Christ-Centered Preaching in Contemporary Context
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A Summary and Evaluation
Christ-Centered Preaching
Christ-Centered Preaching
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Leading Proponents
Sidney Greidanus,
The Modern Preacher and the
Ancient Text; Preaching Christ from Genesis.
Bryan Chapell,
Christ-Centered Preaching.
Graham Goldsworthy,
Preaching the Whole Bible
as Christian Scripture.
Timothy Keller, “Preaching to the Heart,”
(Ockenga Lectures). Cf. Clowney and Keller,
iTunes University lectures, “Preaching Christ
to a Post-Modern World.”
Theology/Hermeneutics:
Historical-Redemptive Hermeneutic—the entire
Bible is one univocal document, unified by the
depiction of God’s saving the world in Christ.
All
portions of the Bible reveal something about
Christ and redemption.
Thus, all sermons should overtly and explicitly
reveal something about Christ and his work of
redemption.
Often Contrasted With . . .
Moralistic Preaching: using biblical characters
(esp. OT characters) as moral exemplars.
Note: This term, “moralistic preaching,” is
not
used
by those who preach this way. It seems unfair to
me.
Principle-Driven Preaching.
Example: Sermon on Esther.
The Beauty Queen Who Saved a Nation
(Sermon on Esther)
While the book of Esther does not condone beauty pageants,
we should not assume that God is “embarrassed, restrictive, or
hostile toward feminine beauty and sexuality.” If you wind up in
a situation where your physical beauty takes you to
compromising situations, remember:
God may have brought you to such a place “for such a time as
this.”
There are dangers in the secular world.
It is unwise to attempt to destroy the people of Israel because
God will defend the physical sons of Abraham. The Jews have a
right to defend themselves, as do other nations.
Often Contrasted With . . .
Moralistic Preaching: using biblical characters (esp. OT
characters) as moral exemplars.
Note: This term, “moralistic preaching,” is
not
used by
those who preach this way. It seems unfair to me.
Example: Sermon on Esther.
Principle-Driven Preaching.
Theocentric Preaching.
Note: Christ-Centered proponents often say that if a
sermon could be preached comfortably in a synagogue or
mosque, it is not a Christian sermon. They say that
“merely” preaching about God is deficient. The sermon
should overtly refer to Christ.
Note: for a defense of theocentric preaching, see Ken
Langley, “When Christ Replaces God at the Center of
Preaching,”
JEHS
9/1 (March 2009): 53-84.
Arthurs’ Opinion
Pro
I have been deeply edified by
Christ-centered preaching.
The Bible itself claims that
Christ is a major theme.
There is much pastoral
wisdom in emphasizing the
grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ and the fact that all of
us are continuously being
converted. All of us need the
gospel all the time.
We must do more than
simply say to people, “Just
stop it.”
Con
The NT regularly uses OT
characters as moral
exemplars.
The NT regularly presents
Christ as our example of
good behavior.
NT Use of OT Characters for Moral Exhortation
1 Cor. 10:11-12, “These things happened to them
as an example, but they were written down for
our instruction. . . . Therefore, let anyone who
thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
James 5:16-18, “The prayer of a righteous person
has great power . . . . Elijah was a man with a
nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it
might not rain, and for three years and six
months it did not rain on the earth.”
1 John 3:12, “We should not be like Cain, who
was of the evil one and murdered his brother.”
NT Use of Christ (and Paul) for Moral
Exhortation
John 13:15, “I have given you an example that
you also ought to do just as I have done.”
Phil. 2:5-7, “Let this mind be in you which was
also in Christ . . . .”
1 Peter 2:21, “To this you were called, because
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17, “Be imitators of me.”
Arthurs’ Opinion
Pro
I have been deeply edified by
Christ-centered preaching.
The Bible itself claims that
Christ is a major theme.
There is much pastoral
wisdom in emphasizing the
grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ and the fact that all of
us are continuously being
converted. All of us need the
gospel all the time.
We must do more than
simply say to people “Just
stop it.”
Con
The NT regularly uses OT
characters as moral
exemplars
The NT regularly presents
Christ as our example of
good behavior.
We are committed to
discerning and declaring the
author’s intention (as well as
the Author’s intention).
“Pericopal Theology”
For a sophisticated and nuanced contrast to
historical-redemptive hermeneutics, see:
Abraham Kuruvilla, “Preaching as Translation via
Theology,”
JEHS
9/1 (2009): 85-97.
Kuruvilla argues how “the key hermeneutical
entity governing the validity of application . . . is
the theology of the pericope” rather than the
theology of the meta-narrative.
Arthurs’ Opinion
Pro
I have been deeply edified by
Christ-centered preaching.
The Bible itself claims that
Christ is a major theme.
There is much pastoral
wisdom in emphasizing the
grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ and the fact that all of
us are continuously being
converted. All of us need the
gospel all the time.
We must do more than
simply say to people “Just
stop it.”
Con
The NT regularly uses OT
characters as moral exemplars
The NT regularly presents Christ
as our example of good behavior.
We are committed to discerning
and declaring the author’s
intention (as well as the Author’s
intention).
We are committed to preaching
Trinitarian theology, not
Christo-monic theology.
Preaching Christ from some OT
texts feels awkward and
formulaic. E.g. wisdom
literature.
Arthurs’ Practice
Emphasize GRACE regularly and frequently.
Ground the moral imperative in the
theological indicative.
Trinitarian.
For OT narrative, follow Fee and Stuart’s
“three levels of meaning” (from
How to Read
the Bible for All Its Worth
)
.
Three Levels of Meaning
in OT Narrative
3. Biography of
individuals
1.
Grand metanarrative
of redemption
2. History of Israel
An Example from Arthurs’ Sermon on Habakkuk 3:16-19
Level Two
:
(History of Israel). Israel had become greedy and
corrupt, so God prophesied that He would bring the Chaldeans to
discipline Israel. Habakkuk lamented!
Parallel modern listeners’ experience: we too lament at the ways of
God.
Level Three
:
(Personal biography to derive moral principles). By
the end of the book, Habakkuk rejoices. How? He “repeats and
remembers” the sovereign power and love of God seen in the
exodus.
Parallel modern listeners’ experience: we too can “repeat and
remember.”
Level One
:
(History of redemption). Rejoicing is
doubly
possible for
NT believers who remember not just the exodus, but our greater
Moses and our greater deliverance. “The righteous one will live by
his faith.”
Ways to Preach Christ
from the OT
Direct prophecy about Christ.
New Testament quotation of OT (e.g., “The righteous one will
live by faith”; “I will make your enemies a footstool for your
feet”).
Historical-redemptive progression (e.g., Habakkuk
remembered God’s redemption in the Exodus, and we have a
greater redemption in Christ).
Promise-fulfillment (e.g., “In you all the nations of the earth
will be blessed.”)
The text shows why Christ is needed (e.g., the kings of Israel
failed).
The text shows us a person who is like Christ (e.g., Boaz
redeemed Naomi and Ruth).
Longitudinal themes (e.g., Temple, priesthood, lamb, exodus).
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!
The seminar at Singapore Bible College in 2014 by Dr. Jeffrey Arthurs emphasized Christ-centered preaching and highlighted leading proponents like Greidanus and Chapell. The theological framework of historical-redemptive hermeneutics was discussed, contrasting it with moralistic or principle-driven preaching styles. An example sermon on Esther showcased the beauty of God's providence and the significance of centering sermons on Christ rather than mere theocentrism.
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Christ-Centered Preaching A Summary and Evaluation Singapore Bible College Seminar by Dr. Jeffrey Arthurs in July 2014 Preaching Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Uploaded by Dr. Rick Griffith Singapore Bible College All files in many languages for free download at BibleStudyDownloads.org
Leading Proponents Sidney Greidanus, The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text; Preaching Christ from Genesis. Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching. Graham Goldsworthy, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture. Timothy Keller, Preaching to the Heart, (Ockenga Lectures). Cf. Clowney and Keller, iTunes University lectures, Preaching Christ to a Post-Modern World.
Theology/Hermeneutics: Historical-Redemptive Hermeneutic the entire Bible is one univocal document, unified by the depiction of God s saving the world in Christ. All portions of the Bible reveal something about Christ and redemption. Thus, all sermons should overtly and explicitly reveal something about Christ and his work of redemption.
Often Contrasted With . . . Moralistic Preaching: using biblical characters (esp. OT characters) as moral exemplars. Note: This term, moralistic preaching, is not used by those who preach this way. It seems unfair to me. Principle-Driven Preaching. Example: Sermon on Esther.
The Beauty Queen Who Saved a Nation (Sermon on Esther) While the book of Esther does not condone beauty pageants, we should not assume that God is embarrassed, restrictive, or hostile toward feminine beauty and sexuality. If you wind up in a situation where your physical beauty takes you to compromising situations, remember: God may have brought you to such a place for such a time as this. There are dangers in the secular world. It is unwise to attempt to destroy the people of Israel because God will defend the physical sons of Abraham. The Jews have a right to defend themselves, as do other nations.
Often Contrasted With . . . Moralistic Preaching: using biblical characters (esp. OT characters) as moral exemplars. Note: This term, moralistic preaching, is not used by those who preach this way. It seems unfair to me. Example: Sermon on Esther. Principle-Driven Preaching. Theocentric Preaching. Note: Christ-Centered proponents often say that if a sermon could be preached comfortably in a synagogue or mosque, it is not a Christian sermon. They say that merely preaching about God is deficient. The sermon should overtly refer to Christ. Note: for a defense of theocentric preaching, see Ken Langley, When Christ Replaces God at the Center of Preaching, JEHS 9/1 (March 2009): 53-84.
Arthurs Opinion Pro Con I have been deeply edified by Christ-centered preaching. The Bible itself claims that Christ is a major theme. There is much pastoral wisdom in emphasizing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fact that all of us are continuously being converted. All of us need the gospel all the time. We must do more than simply say to people, Just stop it. The NT regularly uses OT characters as moral exemplars. The NT regularly presents Christ as our example of good behavior.
NT Use of OT Characters for Moral Exhortation 1 Cor. 10:11-12, These things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction. . . . Therefore, let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. James 5:16-18, The prayer of a righteous person has great power . . . . Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 1 John 3:12, We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.
NT Use of Christ (and Paul) for Moral Exhortation John 13:15, I have given you an example that you also ought to do just as I have done. Phil. 2:5-7, Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ . . . . 1 Peter 2:21, To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17, Be imitators of me.
Arthurs Opinion Pro Con I have been deeply edified by Christ-centered preaching. The Bible itself claims that Christ is a major theme. There is much pastoral wisdom in emphasizing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fact that all of us are continuously being converted. All of us need the gospel all the time. We must do more than simply say to people Just stop it. The NT regularly uses OT characters as moral exemplars The NT regularly presents Christ as our example of good behavior. We are committed to discerning and declaring the author s intention (as well as the Author s intention).
Pericopal Theology For a sophisticated and nuanced contrast to historical-redemptive hermeneutics, see: Abraham Kuruvilla, Preaching as Translation via Theology, JEHS 9/1 (2009): 85-97. Kuruvilla argues how the key hermeneutical entity governing the validity of application . . . is the theology of the pericope rather than the theology of the meta-narrative.
Arthurs Opinion Pro Con I have been deeply edified by Christ-centered preaching. The Bible itself claims that Christ is a major theme. There is much pastoral wisdom in emphasizing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fact that all of us are continuously being converted. All of us need the gospel all the time. We must do more than simply say to people Just stop it. The NT regularly uses OT characters as moral exemplars The NT regularly presents Christ as our example of good behavior. We are committed to discerning and declaring the author s intention (as well as the Author s intention). We are committed to preaching Trinitarian theology, not Christo-monic theology. Preaching Christ from some OT texts feels awkward and formulaic. E.g. wisdom literature.
Arthurs Practice Emphasize GRACE regularly and frequently. Ground the moral imperative in the theological indicative. Trinitarian. For OT narrative, follow Fee and Stuart s three levels of meaning (from How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth).
Three Levels of Meaning Three Levels of Meaning in OT Narrative in OT Narrative 1. Grand metanarrative of redemption 2. History of Israel 3. Biography of individuals
An Example from Arthurs Sermon on Habakkuk 3:16-19 Level Two: (History of Israel). Israel had become greedy and corrupt, so God prophesied that He would bring the Chaldeans to discipline Israel. Habakkuk lamented! Parallel modern listeners experience: we too lament at the ways of God. Level Three: (Personal biography to derive moral principles). By the end of the book, Habakkuk rejoices. How? He repeats and remembers the sovereign power and love of God seen in the exodus. Parallel modern listeners experience: we too can repeat and remember. Level One: (History of redemption). Rejoicing is doubly possible for NT believers who remember not just the exodus, but our greater Moses and our greater deliverance. The righteous one will live by his faith.
Ways to Preach Christ from the OT Direct prophecy about Christ. New Testament quotation of OT (e.g., The righteous one will live by faith ; I will make your enemies a footstool for your feet ). Historical-redemptive progression (e.g., Habakkuk remembered God s redemption in the Exodus, and we have a greater redemption in Christ). Promise-fulfillment (e.g., In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed. ) The text shows why Christ is needed (e.g., the kings of Israel failed). The text shows us a person who is like Christ (e.g., Boaz redeemed Naomi and Ruth). Longitudinal themes (e.g., Temple, priesthood, lamb, exodus).
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