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| February, 2006 |
| Recipes for disaster |
| Mal-handling the Word of Truth |
| Posted by Brian Beers at 2/21/2006 12:09:00 AM (1 comment left so far) |
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The last time I wrote something here, I decried the disconnect between Scripture and doctrine. Then I went off and worked 70+ hours a week to complete a major project at work. But now I am a free man again, and I wish to address how Scripture is used in the pulpit. “The pulpit†is shorthand for any occasion in which the man of God teaches or preaches. On these occasions, he teaches how to handle the Word of Truth by example. As with any sincere endeavor, it is much easier to identify ways of missing the target than it is to actually describe the target. So in the interest of ease, and some light-heartedness, I bring you the Scriptural equivalent of lutfisk, a cookbook of recipes to avoid. Each of the following “recipes†is a way to mal-handle the Scriptures. You don’t have to merely read about my…err-no…make that “others’†efforts. You may experience them yourselves. Some preachers cook up full-course meals, filled with the meat of the Word. Other preachers provide all the meat of a can of Ham & Beans. These recipes are in the style of the latter. If you have sampled or even prepared such recipes, please add them to my cookbook. Give a catchy title, and brief directions, and we will all be edified. |
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“Ham & Beans†Begin with a selected verse (or sometimes even a passage), but proceed to fill the remainder of the sermon with your own thoughts and reactions to Scripture. Reread the verse at appropriate moments to reinforce your main idea.
“The Sword Drill†Identify a central idea of a selected passage, then find and preach all the other Scriptures that have bearing on this central idea. This requires a significant degree of advance preparation. An Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible was once a staple for this recipe, but computers now make it so that no congregation can anticipate where you will go next. Served frequently, this recipe increases the chances of actually preaching the whole counsel of God.
“The Dictionary†As you preach through a passage, inform the congregation of the full meaning of important Greek words. This is moving because the phrase, “in the original,†cues the audience to be ready for a profound truth. And the Holy Spirit, being omniscient, knew the full range of meaning of every word and how it would support your sermon.
“The History Book†The meaning for the original audience (as you describe them) defines the meaning that we can draw from a passage today. Archeological discoveries and “
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