“For centuries one of the problems with rhetoric as it was practiced in the classical world was that it all too often served no purpose quite so clearly as the glorification of the orator . . . The purpose, the end, of rhetoric had a way of getting lost under the techniques. When rhetoric was …
A Necessary Transition
“With the coming of the Christian empire, Christian preaching was bound to change. During the years of persecution the preacher had to gather and nourish the congregation to protect it from the world. Now the Christian preacher had become a bishop responsible for the spiritual state of the empire” (Hughes Oliphant Old, The Reading and …
Always Gospel
“Whenever the beauty and the power and the sheer joy of holiness are proclaimed and God’s people see that this is something for them, evangelism is done. When Christian preaching is done the way it should be done, then it is evangelistic” (Hughes Oliphant Old, The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures, p. 283).
A Collective Event
“Preaching does not have to be an individualistic sort of activity. In fact, great preaching well understands this. The true preacher is not over against the Christian congregation but rather is an expression of the congregation. The true Christian preacher affirms the faith of the congregation, and raises up the hope of the congregation. Much …
The Power of God Unto Salvation
“We have believed this Word because this Word, being God’s Word, has the power of God’s Spirit within it. Because God’s Word is inspired, it has the power to inspire. God’s Word inspires life. Nothing demonstrates the inspiration of the Scripture more than its ability to bring the Church to life. Nothing demonstrates the truth …
Why Sermons Should Be Full of Surprises
“When we understand life as the theater of God’s glory rather than merely the marketplace of human values, then we can begin to grasp why salvation is by grace. Grace is ultimately wondrous; it amazes us as nothing else. God’s power certainly impresses us, and his wisdom is impressive, too, as is his justice, but …
Not Available in Stores
“The more stodgy sort of ecclesiastical politicians may not be able to inspire their congregations, but they do, on the other hand, have a way of keeping things in their control. Paul obviously had charisma, and great preaching needs charisma even if the less gifted have a way of feeling threatened by it. Charisma by …
Rare, and More Rare Than We Think
“The Church needs its exciting young charismatics and the Church needs solid elders and learned scholars. The amazing thing about Paul is that he was all of these together” (Hughes Oliphant Old, The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures, Vol. I, p. 208).
Simple Gifts
“Preaching is a charisma . . . it is a spiritual gift. SUrely there is much in preaching which is human skill or literary art, but none of it is nearly as central as the fact that preaching is a charisma . . . [Paul] realized that what made his ministry real was not his …
Some of Them Really Strange
“If the legitimate ministry is unfaithful, God will still be heard . . . The ordinary channels of hearing the Word of God have been clogged up by every kind of infidelity, but God’s Word has been heard in some of the strangest ways and some of the strangest places” (Hughes Oliphant Old, The Reading …