Balancing Human Examples with God's Sovereignty in Preaching
Balancing Human Examples with God's Sovereignty in Preaching
Preaching is a delicate balance between proclaiming God's sovereignty and using human examples to illustrate spiritual truths. The Bible itself demonstrates this balance, as seen in the way the apostles preached "the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance" [1]. This approach is rooted in the understanding that while human agency is involved in preaching, the ultimate effectiveness of the message comes from God's sovereignty.
The biblical emphasis on God's sovereignty in salvation and spiritual growth is a crucial aspect of preaching. According to 1 Peter 4:11, those who speak should do so "as one conveying the words of God" [2]. This underscores the importance of attributing the effectiveness of preaching to God's power rather than human eloquence or effort. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights the role of God's sovereignty in reconciliation, emphasizing that reconciliation is "Effected for men By God in Christ" [3]. This theological framework guides preachers to focus on God's work in salvation.
In the Wesleyan and Puritan traditions, preachers are encouraged to balance the presentation of human examples with the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, notes on 1 Corinthians 2:1 that the apostle Paul preached "not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers" [5]. Instead, Paul's preaching was characterized by simplicity and a reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, observes on Hebrews 1:1 that the gospel dispensation is superior to the Old Testament law because of the way God communicates Himself to humanity [6].
The use of human examples in preaching can serve to illustrate the practical application of spiritual truths. For instance, Christ's teachings often used parables and everyday examples to convey deeper spiritual lessons. Adam Clarke comments on Mark 4:30 that Jesus' comparisons were designed to make spiritual truths "easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities" [8]. However, these human examples must be presented in a way that acknowledges God's sovereignty in salvation and spiritual growth.
The biblical concept of humility is also relevant to balancing human examples with God's sovereignty in preaching. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that humility is "Necessary to the service of God" and that Christ is an example of humility [4]. Preachers who acknowledge their own limitations and rely on God's power are more likely to strike a balance between presenting human examples and attributing effectiveness to God's sovereignty.
In practice, this balance means that preachers should be mindful of the role of human agency in their preaching while also acknowledging the ultimate source of their message's effectiveness. As Matthew Henry notes on Hebrews 2:5, the state of the gospel church is not subjected to angels but is under the special care and direction of the Redeemer Himself [7]. This understanding should guide preachers to present human examples in a way that points to God's sovereignty.
Sources
- Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
- I Peter “I Peter 4:11 (BSB) — If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reconciliation With God — Predicted -- Da 9:24; Isa 53:5. Proclaimed by angels at the birth of Christ -- Lu 2:14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances is necessary to -- Eph 2:16; Col 2:14. Effected for men By God in Christ. -- 2Co 5:19. By Christ as High Priest. -- Heb 2:17. By the death of Christ. -- Ro 5:10; Eph 2:16; Col 1:21,22. By the blood of Christ. -- Eph 2:13; Col 1:20. While alienated from God. -- Col 1:21. Without strength. -- Ro 5:6. Yet sinners. -- Ro 5:8. While enemies to God. -- Ro 5:10. The ministry of committed to ministers -- 2Co 5:18,19. Mi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 1:1: Here the apostle begins with a general declaration of the excellency of the gospel dispensation above that of the law, which he demonstrates from the different way and manner of God's communicating himself and his mind and will to men in the one and in the other: both these dispensations were of God, and both of them very good, but there is a great difference in the way of their coming from God. Observe, I. The way wherein God communicated himself and his will to men under the Old Testament. We have here an account, 1. Of the persons by whom God delivered his mind”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 2:5: The apostle, having made this serious application of the doctrine of the personal excellency of Christ above the angels, now returns to that pleasant subject again, and pursues it further (Heb 2:5): For to the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. I. Here the apostle lays down a negative proposition, including a positive one - That the state of the gospel-church, which is here called the world to come, is not subjected to the angels, but under the special care and direction of the Redeemer himself. Neither the state in which the”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 4:30: Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? - How amiable is this carefulness of Jesus! How instructive to the preachers of his word! He is not solicitous to seek fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor to draw such descriptions and comparisons as may surprise them: but studies only to make himself understood; to instruct to advantage; to give true ideas of faith and holiness; and to find out such expressions as may render necessary truths easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities. The very wisdom of God seems to be at a loss to find out”