Discussion: What does it mean to "Preach the Word"?
Perhaps I should ask it this way: Is our job as a minister of the word, to teach people about the Bible? In small group studies across the nation, this has meant "getting practical" and studying the Proverbs. One pastor, I saw interviewed on television once, said he thought God called him to preach nothing but the book of Proverbs for one year. In fact, at DTS we cut our teeth on the book of Proverbs in preaching, giving practical life lessons.
And why not?! Are not all the Scriptures useful for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness?
Though I affirm that, is that really what Paul meant when he instructed his underlings Titus and Timothy to "preach the word?"
Looking at the verses in Titus, I suspect a conspiracy between the two verses:
3- but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
4- To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
4- To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
I fear that in our defense of the Bible, we have turned it into our idol, thinking if we have preached the Bible, then we have been faithful to our Lord. But can we really divorce the Word made flesh, and the proclamation of the word in preaching? If we do, are we even preaching the word? Isn't Christ the preaching of God?
Thoughts?
Labels:
Christ,
Preach the Word
2 comments:
Isn't Christ the preaching of God?
Oh, that's good!
As you know I agree with you completely. I think there is certainly a place for preaching Proverbs, after all Proverbs is inspired Scripture. And I think preaching should always be practical. In other words, it should be drilled into the consciences of hearers (i.e. application). But application is short-circuited if the gospel of the person and work of Christ is not central. He is the source, motivation, and end of all true virtue.
Indeed, Christ is the lens through which we view the applicability of all Scripture, even that seemingly more practical.
We should preach Proverbs differently as Christian with the Spirit and the fullness of the canon than an orthodox Jew or Manny Morality.
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