THE THEOLOGY OF PREACHING (PT. 1)

The Biblical and Theological Definition of Preaching

Someone once said that, “If all the theologians in the world were laid end to end, they still wouldn't reach a conclusion.”, and that is precisely the outcome I expect to arrive at as I begin this project to define a theological understanding of the complex nature of biblical preaching. In other words, I’m not confident in the fact that a precise theological conclusion can be reached, given the intricate nature and vastly differing opinions on the subject of preaching. On the other hand, due to the damaging effects to the Church that accompany a failure to set proper theological boundaries concerning preaching, we must conclude that such guidelines need to be defined and adhered to stringently, if God’s word is to be honored and magnified to the level that it rightfully deserves, and continue to be effective in the lives of men and women who hear it preached. Otherwise, we end up with a lot of, “Longhorn sermons”; you know, a point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between!

When we approach this subject, one is immediately struck by the often repeated but needful use of the term, balance. In preaching, there must be balance! Balance between the overuse of theological terminology and a sermon that is too simplistic in doctrinal understanding. There must be a practical purpose or pragmatic theme which the sermon addresses in the life of the listener, but biblical sermons should not be reduced to mere self-help, motivational speeches that are devoid of Scriptural authority and spiritual insight either. Preachers must bring the power of God’s word to bear in the pulpit, but at the same time, a message that is dominated by scriptural interpretation, but fails to illustrate and apply those biblical truths in the light of modern society, is not very effective either. There must also be a balance between the emphasis that is placed upon the preacher, as opposed to his audience, as well as the relationship of God to both.

John Koessler sees this idea of balance as being a type of partnership that we engage in with God when we preach, and believes that preaching has not only a rhetorical dimension, but a divine dimension as well, saying the following: "The words of the preacher remain his own. They are ordinary, human words which retain their fallible quality. Yet they are invested with supernatural power. The preacher’s words are not like the words of Scripture. The preacher can err and may obstruct the message. Yet the preacher is convinced that God will speak through the sermon. What is more, and perhaps most mysterious of all, the task of preaching assumes that the preacher is necessary to the task. The preacher provides a living voice for the living Word. When we preach, we inflect the Word of God for those who hear. (Koessler 127)" 

Understanding the art of preaching in this way allows us to at least scratch the surface of some of the theological complexities of the exposition of God’s word, but in order to completely grasp the multifaceted nature of this subject, we will need to address the following five major aspects of the preaching ministry: 

1. The Biblical and Theological Definition of Preaching

2. Preaching’s Relationship to the Scriptures

3. The Divine and Human Dimensions of Preaching

4. The Preacher’s Authority and the Role of the Holy Spirit

5. The Nature of the Gospel and its Importance

In Part 1 of this theology, I will only discuss the Biblical and Theological Definition of Preaching. The Bible is quite clear and concise about the fact that the only authority that we have to preach and teach on the subject of God, in all of its diverse conceptions and applications, flows from the Scriptures themselves, because they were inspired by God Himself. Paul eludes to this authority when writing to the church in Corinth saying, “… if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. …when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. (NKJV 1 Cor  9:18)” So clearly, he believed that not only have we been given authority to preach from His word, we have been commanded to do so, and Paul saw this as a responsibility that he was obligated to fulfill. He told the Colossians that he, “…became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God… (Col 1:25)”  

Also, God’s word is the only power by which real change is made possible in the human condition. The Prophet Jeremiah records the Lord’s challenge to all inferior forms of speech demanding that, “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD. "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jer 23:28-29)” This is an amazing definition of preaching from the Old Testament. Look at the beauty and simplicity of what is being said here; “If you have the words of God, speak them faithfully, and God will empower His spoken words that they may become like a fire that devours, and a hammer that breaks in pieces!”

This definition stands in stark contrast to definitions handed down to us by theologians however. Consider Thayer’s definition of the word, preaching, in his dictionary, “Kērussō: 1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald, 1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald, 1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed, to publish, proclaim openly something which has been done. (Thayer G2784)” Hmmm… yawn! Doesn’t quite pack the same punch, does it? That’s why the infamous German theologian, Karl Barth said, “The Word became flesh--and then through theologians it became words again. (Barth)” To be fair though, most conservative scholars still revere God’s word, and hold its subsequent preaching in high regard. They still value the same New Testament ideals that we find the Apostle Paul relaying to his apprentice Timothy, as he commanded him to, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Tim  4:2)”

Paul would go on to tell Timothy why such a strong view of preaching was warranted, anticipating that, “…the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Tim 4:3-4)” The Preacher must work diligently to prevent this from happening, understanding that he has been given authority to proclaim the truths of an ancient book whose own words allege to be, “…living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:12-13)” 

The human vessel that God uses in this process of communicating His message is a necessary one though, and for some reason, "The role of the preacher in preaching is more than simply serving as the medium by which the content of the gospel is conveyed. Truth through Personality is our description of real preaching… The truth must come really through the person, not merely over his lips, not merely into his understanding and out through his pen. Real preaching reflects the preacher’s character, affections, intellect, and moral being. When the preacher serves only as a medium for the content of the gospel, the man has been but a printing machine or a trumpet. In the other case, he has been a true man and a real messenger of God. (Koessler 565)”

So perhaps the best definition that we can achieve from a theological perspective concerning the act of preaching, is as follows: “Preaching is the accurate and authoritative communication of God’s eternal truth to man, via the understanding of man, after being filtered through the personality, character, intellect, and moral frailty of man.” This seems to accurately reflect the commission given by Jesus to His disciples so long ago when He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Mat 28:18-20)”

By Pastor Glen Mustian

Works Cited:

Barth, Karl. https://bible.org/illustration/quote-19. Web. Accessed, 10/07/2017.
Koessler, John. Folly, Grace, and Power: The Mysterious Act of Preaching. Zondervan. Kindle.
Koessler, John.  Moody Distance Learning: PS3340 Theological Exposition - Course Syllabus.
NKJV New King James Version. Holy Bible. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN: 2000. Print.
Unknown. http://christianitywithoutinsanity.com/religious-humor_282.html. Web, 10-08-2017.