ave a s c lea r a n d s t ro n g a n imp r e s s i o n a s p o s s ibl e o f
th e wei gh t a n d i mp o r ta nc e o f t h e s ubj e c t di s cu s s ed A n
eth ica l o r e va n g e l i st i c s er m o n wi l l n at urally h av e a c o n cl u
s i o n O f a m o r e e m o t i o na l a n d h o r t a t o r y ch a r a ct e r B u t i t
w il l be b r i e f
Th e pract ical charact e r o f th e serm o n w il l
h ave b e e n app a re n t th ro u gh o u t a n d th e r e w i l l b e t h e l e s s
n e ed o f e xt e n d e d p r a ct ic al a ppl i c at i o n a t th e e n d
Th e n ee d
o f f o rm al
a n d ca r e f ul ly d en e d c on cl u s i o n t h e re f o re i s
s o m ewh a t l i m i t e d l im ited th at i s by th e ch ara c t e r an d a i m
o f t h e s er m o n
Th ere a r e t wo c la s s e s o f s e rm o n s th a t h av e
n o sp e c ial u se fo r such a concl u s ion
There i s th e sermon
i n wh i ch th e s ubj e c t i s c o nti nu o u sl y a pp l ie d i n th e pro c e s s
th e t e x tu al o r e xp o s i t o ry o r b i o graph i cal
o f d i scu s s i o n e g
o r h i s t o ri c al s e r m o n
Th e t rut h i n th e s e types O f s e r m o n s
i s n o t al w ays c o nt i nu o u sl y appl i e d I n th e b i o graph i c a l a n d
h i s t o r i c a l s e r m o n th e appl i c at i o n i s s o m et im e s s e pa ra ted
f r om th e d i scus s ion On th e w hol e h o w ev e r that w oul d
s e e m t o b e th e b ett e r s o rt o f t ex tu al exp o s it o ry b i o graph
i c al a n d h i s t o r i c al s e r m o n tha t appl i e s th e t r ut h i n th e
pro c e s s O f di s c u s s i o n I n fac t i t i s rath er d i f cul t t o s e cu r e
a n a ppl i cat i o n a t th e en d o f s u ch a s e rm o n w i th ou t i nj u rin g
i t s u ni ty I n t h e h o r tat o ry s e rm o n o nl y a b r i ef w o r d o f
co nc lu s i o n i s n e ce s s ary i n g en eral t h e b r i e f er th e b ett e r A

386

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th e e th ica l a n d rh e t o ri ca l i ns ti ncts o f th e p r ea ch er an d t h e
ch a ra c t er o f h i s d is c u ss i o n wil l fu r n i sh h i s b a s i s o f j ud gm e n t
,

I I Q UA L I T I ES O F T H E C O NC L U S I O N
S uch q u al i t i e s a s a re h e r e di s cu s s e d a r e i n t h e m ai n app l i c
abl e t o ev e r y s o rt o f c o nc l u s i on wh et h er o f a dida ct i c o r
p r a c t ica l ch a r a ct e r
I
D i s t i n ct n e s s i s r s t o f al l th e m a r k o f a go o d c o n cl u
s i o n Li k e t h e i nt ro du cti o n i t m ay w el l b e sl i gh tly det ach ed
f r o m th e m a i n b o dy o f t h e s e r m o n I t i s w e l l i f i t b e n o t
u n di st ingu i shably entangl e d i n th e d i scu ss ion a s i t som e
t i m e s wa s i n th e p r ea ch in g o f Ch al m e r s
Wh e re th e l a s t
t op i c O f a c u mul at iv e d i s cu s s i o n f u r n i sh e s a b a s i s fo r th e co n
e lu s i o n i t i s l e s s l i kely t o b e deta ch ed a s w e s ee n o t i n fr e
q u e nt ly i n t h e p r e a ch in g o f Ch r ys o s t o m o f Rob ert s o n an d
B u t i t i s n o t we l l th a t a ny d i s cu s s i o n ru n
o f Ch alm er s
w it h ou t s o m e p au s e h o w ev e r sl i gh t p l ump up t o th e e n d
a n d s t o p ab r uptly I t i s b ett er t o m ake i t appa r e n t th a t o n e
i s u sing th e last top i c a s a ba s i s f o r a conclu s ion than to
l e av e th e i mp r e s s i o n th at h e i s r u nn i n g th e d i s cu s s i n g f ul l
t il t u p t o t h e e nd N o t ev e n a h o r t at o r y s e r m o n S h oul d e n d
th u s
B e tt e r S o m e s l i gh t p au s e ac c om pa n ie d by s om e
C h an ge o fatti tude a n d s om e ch an g e i n th e t o n e s o f th e vo i c e
t o i n d i cat e t h a t th e p r e a ch e r w o ul d app ro ach h i s a u di en c e
w i th h i s n al w o rd M u ch o f t h e p r e a ch i n g o f o u r d ay
u n d e r v alu e s th e c o ncl u s i on fr equ e nt ly i gn o ri n g i t al to g e th e r
r u n nin g th e d i scu s s i o n s t r ai gh t t o th e e nd m ak in g n o p r a e
ti cal u s e o f th e subj e ct n o t e v e n applyi n g i t i n th e m a i n b o dy
Th e l at t er pa r t o f th e s e r m o n o f t e n sh o w s a
O fth e s e rm o n
f al l i n g O ff i n m e nta l a n d e m o t i o nal vi go r Th er e i s a l ac k o f
c um ul a tive p ow e r o fw h i ch th e c o n c lu s i o n sh oul d ava i l i t s e l f
Th i s i s a s e ri ou s d efe c t N o g r e at m es sa ge c a n b e c ifec
t iv el y conv e ye d i f th e p re ach er at s ou t i n a nt icl imax
Appl i cab l e ne s s i s a n o th e r q ual ity
Th e c o n c l u si o n
2
.

TH E C O N C LUS I O N

38 7

supp o s es th e en d o f th e di s cu s s io n I t i s th e re f o r e th e

cl o s e o f t h e wh o l e s e rm o n Th e r h e t o r i c a l t e rm s p er o r a

t i o n a n d e p i l o gu e s e e m t o s u gge s t th i s Th e p ero r ati o n

i s th at w h i ch compl et e s the e nt i re spe e ch
Th e e p il ogu e i
t hat wh i ch i s a dd e d at th e e n d o f th e d i s cu s s i o n Th i s i s t r u e
e v e n o f t h e c o n cl u s io n th at a tta ch e s i t s e l f t o th e l a s t t o p i c
di s cu s s e d Thu s th e c o n cl u s i o n c o rresp o n d s t o th e i n t r o
duction A s th e on e do e s no t antic ip ate s o th e oth er does
n o t en d th e di s cu ss i o n
Li k e th e i n t r o du c t i o n h ow e ve r i t
h a s a v e r y cl o s e th o ug h t r el at i o n wi th t h e di s cu s s i o n I t
t ake s up s om e a sp e c t o r a sp ect s o f t h e s ubj e c t th at h ave no t
app e a r ed di r ec tly i n t h e di s cu s s i o n b u t a r e n a tu r a lly s u g
g e s ted by it I t m ay b e s o m e a sp e c t o f th e wh o l e s ubj e ct
i n wh ich cas e th e thought u ni ty o f th e sermon i s the m ore
a dequ at ely c o ns e rv e d Th e wh o l e di s c ou r s e fr o m b e gi n ni n g
t o e n d i s th u s b o un d t o geth e r
Th e i ntro du ct i o n h a s led u p
to
t h e s ubj e ct a s a wh ol e a n d th e c o n cl u s i o n u s e s
t h e s ubj e ct a s a wh o l e I n th e di d ac t i c dis c o u rs e th i s i s
ge n e r al ly t h e ca s e An d y e t a s al r e ady su gge s t e d t h e co n
c l u s i o n m ay tak e up th e l as t p o i n t d i sc u s s e d
I n t h i s c as e
t h e s e rm o n sh o u l d b e s o s haped th at t h e m o s t i mp o rt a n t t op i c
fr o m th e rh e t o r i cal p o i n t o f vi e w s h o ul d c o m e l as t Th u s
t h e t el e ol o gi cal u n i ty o fth e s e r m o n i s c o n s er v e d
P e r ti ne n c e i s a n all i e d qu al i ty
Th i s d o e s n o t t ak e
3
ca r e o f it s e l f I neptn e s s i s n o t a n imp o s si bl e h o m i l e t i c s i n
a n d i t i s qu it e a s f atal t o h arm o ny i n th e c o n cl u s i o n a s i t i s
i n th e i ntro du ct i o n B ett e r s t op s h o r t t h an at o u t B e tt e r
vi o l e n c e th a n i n c on s e qu e n c e I n e p t i tu d e s u gg e s t s th a t th e
p reach e r do e s no t k ee nl y s e n s e th e import o f w hat h e h a s
b e e n s ayi ng o r wh at h e n o w s ay s o r th a t h e i s w ea r y o f th e
d i s cu s s i o n a n d d o e s n t ca r e wh a t h e s ays n e x t s o o nly h e
m ay m ak e a n e n d o f th e di s cu s s i o n an d s ay s wha t h app e n s
t o c o m e i nt o h i s h e a d w i th o u t r e fe r e n c e t o i t s p e rt i n en cy
O n e S h o ul d b e a t h i s b e s t i n b r i n gin g t h e s e rm o n t o a cl os e

r
e
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3 88

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

I n c o n n e cti o n wi th t h i s m at t e r o f p e r ti n e n c e t w o q uest i o n s
o cc u r t ha t a r e w o rth a m o m e n t s c o n s i d e ra t i o n
Th e r s t r el at es t o th e u s e o f c o n t r a s t i n th e c o n cl us i o n
Th e p ri n cip l e o f h a r m o ny w ou l d o n th e f a c e O f it s e e m t o
r e j e c t c o n tra s t O n e w o ul d s a y th a t th e c o n cl u s i o n s h o ul d
c o r r e sp o n d i n s e nt im en t fe e l i n g t o n e a s we l l a s th o u gh t
w i t h t h e d i s cu s s i o n
I f t h e s e r m o n i s a dm o n i t o ry o r
s e v e re ly eth i cal i n ton e the concl u s ion s h oul d co rr e spond
I t s h o u l d n o t b e p a r e n et i c o r p a r a cl e t ic
I t S h o ul d ca r r y
th r o u gh t o t h e e n d th e t o n e o f e th i ca l s ev e r i ty I f th e s er
m o n i s e van gel i st i cal ly e m o t i o nal th e c o ncl u s i o n s h o ul d n o t
b e m ent al ly r e e ct iv e o r di da c t i c I n g e n era l th i s m ay b e
t h e co r r e ct vi e w A n d yet i t i s n o t sa fe t o a pply th i s a s a
r e gu lat iv e l aw Co n t r a s t i s O f t e n m o re e ffec t iv e t h a n c o rr e
s po n d e n c e
I n f a ct i t m ay be i n t r ues t h a r m o n y wi th th e
n al pu r p o s e o f t h e s e rm o n
I t wa s Sch l e i e r m a ch e r s
O pi ni o n th at n o Ch r i s ti a n s e r m o n sh o ul d ever e n d w i t h a
t o n e o f j u d ic ial o r e th i c al s ev erity Every s e rm o n wh at e ve r
i t s ch a ra ct e r s h oul d c l o s e wi th a t o n e O f Ch r i st ia n h op e f ul
n e s s an d j oy f ul n e s s Th i s O p i n i o n ca n n ot p e r h ap s b e f ul l y
j u sti ed B u t i t i s evi d e n t at o n c e th at i t wo ul d O f te n i nt r o
d u c e th e p r i n c ipl e O f c o n t r a s t a n d d oub t l e s s wi th g o o d
r e sul t I t i s d o ub tl e s s t r u e th a t th e n o t e o f h o p e an d j o y
i s e m i nen tly Ch r i st i an a n d i n de e d oft e n rh e t o ri ca l ly m o s t
e ffe c t iv e a t t h e cl o s e O f a s e r m o n th a t h a s d e al t s e a r ch i n gl y
w it h th e h e a r t a n d c o n s ci e nc e Wh a t i s m o s t Ch r i s ti a n i s
l i k ely t o b e m o s t effe ct iv e rh e t o ri c al ly
B u t S chl ei e r
m a ch e r s p r i nc ipl e i s r h e t ori ca l ly i na dm i s s ibl e a f t e r al l fo r
t h e p r i n c ipl e o f c o n t r a st m ay e qu al l y w e l l d em an d th a t a
s e rm o n e nd w i th a t o n e o f s o l e m n adm o n it i o n A p r e a ch e r s
sp i ri t S h oul d o f c o u r s e always b e Ch r i s ti an B u t e th i c a l
a n d rh e t o r i ca l p e r t i n en c e m ay b e a s afe r gu i d e t h a n eve n
Ch r i s t ia n ge n tl e n e s s an d g ra c i o u s n e s s i n c o n cl u d i n g a s e r m o n
th a t h a s sp o k e n h op eful ly t o th e h e a rt I t i s o f ten n e c e s s a r y

'

TH E

390

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

th e w o rds C o v e r u s i n i t (i
t hy ri gh t eo u s n e s s ) O th o u

Ch ri s t O f Go d a n d l et o u r S h am e b e h i d e t e rn al ly i n Th e e
C a rdi n a l N ewm a n s o m e tim e s di d t h i s w i th e x qu i s it e t a s t e
a n d wi th i nten s e e a rn e s t n es s i n t e rj ec t i n g p r ay e r i nt o th e
m i d s t o f th e s e rm o n a s w el l a s a t th e c l o s e Th e t o n e o f
th e s e r m o n shoul d o f cou r se b e exal ted to s anct ion i t I t
m ay b e n o t e d n al ly th a t cl o s in g w i th t h e w o rd s O f th e t e x t
i s a p e r t i nent dev i c e D r Joseph Pa r ke r a n d M r Spu rg e o n
oft e n d o th i s Th e m o s t app r op r iat e t h i n g o n e c a n d o s o m e
t i m es i s t o cl o s e w i th t h e s am e rem a r k w i th w h i ch th e
s e rm o n O p e n e d t h i s b i n d i n g t h e b e gi n n i n g a n d th e e n d
t o geth e r
Con c i senes s i s one o f th e qual i ti es o f a goo d concl u
4
s i o n I t c a n a ff o r d to b e c o n c i s e b ecau s e i t i s b as e d on th e
c u m ul a ti ve r e s ul ts O f th e d i s cu s s i o n Th i s i s t r u e e sp ec i al l y
O f th e s e r m o n t h at i s e m o ti o n al ly s tro n g a n d t h at m o ves
rap i dl y t o a cl i m ax A c om pa c t s e nt en t i o u s c o n cl u s i o n i s
th e m o s t tt i n g s o rt o f c o n cl u s i o n fo r a n au di e n c e th a t i s
al re ady a ro u s e d e m o t i o n al ly Even a n ab rup t c o n cl u s i o n
m ay b e m o s t tt i n g I t d e p en ds o f c o u rs e o n th e s or t o f
s erm o n a n d th e e ffec t a l r e a dy p r o du c e d Th e r e e ct i v e o r
i n f e ren t i a l c o n clu s i o n th a t en d s a di da c t i c di s cu s s i o n i s
n atu ral ly l o n ger a nd m o r e d e l ib e rat e th a n a c o n cl u s i o n by
a p p ea l B u t c om p act n e s s an d b r e vi ty are t h e r ul e
Dr
B u sh n el l a f ter s o m e o f h i s m o s t v i go r ou s d i s cu s s i o n s d i s
cl oses th e conv i ct ion that h e has sa i d enough an d that there
wo u l d b e a l o s s o f p ow e r i n a n e x t e n d ed c o n cl u s i o n a ddi n g

a s h i s n e arly l a s t w o r d : W e n e e d n o c o n cl u s i o n
It is
n o t ew o rthy h ow e v e r th at even a f t e r t h i s h e r o u n d s o u t th e
s e r m o n wi th a d i st i nc t c o n clu s i o n b ri ef t h ou gh i t b e B u s h
n el l s p re a c h i n g s h o w s th a t th e t o p i cal s e rm o n w h i ch c al l s
fo r a n i n fe re nt i al appl ic at i o n o f th e s ubj e ct h a s n a tu r al l y a
l o n ge r c o nc lu s i o n th a n th e t extu al s erm o n C o n ci s e n es s i n
t h e c o n cl u s i o n i s i n h arm o ny w i th th e t a s te s o f o u r t i m e
.

T H E C O N C L US I O N

39 1

Th e l o n g draw n v e fo l d c o n cl u s i o n o f th e s ch o l a s t i c s e rm o n
wa s app rop r i at e to the characte r o f tha t type o f p reach ing
I t wa s a m et h o d o f s e cur i n g p ra c t i ca l appl i c a t i o n wh i c h wa s
a l m o s t w h o lly l a ck i n g i n t h e m a i n b o dy o f th e s erm o n Th e
b r i e f s im p l e c o n c l u s i o n o f o u r day i s i n h a rm o ny wi th th e
ch a ra c te r o f i ts preach i n g
-

III

M ET H O D S O F T H E C O N C LU S I O N

Al l m e th o ds m a y b e g r o u p e d u n der t wo cl a s s e s th e
did act i c a n d t h e i mp r e s s io n a l O n e s p e a k s p r e va i l i n gly t o
t h e m i n d t h e o th e r t o th e e m o t i o n s I n c l a s s i c al o r at o ry
t h e d e l ib e rative a n d j ud i c ia l typ e s o f a d dre s s a tt ach e d i m
p o rt a n c e t o t h e di da c ti c c o n c l u s i o n i
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e r s p r i m al t as k t o p r e s e n t t h e ru l e s o f du ty i n d e t ai l b u t t o
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t iv e app e al A d i r e c t app e al p r e supp o s e s th e d i rec t a ppli

c at i o n o f s om e p a r ti cu l a r m o ral t ru th o r s o m e s pec i c ph a s e
of i t
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i t Exho rtat io n on th e ba s i s o f g e n e ral i ty i s w hol ly i n con
s e q u e n ti al S o m e t h in g sp e c i c i s p r e s upp o s e d wi th r e sp e ct
t o wh i c h th e app e a l i s m a de
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wh a t i s d i r ec t i s f o rc eful A general iz ed h o r ta t i o n h a s n o
m a r k a n d n o sh o t
( 3) R e al i t y i s th e p ri m al m o ral v i rt u e o f e x h o rt at i o n
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b e n a tu ra l a n d a s n at u r a l r eal N O e xh o rt at i o n w i l l ev e r
b e e ffe ct iv e that do e s not r e st u pon a psychol ogi cal an d
e t hi ca l b a s i s M e r e i nt el l e c tua l e n th u s i a s m p r o du c t o f cu m
u l a t i v e m e n ta l e x c i t at i o n an d i nt e r es t i n th e s ubj ec t d is c u s s e d
i s n o t e n o u gh al th o u gh th i s i s p re s upp o s ed an d i s o f p r i m a l
i mp o rt a n c e B ut th e re m u s t b e a g e nu i n e l ov e o f t h e t ru th
a s w o rk in g t r u t h a n d a ge nu i n e l o ve fo r m e n a s w e l l O th e r
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m e n t h at a r e n e c e s s a ry t o s av e p rea ch i n g fr o m p rof e s s i o n
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(4 ) Co nc en t ra ti o n i s e s sen t i al t o c o ge n t app e al I f i t b e
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A l l c o n cl u s i o n m ay w e l l b e c o m pa c t a n d s u c c i n ct
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n o r m al c o n di t i o n s i t w il l b e Th e s e n t e nc e s ar e l i k e l y t o b e
s h o rt e r an d m o r e ab ru pt
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N o t e th e l a s t s e n t e n c e s o f R o b e rt s o n s s e r m o n s Th e s t r u c
tu r e O f th e s e nt e n c e s th e v o cabu l a r y t h e gu r e s o f sp e e ch
a r e m o r e i n te n s e t h a n i n o t h e r p a r t s o f th e s e r m o n E sp e
It is
c i a l l y c o n den s e d sh o ul d b e th e c o n cl u s i o n by app e a l
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A fe w t e rs e s e n t e nc e s d r o pp e d
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l i k e red h o t c o al s i nt o th e m in d a n d h e art m ay e ffe ct ama z i n g
.

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T H E R H ET O R I CA L F O R M
S TR U CTU RA L f o r m i s c o n fe s s edly o u r c h i ef i nt e r e s t i n th e
d i scu ss ion o f m ethod s o f hom il e t i c a r t B u t f o rm al hom i
l et i c s l egit i m at ely i n cl u d e s qu e s ti o n s o f rh e to ri c a l a n d o r a
t o r i c a l e xp res s i o n
Th e l a t t e r r e c e iv e s b u t l i t tl e do ub tl e s s
B u t i t i s b e s t t au gh t i n th e
t o o l i tt l e a t t e nti o n i n o u r day
c l a s s r o o m by m o d er n e xp e r t s i n th e a r t o f e xp r e s s i o n a n d
a c oll at i o n o f o r at o r i c a l c o m o npl a c es by o n e wh o k n ow s
bu t l ittl e ab o u t th e s ubj e c t w o ul d b e o f sm al l v alu e t o o u r
d is cu s s i o n Th e s tu dy o f r h e t o r i ca l fo r m al s o wa s f o rm erly
r e ga r d ed a s o f m o r e im p o r ta n c e t h an i t i s n o w Th e rea s o n s
a r e m a n y Th e s tu dy o f l an gu a ge d o e s n o t h o l d th e pl a c e i t
o n c e h el d i n o u r e du cat i o n al p r o c e s s e s I n th e w i den i n g o f
th e e l d o f kno w l e dge th e p re ssu r e o f oth er departm ent s has
m a d e i t s e l f f e l t i n th e S ph ere O f l i n gu i s t i c s Th e phy s i cal
sc i e n c e s h av e a s s e r t e d th e i r cl ai m s a n d n ow th e s o c al l e d
s o c ial s ci e n c e s a r e a t th e fr o n t Th er e i s l e s s ti m e fo r rh e
t o r i c a l s tu di e s a n d l e s s i mp o r t an c e i s n atu rally at t ach e d t o
th e m M e n a r e a f ter wh a t t h e y r e ga r d a s m o r e p ra c t i c al
b r a n ch e s o f k n owl edg e Wh a t t o s a y i s o f m o re i mp o rt anc e
th a n h o w t o s a y i t Th e s tu dy o f a n c i e nt a nd f o r e i gn l a n
gu a g e s h a s l a r g e ly d i spl ac e d th e st u dy o f o u r o w n a n d eve n
i n th e r ecen t r e v ival o f th e s t udy o f Engl i s h i n o u r tti n g
s ch o o l s an d c ol l e g e s th e l i te r a ry i nt e re s t i n th e co mp r eh en
s iv e s e n s e do m i nat e s t h e m o re s p e c i c rh e t o r i cal i nterest
I t m a y b e qu e st i o n e d w h e th e r e duca t e d m e n w r i t e a n d sp ea k
Engl i sh a s wel l a s e ducat e d m en a hun d r ed o r even fty
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4 03

Th e n ewsp ap er p res s h a s h a d i ts i n ue n ce
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r e a c h e s u s m o r e ful ly th ro u gh t h e eye th a n th ro u gh th e e ar
a n d wh a t a ddre s s e s t h e eye i s di ffe re n tly exp r e s s ed f ro m th a t
wh i ch a ddr e s s e s t h e e ar H e w h o wri t e s w i t h o u t r e f e r e n c e
t o sp e ak i n g l i k e a n e wsp ap e r r e p o rt e r o r e di t o r m ay ea s ily
f al l i n t o n e gl i ge n t h ab it s i n h i s u s e o f l an gu a ge Th e r e i s
do ub t les s a n i mp ro v e m e n t i n n ew sp ap e r E n gl i sh b u t i n
gen e r al i t i s very p o o r En gl i s h W e s e e th e r e s ult s i n p ulp i t
speech What the p re ach e r says i s th e ch ie f th i ng o f im
p o r ta n ce Th er e i s e v e n a p rej u di c e a ga i n s t t h e d i s cu s s io n
o f pu l p it
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s t an da r ds a n d th e w h o l e s ubj ec t o f r h eto ri c al fo r m f al l s i n to
n egl e ct
a s i f i t w er e n o m att e r h ow a m a n s ay s h i s s a y if
o nly h e h av e s om e th i n g t o s a y
S o m e h ow i t w i l l m ana ge t o
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Th e p ulp i t h a s g e n e ral ly b e e n i n c o n i ct wi th s o
cal l e d s e cular rhetori c a n d oratory I ts h i sto r y shows a
s i ngula r suc c e s s i o n o r s eri e s o f app r o xim at i o n s t owa r ds a n d
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m an wh o sp e a k s fo r Ch r i s t B u t p re a ch in g t h at m i n im i z es
th e va lu e o f l i t e r a ry f o rm c a n n ev e r b e th e b e s t typ e o f
p r e a ch i n g Th e p ulp i t c a n n o t e m a n cip at e i t s e lf fro m th e
l aws o f hu m a n sp e e ch a s i t c a n n ot fr o m th e l a w s o f h um an
though t a n d f e el ing P r each ing i s S pe e ch o f t he h ighest an d
no b l e s t typ e I t s h o ul d b e wo rt hy o f i t s el f L et u s the r e
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.

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C L A I M S O F R H ET O R I CA L C U L TU R E

Th e rel at i o n o f t h o u gh t t o spe e ch a ccen tu ate s th e

importance o f rh e torical cul tu r e The cl os e n e s s o f con n e c
t i o n n e c e s s it at e s th e cu l tu r e o f f o rm i n th e i nt e re s t o f s u b
s tance
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49 4
of

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

fo rm Wh at o n e s ay s h a s i n t i m at e c o nn ect i o n wi th th e
m a n n er i n w h ic h h e s ays i t Ra ti o an d o r at i o a r e t w o s i d e s
o f th e s am e th in g
O n e s u gge s t s s ub s tan c e th e o th e r f o rm
b ut t h ey a r e o r ga n i c al ly o n e Th e s ci enc e o f l an gua ge i s
o n e pha s e o f th e s c ience o f though t M a x M ii l l er the ph il o
l o g ia n w r o t e a w o r k o n t h e s c i e nc e o f th o u g h t fr o m th e
ph il o l o gi c a l p o i n t o f v i e w a n d J o h n L o c k e th e ph i l o s o ph e r
fou n d i t n e c e s sa r y i n de al i n g w it h t h o u gh t t o c o n s i d e r it s
*
r el a t i o n t o l an gu a g e H e s ay s
I n d t h a t t h e r e i s S O cl o s e
a c o n n ec t i o n b etwe e n i de a s a nd wo rds a n d o u r ab s tra c t
i d e a s a n d g e n e ra l wo r d s h av e S O c o n s tan t a r el at i o n o n e
t o a n o th e r th a t i t i s imp o ss ibl e t o sp e ak cl e a r l y an d d i st i nctl y
o f o u r k n owl e d g e wh i c h a l l c o n s i s t s i n p r op o s i t i o n s wi th o u t
c o n s i d e r i n g r s t th e n atu r e u se an d S i gn i ca n c e o f l a n

gu a ge
Styl e a t rs t m e an t a m a n s p e n s tyl u s Th en i t
c a m e t o m e a n p e nm an sh ip ch i r o g r aphy o r m a n n e r o f
w r it i n g w i th a p e n
A c l o s e c o n n e ct i o n i s etym o l o gi c al ly
s u gg e s t e d h e r e Pen m a n sh i p P e n t h e i n s t r u m e n t u sed
M a n th e a gen t u s i n g i t Sh i p S h ap e fo rm o r m e th o d i n
wh i ch th e pen i s u s e d a s di scl ose d by th e product o f u s e
P en m an sh i p i s t h e m eth o d i n wh i c h a m an u s e s th e p en
H e r e i s a b a s i s fo r t h e n ot i o n o f t e n d o ub tl e s s o v e r s ta t ed
th a t a m a n d i s cl o s es h i s p e rs o nal p e cu l iari ti es i n h i s h an d
wri ti n g B u t a t l a s t th e w o r d s tyl e n a t u r al ly c o m e s t o m e an
th e w ay i n w h ich a m an e xp ress e s h im s e l f i n langu age Th e
cl os e connectio n b e tw e en th e ma n a n d h i s m etho d o f e xp r es
s i o n i s t h u s t a k en u p i n t o th i s h i gh e r m e an i n g W e h av e n o
l o n ge r a m e r e l y p hys i ol o gi cal a n d rel a t iv e l y m e ch a n i cal c o n
n ect i o n b etwe en th e m a n a n d h i s p en b u t a p sych o l o gi cal a n d
eve n e th i c al c o nn e c ti o n b e t w e e n t h e m a n a n d h i s S pe e ch
S tyl e th er e f o re i s m o r e t h a n a m an ne r o f exp r es si o n I t
i s a m e n ta l m o ral em o t i on al aes th et i c p r odu ct f o rm ul at e d
i n c o rp o r ated i n l an gua g e I n th e H eb rew l an gu age a m a n s
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T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

m o r e rea di ly r e c al l e d t h a n th e u n f o r m ul a te d th o u gh t s fe e l
i n gs c o n vi c t i o n s a n d p u rp o s e s t h a t l i e b eh i n d th e m Th e
a c t ob j e ct ies wh a t l i e s s ubj e ct iv ely b eh i n d i t I t p ut s i t
i n t o fo rm A n d i t m ay b e th a t fo r t h i s r e a s o n i n p ar t th e
o utward a c t h a s a m o r e p owe r f u l i n u e nc e o n ch aract e r t h a n
t h e u n ac t e d t h o u gh t o r pu rp o s e b eh i n d i t S o m e m e n p e r
h ap s m o s t m e n m o r e r e a dily c o m m i t t o m em o r y t h e i r
ut te re d o r wri tt e n t h o u gh t s t h a n t h o s e t h a t ar e u n u tt e r e d o r
u nwr i tt e n
Th e c o n t e n t s o f a m a nu s crip t t h a t h av e b ee n
o ra l ly u tte re d i n t h e p r o c e s s o f w r i t i n g a re m o r e r e a d ily
ret a i n e d i n t h e m em o ry t h a n t h ey w o ul d b e i f u n v o ca liz ed
I t i s for th i s re a s o n th a t m em o ri ter p r e a ch e rs v o cal i z e th ei r
s e n t e n c es i n th e p r o c e s s o f c o m p o s it i o n Th e c o n n e c t i o n
b etwe e n t h o u gh t a n d spe e c h i s m o s t i nt im at e a n d v it al i n th e
rs t m o m e n t s o f p r o du c t i o n I t m ay r e qu i r e p o s it iv e e ffo r t
a n d p e rh ap s ch an ge d c o n di t i o n s t o r e p r o du c e s ub s equ en tl y

th e s am e cl o s e c o n nect i o n Th i s i s o n e re a s o n w h y i t i s d i i
cu l t t o r ep e a t a n o l d se rm o n s u cc e s s f ul ly I t d e m a n d s s o m e
c h a n ge i n t h e m a n u s c r ip t o r a n e w c o ngregat i o n i n o rde r t o
rep r o du c e t h e r s t i mp r e s s i o n Th e rea s o n wh y Wh it e el d
c o ul d pr e ac h h i s o l d s e rm o n s w i t h u n dim i n i s h e d e ffe ct iv e
n e s s wa s t h a t h e a lway s h ad a n ew a u di e n c e a n d by t h e
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m u s t h ave n ew c o n f e s s i o n s i n o rd e r t o h o l d th e c o n n e ct i o n
b etwe e n th o u gh t an d w o r ds
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i m ag i nat i o n i n vi tal iz i n g t h e r e l at i o n b e twe e n th o u gh t a n d
sp e e ch i s i ll u st rat ed by t h e su c c e s sfu l evan gel i st i c p r e a ch e r
H e r e i n p ar t i s th e p owe r o f p o e t i c u t t er a n c e
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R H ET O R I CA L F O R M

49 7

r e a s o n why a n ey e w i tnes s i s b e tt e r th a n a n ear wi t nes s i s

th a t by t h e st i r o ffeel i n g a n d i m a gi n at i o n h e i s abl e t o repr o
duc e wh a t h e ha s s e e n i n m o r e v iv i d l an gua ge H e i s abl e
t o v i tal i z e th e r el at i o n o f th o u gh t a n d sp ee ch
H e r e i n p art
i s th e s e c re t o f d ram at i c p ow e r Th e ac t o r n o t o nly r e p ro
d u c e s i nwardly a n i m a gi n e d s ta t e O f m i n d a n d fe el in g bu t
h e m a k e s th em re a l a n d e ffe c t ive b y a n u tt e ran c e co r r e s p on
di n g H e e ffec t s S O c l o s e a u n i cat i o n o f t h o u ght fe el i n g
a n d sp e e ch th a t h e ca n tal k a s we l l a s t h i n k a n d f eel l i k e
a n o th e r pers o n
Th e cul tiva t i o n o f rh e t o r i ca l f o rm th e n i s l a rgel y th e
Th i s i s
c ul t iva ti o n o f wh a t l i e s b a ck o f i t an d i s v it a l t o i t
s ign i cant for th e cu l tu re o f w hat m ay b e cal l e d a pulp it s tyl e
S u ch a s tyl e wi l l h av e cert a i n pecul i a ri t i e s o f i t s own Th i s
p o i n t wi ll reapp e a r fu rth e r o n Th e p o i n t j u s t h e r e i s th a t
th e i mp o rta n c e o f t h e c ul tur e o f rh eto ri c al fo rm fo r th e
p u lp i t i s th e imp o r t a n c e o f wh at l i e s ba ck o f i t I t i s e as y t o
l o s e s i gh t o f th i s c l o s e c o nn ect i o n b e twe e n s ub st a n c e a n d
fo rm Th i s m ay i n p art a cc ou n t fo r th e r el at iv e negl ec t o f
q u es t i o n s o f rh e t o ri ca l fo r m i n p reach i n g I f s ub st a n c e an d
f o rm m ay b e t r e at e d a s i f th ey w e r e i n d ep e n d e n t o f ea c h
o th er i t i s n o w o nde r th a t s ub s t an c e s h o ul d b e valu e d a t
t h e exp e n s e o f f orm I t i s i nde ed a c r ed i tabl e th i n g th at a n
e du cat e d m a n sh o ul d n o t b e w ill i n g t o b e c o m e a l i te rary
p e da nt F o r l it e ra ry p e da n try c o n s i st s i n di s pr o p o rt i o n at e
at t e nt i o n t o fo rm a s s u ch a n d i n t re at i n g i t i n a m erel y
analyt ical an d e xte r nal mann e r W e save the l itera r y p r o d
w e e l evat e th e w hol e ton e o f a ny
u et an d the l ite r ary m an
sp e ci e s o f l it era t u r e o r f o rm o f u t tera nc e w e r e s c u e i t fr o m
p e da nt ry o n th e o n e s i de an d o n t h e o th er s i d e w e r e s cu e
th e p re a ch er fr o m a sup e rc il i ou s c o n tempt o f qu e st i o n s o f
rh et o r i c al fo rm by r e emph as i s o f t h e v e ry f am i l i a r bu t
m u ch i gn o r e d f ac t th a t sub s ta n c e an d fo rm a re i ns e p arabl e
Th e s t udy o f l it e rary fo rm b e c o m e s t h us o n e of th e m o st
-

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4 08

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

i n te res t in g a n d v al uab l e s t ud i es i n wh i ch a s c h o l a r c a n
e n gage B u t i t i s t o b e b o rne i n m i nd th at o n e d o es n o t
b e c om e a n e ff e ctive p r ea ch e r s i mply by cul t iva t in g h i s i nt el
l ig e n c e i m a gi n at i o n f eel in g s a n d m o r a l a n d r e l i gi o u s l i fe
O n e m ay b e a g o o d th i n k e r a go o d t h eo l o gi an a n d a w e l l
t ra i n e d m an i n g e ne r al a n d y e t b e a p o o r p r ea ch e r O n e
m ay b e a v e ry p i o u s a n d dev o u t an d e n th u s i a st i c m a n a n d
y e t b e a p o o r m i ni st e r o f r e l i gi o n O n e m u s t s tu dy l it e r a r y
f o r m a s s uc h I n fa c t o n e wh o tra i n s h i m s elf i n th e a rt o f
e x p r e s s i o n m ay s t re n gt h en h i s c apa c ity fo r ex a c t th i n k i n g
by th e ve r y p r o c e s s e s o f h i s t r ai n in g Em e r s o n e arl y fo rm e d
th e h ab i t o f e x am i ni n g h i s t h o u gh t s with r efe r e n ce t o th e i r
e xp re s s i o n Th i s i nvo lv e d th e c o u n t e r p r o c e s s o f e xa m i n i n g
h i s exp re s s i o n w i th re f e re nc e t o h i s th o u gh t s
Ex p r e s s i o n

I t i s n ot
w a s a n i m p o rt an t i n te r e st i n al l h i s c ul tu re

k n owl e dg e w e n e e d h e s a i d bu t v e n t
H i s t h o ugh t wa s
c o n di ti o n ed by th e fo r m i t wa s t o tak e H i s h ab i t o f r ee c
ti o n wa s c o n di t i o ned by h i s h ab i t o f de l ib e rat e exp res s i o n
A m a n s s tyl e d o e s n ot t ak e c ar e o f i t s e l f
It must be
t r a i n e d a n d a s i t i s t r a i n e d i t wil l a ffe ct wh a t l i e s b eh i n d i t
a nd m u s t b e t ran sm i t t e d by i t Th e go o d s tyl i s t wi l l alway s
h av e t h e adva n ta ge o f th e ma n w h o fa il s i n t h i s r e sp ect
al th o u gh th e l at te r m ay b e s up eri o r i n h i s n a tiv e e n d ow
m e n t s I t i s n o t s ub s t a nc e al o n e t ha t m a k e s a c la s s i c Th e
cl a s s i c i s o f ch i ef v al u e n o t fo r i t s m a t ter O f th ou gh t b ut fo r
i t s p e r fe c t i o n o f f o r m Th e b e s t cl a s s i c s wi th a l l th ei r s eem
i ng o f spontan e ity a nd f r ee dom a r e th e p r oduc t o f l ong
an d l ab o ri o u s e lab o r ati o n G o o d f o rm d o e s n o t al w ay s
p r e s upp o s e t h e w e i gh t i e s t an d m o s t o r i ginal s ub st anc e o f
th o u gh t al th o u gh p r op e r a ttent i o n t o f o r m wi l l su r e l y
i n u e n c e th e q u al i ty o f th ou gh t a n d i t i s ce rt ai nly t r u e t h a t
b a d f o r m i nd i cate s d e fe ct iv e m e nt al w o r k
I n e xa c t
a n d ob s cu re s pee ch a lway s i nvo lves de f e c t iv e m en ta l
d i s cri m i n a ti o n
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H ER

4 10

t rut h th e w o r th i e r h i s c o n cept i o n o f i t s fo rm w i l l b e Th e
o bj e c t o f Ch ri s t i a n p r e a ch i n g a l s o a c c e ntu at e s th e s ig n i
c a n c e o f f o rm I t i s th e p ro du c ti o n o f ch a ra ct e r a n d th e
r e gul a t i o n o f c o ndu c t by t h e p r e s e nt at i o n o f t ru th t o th e
h e a r t a n d c o n s c i e nce a s w e l l a s t o th e m i n d O th e r S p ea k
e r s d eal wi th rel at i vely t ra n s i e nt re sul t s Th e p r e a ch er deal s
with r e s ul ts th at a re p e r m a n e n t a n d h e i s r e sp o n s ibl e w i t h
r e sp ec t t o th e i n s t r um e n ts th at a re tt e d t o p r o du c e th e s e
r e s ul t s B y h i s w o r d s S h al l h e b e j u st i e d a n d b y h i s w o r ds

S hal l h e b e con dem n e d I t i s th e Ki ng s Engl i sh tha t i s

c o m m i tted t o h im S u r e ly n o m an wh o w o r th ily r ep r e s e n ts

th e sa ncti ti e s o f hum an sp eec h m ay m u r d e r o r abu se o r

d e g ra d e th e K i n g s Engl i sh
P e op l e h av e a ri gh t t o d e
m a n d th a t th e m a n wh o spe ak s t o th e m o n th e w e i gh ty
matters o f r e l igio n shal l speak wo r th ily an d i n such a way tha t
t h ey w i ll c o r r e ct ly u n de rs t an d a n d f e e l th e f o r c e o f th e tru th
Th e r ea s o n w h y s om e m e n n ot t h o r o u gh ly e du cat e d s p ea k
w i th gr e at po we r n o t o nl y t o th e s o c al l e d c o m m o n p e opl e
b u t t o p e o pl e o f th e b es t c ul ture i s th a t th e y h ave l ea r n ed
a n d n ev e r u nl earn e d t o s p ea k th e En gl i s h l an gua ge i n a
c l e a r i di om at i c s i mpl e a n d fo r c eful m an ne r
Ab r ah a m
Li n c o l n i n p ol it ica l l i f e a n d M r Spu rg e o n i n m i ni s teri a l l i f e
a re notabl e e xampl e s S u ch m e n a s J oh n B unyan S how
wh a t c a n b e d o n e w i th th e E ngl i sh l a n gu a ge Gr e e k a n d
R o m a n o r at o r s k n e w th e l o ve o f th e p eopl e fo r th e i r n a tive
t o n gu e an d th ey cul t iva t e d i t with e n th u s i a sm Preach er s
m i gh t w el l ta k e a l e s s o n fr o m t h e m I f o n e w o ul d w i n th e
h ea rt s o f th e p e opl e h e m us t k now som eth ing o f th e m agi c
A s i mpl e cl ea r i di o m ati c p ith y typ e o f
o f th e i r l a n gua g e
En gl i s h wo ul d g r e a tly s t ren gth e n t h e p ul pi t I n c r e a s e i n
th e e xt em p o ra n e o u s m e th o d o f p reach i n g m a y r esu l t i n
u nd e rval uat io n o f qu e stions o f r h e to r ical fo r m I t i s onl y
c a re fu l l it e ra r y cul tu re t h at w i l l s ave pre a c h in g f r o m
d e t e r i o rat i o n
.

TH E R H ETO R I CA L F O RM

41I

Th e p re a ch e r s r e sp o n s ib i li ty a s a pr o fes s i o n al m a n
t o th e gen e ra l p ubl i c h a s by s u gge s ti o n al re ady b e e n a nt i c i
pat e d bu t m ay w e l l re c e i v e a dd itional r e cogn it ion Th e cul
t u re o f s om e p ro f es s i o ns d o e s n o t n d i t s b es t e xp r e ss i o n i n
pub l i c S p e e ch a n d t h e S p e ak i ng p ro fe s s i o n s vary i n th i s
r e ga rd
B u t t h e e nt i r e t ra i ni n g o f t h e p rea cher l o o k s
to w a r d h i s f un ct i o n a s a p ub l i c s p e ak e r H e i s p ro p e rly
a s s um e d t o r e p res en t p r e em i n e n tly t h e r e sul t s o f l ib eral cul
t u r e e sp e ci ally i n th e do m a i n o f sp e e ch N O a u di e nc e w il l
o r S h o ul d t ol e r at e i n t h e p ulpi t wh at i s ac c e pt e d i n th e c o urt
r o om o r i n th e l e gi sl ative as s embl y o r o n t h e pl atfo rm o r
stump or e v e n i n the l e ctu r e room I t i s th e characte r o f
t h e v o cat i o n t h a t ex a ct s th i s s up er i o ri ty
Th e re lat i o n o f th e p ulp it t o th e p r e s s a cc e n tu ates th i s p r o
O ra l u t t e ra nc e h a s b e e n a n d s t il l
fes s i o n a l r esp o n s i b i l i ty
i s a g r e at p owe r
Trai ne d sp ee ch h a s do n e m u ch o f t h e
Wo rl d s b e s t w o rk I t s p ower s e e m s s o m ewh a t l e s s e n e d i n
B u t i t s i n s ig n i ca n ce i s n o t d e m o n st rate d Th e
o u r day
p res s p ow e r f u l a s i t i s ca n n ev er d i spl ac e g o o d p ubl i c S peech
Th e u lt imate v al u e o f th e p r ess i tsel f w il l depen d u po n th e
q ual i ty o f p ub l i c sp e e c h Th e pl at f o r m a n d t h e p ulp i t a r e
b e h i n d th e p r e s s I f t h e s e grea t p opu l ar fo rc es s h o ul d fa i l
t h e p re s s w o ul d s i n k i nt o i n s ign i ca n c e o r d e g rada t i o n
Th e p ulp i t i s s ti ll th e sph e r e fo r m o s t e ffe ct iv e p ubl i c a ddr e s s
I t i s s t il l th e th r o n e of th e ch u rch Rh et o ri cal a n d o rat o r i c a l
standa r ds hav e chang e d Th e ol d standards w i l l n ot b e r e
c al l e d B u t th e n eed o f e ffec t i ve S p e e c h i n th e pulp i t h a s
n o t ch an ge d
A S a n e duc ated m an th e p re a ch e r i s resp o n s ibl e fo r th e
p r es ervat i o n o f t h e p uri ty a n d p owe r o f h i s m o th e r t o n gu e
I t i s a s a cre d i n h e ri ta nce an d i s a sp e ci al cha rge fo r th o s e
wh o s e v o c at i o n n ec es s i tates a c o n st an t u s e o f i t
Th e
p r e ach e r d e al s w i th th e l o f ti e s t i d e a l r e al it i e s Th e e x altat i o n
o f h i s c al li n g e xa c t s up o n th e ex al tat i o n o f h i s i n s tru me n t s
3

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

4 12

L an gu a ge i s a t i t s b e s t i n i ts a s s o c ia t i o n w i th r e l i gi o n
R el i gi o n sh o ul d s av e i t f ro m d e grad at i o n A c l a s s i c l i k e
o u r En gl i s h B i bl e i s a tr e a s u
re t o b e gu ard e d a nd w o r t h i ly
u s e d Th e t e n de n cy t owa rd s th e c o r rupt i o n o f l an gua ge
i nt en s i e s th e r e s p o n s ib il i ty M a ny a ge nc i e s a r e at w o rk i n
*
t h i s l i n e M r G eo rge P M a rs h sp e a k s o f th e c o n ne cti o n
b e tw e e n the debasem en t o f national cha ract e r a n d th e de
b a s e m e n t o fl an gu age a s i ll u st r a t e d by th e Fr e n ch a n d I tal ia n
l a n gu a ge s I n t h i s c o u n t ry d em o c ra ti c l i f e ab s o rb s a l l de
g e n e r at iv e i n u e n c e s th e i nuen c e o i f o re i gn e rs o f th e
igno rant cl as s e s o f comm e rci al pol iti cal an d i ndu str ial l i f e
a n d o f th e v i c i o u s cl a s s e s Th e p res s i s o n e o f t h e s o u rc e s
o f c o r r u pt i o n i n th e u s e o f l an gua ge
M r R i ch a rd G ra n t
Wh i te ch a rges th a t w e a r e s u ffe ri n g f ro m n e wspap e r En g
l i s h R e s tl e s s amb i t i ou s s el f c o n c eit e d vul ga r m e rc en ary
hal f e duca t e d m e n h e c ha r ges hav e to a l a r ge e x tent th e
h a n dl i n g o f ou r publ i c j o u rnal s I t i s l e ss t ru e t o day th a n
D e Q u i n cy
w h e n h e wr o t e B u t i t i s s t i l l m e a s u ra bl y t ru e
i n al m o s t s ava ge s tyl e m a k e s s i m i l a r c h a rg e s a ga i n s t th e
n ewsp ap er p re s s o f E n gl an d H e ch a rg e s t h at th r o u gh th i s

i n u e n c e a n a rt i c i al d i al ec t h a s c o m e i nt o pl ay a s th e

d ial ec t o f o rd i na r y l i f e
B u t i t sh o ul d b e rem emb er e d t h a t
th e p r e s s r e e cts to a c on s i derabl e degr e e th e hab its an d
ta st e s o f t h e ge n er al publ i c If th e p re s s i s ip p a n t a nd
i r r evere n t a n d a rt i c ia l i t i s a n in d e x o f th e ch a ra ct e r o f t h e
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o f ip p a n cy an d v ul ga rity fro m a c l a s s o f l i t e rary m e n m i s
n am e d re a l i s t s
I t app e a rs i n a dro l l g ro t es qu e wa gge r y
m i s cal l e d h u m o r R e sp o n s ibl e m en s h o ul d r e s cu e l an guag e
fr o m s u ch d e gradat i o n Th e p ulp i t i s e sp e c ial l y r e sp o n s ibl e
t o r e s i s t th e t e n d e n cy t o v ul ga ri z e i t
.

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a nd

XI
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

4 I4

m a n n er I t s h o u l d c o n f o rm t o t h e o r d i na ry s tan da rd s o f
d e l ive r y
W e h av e n o s a c r e d el o qu en c e n o s a cr e d ge s tu r e
o r p o stu r e
a nd n o s ac r ed r h e t o r i c al t h ou gh t h e n am e s t il l
l i n g e rs A n d s o o f l an gu age I ts l a w s a re th e s am e fo r
p ulp i t a n d pl at f o rm Th e r e i s n o sa cre d gr am m a r O r if
th e r e b e i t i s al l s a c r e d L an gu ag e i s n o t a cl a s s p r o du c t
I t i s a c o m m o n p o s s e s s i o n Th e f ac t th a t i t i s l a rg ely a c o n
v e n t i o n a l S i gn a cc e n t uat e s th i s f a ct th a t w e m u st u se i t ev e ry
w her e i n m u ch th e s am e w a y A n d y e t w e m ay cor re ctly
S p e a k o f a pulp i t s tyl e
2
Ther e a r e sp e c i c p r o f e s s i o n a l el em ent s of r h e t o ri c al
fo r m Th e s e rm o n a s a rh e t o ri ca l pro du c t di ffe r s s o m e wh a t
f r o m a ny f o r m o f s o ca ll e d s e cu la r add r e s s Th e d i ffe r e n c e
i s c o ndit i o n ed p artl y by t h e t h e m e s w i th wh i ch th e p r e ach e r
deal s by th e obj ect h e ha s i n v i e w a n d by th e r e l at ion o f th e
p e r s o nal i ty o f th e S p ea k e r t o b oth Th e th em e i s d i s ti n c
t iv e ly eth i ca l a n d re l i gi o u s a cc o rd in g t o a Ch r i st i a n typ e a n d
i s s o m eth i n g m o re an d o th e r th a n a p r o du c t o f th e p r e ach e r s
i n dep en dent th i n k i n g
Th e s e c ula r a d dre s s h a s n o su c h
l i m i t ati o n Th e o bj e c t i s t o s ec u r e a d i s t in ct ively Ch ri st i a n
r es ul t L i k e al l publ i c s p e e ch i t s e e k s t o p e rs u a de b u t t h e
o bj ec t o f th e p e r su a s i o n i s di ffe r e nt I t s ee k s t h e a dva nc e
m en t o f p e r s o nal m anh o o d a n d o fth e k i n gd o m o f Go d Th e
s e c ul a r ad d re s s s e e k s th e e a r th ly w elfare o f th e i n d ivi dua l
an d o f th e soc i al body Th e th e m e an d t h e aim i nvol v e al so
a di ff e r e n t s o rt o f au di e nc e I n t h e o n e c a s e i t i s a w o r s h ip
p in g as s em bly Th e ch i e f i nt e r e st i s n o t th e S pe a k e r n o r
Th e s pe e ch i s th e i n s t r u
ev e n th e S p ee ch b u t t h e w o r sh ip
m ent th e w o rsh ip i s th e en d o r r ath e r th e obj e c t o f th i s
w o r sh i p i s th e e n d I n t h e o th e r ca s e w e h av e a n a s s e m bl y
wh o s e p r o m i n en t i nt eres t i s l arg e ly i n th e s p ea k e r an d i n h i s
s ubj e ct b u t u l tim ately i n t h e r e l ati o n o f b o th t o s om e pe r
s o nal o r s o c i al a dvan ta g e I n th e p ul p i t a ddre s s a l s o th e
re l at i o n o f t h e sp e ak er t o h i s subj e ct a n d h i s obj e ct i s cl o s e r
.

TH E R H E TO R I CA L F O RM

415

th a n i n th e c as e o f t h e s e cul a r addres s I n th e fo rm er n o t
o nly wh a t i s s a i d a n d wh y i t i s s ai d b u t w h o s ays i t i s o f f ar
m or e i mp o rt an c e t h a n i n th e l a tt e r Th e s ubj e ct a n d th e
o bj e c t e x a c t m o r e s ev e rely up o n th e o rga n o f u tt e r an c e
A c l o s e h arm o ny b e tw een s ubj ec t o bj ect a n d ag e nt i s d e
ma n d ed Th e p rea ch e r s s up rem e c o n c e r n m u s t b e w i th t h e
t ruth he brings w i th th e obj ect h e aim s at w i th h im s e l f a s
th e o rga n o f t r ut h a n d wi t h t h e c o n di ti o n o f h i s h earers I t
i s n o t e n o u gh th a t h e m a k e th e h ear e r b e l i ev e th a t wh at h e
s ays i s t rue wh eth e r i t b e tru e o r n o t N o r i s i t e n o u gh
th a t h i s t ru th b e a m e r e O p i n i o n H e m u s t b ri n g wh at h a s
b e e n b rough t to h im an d that t r u th m u st hav e a v al i di ty o f
i t s o w n i n d ep e n den tl y o f h i s o w n O p i n ion o r h i s o w n s k il l
i n p r e s e nt i n g i t a n d i t m u s t a t t h e s am e t im e b e truth
t h at c o m m e n ds i t s elf to h i s ow n c o n s c ien c e a n d h ear t a n d
t o th e c on sc ien c e a n d h ea rt s o f h i s h e a re rs
I t i s n ot e n o u gh
that h e mak e t h e h e a re r bel i e v e that th e obj e ct h e s ee k s i s
a go o d o n e H i s o bj e c t m u s t s tan d th e t e s t o f Ch ri st i a n
c r i t i c i s m I t m u s t c o nfor m t o t h e d em an ds o f C h r i s t i n
who s e n am e h e s p eak s I t i s n ot e no u gh t h a t h e m a k e th e
h e are r be l i ev e th at h e i s a g o o d m a n h e m u s t b e wh a t h e p r o
f e s se s t o b e a n d wh at h i s m as t e r a n d h is c au s e r e qu i r e th at h e
s h oul d b e H e n ce i n pu lp i t sp e e ch t h e th e m e a n d th e ca u s e
a r e f a r m o r e d ep e n de n t o n t h e m a n th an i n s e cul ar sp eech
N o w a l l th i s wil l n e c e s s ar ily a n d i n ev i t abl y h av e a m o di f y
i n g i n u e n c e u p o n pu lp i t rh et o ri c al l th ro u gh
Th e th em e
t h e obj e c t th e o c c as i o n th e a s s o ci at i o n s th e au di en c e c o n
d it i o n a d i s ti n ct iv e rh e to r i ca l p ro du c t an d t h u s o n ly do e s i t
b e c o m e t i ns t ru me n t t o th e a c c o m pl i sh m e n t o f th e w or k i n
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4 16

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

ti a n i ty

h a s c r ea t e d a n d c o n s e c ra te d a typ e o f sp eech tte d t o

th e w o rk o f t h e pulp i t Th e r e i s a Ch r i s t i a n v o c ab ul ary
Th e i d ea s o f Ch r i stian i ty a re i ncarnate i n w ords that e xp r es s
th e i r i n ne r m o s t real i ty I n i t s u s e o f th e G ree k l an gu a ge i t
p u t n e w s i gn i ca n c e i nt o o l d w o rds a n d c o n s e cra t e d th em
to n e w s erv i ce Ther e i s ha rdly an importan t w ord u s e d
t ha t d o e s n o t u n d e rg o m o di cat i o n B ut i t e ffe ct s a l i k e
m o d i ca t i o n i n any la n gua ge i n wh i ch i t m ay b e p ro cl a i m ed
Th er e i s a Ch ri s ti a n v o cab ul ary o f th e E n gl i s h l an gu a g e
W e c o n se c rat e c e r t ai n w o r ds t o a S p e c i cal ly Ch r i st i a n u s e
Th ey d o n o t o ft e n app e a r i n s ecu l a r o rat o ry a n d w h e n th ey
d o appear th e r e t h ey a re a c c o m m o da t e d
Th ei r u s e i n th e
w a y o f rh e t o r i ca l a c c o m m o dat i o n a n d fo r p o l it i c al pu rp o s e s
l ike th e cross an d th e c ro w n o f thorns o f a wel l kno w n pol it
i cal S p e e ch s e e m s s e m i s ac r il e g i o u s a n d w e m o r e th an h a l f
su sp e c t th e t r ick s o f th e d e mago gu e i n th e u s e W e h a v e
c o n s e c r at e d a v o cab ul ary a s w e h av e th e pu lpi t i n wh i c h i t
i s u s ed I n t h e p r o gr es s o f Ch ri st i a n th e ol o gy th e n u mb e r
o f th ese term s has g r eatl y i nc re a s e d Every p ro f e ss i on ha s
i ts o w n t e rm i n o l o gy Th a t o f th e p r ea ch e r h a s i t s o wn a n d
i t c a n n o t g e t o n w ith o u t i t Wo r d s o n c e t e ch n i ca l h av e
c e a s ed t o b e s o an d th e n umb er o f s u ch w o rd s i s i nc rea si n g
Th e y h av e b e c o m e t h e p r op e r ty o f th e pu l p i t a n d th e c o n
g r ega t io n an d th ey serv e th e i r b e st u se s h ere al though they
a r e fr e e ly u s e d i n th e p e rs o na l i nt erc o u r ses o f th e Ch r i s t i a n

l i f e Th e r e i s a l an gua ge o f Ca naa n
Ch ri s ti a n peo pl e
u n d e r s t and ea ch o th e r b e cau s e th ey s p e a k th i s l an gu a g e
Th e cri t i c i s m o f th e Ch r i sti a n v o c ab ul ary o f t h e pul pi t o f
w h i ch w e h e ar m uc h i n o u r day i s i r rati onal I f i t w e re
can t th e c rit i ci sm w oul d b e v al id B u t th e r e i s n o can t i n
th e u s e o f Ch r i s t i a n t e r m s th at stil l h a v e a m e a n in g I f th e
m e an in g ch an ge s th e p r e ach e r h a s o nly t o i nt e rpre t th e
ch ang e To d eny h im sel f th e u s e o f a te r m that i s fa i rly w e l l
u nd ers t o o d o r c a n b e e a s ily i n terp ret e d we re fo l ly
Of
.

4 18

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

g re at r e l igiou s them e W e s ee th i s ev en i n o rdinary m en

N o one ev e r com e s to h is best i nt e l l e ctual ly w i thou t th e
q u i c k e n in g o f h i s r e l i gi ou s m a nh o o d R e ca l l th e te st i m o ny
o f D r B u s h nel l wi th r e sp e c t t o th e i n u e n c e o f h i s r e l i g i ou s
awa k e n i n g u p o n h i s m e nta l p owe rs a nd th u s up o n h i s l i t e ra ry
*
s tyl e
Wh a t qu ic k e n s s t r en gt h en s e nl a r ge s an d dig n ie s
t h e m i n d w il l d i s cl o s e i t s r e s ul t s i n o n e s sp e e ch S u ch
sp e ech w i l l hav e a w eight f o r ce dign ity an d suggest iven e ss
th a t w e re o th er w i s e imp o s sibl e
(b ) I t m a y b e d o n e by i nu e nc i n g th e i m agi n at i o n Th e
gr e a t r eal it i e s o f Ch r i s t ia n i ty o f th em selv e s p ow erfu lly appea l
Th ey a re su p er n a tu ra l r eal i t i e s W e
t o th e i m a gi n at i o n
m u st i nt e r p r e t th e t e r m s up e r n atu r al an d i t m u s t h av e a
g r ea tly m o d i e d S i gn i c a n c e B u t t o deny i t s r eal ity i n toto
i s t o d e ny Ch ri sti an i ty i t s el f W i t h o u t s up e rna tu r a l real it i e s
th e i m a gi na t i o n w o u l d n eve r b e adequ a t ely d ev e l o p e d Th e
c h o i c e s t p r o du ct s o f Ch r i s tia n ity h av e a pp e a r e d i n t h e sph e r e
Sup e r natu r a l Ch ri st i a n i ty i s b e h i n d al l
o f th e im a gi na ti o n
b est Ch r i s tia n a rt N o t e i t s i d e al i s ti c qu al ity a s c o nt ras t e d
wi th th e r eal i st i c qu al i ty o f Gree k a r t I f t h e w o r l d were t o
l o s e i ts g r a sp o f Ch r i s ti an su p er n atu r al i s m c ivil i z a t i o n i ts e lf
w o ul d s u ffe r a n i r r e p a r abl e l o s s N o t o nly th e t rut h s an d
f ac t s o f Ch r i s t i an i ty bu t th e f o rm s i n wh ic h t h e y a pp e a r
app e al to th e imagi nat ion They a re them selve s l a r g e ly
f o r m s o f th e i m agi n at i o n H o w m i gh tily al l th i s a ffec t s
h u ma n S p e e ch ' I t i s b e c au s e o f t h e i n u enc e o f r e l i gi o n
u po n th e i m a gi nat i o n t h a t pul pi t S p e e ch b e c o m es t h e n obl e s t
f o rm o f t h e a r t o f spe e ch N owh er e b ey o n d t h e Ch ri st ia n
pul p i t ha s huma n sp e ech e v e r r i s e n to such h e igh ts N o
m a n ca n l ive i n f a m il ia r c o nta c t with s u ch l o f t y r e al i t ies an d
w i t h th e f o r m s i n wh i ch t h e y are e mb o di e d w ith o u t ca t ch i n g
s o m e th i n g o f t h e i r i n spi r at i o n an d r e p r o d uc in g th e m i n t h e
q u al ity o f h i s sp e ech Th e l i t e r ary s tyl e o f m a ny g reat
.

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4 19

p r eachers h a s b e en mo del e d u n d e r th i s i nu e nc e S uch

p r ea ch e rs a s Th eo do r e Pa rk e r b e a r w itn es s A go o d p ulp i t
s tyl e i s p r o duc t o f th e di gni ty s o b r i e ty rat i o nal i ty i ma gi n a
t iv e sym b o l is m a n d e m o t i o na l fe rvo r o f t h e Ch r i s ti an r ev e
lat i o n I t i s a c omb i n ati o n o f th e i n te ll ectu al th e eth i c al
t he e m o t i o n al a nd im a gin at iv e el em e n t s o f s tyl e A n e x c e s s
o f i m agi na t iv e a n d em o ti o n al e xub e r an c e i n p ulp i t sp e e ch i s
a s f o r ei gn t o a t ru e m e th o d o f i nt e rp r e t in g Ch ri st i an ity a s a
c o rr e sp o ndin g exubera n c e i n th e a r ch i tect u r e a n d de co rat i o n
o f ou r chu r ch e s A c e rta i n sob ri e ty an d chast e simpl ic ity
a r e dem a nde d i n th e o n e a s i n th e o th er c as e Th e ai m o f
r e l i gi o n i s e th i c al an d t h e i m a gi n at i o n m u s t alway s b e th e
s ervan t o f th e t rut h B u t a n im a gi na t iv e s tyl e i s a n o rm al
p ulp i t p r o duct
Th e p r O ph et i c u tte r an c e wa s th e be s t f o rm o f th e sp e e c h
o f th e ea r ly Ch r i sti an chu r ch I t was a comb inat i on o f th e
re ective th e im aginat iv e an d th e e motiona l el e m e nts An d
th i s i s th e b e s t typ e fo r o u r day
( c) I t m ay b e d on e a s h as a l r ea dy b e e n i n di c at ed by
i n u en cing th e em o ti o n s P r ea ch in g i s t h e w o r k o f a m a n
w h o h a s a s t r o n g e m o t i o n al i nt e re s t i n wh at h e i s d o i n g
R el i gi o n s t i r s th e s t r o n ges t a n d p u res t em o t i o n s o f th e h e a rt

B u t it i s rational e motion
Th e sp i ri ts o f th e p roph e ts a re

s ubj ect t o th e p roph e ts

I t i s n o t a n o rm a l i n u e n c e o f
r e l i gio n th a t st i rs th e f e e l i n gs w ith o u t t o u ch i n g th e i n t ell i
g e n ce Th e Pent e c o s t al u t t e ra nce s o f Ch ri s ti an s p e e ch w e r e
d oub tl e s s h i ghly em o ti on al I t w a s a n at u ral exp r ess i o n o f
th e n ew fe e l i ngs th at we re s t i r ri n g i n th e h ea r t s o f m e n W e
n d h o w ev e r a c o ns ta n t t e n d e n c y t o r e gula t e e m o t i o n by
r e e ct i o n Th e l at e r an d m o r e app ro v e d u t t e r an c e wa s i n

th e f o rm o f th e wo r d o f w i s do m
a n d o f k n owl edge
A nd as al r e ady suggest e d o f p r oph e cy Thu s p reach ing
t o o k a m o re re a s onabl e a n d i ntel li g e n t f o r m al th o u gh wi th
Th a t wo u l d h av e b e e n
n o c ompl et e s uppres s i o n o f em o t i o n
.

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

4 20

qu en c h t h e spi r it
N o rm al re l i gi o u s e m o t i o n i s n o t
i n depen de n t o f th e i m agi na t i o n fo r a n i m agi n ative u t te r a n c e
i s a n em o t i o na l u tt e ra n ce B u t cl e a r c o rr e c t v i s i o n s t e adi e s
em o t i o n Th e ra nt e r i s n o t a n o r m al p r o duc t o f th e Ch ri s
t ian pulp i t H e i s m o r e d i stinct iv e ly a h e ath e n p ro duct Th e
p r oph et wh o rave s i s n o t t h e Ch r i s t i a n p ro ph e t B u t n e ith e r
o n th e othe r s i d e i s a one s i d e d i nt e l l e ctual type o f speech th e
no r mal p r odu ct o f th e Ch r i st i an pul p i t
T he speech i n
w h ic h vi s i o n a n d j ud gm e n t r e gul a t e f e e l i n g an d i n wh i ch f e e l
i n g i n spi r e s i n s i gh t a n d i nt e l l i ge n c e th e S peech th a t i s s el f
p o i s e d yet e a rn e s t a nd e arn e s t yet s el f p o i s e d i s th e n o r m a l
Ch r i st i a n S p e e ch
( d) I t m ay b e do n e by i nu en c i ng th e m o ra l n a tu re Th e
p u lp i t i s a S ph e r e fo r th e t rai n i n g a nd c ul tu r e o fo n e s m o ra l
pow e rs Th e natu r al e ff e c t o f p r e ach ing i s th e e n ri chm en t
a n d e n n o bl in g o f ch ara c t e r I t n o t o nl y p r e supp o s e s t h a t
t h e p r e a ch e r i s bu t i t t e n d s t o m ak e h im a n e a r n es t s i nc e r e
c o n s e c r at ed m a n A n d wh at a ffe c t s ch ara cte r a ffe c t s sp e ech

I f a m an w ou l d w r ite i n a n obl e styl e l e t h im r st possess

a n obl e s o ul s ai d G o e th e W e m ay a dd : N o s u ch s o ul ev e r
u t t e red i t s e l f i n wo r d s th at h av e wh ol ly f ai le d t o su gge s t t h a t
n obi l i ty A man s sp ee ch can not d i sgu i s e h i s ch a r acte r f o r
any c o n si d e r abl e l en gth o f t i m e A ba s e m an c a n n eve r
h a n d l e a n o bl e typ e o f s p e e ch R ev e r e n c e di gn ity S i n c e r i ty
b e n ev o l e n c e i n t e g r i ty d i s cl o s e th e m s e lves u n c o n sc i o u sly
an d i n evi tably i n th e s p e e ch o f a m an w h o s e v o c a ti o n f u r
n i sh e s t h e b e s t S ph e r e fo r th e cul tu r e o f th e s e q ual i t i e s a n d
A l l th e h i gh e r
wh o al l ows i t t o w o r k i t s l egit im a t e r e s ul t s
e th ical qual i ti es o f styl e a r e natu r al ly d e v e l op e d i n th e pulpi t
N ot e f o r exampl e th e e ffe c t o f a st r ong m oral pu r pos e upon
en e r gy o f s tyl e Th e m a n wh o s e wil l i s s et s t r o n gly up o n
h i s ta s k w i l l sp eak w it h c o n ce nt r at e d en e r gy A n e r vel e s s
a n d ignobl e type o f sp ee ch i s a p e rv er t e d p ro duc t o f the
Ch ri s t i a n pu l p i t
to

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

42 2

p ow ers rh e t o ri c a l s tudy a n d t ra in i n g are s u re t o re sul t i n a n

a rti c i al a nd u n re al p r o du ct
I touch he r e o nc e m or e upon a sph e r e w h ich p rev iou sl y
w e h av e f re qu e ntl y ent e red B u t i t m ay h av e n e w s ig n i
c a n c e i n i t s S p ec i c rel at i o n t o t h e c u l tu r e o f r h et o r i c al f o rm
A
( 1 ) M en ta l c ul tu re i s n ec e s sa r y t o r h e t o ri c al c ul tu re
m an s s tyl e i s a s h i s t h o u gh t B u t t h e th o u gh t i s a s t h e
m i n d th at p r o duc e s i t Th e c ul tu r e o f rh e t o r i c al fo r m i s
t h e r e f o r e p r im ari ly t h e c ul tu r e o f t h e m i n d th at gen e r at e s
th e t h ou gh t wh i ch i s th e m at t e r o f th e f o r m Th r ee m e n t al
r e qu i r e m e nt s a r e e s s e nti a l t o g o o d r h e t o r i c al f o rm a n d t h ey
are s ubj e c t t o i n d e n it e c ul t u r e m en tal f r e ed o m m ent al p r o
d u c t i v en es s m e nta l o r d e r
I n o u r b e s t a n d m o s t effe c t ive u tte r a nce s o u r m e nt al f a c
u l t i es m ov e f reely
A h am p e r e d m in d c a n n o t e xp r e s s i t s e l f
n a tu ral ly b e c au s e n o t fr e e ly Th e m i n d m u st b e awa k e n e d
fro m w ith i n R e c al l th e dep r e s si n g e ffe c t o f rh et o ri ca l c r i ti
c i s m upon th e m i n d w h e n i t i s con sc i ou s o f not being a w ake
A n e x c es s
t o s ei z e a n d S i f t a n d app r op r i a t e th e go o d o f i t
o f ex te rn al c ritic i sm i s l ik e ly to r e sul t i n a sl a v i sh im i tat ion
Th e r e c o m e s a t im e i n a l m o s t ev e r y m a n s m ent al h i s t o r y
wh e n h e awa k e s t o a n ew m e nta l exp e r i en c e I t m ay c o m e
e a r l y i n o n e s s tu de n t l i f e I t m ay c o m e l at e r O f t e n th e
e xp e r i enc e s o f p rac t ic al l i f e a r e n ece s s a r y t o awak en m e n
f r om w i th in I t m ay com e su d d e nly as a so r t o f m e ntal
r e g e ne ration B ett e r w e r e i t i f i t cam e ea r l i e r H appy th e
t e ach e r wh o h a s th e S k i ll t o a w a k e n y o un g m e n i n s tu d e n t
d ay s fr o m t h e i r s l um b e r s H appy th e m a n w h o n d s th e
teach er wh o can a w ak e n h im to a knowl e dge o f h im s e l f a nd
c a n qu i ck e n h i m i n t o n e w m en tal l i fe B u t i n st u d e n t days
m o s t y o u n g m e n fai l t o u n de r st an d th em s e l v e s f a i l t o get a t
th e s e c r e t o f t h e i r s t r e n gt h f a i l t o k n o w wh a t w o r k th e y c a n
d o be s t o r h o w b es t t o do i t an d f ail t o ava il th e m sel v e s t o
b e s t a dvan ta ge o f th e t ra i n in g t o wh i ch th ey ar e subj e ct e d
.

TH E

R H ET O R I CA L F O R M

42 3

W e o ft e r h ear m e n s a y th a t th e y h av e i n s ub s e qu e n t y e a rs
b e en obl iged to e m ancipat e them s e l ves f r om th e rh e to r i cal
a nd h om il e ti ca l t rai n in g th ey h av e r e c e iv e d i n c o l l e g e a n d
d ivi n i ty s c h o ol s
Th e e x pl an at i o n o f al l th i s i s evi den t
Th ei r tra in i n g wa s t o o f o rm al t o o ext e r n a l a nd i t b e cam e a
fe tte r I t wa s t h e c al l o f l i f e t h a t awak e n e d t h e m f ro m
wi th i n an d f orc e d th e m t o fo r m n ew j u dgm e n t s o f th e i r
a l r e ady ac qui r e d k n o w l e d ge Th e n th ey b e gan t o w o rk w i th
fr ee do m a n d f aci l ity a n d s a ti s f a ct i o n Th ey a r e a t l a s t up o n
thei r fe e t Th e y h av e f oun d th e m selv e s Th e i r m e thods o f
wo rk i ng s e em m o r e n a tu ra l t o th em b e cau s e t h e i r i n nerm o s t
p owe r s h av e b e en awak e n e d Th ey a r e em an c ip a t e d fr o m th e
ty r an ny o f e xt e r na l r u l e s a n d th e y w o rk u n c o n s c i o u sl y i n
l i n e w i th i nwardly re gul ative p ri n c ip l e s S uch c o n sc i o u sn e s s
o f n ew fre edo m a n d p ow e r m ay b e a cc o m pa n i e d b y t o o
s t r o n g a re act i o n aga i n s t f o rm e r t e a ch i n g a n d t ra i n i n g B u t
t h e i r th ra ld om wa s p a r tly t h e i r ow n faul t M i n i s t e r s s o m e
t im e s a rraign th e hom il e t i c teach i ng a n d tra i n ing to w h i ch
th e y we re s u b j e ct e d i n th e div i ni ty s ch o o l Th e r e i s l i k el y
A l a rge par t o f eve ry
t o b e a go o d dea l o f i nj u s t i c e i n th i s
m a n s ea rly t r a i ni n g w i l l al m o s t n e c e s s ar ily b e o f a s o m e
wh a t f o rmal r o ut in e s o r t A g r ea t a m ou n t o f d r u dge ry w it h
s ma l l th i ng s i s n e c e s sary t o any m a n s e qu ip m ent W e m u s t
d o a gr e a t d e al t ha t s e e m s u s el e s s a n d th e r e s ul t o f wh i ch w e
c ann o t c o n s ci o u sly app r op ri at e at th e t im e I t i s a gr ea t
m i stak e to suppos e that al l th i s i s u tte r l y u s e l e s s an d that
t i m e spent i n su ch d rud g e r y w a s wh o l ly wa st e d A n d ye t
th e r e i s a go o d d eal o f wa st e i n al l o u r e du cat iv e p ro c e s s es
a n d l arg e ly fo r th e re as o n t h at t h e s tu d e n t i s n o t m e nt ally
awak e n e d I t i s o nly th e t h o r o u gh ly awa k e n e d m i n d th a t
ca n m a k e ava i l abl e t o b e s t u s e s t h e p ro du ct s o f a ny k i n d o f
tra i n i n g
I mp at i e nc e wi th m o s t s crupul o u s p ai n st ak i n g
to il f ul e ffo r t o f a ny s o rt i n o n e s r h e t o r i ca l a n d h o m il e tic
tra i n in g i n ye a rs o f p reparat i o n w o u l d b e a g r ea t m i s ta k e
.

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4 24

B u t i t w o u l d b e a m o r e s eri o u s m i s ta k e fo r o n e n o t t o l e a r n
tha t h e mu st n d ou t how to u s e h i s t ra i n i ng w h at e ve r i t m ay
b e t o b e s t a dvan t a g e
An d i t i s gr e at ly t o b e h op e d th a t n o
y o un g m i n i st e r w il l b e o b l i g e d t o w a i t t il l h e get s ou t i nt o
t h e w o r k o f l i f e b efo r e h e a w ak e n s t o s u ch k n o wl ed g e o f
h i m s el f h i s gi f t s c apa c i t i e s a nd n eed s a s w il l e nabl e h i m t o
m ak e u s e f u l u nto th e u tmost w hateve r t r a i n ing h e m ay get
i n ea r l i e r y e a r s Wh at e ver th e n a t any t i m e awak e n s th e
m i n d t o fr e e do m o f a ct i o n a n d t o th e c o n c e ntra t i o n o f it s
f o r c e s t e n ds t o t h e p r o du c t i o n o f th o s e q u al it i e s o f s tyl e t h at
a re n e c e s s a r y t o e ff e c t iv e ne s s i n th e pu lp i t S u c h awa k e n
i n g s o f te n r e s u l t i n a s u dd e n a nd m a r k e d ch a n g e i n o n e s
r h e torical s tyl e Ch ang e s i n th e styl e o f th e p re ach i ng o f
Ch al m e r s R ob er ts o n a n d B u sh n e l l a r e c l a s s i c i ll u s t rat i o n s
W e s e e som e th i ng l ik e th i s o n a l a r g e scal e i n th e re v ival o f
a na t i o n al l i t era tur e A n awa k e n in g o f th e n a ti o n al m i n d
e m anc ip at es l it e r at u r e fr o m i t s f o r m al im i tat iv e a n d l i fe l e s s
ch a r a c te r a n d m a k e s i t a n ew p ow e r am o ng t h e p e o pl e A n
a ge o f l i t e ra ry p e da n t r y g iv e s pl ac e t o a n a ge o f c r eat iv e
a c t ivi ty
M e n tal f u l n e s s a n d p r o du ct iv e n e s s a re a c o n di ti o n o f go o d
l ite r ary f o rm Th e f ul le r o n e i s o f h i s subj e c t t h e b et t e r
o th er c o nd it i o n s b e in g g ive n w il l h e e xp re s s h i m s e l f O f
c o u r s e m e n di ffe r gre atly i n th i s m att e r A m a n l ik e H e n ry
Wa r d B e e ch e r sp e ak s w i th a n ea s e a n a f u e n c e a n d a n atu ral
n es s b e c au s e o f h i s e n o rm o u s i n t e l l e c tu a l p r o duc tiv en e ss
t h a t we r e i m p o s s ibl e fo r th e o r d i na ry p re ach e r
B ut a n y
m a n o f f a i r e qu ipm en t m ay e nl a r ge hi s m e n tal r e s o u r c e s a n d
i nc re a se h i s p ro duci ng po w e r t il l h e shal l n d i nc re as ing
f ac i l ity o f e xp r e s s i o n W e a r e t o l d t h a t th e m i nd sh o ul d
n e v e r b e f o r c e d Th ough t th a t h a s val u e wil l c o m e fr e el y
B ut th ou gh t t h at i s l ab o r i o u sly p r o duc ed m ay w in fo r i tsel f
a t l a s t a f ree a n d e a sy e xp r e s s i o n a s th e s tyl e o f m e n n o ted
A m i n d t h at i s n o t o v er
a s h a r d w o r k e rs de m o n s t rat e s
,

4 26

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

p o s e a n d w h o th e re f o re s p e a ks e ffe ct i vely Th e rh e t o ri ci a n
an d th e e l ocu tion i st m ay b e dang er ou s t e ach ers f o r th e m an
w h o s ubj e c t s h i m s e l f t o th em w i th o u t p u tti n g s t r o n g m o ra l
p u r p o s e i nt o h i s w o rk A h ab i t o f m o ral e a rn e s t n e s s m ay
b e t r i but a ry t o cl e a rn e s s o f u tt e ra n c e I t k n o w s i t s el f a s
resp o n s i bl e t o b e i n t el li gibl e I mp o r t an t i nt e r es ts d em an d
i t Th e m a n wh o h o n o rs th e t ruth a n d l o v e s h i s fell owm e n
w i ll w i sh to ge t h i s m e s sag e cl ea rly be f ore thos e w ho wa i t
u p o n h i s m i n i st ry
I t i s a s s o c i at e d w i th th a t qu al i ty w e c al l
fe rv o r a sp ec i e s o f wh i c h i s u n c ti o n o n e o f th e q u al it i e s o f
e nerg et i c u t t e ran c e I t w il l b e rea l n o t p r o fe s s i o n a l e mo
t i o n I t w i l l n o t b e a h o th o u s e e xub e ra n c e o f f an cy b u t i t
w i ll g iv e im agi na t i o n go o d ra ng e Ex act n e s s o f st at em en t
m ay b e a rh eto ri cal v i rtu e i n th e p r e a ch er B u t th e s p e e c h
o fa m a n w h o i s i n d e ad earn e s t i s n o t l i k e ly t o b e s o s ev e r e l y
s o c ol dly exac t a s t o b e i n e f
fe c t ive
Su c h S p e e ch i s rem o t e
f r om th e o r d ina r y au di e nce becau s e d e f e c tiv e i n e mot ional
w a r m t h an d i n m o r a l c o ge nc y I t wo u l d di s c r edi t a c e r t a i n
l a r ge n es s a n d s u ggest iv e n es s wh ich th e u s e o f th e i m a gi na
t i o n a n d fe el i n g s i m pa rt t o p r e a ch i n g Th e re a r e p re a ch ers
th at s ee m t o b e a f ra i d o f t h e i r e m ot i o n s a n d o f th e i r im a gi na
t i o n s Th e y a r e afrai d t o l et th em s e lv e s o ut i n a la rg e a n d
s u gg e st ive way Th ey wh ip th e i r th o u gh t s s o u n dly i n o rd e r
Th ey sh av e t h e m d o w n t o
t o m ak e t h e m h umb l e a n d tam e
t h e b o n e S O th a t n o es h ly bl o o m i s l e f t up o n t h em Th ey
g e t ri d o f al l s ai l a n d al l s team a n d th e y ru n th e i r h o m i l e t i c
c ra f t u n d e r th e b a r e p o l e s
A s t r o n g m o ral pu r p o s e w i l l
s av e a m a n fr o m su c h i n e ffe ct iv e n e s s I t w i l l s av e h i m o n
th e o th e r h an d f r o m th e ex agge rat i o n s o f t h e s e n s at i o n al i s t
I t wi ll p r o du c e a
o r th e e mpt i n e ss o f t h e ven d o r o f can t
genu i nel y earn e st type o f speech that i s f e rv i d w i thou t ex
t r a v a g a n c e o r ca n t o r w ith o u t i nt el l e ctu a l pri ggi sh n es s o r
eth i ca l d il et a n ti s m
A n d s u c h S pe e ch w i l l h ave m o ral p un g e n cy N o di spl ay
,

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4 27

h er e n o s elf c o n s ci ou s n e s s I t i s s tra i gh t sp e e ch
Th e
f o rm c atch e s th e re al ity th e vit al i ty o f th o u gh t f eel i n g an d
Fre deri c k R ob e rt s o n wa s a
p u r p o s e t h at l i e b eh i n d
p re ach e r o f thi s sort
S i n c e ri ty a n d s o bri ety al s o a r e qual i ti e s i n s ep a rab l e fro m
s u ch sp e ech A p r ea ch e r m u s t b e f o rc ibl e b ut h e i s r es p o n
s ibl e fo r th e s ob ri ety o f h i s s tat e m e n ts I n s i n ce ri t y a n d e x
t r a v a g a n c es w e r e t h e v i c e s o f cl a s s i c al rh et o ri c th at b ro u gh t
i t i nt o di s f av o r w i t h th e Ch ri st i a n c h u rch
A g e nu i n ely
e arn e st m a n wi l l n o t s tra i n aft er em o t i o n al effe c ts
Fl ip
p an cy i s o u t o f pl a c e i n th e p ulpi t M e n l i k e D ea n Swi f t
a n d Robe r t S o ut h w e re de c i e nt i n ge n u i n e o ra l ear n e s t
n e ss an d s i nce r ity S om e o f the ol d Pu rita n preachers ev en
w e r e d e ci en t i n th i s m att e r
2
I s ugg e s t s ec o n dly s tu dy o f t h e p r o p e rt i e s o f go o d
pu lp it s tyl e O n e m u s t k n ow wh a t su ch a s tyl e i s m u s t h ave
s om e s tan da rd wh e rewi t h t o tes t i t K n owl edge o f a rh e
t o r i c a l d efe c t p r e supp o s e s k n owl e dge o f wh a t d i s cl o s e s i t a s
a d efe c t an d k nowled ge o f a rh et o r i c a l v i rtu e p res upp o s e s
k n o w l e dge o f wh at vi ndi c at es i t a s s u ch A p reach er s h o ul d
k n ow h i s rh e to r i cal de f e ct s a n d sh o u l d b e i n t o l e ran t o f th em
I t i s e asy to sl ip i nto f aul ty h ab i ts o f speech I n th e p res
s u r e o f m o dern l i fe i t i s di fcu l t t o m ai n tai n a h i gh rh et o r i ca l
s t an da rd I t i s w e l l fo r a p re a ch er e sp e ci al ly i n th e e arly
p e r i o d o f h i s p ro fe s s i o n al l i f e w h il e h i s rh et o ri cal h ab i ts a re
f o rm i n g t o p au s e i n h i s w o r k a n d r ai s e p ra c t i ca l c o n c re t e
qu e st i o n s : D o es wh at I am n o w s ay i n g expr e s s j u s t wh a t I
m e an o r i s i t amb i gu ou s ' I f I expr e s s my s el f i n th i s way
wi l l m y h earers a t any ra t e m o s t o f th em b u t b ett e r a l l o f
'
t h em u nd e rs t an d m e o r u nd e rs ta n d m e c o rr e ctly
It is
'
cl ear e nough to m e but i s i t p ropo r t ionat e l y cl ea r to th e m
A r e t h e y f am il i a r wi th th i s t e rm i n o l o gy wh i ch i s s o cl ea r t o
m e ' Wil l th e y r e adily get th e m e an i n g o f th i s s e nt e n c e
wh i ch i s cl ea r en o ugh t o m e ' I s i t n e ce s sa ry t o expl ai n
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4 28

T H E W O R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

t erm s t h at exp r e s s n e d i s t i n ct i o n s i n th ou gh t ' Is i t me c e s

s a r y t o r e c o n stru ct t h i s s e n t e n c e i n o r der t o s t rai gh ten i t o u t
i nto S im pl i ci ty a n d p e rsp i c u i ty ' Sh al l I sa t i s f y o r o ffe n d
t h e t a s t e s o fm y h e a r e r s o r sh a l l I m e e t th e cl aim s o fm y o wn
p r o f es s i o n up o n m e a s a n e du c a te d m a n o r t h e e x a ct i o n s o f
my o w n b e st t a s te a n d j ud gm en t i f I i ndul ge my s e l f i n s u ch
a n d s uc h fo r m s o f e x p r es s i o n ' A m I su c c e e d i n g i n m ak i n g
a s u f ci e ntl y s t r o n g e xp r e s s i o n i n my u s e o f t e r m s o r i n th e
s t r u ctu r e o f my s en t en ce s ' I n s u ch f o r m s o f e xp r e s si o n a m
I c o n s c i o u s o f a n u n n at ura l e ff o r t o r i s i t s t r i ctly n o rm al '
IS my v o c ab ul a r y o r th e a r ch it e c tu r e o f my s en t e n c e s s tri c t
i di o m at i c En gl i s h ' I t i s w el l t o ra i s e th e s e qu e s t i o n s n o t
i n fr e qu e n t ly I t al l m e a n s Of c o u r s e h a s m y pul p i t s tyl e t h e
qu al iti e s o f e xa ctn e ss c l ea rn e s s e l e ga nc e f o r c e n at u ral
n e s s a n d pu r i ty t h a t a r e n e c e s s a r y t o s e cu r e th e b e s t re s u l t s
I t i nv o lve s a s tu dy o f th e l a w s o f l a n gu a ge
o f p r ea ch i n g '
a s r e l at ed t o th es e p r o p e rt i e s Th e s e l aw s h av e b e e n i n v e s
t ig a te d regi st e r e d an d f o rm ul at e d i n th e sc i enc e o f r h e to r i c
To c o m e th e n t o th e s c i e n c e o f rh e t o r i c fo r th e k n owl e dg e
o f a g o o d s tyl e i s t o c o m e t o th e f o rmu l a t ed r e s ul t s o f o b s e r
va t i o n a n d exp e ri e n c e I t i s t o c om e t o t h e s tan da rd s o f
i nt e l l i g e n c e a n d go o d t a st e An d th i s i s v al i d fo r al l typ e s
a l l o c ca s i o n s al l th em e s al l sp eak e rs
B ut a
o f s p e e ch
g o o d p ulp i t s tyl e m u s t m e e t S p e ci c a s w e l l a s g e n e ra l d e
m an d s Ge n e r i c qu al i ti e s m u s t a dapt t h e m s e l ve s t o sp e c i c
w a n ts D i ffer e n t th em e s c al l fo r a nd n atu rally s e cu r e d i f
A s tyl e th a t S p e ak s p r e va il in gly t o
fe r e n t r h e t o ri ca l f o r m s
the u n de r stan d ing w i l l d i ffe r e s sent i al ly fr om on e that sp e aks
ch i e y t o th e fe e l in gs a n d i m agi n a t i o n A m a n wh o t re at s
h i s subj e ct a rgu m e nta ti v e l y w il l sp e ak d i ffe r entl y f r om one
Th e e van g e l i s t i c s e rm o n wi l l
wh o p r e s e nt s i t ill u s t rat iv e ly
h av e a di ffere n t rh e t o r i c al s tyl e fr o m th e d o ct r i nal o r eth i cal
s e r m o n Th e ch a rac t e r o f th e au di e n c e al s o i s i nvo lve d
W ha t m i gh t b e p e rfec tly c l e a r to o n e a u di e nc e w o ul d b e
,

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I t wa s th i s s o rt o f s tu dy th a t D r J oh n s o n h ad i n m i n d wh e n
h e a dv i s e d s t ude n t s t o giv e th e i r days a n d n i gh t s t o A ddi s o n
O rat o r s h av e s t udi e d i n t h i s m
a nn er D em o s t h e nes s tu di e d
Th u cy d i de s wi th r ef e re n c e t o th e v o cabu l a r y a n d t h e o r d e r
an d the rhythm o f th e s entenc e s T here i s a ch o ic e a n d
o rd e r o f w o rd s th at r e s ul t i n d i f
fe r en t qu al it i e s o f s tyl e
All
a r t i st s h av e b e e n a n alyti c a l s t u d e n t s o f th e i r a r t
Th e
e xp e ri m en t al s k etch e s o f d i ffe ren t p a rt s o f th e h u m an b o dy
wh i ch o n e s ee s i n th e s tu di o o f M i ch ael A n gel o a t Fl o re n c e
i n di cat e t h e ar ti s t s k n o w l e dg e o f a n ato m y H i s s tatu e o f
M o s e s sh o ws h i s gen iu s fo r p owe r f ul e ffe ct s i n s tat u ary b u t
b e h i n d i t s t a n d s m o s t ca r e f u l a n d p a i n st ak i n g a n d m i nu t e
a n aly s i s o f a n at o m i c al s tructu re A p ub l i c S p e a k e r ev e n
though h e be w hat w e cal l a bo r n o r ato r w i l l nev e r b e th e
m a st e r o f h i s a rt w i th o u t s tu dy o f t h e e l e m en ts o f h i s ar t
M e re f am i l i a ri ty wi th t h e i mp res s i o n s t h a t c o m e fr o m a l it
e r a r y p ro du c t w i l l n o t b r i n g a n ad e qu a te k nowl e dg e o f th e
s o u rc e s o f t h e i mp r e s s i o n s Th e o n e w h o m e r ely ab s o r b s
i m p r e s s i o n s c a n g iv e n o r a ti o n al a c c o u nt o f th e m t o h i m s el f
A n a nalyt i c al exa m i nat i o n o f v o c ab u la r y
o r t o o th ers
syn ta x gu re s o f sp e e ch qu al it i e s o f s tyl e d i ffe re n t sp e c i es
wi l l b e o f val u e t o th e p reach e r l o n g aft e r
o f c o m p o s i ti o n
O rd i n a ry r e a din g c a n n o t
t h e p r e p ar at o r y p e r i o d o f s tu dy
b e a s ub s t i tut e fo r s u c h ex am i nat i o n To rea d a n au th o r
i s n o t t o s tu dy h i m
( 2) Th e p ro c e s s o f u n c o n s c i o u s ab s o rpt i o n h o w e v e r i s
a n o th e r m e th o d M u ch th a t i s b e s t i n a m a n s l i t e ra ry s tyl e
i s c au gh t by w h a t w e cal l th e l it era ry s e ns e
Th e r e i s a n
u nn am abl e q ual i ty th a t s e em s t o l i e b ac k o f a m a n s l an gua ge
I t b el o n gs t o th e ma n a n d l an gu a g e w h il e i t h i n t s a t i t do es
n ot w hol l y i nterp r et i t W e g e t at i t i n a hal f consciou s way
by fam il i ari ty w i t h i t j u s t a s by f am il iar i ty w i th o u r f ri e n d s
a n d w ith o u t m u ch c o n s c i ou s re e ct i o n o r c r it i ca l an alys i s
we d e t ec t i n a th o u s a nd l i tt l e m a n ife st at i o n s wh a t l i es beh i n d
.

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R H ET O R I CA L F O R M

4 31

th ei r fa c e s a n d f o rm s i n t h e i r ch ara cters j u s t a s i n o u r
o b s e r v at i o n o f a la n ds c ap e s c en e w e t a k e i n u nc o n s c i o u sl y
a n d u n r ee c t iv ely a m ul t i tu d e o f th i n g s th at e n ter i nt o th e
s u m t o ta l o f o u r imp r e s s i o n s
I n I t aly a n d G e rma n y u n e du
c a t e d p eopl e a r e i n c o n s ta n t c o n ta c t w i t h t h e b e st p r o du ct s
s cu lp tu r e a n d m u s i c a n d th e y a r e o ft e n b ett e r
o f p ai nt i n g
a rt c rit ics tha n e du cated p e opl e i n th i s cou ntry
W e a re
obl ig e d to go abroad fo r th e s tu dy not onl y o f art p r i n cipl e s
b u t art p ro duc t s N o Am e r i ca n n e e d s t o go ab ro a d t o s tu dy
rh et o ri c a n d o ra t o r y
W ha t we n e ed h o wev e r i n th i s
c o u n try i s a b e t t e r u s e o f th e E n gl i s h l a n gu a g e i n c o m m o n
l i f e O n e wh o l ive s i n a g o o d l i te rary a tm o sph ere u n c on
s c io u s ly f o r m
s c o r rect h ab i t s o f sp e e ch an d a c o r r e c t l i t e ra ry
t a s t e Lit e rary s e n s e i s l a rg e l y th e p r o du c t o f u n c o n s c i o u s
i n u e n c e R i ch a r d G ra n t Wh it e t rac e d h i s l i t e rary t a st e s
an d h i s u se o f th e Engl i s h l angu age to th e atmo sph e r e o f th e
s ch o o l i n wh i ch h e tt e d fo r c o l l eg e t o th e i n u en c e o f h i s
t e ach e rs an d s ch o o l fel l o w s i n t h e i r u s e o f E n gl i s h a n d t o
h i s st u dy o f E n g l i Sh cl as s i c s
W e c a n r e a di ly t ra c e th e i n
u e n c e o f th e En gl i s h t r ai n in g s ch o o l s fo r b o ys l i k e Ru gby
an d Eton upon th e S pe e ch o f th e publ ic m e n o f Engl a nd
A n i d i o m a ti c a n d e nerge t i c E n gl i s h s tyl e m ay b e fo s t e r e d
by h abi tu al i nt e r c o u rs e wi t h t h e s o c al l e d c o m m o n p e opl e
e sp e c i al ly th o s e o f n at iv e vi go r o f m i n d
Th e avera g e
e very day s o r t o f m a n i s a ccu s t o m ed t o s a y wh a t h e m e an s
i n a s im pl e s trai gh t a n d f o rc efu l m ann e r B u t i f o n e w oul d
c ul t iva t e a r e n e d u s e o f l an gu a g e h e w i l l cul tiva t e th e
s o c i ety o f t h o s e w h o sp e a k an d wr it e th e b e t t e r typ e o f
En gl i sh Th e in u e nc e o f th e w ri tt e n l i te r a ry p ro du ct i s
An d
g r eat but th e i nu e nce o f th e o r al p r oduct i s great e r
y e t a b s o rpt i o n o f th e wr i tt e n p r o du c t i s a l ar ge p a r t o f a
p r e ach e r s l i t e ra ry cu l tu r e an d e sp e c i ally o f th e b e s t p o et s
( 3) Pra ct i c e i n wri t i n g c o nn ec t e d w i th s tu dy i s e s sent i al
Th u s o n l y c an th e r e s ul t s o f s tu dy b e u t il i z ed t o b e s t a dva n
,

T H E WO R K O F T H E P R EA C H E R

4 32

ta g e Th e o bj e c t s o f o u r o w n i n v e st i gati o n o r o f o u r i nt e l
l e c tu al c o m m e r c e a r e o f ch i e f valu e i n cal l in g o u t a nd d i re c t
in g o u r o w n a c t ivi ti e s I f th e y su p e r s e d e o u r o w n act ivit i e s
t h e i r i nu e n c e i s h a r m f ul
Wi th r e ga r d t o p r act i c e th e f o l l o w i n g s u gg e sti on s m ay b e
m ad e
Wi th m o s t o f th e m a l l stude nt s o f En gl i s h a r e
f am i l ia r an d th e y ha ve f o un d th e m o f p r act ical v al u e :
Th e p r a ct i c e o f e x am in i n g S p e c im e n s o f En gl i sh th a t a re
d efe c t i v e w i th r e sp e c t t o t h e es s e nt i al p r o p e r ti e s o f s tyl e
c g
pu r i ty e x act n e s s c l e a r n es s e l e ga nc e f o r c e et c i n
o r d e r t o n d o u t j u s t w h e re t h e d e fe c t l i e s o r i n w h a t i t co n
s i st s an d th e n m a k in g t h e effo rt t o c o r re c t th e d e fe c t Th e
p r a c ti c e o f ab s o r b in g o r m e m o r iz i n g th e sub st a nc e o f th e
t h o u gh t o f s o m e w r i t e r n o t e d fo r e xc e l l e nc e o f s tyl e s o m e
p re ach e r by p re fe re nc e an d th e n i nco r p o r a ti ng i t i n o n e s
o w n lan gua g e an d c ompa r in g th e r e sul t
O n e s e e s by c o m
p a r i s o n w h e re o n e s d e fe c t l i e s O n e th u s t e st s h im s e l f by
h i s m o d e l H avi ng th e exam pl e i mm e d i at e ly b e f o r e o n e h e
m ay i n a fr e e w a y ava i l h im s e l f o f w h a t i t ca n d o fo r h im
I t i s n o t d o n e m e ch an i c al ly
Th e p r a cti c e o f t r an sl a ti n g p o e t r y i n t o p r o s e Th i s f am il
i a r i z e s o n e w i th p o e ti c d ic ti o n an d a t th e s am e t i m e e n abl e s
o n e t o t u r n it i nt o i t s p r o p e r p r o s e e q u ival e nt
A pu r e l y
p o e ti c d iction w oul d be o ff e ns i v e i n th e pul pit
Y e t th e
s e m i p o e t ic o r a p r o s e p o e ti c d i ct i o n i s d e s i r abl e i n p re ach i n g
Th e p r a cti c e o f t u r n in g p o e t r y i nt o p r o s e i s a n a id i n th e
c u l tu re o f su ch dict i o n Th i s i s t h e m o r e i m p o r tan t i n th e
e a r ly y e a r s o f p r o fe s si o nal s tud y
Th e s c i e nt i c h ab i t o f
m i n d o r th e h a b i t o f m e n ta l a b st r a ct i o n l ead s t o th e cul t i v a
ti o n o f a n ab st r u s e a n d n o n p o e t i c d ic t i o n
Th e p r a ct i c e o f t r anslat i n g fr om f o re i gn l an gua g e s Suc h
p r ac ti c e h a b it ua t e s o n e t o ca ref u l o b s e rvat i o n o f th e p ec u
l ia r i t ie s e ith e r th e e x c e l l enc i e s o r th e p o s sibl e d e fe cts o f
any cl a s si c i n o r d e r t o g e t n o t o nl y th e m ea n in g bu t th e
.

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4 34

W O R K O F TH E P R EA C H E R

ev e r d o e s n o t d e vi tal i z e s tyl e W e d o n o t n d t h a t a ny o f
th e g re a t w r i te r s w h o h a v e a s w e kno w pati e ntl y an d toi l
f ul ly e lab o rated th e i r En gl i sh h ave w o r k e d th e l i f e o u t o f i t
B u t i n th e o w a n d fe r v o r o f pr o du ct i o n i t m ay b e d i ffi c ul t
t o s e cu r e th e p e r fe c ti o n o f f o r m o n e w o ul d d e s i r e w i th o u t
l o s in g s o m e th i n g o f t h e fre sh n e s s t h a t i s s o n e c e s s ary t o
e ffe c tive n es s O n e m ay b e s o w r o u gh t up t h a t i t m ay b e
d i ffi cul t t o c o mb i n e c r i t i c a l s e v er i ty w i th em o ti o n a l f re e d o m
I n s u ch c a s e i t m ay s o m e t i m e s b e b e s t t o ru n o ff o n e s wo rk
a t a s in gl e s it tin g Th e wo r k c a n b e c o r r e ct ed a n d o f ten
b e st co r re cted a f t e r i t has b e en f o r a l i ttl e tim e la i d as i d e
I n th i s way v it a l ity m ay b e p r o t e ct e d a n d de f e ct s c o r r ect e d
O n e s b e s t w o r k e v e n wi th r e sp e c t t o l i t e ra ry f o r m i s o f t e n
d o n e u n d e r h i gh p r e s su r e a n d wi th gr ea t r ap idi ty S e r m o n s
w r i tt e n i n s u c h m o m ent s o f e x al t e d e n th u s i a s m w il l h ardly
n e ed m uc h ch an g e S til l o n e w il l w i sh t o ava i l h im s el f o f a n
h o u r o f c o ol r e e ct i o n i n o r der t o l o o k u p f aul t s B u t i f o n e
c a n c o m p o s e i n t h e ca r e f u l w a y ab ov e s u gge st e d a nd a t t h e
s am e t im e k e e p th e o w an d u sh a n d v i go r e s s ent i al t o
e ffe cti v e n e s s h e w il l be st do so
W r i tin g i n a t e nta t ive w a y i s o f t e n n e c e s s ary i n o rder t o
l imbe r u p th e m i nd an d ge t i t i n t o fr ee a c t i o n I t m ay t ak e
ti m e t o g e t w e l l sta r t ed Th e m i n d n e e d s p l e n ty o f r op e I t
i s w e l l t o l e t i t h ave its o w n w ay fo r a wh i l e t il l i t b e gi n s t o
S h o w th a t i t i s rea dy t o b e gi n w o r k i n go o d ea r n e st Wh en
th a t m o m e n t c o m e s o n e wi l l th r ow th e p r o duc t i nt o th e
w a s t e pap e r b a s ket an d sta rt an ew Al l t h i s i s s impl y t o say
t h at i n th e ri gh t cul t ivat i o n o f r h e t o r i c a l f o r m i t i s n e c e s s a ry
t o g e t t h e m in d i n t o fr e e a ct i o n fo r o n e s t r u e s tyl e i s a n
u tte r ance o f th e m i nd wh e n i t w o r k s w ith l e ast r e stra int
,