Re-evaluation of our evangelism
Is preaching practical? How does it compare and contrast with
other forms of communication?
Many factors combine together to militate against preaching. We may
mention:
1. The current cult of spontaneity militates against preaching.
2. The current concentration on liturgy militates against preaching.
3. The power of speech to communicate significance has become
suspect. Seeing is deemed more effective than hearing.
4. With the gadgets, new tools, computer and information technology,
videos, and the arts being all introduced into the life of the twentieth
century church, it is difficult to maintain a healthy view on preaching,
and evaluate properly its validity and effectiveness for today.
The question being raised, not only by lay persons who oftentimes do
not know better (and tend to make judgements according to appearance),
but also by ordained pastors and catechists, is, "Is Preaching
still practical?"
The reasoning is as follows: perhaps preaching may have served in
apostolic and medieval times, when civilization was still crude and
backward, but today we are blessed with a number of other methods and
ways of accomplishing exactly the same end. Why should we bore people
and drive them away by offering them a tedious talk from the Bible? Why
not present them something that moves and excites them, that creates an
atmosphere of liveliness and congeniality?
Thus more and more preaching is viewed with suspicion and doubt.
The Bible's contention, though, is that preaching is the primary and
not fundamental God-ordained way of disseminating the gospel to all the
world. Nothing should supplant it or stand by its side. But of course,
we need to keep in mind what sort of preaching the Bible refers to: for
in the Bible the preaching of the Word is presented as a powerful means
of communication, that is addressed directly to the heart, that touches
the raw nerve, that reaches to the recesses of the soul and quickens the
conscience.
Our problem today is that we hardly hear and preaching that is worthy
of that name. Lectures and talk on religious subjects are assumed to be
preaching in the full sense of the word. This simply is not so.
Therefore, as preaching is compared to other types of communication we
need to keep this in mind.
But before we do so, we also need to be convinced how practical is
preaching. It affects us and should be considered most practical because
of the following reasons:
1. The preacher himself is called of God and equipped to bring His
Word to the people. In a profound sense, he is a prophet, speaking in
God's Name and representing his Master, Jesus Christ. The Saviour, who
is still fulfilling His role as the Great Prophet, confronts us and
comforts us by His Word, who brings healing, restoration, and
uprightness to our souls.
2. The people, who accept the God-ordained means of growing in
Christ, attend to the preaching with diligence, prepared in their hearts
to receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save their
souls. When the attitude is, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,"
the effect of the Word preached will be tremendous and quite
revolutionary. The Thessalonians received the preached Word not as the
word of men, though it was sounded forth from the lips of men, but
received it as the Word of God, who worked effectually in them (1
Thessalonians 2:13).
3. Though the preacher is the speaker in a sermon, yet it can
properly be called a homily, that is, a two-way type of communication.
The wise preacher would know the arguments, objections, and
protestations of the audience, and will seek to answer their questions.
Paul did this constantly in his letters, especially seen in Romans,
where he often interjects his line of thought by, "What shall we
say then?" or "What then?"
4. In preaching the church is "slow to speak and quick to
hear" because she is conscious of her need to grow in the grace and
knowledge of Christ. She appreciates the gifts of Christ in giving
pastor and teachers to the church, and she is submissive to hear and
obey. In some cases this may not be counted pleasant, but it certainly
is practical if we are to conform to Christ.
5. Preaching is so practical that in God's wisdom that was the means
since the time of Abel onwards how God communicated with man. And God
who knows the end from the beginning would have given us notice in
Scripture if He intended to change the method. But nothing of this sort
is found or even intimated. Are we to say then that God's method is
impractical? May it never be!
6. Preaching is most practical because it effectively accomplished
and continues to accomplish its end, that is, the salvation of souls and
the edification of the saints. Who are we to relegate preaching to the
church museum when God still manifests his gracious power through it?
7. Preaching is God's revealed way of making Himself and His saving
covenant known to His elect.
8. The history of the church largely proves that revivals and
awakening occurred when the preaching was strongest and purest.
Preaching communicates the force of the Bible as no other way of
handling does.
9. Again, preaching focuses the identity and clarifies the calling of
the church as no other activity does. The church is not an entertainment
corporation; it is distinctively the gathered people of God and, as
such, preaching is a peculiar activity peculiarly hers.
Having established the practicality of preaching, we will go ahead
and compare it with other forms of communication.
1. The printed word, whether in book, booklet, tract, or journal
form, is a viable means of gospel presentation. God Himself thought it
wise and best to record His Word in a written form. What He desires us
to believe and what He requires us to do is all incorporated within the
pages of Holy Writ. From thence the church is not only allowed but
positively encouraged to use literature, sound in theology and clear in
presentation, to the lost world and even to members in the Kingdom of
God. Paul valued books, reading, scholarship and literature: his
correspondence to the churches and fellow-workers is proof enough.
Literature evangelism and discipleship through literature is always
supplementary to sound preaching.
2. Teaching systematically through the Bible is another form of
communication that must not be despised. If pastors are also teachers,
and are to be apt to teach, then the "classroom" milieu is
something that the church has accepted and should continue to cultivate.
That is why we are in favour of Sunday schools, even for adults, so that
everybody might be grounded thoroughly in the Word, and presented
perfect in Christ.
3. It should not be difficult, furthermore, to form a sound judgment
upon drama, skits, and other forms of communicating the gospel. If the
pastor, the man of God, is meant to be godly, sober, vigilant, and a man
of dignity, how can he align himself with such events where, more than
anything else, entertainment is the key? The gospel must always be
presented without guile, whereas with drama, people attend because they
are told that they will have a good time. Only later will the realize
that the drama had a religious message. This tactic is nothing short of
deception.
In their experimentation (having regaled the Bible as having
authority only in theory), many denominations are swallowing worldly
ways and means of communicating the message. But when all is tried - and
disappointment is experienced -, the centrality of preaching will
inevitably be felt all the more.
Preaching has some unique advantages as a mode of Christian
instruction. The church is mandated to teach all nations, and this task
is most effectively and lastingly accomplished through preaching, that
is, doing God's work God's way.
|