Style often trumps substance in [church]
JUXTAPOSED PREACHERS
Last week I delivered a message concerning the juxtaposition of abundance in John 10 and in Ezekiel 34. In order to get out of what Dan Kimball coins – the Bubble – I spent a few hours looking up various preachers who have been pegged as ‘Abundance Theologians’. As I watched these video segments I was amazed at how little was actually said… but they looked really good doing it.
Today I was reading an article concerning the upcoming VP debate. In a way I was amazed at what I read… in some ways I wasn’t. Check out the article. Can we parallel this with the Church in any way?
From MSNBC.com – Style Often Trumps Substance in Debates
I would like to hear your thoughts.
NOTE: You might recognize some of the people in the pictures above.. and a couple you might not. Pictures 5 and 7 are men who have taught me how to deliver the substance with style: Dr. Reed Lessing and Dr. David Schmitt. Check them out at iTunes U under the Concordia Seminary podcasts if you want to experience great preachers.
I haven’t watched that video, but I do share the concern about style trumping substance in politics. You might like the book “Amusing Ourselves to Death” (by Neil Postman) — he talks about the Lincoln-Douglas debates, for which people would sit for hours listening carefully to detailed discussions, then take a break for a meal, then come back for a few more hours. Contrast that with debates where a presidential candidate gets about 2 minutes to lay out their economic plan for the country!
You’re right about preachers, too. I read an article by Creflo Dollar the other day called “8 Steps to Destination: Prosperity Overflow!” Theologically, it was on par with “The Secret” or any kind of “Think Positively and You’ll Get Money” system… but he was standing in a glossy photo, wearing a slick purple suit, with ridiculously white teeth in a wide smile, and it makes you think, “This guy MUST have the answer!”
That kind of thing makes me appreciate and take seriously our Lutheran confirmation process. It’s really important to train our kids in the truth so they can spot the lies that are everywhere around us!
Anyway, thanks for the thought-provoking post! Hope things are going well.
-Derek