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Christian Preaching |
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We assume so easily that Christian preaching just involves enunciating a Gospel ideology, and that is important to do, but that is just part of God’s mission for us as adherents to Christ’s way. Rather, we must demonstrate what Christianity, particularly Quaker Conservative Christianity means in this beleaguered world of ours. First of all, we need to begin relating to people as if they are open to God’s vision. That’s why in conversations with other humans, we must assume that they have the same divine connections. And thus, when we speak to them, we have to be aware of their natural openness to Christ. In preaching, we do witness in His name. For example, because of our openness to God, we will not work in places that produce armaments, including nuclear ones, and when asked why we won’t work at places that produce those weapons, we can say we are motivated by God’s vision for His people. And because of that vision, we will not indulge in propagating war hysteria. To the contrary, we believe in the teachings of the prophets and of Jesus to lay down our armaments and even subject ourselves to possible physical abuse. That is preaching in the best sense. Preaching has several dimensions. One of them is helping to feed the downtrodden, either through our own efforts or helping others do that Gospel work. That is why we cannot separate preaching from witnessing, because they are really one and the same, as long as we are being directed by the divine force. Remember that Jesus is the inspiration for our preaching and actions, and they have be unified in His presence.
Arthur Berk |