conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

prophetic preaching...

Here is something from the ABP again...

"The two great hungers in our world today are the hunger for spirituality and the hunger for social justice, and the connection between the two is the one the world's waiting for," [Jim] Wallis said. "There's a whole generation out there waiting for a different kind of message. I think prophetic preaching is meant to clear up the confusion, clear up the confusion of what faith means.”

and this...

Prophecy is not about gazing into the future. It's about passion for a better world right now, speakers at a celebration of preaching stressed in Nashville, Tenn.

This is the most difficult kind of preaching for me...and not because I don't get it, but because on some level there has to exist a relationship between the person in the pulpit and the people in the pews. There has to be trust. It is one thing to come in as a known "prophetic preacher," let people have it, and go on your merry way. It is entirely different to stare out over the congregation and see the pain that is there and say something this challenging.

I am not saying that it should not be done. I think it should be. Christianity is not a hiding place. It is the place where the needs of the world, our own brokenness, can encounter divine hope. And such hope will challenge us to be prophets. Spiritual healing is mercy and justice. Spirituality and Works (action, mercy, justice) cannot be separated from the other and still remain healthy. They must be understood (at the very least) as one and the same.

Note: There is also a question as to whether or not exhortation and prophesy are the same thing. Amos is a good prophet to read to get a sense as to what prophesy can be. So is Isaiah, but it is very long. I think these people may be speaking more about exhortation than prophesy. But I dunno. Your thoughts?

Posted by tripp at May 31, 2007 05:29 PM