I am certainly not suggesting that preachers should never make use of the original languages. But we must strive with all our might to not make Greek and Hebrew secret codes that will “unlock” the treasures of Scripture to the linguistic scholar. First, we should be mindful that other capable interpreters (who know the languages as well!) still come to different conclusions using the same data. Wayne Grudem and Gordon Fee, for instance, are two charismatic scholars who will defend their positions with the Greek, too.
Second, we don’t always need to “show our math” by calling attention to the mechanics of our preparation. A good surgeon does not overwhelm the patient with technical terms; rather, he takes the knowledge he has and contextualizes it for his patient. I want my listeners to have confidence in their English Bibles. If I flaunt my Greek and Hebrew, they will rely more on me than on the Scriptures that I am preaching.
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2. Brilliantly creative interpretations will make them need us more than their Bibles.
Here’s another dangerous statement when it comes from a listener: “Pastor, how do you ever see such things in Scripture?” I used to think that this was the slam-dunk of sermon compliments. Yes, yes, I’d think, I have shown them the beauty of the text! When a preacher’s sermon is a “work of art,” it may be the furthest from the plain meaning of the text.
I remember hearing a message with a great title years ago from 2 Kings 2 called “To Kill A Mockingboy.” It was based on the passage where Elisha is mocked by several youths about his baldness, and the prophet calls down curses prompting bears to come out and kill 42 of the hecklers. If there were ever a passage that needs careful handling, this one is it. Let me take you through the preacher’s outline.
Point #1: We will often be mocked in the Christian life? Elisha was mocked, and we will be, too (though not all of us for hair loss I presume).
Point #2: God will see to it that the resources we need are always around to take down our enemies. The bears were right around the prophet. (We may have angels, friend, family, etc.)
Point #3: God will always bring total victory to us when we are mocked for our faith. (Elisha had faithfully endured the taunts of his enemies, and God showed Himself faithful as well).
Depending on our theology and exposition, we will range anywhere between admiration and shock in our reaction to this sermon. But I want to ask a more basic question. Would the average laymen EVER arrive at such conclusions from reading 2 Kings 2? I daresay “never!” Instead, listeners will be in awe of the preacher’s ability to “see” things in the text that they could never see. Once again, the Bible cannot be properly understood apart from the preacher.