July 10 & 11 - Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - Preaching

This is Dr. Ellsworth Kalas our preaching professor. This man is famous among preachers and it is an honor to be in his class. We are so blessed to have him as a model of Christian life and a standard bearer of Christian preaching.

Our first conversation with him (one does not think of him as giving mere lectures) covered his his understanding of preaching. He started the class by saying, "I believe in preaching. People have been trying to decry preaching since Noah gave his warning of the flood."

Why does he believe in preaching over radio or television (although they do have their place)? "Face-to-face communication is still the best way to do business with people." There's something special about one human being locking eyes with others and sharing from the soul. Nothing can replace human contact.

Another thing was his ideas on the goal of preaching: first, a sermon should move people should be moved God-ward; the sermon should guide, help or make a person plan to be a better person tomorrow. Second, a sermon should give people something to remember long-term; this is why is focuses so much on ideas, the title and organization. And finally, a sermon should effect people eternally; from a sermon people should come to know Christ as Lord and Savior or grow further in Christ. "Jesus Christ died to save us from sin but to save us into life ... and make us saints."

The rest of our lectures will go over the fundementals of preaching. In our first two days, Dr. Kalas had the opportunity to go over one of those fundementals: if you are given an idea you better get a scripture; if you are given a scripture you better get an idea. Because if you have an idea without a scripture ... it's just a talk. If you have scripture without an idea, it's just a Bible study. Preaching is where a scripture, an idea, and the Holy Spirit bring forth a pronoucement of the Good News Jesus Christ.

Our next class with Dr. Kalas will be July 19.

Grace and peace,
Trav Wilson