July 11, 2014
Examination
The guest preacher prefaced
the sermon by complementing the church on their reputation as an
intelligent congregation. I perked up thinking I would hear expository
preaching, but the message turned out more topical in nature. The pastor
shot out rapid fire Scripture references that only a seasoned believer could
capture, and I wondered about the novice Christian in the audience. If the
Scripture references flew over their heads, the only thing left for them to
capture would be the jokes, illustrations and stories. My thoughts turned to the
Bereans, “…for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the
Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11 NIV).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Gail;
-----I wonder if the pastor meant for anybody to actually capture the Scriptures. As I continue through my book on rhetoric, I become more and more flabbergasted at how rhetoric snubs its nose at rules to reach its goal of persuasion. Then, as long as the pastor knows the Scriptures are from where his ideas came, their service to the congregation might be nothing more than giving the impression of having an authorized foundation underneath his message. It plays right into the hands of his possibly unwarranted compliment about the congregation’s intelligence.
-----But of course, someone might jot down those references and look them up at home. Even that may not smoke out the wickedest of preachers. They throw out whatever book, chapter, and verse just to make a look of foundation. They don't worry about modern day Beroeans. After all, who’s taught any logic today? Who uses any? And if somebody out there does, how’s that ol’ pew sitter going to convince everyone else the preacher‘s just a shmoozer? Take them to the inapplicably referenced Scriptures and show them? Nobody wants to follow a long chain of Scripture reading meant to show how wrong he’s been about the preacher. “Keep it simple, stupid,” will be the inevitable kiss-off you get half way through such a logical quest, Beroean or not.
-----I doubt there are many preachers with enough unwashed moxie to prop up their message with phony references. But I’m still in this cynical mood from learning the unwashed moxie of rhetoric. Either that or I’ve got to stop attending a Presbyterian church. Can’t we all just be logical?
Love you all,
Steve Corey
Post a Comment