Response to CM100 At first, I was a bit skeptical to this course. I thought he would spend time exploring the Jewish roots of preaching, or how the evangelistic preaching of Paul developed to the kind of preaching we see today. Do he didn’t answer those questions, he managed to give me plenty of other thoughts and information. To learn about the Greek roots of preaching was very informative. First I was shocked to realize so much of our modern practice originates from Greek oratory techniques. However, when I learned more about them I also realized that Ethos, Logos and Pathos aren’t bad things, but things we actually can learn from. I’m reminded and challenged by Paul’s words: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Php 4:8) Whatever ”useful” and pure things we can find in the world, we are free to incorporate into Christian practices. I really have come to believe that this includes oratory techniques. Another really enlightening thing was to trace preaching through history. The way preaching is done today is very different from how it was done 500 years ago, or 1000 years ago. To learn about how preaching was done in the early Medieval ages was really interesting. I had never heard of many of the preachers Mr. Carr mentioned. One important thing I learned was that the history leading up to the early Medieval ages also shaped the preaching of the early Medieval Ages. This quote from “Early Medieval Preaching” was really helpful: “After the abdication of the Emperor Romulus Augustulus in 476, we see that the influence of those Latin-speaking priests and preachers starts to decline and has its effect later on throughout the continent. Roman culture is declining in its influence, and so the early church fathers who had produced all those sermons of those first 400 years … what’s happening is that the church is now collecting those sermons and, rather than writing new sermons and keeping up, what they’re doing is they’re collecting the sermons of the early church fathers and developing them into collections.” Since I’m not part of a traditional denomination I have some problems with “homiliaries”. Now I know the history behind them and that has really changed my perspective.   One big thing from this course was all the different lists I wrote down. I want to share some of them and I really hope I somehow can implement them to my own preaching in the future. François Fénelon’s three points: 1.    Listen to what the hearers need. 2.    Develop the concept of proving, of picturing, of moving, and of persuasion. 3.    Focus on the simplicity of Scripture and how to respond with faith to what’s written. This is very simple yet very profound. To focus on the simplicity on the Scripture while also develop how you present it is much harder than it first appears. I tend to miss the simplicity of Scripture. I often want to add an explanation, but must learn to trust that the Scripture speak in itself. Phillips Brooks’ Five Qualities of Preachers: 1.       Personal Piety 2.       Spiritual Unselfishness 3.       Sense of Hopefulness 4.       Care of the Body 5.       The Sense of a Call This list was also very helpful. It gives a holistic perspective on the preacher, one that is very much needed. Though there’s nothing radical on the list, I think it sums up the core qualities that are needed in a preacher. My final list is from Billy Graham: 1.       Trust the Key Scriptures 2.       Use Fresh Illustrations 3.       Speak to the Heart 4.       Offer an Early Appeal 5.       Apply the Gospel Ethic to Everything 6.       Live with Integrity 7.       The Spirit over All (My addition to his list) This list is something I need to adapt to my preaching. It seems to be so much experience in this. Experience I want to benefit from. I especially need to learn from the last point. I need to listen more to the Holy Spirit’s voice and speak the words I believe he’s saying. Also, it’s an important reminder that it is only when the Holy Spirit opens up our hearts, that the word of God can transform lives. My final thought from this course is a wonder over how so many different preachers and different preaching styles have existed throughout history. That really tells me that the Word of God is the same, but that the preaching style is personal and something uniquely developed over time.   Kind Regards, Henrik

  1. Good post