Preaching In America: Do We Laugh or Do We Cry?…Ear Ticklers, Strait Talkers, & Voddie Baucham

The idea for this blog comes for two reasons. One--a recent blog I read by Albert Mohler on the state of preaching in America (http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2006-08-28). And two--comments I made Sunday morning about levity in the pulpit. Here it goes…

…

Let me begin by saying we are living in perilous times. Some of the debates that go on in 21^st century America are things that no civilized society should be debating. I believe no matter how depraved you may be----deep down you still know things like abortion and homosexuality are wrong. The fact that these evils are even debated in our society shows the sickness (and deep depravity) of our world. With that in mind, how should Christians (and preachers) respond.

My comments Sunday had to do with a church advertisement I saw in Saturday’s Kansas City Star publicizing a new sermon series about how the Christian life is like a classic car. They had a picture of an antique car and an invitation to come and hear this “light-hearted and fun” sermon series. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?…

First, I need to mention that I am not opposed to humor (as some of my blogs will attest). In fact, at times I’ve even been known to joke around TOO much (just ask my wife and kids who frequently get annoyed with my antics). Just yesterday my 3 year-old daughter shook her finger at me and said, “Daddy, Stop being goofy!" If the only exposure you ever had to me was my Sunday morning sermons, you might be surprised to know my high school classmates voted me the “funniest” in our graduating class. (Incidentally, if there had been a category called, “Least likely to ever be a preacher” I would have won that one too). The point is--If anyone enjoys a good joke its me. But there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between being light-hearted in the living room (or in a blog) and purposely being “funny” for an ENTIRE SERIES of sermons. Now might be a good time to inject a Scripture Verse: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4 NASB)

Paul wrote of a day in which preachers would “tickle ears.” Meaning they would dish up what an “overly-spoiled” and “entertainment-obsessed” culture WANTED to hear (rather than what they NEEDED to hear). How does this happen? In a million different ways, but you don’t have to look very far to see it popping up in church advertisements all over our country.

After warning young Timothy about “ear tickling” Paul then told him what was expected of him as a preacher of God’s Word: “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim. 4:3-4 NASB) As opposed to building a following for yourself by “light hearted” sermon series---YOU BE SOBER IN ALL THINGS--and do the work of an evangelist. Of course “doing the work of an evangelist” means preachers are going to have to constantly confront sin, talk about the brutal murder of God’s Son to pay for sin, and the reality of Hell for those who refuse to turn from their sin. THAT WON’T MAKE A PREACHER POPULAR WITH THOSE WHO LOVE SIN----But it WILL make them popular with God.

Is there any hope? Al Mohler’s blog says yes. Among other things, he mentions a trend of younger pastors who have rejected the world’s ways and are relying totally upon God’s Word for their ministry. Mohler writes: "Signs of encouragement include a large number of younger evangelical pastors who are unabashedly committed to biblical exposition and represent a resurgence of genuine biblical exposition from the pulpits. …This new generation is proving once again that the effective and faithful exposition of the Word of God draws persons to Christ and leads to spiritual growth and to the health of the church. A generation of young ministers, along with others making their way through college and seminary education, may point toward a renaissance of biblical preaching in coming years". Of course Mohler saw the same thing I did at the Together For The Gospel Conference in April. He was one of the host ministers at a Pastor’s Conference designed for preachers who are committed to preaching the whole counsel of God, to calling sinners to repentance, and calling believers to a life long commitment of cross-bearing. In other words, the 3,000 preachers at the conference were devoted to NOT being “ear ticklers.” At one point, they had all the preachers stand up by age bracket, and surprisingly (or maybe not) the 2 largest groups were the one’s in their 20’s and 30’s. I believe God is doing a work in the younger generation, and by His grace I hope to be apart of it. But on the negative side…

For every 30-something Bible preacher in the pulpit there are probably 10-12 liberal pastors who deny Scripture’s authority all together, and another 10-12 who believe in the Bible, but don’t have the backbone to preach “the whole counsel of God.” They offer a “watered down gospel” that is more palatable to the 21^st century crowd (see my blog on Rick Warren under “Missions & Evangelism” in my Archives). I believe much of this mindset comes from a “non-confrontational” desire to be liked (a trait which is deadly in a preacher) and a misunderstanding of how people are saved. “Ear Ticklers” believe they can “sweet talk” people into the Kingdom, when God makes clear that the natural man is “dead in sin” and is only saved by God’s grace which is poured out upon the clear, loving, (and confrontational) preaching of the gospel. “Ear Ticklers” see salvation as being basically man’s decision. Bible Preachers (and the Bible itself) sees salvation as being God’s Work. Consequently, “Ear Ticklers” tickle ears and gain human popularity. Bible preachers preach the truth and leave the results with God.

One breath of fresh air I’ll mention is Voddie Baucham (http://www.voddiebaucham.org). He’s a young, black, Bible preacher who you may never see on TV. But if you get a chance to hear him preach, do it! He has commented that “preaching” and even the word “preacher” are seldom used in our culture anymore because its not popular to tell people what to do. Often times when religious meetings are held the preacher is referred to as a “speaker, communicator, or conversationalist.” Baucham refuses to be referred to as a “speaker.” His motto is: “If you want a Speaker, go to Radio Shack--I come to PREACH!” We need more like him, who will stand on the authority of God’s Word, and tell it “like it is.”

In conclusion, “funny” can be a good thing in some instances. The “classic car” sermon kind of reminds me of a blog I wrote about my $31 laptop (see it under “Missions & Evangelism” in my Archives). It was meant to be “funny and light-hearted” with a spiritual lesson. It made for an OK blog. But I’d sooner die than to preach something like that from the pulpit on a Sunday morning. I shudder to think about the perishing masses who listen to “cutesy sound bites” every Sunday--and I shudder even more to think of the “Ear Ticklers” who will one day stand before the Lord’s Awesome Judgment Seat and give an account of their work (or lack thereof).

Pray for the preaching of our country. Ask God to continue to strengthen and embolden the faithful. And ask God to change (or remove) the “Ear Ticklers.” We have WAY too many in our country, and they tend to be more of a “stumbling block” than a benefit to the gospel. I’d rather people NOT GO TO CHURCH, than go to a church that is going to lead them astray. They have a better chance of hearing the gospel from a born again co-worker, than an “ear tickling” preacher. The time is short, and the stakes are TOO HIGH to waste time with frivolous preaching. As Voddie Baucham says, “If ever there was a time when we need to preach, IT IS NOW!”

Comments

[brian]

Thank God you are one of the few faithful preachers. I am always praying that you will remain so.

[Debi U.]

Shane - I agree with Brian. My thoughts as I was reading this blog were, thank you, Lord, for a bible believing preacher that is preaching your truth from our pulpit. Hell is a very serious matter and we are blessed that you don't want to tickle our ears.
Debi

[Shane]

Brian and Debi,
Thanks for the gracious words. They mean a lot to me. Prayers always needed and appreciated too.