Humble Preaching is Easy to Miss

Humble preaching is often mistaken and labeled as arrogant preaching. Many of us are guilty of slandering God's most faithful preachers with the charge of pride while we endorse preachers that possess a false humility. I attribute this to us allowing the false stories of modernity and post-modernity to redefine our terms. In Preaching As Though We Had Enemies, Stanley Hauerwas gives us this incredible paragraph:

The recognition of our created status produces not tolerance, but humility. Humility derives not from the presumption that no one knows the truth, but rather is a virtue dependent on our confidence that God’s word is truthful and good....Ironically, in the world in which we live if you preach with such humility you will more than likely be accused of being arrogant and authoritarian. To be so accused is a sign that the enemy has been engaged. After all, the enemy (who is often enough ourselves) does not like to be reminded that the narratives that constitute our lives are false. Moreover, you had better be ready for a fierce counteroffensive as well as be prepared to take some casualties. God has not promised us safety, but participation in an adventure called the Kingdom. That seems to me to be great good news in a world that is literally dying of boredom.

This article should be read in its entirety. Just know that it can get a bit dense in parts but is worth the effort.

Comments

[David Pryor]

Very encouraging brother.

Much of this false idea of humility is connected with the fact that we Christians seek to be seen as "reasonable" among men.

Watch this video and you'll get the idea.

http://www.paulkaiser.net/thewayofthemaster/videoclips/Bullhorn_Guy.wmv.

We are inoculated to think the way Rob Bell thinks. This video is completely contrary to what a christian must be.

We are to be the bull horn guy!

(Note: After watching this video and being tempted to sympathize with Bell:

Remember,
The greatest heresies always involve ninety percent truth).

[Pat Hart]

Encouraging post, I'm always a bit surprised and shouldn't be when I'm discussing things wiht people and you know they've turned you have, and can see the disdain in their eyes. Not to be too dramatic, but oh the many times I've seen the look.

[Brendan Paxton]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I have actually been struggling with the humility/arrogance concept for awhile now, but haven't really formed it into words or even a direct path of thought. Thanks for sharing, man.