The documentary film is a different form altogether. An idea is clearly stated at the outset and then usually proven or explained. Information is presented; evidence and eyewitness accounts are offered to support the aforementioned thesis. Paul’s letter to the Romans has much in common with this style. When we come to Romans 5, for example, we see Paul presenting the benefits of justification by faith.

But wait. The purpose of a movie is to entertain, while a documentary informs. Movies are mostly fiction and deal with imagination; documentaries deal with facts and real life problems. The struggle for the preacher is this: do I want to merely entertain or do I want to relay information that can affect peoples’ lives? As a preacher I want to effect positive change. Here’s the paradox: in the short term, a documentary may communicate more clearly, but in the long term, a movie may have greater impact! Witness Hollywood‘s contribution to Western values, for good or ill.

Advertisement

Other biblical genres suggest particular preaching styles too. For example, prophetic literature is confrontational and “in your face.” Preaching from this genre is wholly different from preaching the parables. Proverbs is wisdom literature — it helps us in a whole spectrum of practical areas — but proverbs are not promises. When we preach the proverbs we respect that genre in our preaching.

Ultimately, a variety of genres are included in the canon of scripture; each has value and purpose in communicating God’s truth and self-revelation. A biblical form, such as parable, suggests a unique homiletic. When we try to homogenize biblical literature — and by implication our preaching methodology — and superimpose it onto a form like parables, both preacher and the listeners are intuitively disappointed and frustrated. A failure to respect the form has resulted in many frustrated preachers, with frustration producing avoidance.

Respecting the Audience

Jesus’ audience was largely sceptical and even hostile to His message. Even though His message was good news, it met with great resistance. Jesus knew the best way to overcome this resistance was to tell stories that were subtly loaded with divine power and revelation. When an expert in the law asked Jesus in Luke 10, “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him quite directly by referencing the Old Testament scripture: love God and love your neighbour. That should have been sufficient. But Jesus was met with resistance. “Who is my neighbour?” the man asks. So Jesus launches into a parable: there was a certain man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho.

Our audience is similar. We face sceptical listeners inside the church as well as outside. And even the converted wrestle with human depravity. Furthermore, in a post-modern world, propositional truth is often resisted. Those who come to church as seekers or sceptics bring a different worldview to church and present a great challenge for preachers. The parables are a great resource for preaching in a post-modern world.