skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Packer on preaching
From the T4G blog:
A sermon is “an applicatory declaration, spoken in God’s name and for his praise, in which some part of the written Word of God delivers through the preacher some part of its message about God and godliness in relation to those whom the preacher addresses.” (J.I. Packer, “Truth and Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life,” chapter 5: Mouthpiece for God, page 162)
4 comments:
How is this different (or is it) from TEACHING?
Ultimately it isn't different. Both should have truth/theory and application. I think church culture has created an arbitrary dichotomy and many feel that the so called sermon or preaching is the superior form. What are your thoughts David?
I think you're right. Preaching is simply teaching the Bible like a Christian.
Teaching in general is different because it can have any subject matter. You don't preach mathematics. But if math contained worldview-altering truths (which in higher math it may very well) it could be preached. Politics is often not taught but preached for that reason.
It's a little like the study/devotions question. If a theology student studies God, does he need to take a separate time to "have devotions"? I don't like that term to begin with, but the answer seems to me to be no, if he studies like a Christian. Studied without application, the student studies as a pagan. The word taught without application, the preacher teaches the Bible as a pagan.
To me I guess we could make a distinction in form.
When I think of teaching I tend to think of dialogue and when it comes to preaching (as many in fundamentalism would see it)as a monologue. But ultimately they are of the same substance.
Post a Comment