Doctrinal Preaching
“Doctrine” is a word that has fallen on hard times. It has
become a “loaded” word, pronounced with a sneer. It is
associated with authoritarianism and legalism, labels
designed to produce prejudiced conclusions without thinking
and without evidence. Doctrine smacks of right or wrong and
true or false, unacceptable concepts in this postmodern
relativistic age. Thus, doctrinal preaching, always
difficult, is now disdained and despised.
Doctrinal preaching is as important as any type of
preaching. Doctrinal preaching was essential to the
establishment of the church, the perpetuation of the
church, the well-being of the church, and the growth of the
church. Even if there were no Biblical support for the
importance of doctrinal preaching, there is common sense
support. It is incontestable that membership in mainline
denominations declined concomitantly with the decline in
doctrinal preaching.
The experience of the church of Christ is no different.
While gimmicks and gags may stem or reverse the flow for a
while, the world will reject and members will forsake the
church when they learn, as they will, that feelings provide
only temporary respite and entertainment has no food for
the soul. Psychologists and sociologists speak with greater
worldly wisdom than preachers untrained in those
disciplines. Politicians and pundits speak with greater
insight into worldly affairs. Stockbrokers give better
financial advice.
The church has something to say that no one else can say,
and it must say it.
And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with
excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the
testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything
among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was
with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words
of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but
in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:1-5.
Some ears and minds will close at this point, declaring
that it must be the hearer’s fault if the gospel message is
dull. The preacher, however, should first examine himself.
Some preachers, like some cooks, can take the best of
recipes and produce that which is inedible. Some preachers
have wrongly concluded that “reprove, rebuke, and exhort,”
really means “skin, salt, and shame.”
Because doctrinal preaching is difficult to prepare and
present, it is often rigid and dull rather than dynamic and
edifying. Can doctrinal preaching be interesting?
Arresting? Edifying? Can hearers barraged with dull
doctrinal sermons be reclaimed? Absolutely! The preacher
must remember that doctrinal preaching and practical
preaching are not mutually exclusive approaches between
which he must choose. Conflict between the doctrinal and
the practical is appropriate only, if ever, in the esoteric
ivory towers of Biblical scholars and systematic
theologians. Conflict between the doctrinal and the
practical in the pulpit is disastrous.
All doctrinal teaching must have practical application.
Romans 1 - 11 is “heavy” doctrine; Romans 12 - 16 is
practical application of that doctrine. 1 Corinthians
15:1-57 proclaims the doctrine of the resurrection; 1
Corinthians 15:58 is the practical application of that
doctrine. Paul’s example here and elsewhere establishes
that doctrinal preaching is never complete until the
practical application has been made. The purpose of
doctrinal preaching should never be to dispense information
or, worse yet, showcase the oratory or intelligence of the
preacher.
To apply doctrine, the preacher must be as good a student
of the congregation and human nature as he is of the word.
Then he can bring the doctrine of the Lord to bear upon the
soul of the hearer in a manner that moves the soul to
God.