A Critical, Scolding, Fault-Finding Ministry? (Grimke)

Sadly, some preaching is full of critical, fault-finding, and inflammatory themes and tones. Some preachers develop a hypercritical attitude and it constantly shows up in their preaching and teaching. All they ever seem to do is criticize other people and positions. And, of course, sometimes laypeople who constantly hear hypercritical sermons develop hypercritical attitudes themselves.…

Praised for our Preaching? (Grimke)

 I recently picked up this short book called "Meditations on Preaching" by Francis Grimke.  To be honest, I hadn't heard about this book before but after looking into it seemed like the book would be worthwhile to read.  And it for sure is!  It's full of great Christian wisdom on preaching.  If you're a pastor…

Spurgeon’s Allegorizing

  Charles Spurgeon mentioned to his students that within certain limits it was OK to "spiritualize" a text.  He spent some time explaining this point in Lectures to My Students.  It's not exactly easy to get a precise definition of what it means to "spiritualize" a text; it has to do with the interpretation of…

The Seven Adverbs of Pastoral Duty (DPW)

 (This is a re-post from June 2012) Aside from writing the magnificent confession and catechisms, the Westminster divines also wrote a directory for public worship (DPW) which was approved in 1645.  One section of this directory that has always stuck out for me is where it explains the duties of the pastor in simple, clear,…

Spurgeon’s Preaching: A Critique (Greidanus)

   Charles Spurgeon (d. 1892) doesn't need much of an introduction in Calvinist circles.  We all know that the Lord used Spurgeon's preaching to bring many to Christ and to build his people up in the faith.  I'd guess that Spurgeon is one of the most quoted preachers in history.  He's beloved by many for…