thoughts and ruminations while in exile (1 Pet. 2:11)

I was reading over the Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics recently and came across the final section. I was thrilled by what I read. The final affirmation and denial are followed by an exposition of what is meant. Here is what I read:


"WE AFFIRM that the only type of preaching which sufficiently conveys the divine revelation and its proper application to life is that which faithfully expounds the text of Scripture as the Word of God.


WE DENY that the preacher has any message from God apart from the text of Scripture.

This final article declares that good preaching should be based in good hermeneutics. The exposition of Scripture is not to be treated in isolation from the proclamation of Scripture. In preaching the preacher should faithfully expound the Word of God. Anything short of a correct exposition of God's written Word is pronounced insufficient.Indeed, the Denial declares that there is no message from God apart from Scripture. This was understood not to contradict the fact that there is a general revelation (affirmed in Article XXI) but simply to note that the only inspired and infallible writing from which the preacher can and must preach is the Bible."

The last "WE DENY" is a very strong statement. But O how often people hear something different! I'm reminded of what Paul told Timothy: "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:1-2).


Paul tells Timothy to "Preach the Word." He doesn't say, "Wait and listen for a message from God." We hear nothing of, "Listen for voices to bring you a message." Further, he doesn't say, "Communicate to people some supposed vision you have experienced." Actually, we read just the opposite in Paul's letter to the Colossians. Paul warns his readers by saying, "Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind . . ." (Col. 2:18).


Paul says one thing false teachers do is go "on in details about visions." This sounds like an odd statement in light of the type of preaching I have heard in the past in my own life. It's a striking rebuke to the preaching I hear on TBN as well.


My intention in writing this is not be divisive. It stems from sadness in my heart. I'm sure some of my friends will say I'm putting the Holy Spirit in a box. Worse yet, some will say I don't have the Holy Spirit at all (I've heard that too, which implies that I'm not even a Christian, since Paul says all believers have the Holy Spirit[ Rom. 8:9, 14]). I pray for a day when men of God will have a passion for preaching the Word of God! That is, not preaching sermons ABOUT the Bible, but actually preaching the text of Scripture in front of them.


For many years (about 5 to be exact), I thought preaching was listening to a minister read a passage of Scripture, followed by his own ideas. Worse yet, I would hear preachers give their own words and then follow it up by citing Scripture. This is nothing more than proof-texting; it's not preaching! Preaching is the explanation and application of a given passage of Scripture. Of course preaching should have application. But should it not also be didactic at points? The blessing of God comes through understanding! I can have a Bible, read a Bible, and hear the Bible preached. But if I don't understand what God means by what He says then I don't have the picture.



If I don't understand what the text means why should I waste my time? I remember being in Bible college hearing students say things like, "But this verse says this, and this other passge says that!" I was grateful when the professors would answer, "Yes, you're right, that's what the Bible SAYS, but what does it MEAN?" We all know that the Bible SAYS many things. But it is what a given passage MEANS that counts. We can quote the Bible and cite Scripture until we're blue in the face, but unless a verse means what we're saying it means all Scriptural quotes and allusions are pointless. May preachers EXPLAIN Scripture, and not merely quote it and slap it on the end of their pithy comments. May they never trust themselves that their minds are infallible and listen for private subjective hunches. Rather, may they put in the hard work and hours of study required of them as they proclaim God's truth to the people of God. Remember, Martin Luther didn't destroy one pope to erect a thousand more! Preach the Word!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Pious appeals to direct supernatural insights are often, if not always, spiritual masks for our own indolence. It requires far less effort to listen to private subjective hunches than to pay the price of mastering Greek, Hebrew, historical backgrounds, and the science of hermeneutics."-- R.C. Sproul