Read “Preaching Biblical Wisdom in a Self-Help Society”
This was a interesting book because of the interaction between Biblical wisdom and self-help literature. The book has an excellent study of the nature of wisdom. It has a long section concerning the new age movement. It deals with the concepts that are being pushed in society. The shocking part is how new age thoughts have entered into some pulpits in the church. Some new age philosophy is so prevalent that people begin to think that it is part of the Bible. It is almost like the “cleanliness is next to godliness.” People are not aware that what is being preached is from a Buddhist source. The next section deals with the word of God on wisdom. It shows the nature of wisdom in the Biblical text. The final chapters look at some of the wisdom literature in the Bible. Of course Job, Proverbs, etc, are included but there is also a look at Matthew and John in their contribution to wisdom literature. At the end of most of the chapters there are sermon ideas and forms that can be used to develop some great sermons. This is a great book to read to test if one’s message is from society’s notion of wisdom or from the word of God. Also, there is sermon series ideas all through the book. Good stuff.
Related posts:
- Read “Preaching What We Practice”
- Proverbs, Wisdom, and the Wicked Woman
- Reflection on Wisdom and Moral Formation and Tennessee Football
- Read “Preaching that Connects”
- Biblical Spirituality
About The Author
You might even see yourself preaching a self-help gossip too. It is not fun to see that.
[...] Go to the author’s original blog: Read “Preaching Biblical Wisdom in a Self-Help Society” [...]
Funny thing is that many of the self helps books and programs are based on principle that orginated in the Bible. I was showing a buddy of mine the other day that self control was first stated in the Bible.
The major difference? Bible addresses the issue of dealing with the past when we did not use self-control. It also teaches that self-control is the result of God’s Spirit in our lives. Self-help lends itself to digging self out of hole; Biblical message is not one of getting better but becoming new; God helps those who cannot help themselves.
A couple of years ago I had a Christian complain about my preaching. Her complaint was that even though we are saved by the gospel, my preaching focused too much on the gospel and did not address enough of what she described as self help issues. I don’t think I made her any happier when I told her that I took her complaint as a compliment.
Out with the self help non-sense in preaching and in with the gospel for the gospel is the only thing powerful enough to save us from the mess we are in!
-Rex
God Bless,