Comments on: Please Make Up Your Minds!

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:41:42 +0000

Jerry’s a donkey on the edge…please handle him with care.

By: Paul C

Paul C — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:39:39 +0000

Sorry Nathanael – will do so next time. I think I had Jerry severely worried for a moment.

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:01:53 +0000

Paul,
Please use smileys when you joke.

We’re not very bright around here…speaking for myself.

By: Paul C

Paul C — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:31:16 +0000

Just kidding Jerry. Honestly, I’ve never heard of anyone make this such a bone of contention before (not to say it isn’t in some circles). I just thought it was humourous that these types of things come up or that things can be so thoroughly reduced that these things actually become important distinctives.

So, for the record, #79 is completely a joke.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:28:57 +0000

No, I don’t think we agree on this at all Paul. Extemporaneous preaching is not the opposite of expository preaching.

False is false and it doesn’t matter if one gets there expositorily or otherwise. Sorry. I’m not certain where you got your ideas from, but I don’t think you are on the right track here.

By: Paul C

Paul C — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:59:23 +0000

Let me say that true or false preaching aside, expository preaching is the only valid measure as to whether a man is called to the ministry or not. A man who preaches falsehood yet does so expositorily will be dealt more mercy than the man who preaches the truth, but does so extemporaneously. At least that much we should agree on.

By: Rick Frueh

Rick Frueh — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:52:51 +0000

I did not mean that expository preaching itself is an idol, I suggested that some treat it as such, especially those that openly believe it is the only true way to preach.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:34:02 +0000

Expository preaching is an idol.

I couldn’t possibly disagree with this statement more. I think your categories are way too narrowly defined.

Living preaching is made alive and brings alive the Word and words of God.

By: Rick Frueh

Rick Frueh — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:55:26 +0000

Living Message

A message that flows with the crystal clear redemption of Jesus Christ and its soul saving, life changing power that reaches every listening heart. It uses many different styles.

Dead Message

A redundant discertation of the systematic doctrines that inform the mind and help reinforce the self righteousness of its agreeing listeners. Expository preaching is an idol.

By: Paul C

Paul C — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:45:31 +0000

chris – I believe that when the pastor has to dance to the congregation’s music, that church is automatically handicapped. This is a relatively “new” invention, where boards and trustees hold the keys, and it is anti-biblical a lot of the time.

In this much I think we agree.

On the other hand, we must also acknowledge that 2 Tim 4 has come into play in our day. People like to be entertained, and there are ministers that are only too happy to comply. This is also a problem. People don’t especially like being told how to live, what it means to follow Christ (”You mean I can’t continue in the same lifestyle I’ve always live?? I have to give something up?”).

The pressure from boards and trustees is similar from the pressures to bend-and-blend. All of the prophets, as well as the apostles, faced this pressure.

Please don’t drag me into an ODM debate here as I’m not advocating anything. Just commenting on the line of thought I started with.