Avoiding False Equivalence in Preaching: God and Humanity
Preaching that avoids false equivalence between God and humanity emphasizes God's unique sovereignty and truthfulness, contrasting it with human fallibility and limitations. The Bible consistently presents God as the ultimate standard of truth, against whom all human claims are measured. Romans 3:4 states, "Let God be true and every man a liar," underscoring that God's word is always right and victorious in judgment [1].
A core aspect of this distinction is recognizing God as the sole source of divine revelation and authority. Preachers are cautioned to ensure that the message they deliver is genuinely God's message, rather than merely aligning with personal creeds or confessions [4]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Ezekiel, warns against "false doctrines and fallacies without end" that arise when human interpretations are elevated to the status of divine truth [4]. The "whole system of Gospel doctrine" is presented as the truth to be preached, which is inherently opposed to deceit [5].
The New Testament further highlights the danger of human philosophies and traditions supplanting divine truth. Colossians 2:8 advises believers to "Beware lest any man make a prey of you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" [2]. This warning underscores the need to prioritize Christ's teachings over human-derived wisdom. Similarly, Matthew Henry's commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21 cautions against "over-valuing their teachers," reminding that ministers are "men" and that deference is due "only to God" [6]. To "glory in men" or follow their directions "in contradiction to God and the truths taught by his Holy Spirit" constitutes a false equivalence [6].
The uniqueness of God is also evident in the person of Christ, who is described as God, the Son of God, one with the Father, the image of God, and the Creator [3]. This divine identity sets Christ apart from humanity, even as he serves as Mediator [3]. Therefore, preaching must uphold the singular authority and truth of God, resisting any tendency to equate human understanding or pronouncements with divine revelation.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 3:4 (BSB) — Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.””
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (Webster) — Beware lest any man make a prey of you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 2:4: Thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord - Let them know that what thou hast to declare is the message of the Lord, that they may receive it with reverence. Every preacher of God's word should take heed that it is God's message he delivers to the people. Let him not suppose, because it is according to his own creed or confession of faith, that therefore it is God's word. False doctrines and fallacies without end are foisted on the world in this way. Bring the creed first to the Word of God, and scrupulously try whether it be right; and when this is done, leave ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 4:15: But, speaking the truth in love - The truth recommended by the apostle is the whole system of Gospel doctrine; this they are to teach and preach, and this is opposed to the deceit mentioned above. This truth, as it is the doctrine of God's eternal love to mankind, must be preached in love. Scolding and abuse from the pulpit or press, in matters of religion, are truly monstrous. He who has the truth of God has no need of any means to defend or propagate it, but those which love to God and man provides. Grow up into him - This is a continuance of the metaphor taken”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:21: Here the apostle founds an exhortation against over-valuing their teachers on what he had just said, and on the consideration that they had an equal interest in all their ministers: Therefore let no man glory in men (Co1 3:21) - forget that their ministers are men, or pay that deference to them that is due only to God, set them at the head of parties, have them in immoderate esteem and admiration, and servilely and implicitly follow their directions and submit to their dictates, and especially in contradiction to God and the truths taught by his Holy Spirit”