Introduction: For various reasons, the word federal is grossly misunderstood today. But our word comes from the Latin word foedus, which means covenant. Thus a federal union, or confederated association, should be understood as one bound by covenant oaths and loyalties. As Christians who understand the importance of covenants in the Bible, we should set …
That’s What He Does
“It is fitting that the preacher should be characterized by a homiletical tendency, as that the poet should be characterized by a poetic tendency” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 108)
On Not Threatening the Minister
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #198 “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that …
Surveying the Text/Habakkuk
Introduction: Apart from what can be inferred from this book, we know nothing of the prophet who assembled it. But from the things described, we can see that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah. The book is delivered sometime between 612 B.C. and 599 B.C.—before Babylon attacked Jerusalem, but after Babylon had …
On Christian Disobedience #6
Introduction: In times like these, what do we do to prepare ourselves? If a moment of “defiance” is going to come, what should we do to get ready? This is an appropriate question in the wake of these Planned Parenthood videos, because it is quite possible that the moment has already come. How should we …
Beauty Works Out
“It is too much the habit to regard beauty, as mere ornamentation; as something that is added to other properties, instead of growing out of them . . . if the definition that has been given be the true one, beauty is rather an inevitable accompaniment, than a labored decoration” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, …
On Christian Disobedience #5
Introduction: As we have been considering the relationship of the believer to the modern secular state, what have we learned? We know that our current rulers are in high rebellion against God, and have therefore forfeited all moral legitimacy. Judgment, when meted out by God, will have been most mercifully delayed—even if it happens tomorrow. …
Asahel’s Carcass
“Many preachers in our days are like Heraclitus, who was called the dark doctor. They affect sublime notions, obscure expressions, and uncouth phrases, making plain truths difficult, and easy truths hard. ‘They darken counsel with words without knowledge.’ Studied expressions and high notions in a sermon, are like Asahel’s carcass in the way, that did …
Which Comes From Elsewhere
“The sermon should throb with robust life” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 87).
No Partial Force
“The preacher who studies and ponders the Bible as a whole, will not be a half-educated man. He will not see great ideas on one side, but on all sides, because they are so exhibited in Scripture . . . His force will not be lawless and without aim” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. …