Category: The Monologue Culture

The earliest recorded Christian source for regular sermonizing is found during the late second century.” Clement of Alexandria (150-215) lamented the fact that sermons did so little to change Christians.” Yet despite its recognized failure, the sermon became a standard practice among believers by the fourth century…

In my attempt to keep this article as succinct as possible I have not elaborated much in many areas but I do think I need to clarify a few points and add a few miscellaneous notes. So here are some brief but important notes…

With regards to all New Testament revelation, whether we fully understand it, or see any benefit in it, is not of first importance. If it is clear in the New Testament that Jesus and His apostles acted and worked in a particular way then we should follow their example…

Most New Testament references to exhortation are essentially ‘in-house’ – and most often in the context of the Church…

If ‘preaching’ is a ‘declaration’ of things then ‘teaching’ is an ‘exploration’ and ‘explanation’ of things…

There are a variety of Greek words used in the New Testament which are translated as: ‘PREACH’, ‘TEACH’ and ‘EXHORT’. I shall not attempt an exhaustive study of every last one but with the use of a Strong’s Concordance and other Bible Dictionaries it is easy to see and summarise the main words that are used and see them in their context.

The principles of teaching and learning as famously expressed by an Eastern philosopher over two and half thousand years ago and as reaffirmed by a twenty first century Western university study haven’t changed one iota…