 REACHERS: THEN AND NOW
Solomon observed that "there is no new thing under the sun." He asked, "Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See this is new? It hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us" (Eccle. 1:9-10). Another wise man noted that " he who does not learn the lessons of history is doomed to repeat the mistakes of history."
Many among us are concerned about the quality of preaching in our congregations' pulpits. While brethren sense that something is lacking many are baffled at the causes and solution to the problem.
While studying some of the historic literature of our brotherhood I came across a remarkable article by Moses Lard, distinguished writer and editor of the 19th century. As you read his pungent lines, reflect on the general fare of preaching you are familiar with and see if you recognize an analogy. I do not say that all preachers fall into this category, but the number who do is sufficient to be alarming.
"...a falling away will occur, and the iniquity which will induce it is at this moment at work. The sturdy love for the primitive faith which characterized the early preachers in the reformation is cooling in men who still linger in our ranks and call us brethren...
"In the first place, they are intensely sentimental; rather, they are intensely transcendental. They are very clerical in bearing, soft in speech, and languid and effeminate in spirit. They...never condemn anything except their brethren...They are ‘beautiful' men, and preach ‘beautiful' sermons. Their prayers are ‘beautiful' things, their songs ‘beautiful' songs.
Moreover, they are very abstract men, and the aesthetic, the moral, the true, the beautiful, and the good are very fond phrases in their bloodless and virtuous lips...
"In the second place, they have an enormous fondness for sects and sectarians; and scowl on no one so indignantly as on the brother who dares to speak against them. With them sectarians are all Christians; and it is a favorite saying among them that ‘we are as sectarian as any other people.'
They seldom speak of their brethren except to disparage them; and never of the ‘other' parties of the day except to laud them. In plain English, these men see nothing good in the great brotherhood to whom they are an offense, nor anything bad in the sects with whom their affinities really are...
"To the brethren everywhere I say, see to it that your preachers are kept to the Book. Allow no departure from it; and all will be well" (Lard's Quarterly, Vol. 4, pp. 347-348).
I ask, do not these ancient words sound vaguely familiar? Those men described by Bro. Lard were the ones who gradually drifted into the apostasy of the Disciples of Christ/Christian Church. They made shipwreck concerning the faith (I Tim. 2:19). Their direction was set, it was just a matter of time until they reached their destination. Their spiritual grandchildren circulate among us today. They are the champions of "change" and they will end up in the same denominational camp as their forebearers.
No congregation can long be stronger than its pulpit. As the old proverb has it, "it is like preacher like people." Somehow, somewhere, there has been a serious failure in the indoctrinating and training of a generation of
ministers. They make speeches but do not preach the soul-saving, church-building gospel (Mk. 16:15). They stay busy, but not in doing the work of an evangelist (II Tim. 4:5). If we do not come to grips with this problem, dark and difficult days lay ahead for the kingdom of God.
May God raise up a band of faithful men to stand in the gap while we rebuild the crumbling walls of Zion (Ezek. 22:30). May we learn the lessons of our history so we will not repeat those awful mistakes of the past.
JHW |
