In the 1980’s John R. W. Stott wrote an influential book on biblical preaching titled Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century. In it he described the challenge of preaching as creating a bridge between two worlds — the world of the biblical text and the world of the contemporary hearer. In an interview with R. Albert Mohler, Stott summarized this topic:
To build a bridge between the modern world and the biblical world we must first be careful students of both. We must be ever engaged in careful biblical exegesis, conscientiously and continually, and yet also involved in careful study of the contemporary context. Only this will allow us to relate one to the other.
I find it helpful in my own study to ask two questions of the text — and in the right order. First, “What does it mean?” and second, “What does it say?”
… we must accept the discipline of grammatical and historical exegesis, of thinking ourselves back into the historical, geographical, cultural, and social situation in which the author was writing. We must do this to understand what the text means. It cannot be neglected.
The second question moves us from the original meaning of the text to its contemporary message — “What does it say?” If we ask the first question without asking the second, we lapse into antiquarianism, unrelated to modern reality.
On the other hand, if we leap to the second question, “What does it say today?,” we lapse into existentialism, unrelated to the reality of biblical revelation. We have to relate the past revelation of God to the present reality of the modern world.[1]
I also recall evangelist /apologist Ravi Zacharias speaking of three levels of biblical teaching/reasoning. An article posted in “James’ Mirror” outlines these levels:
In Zacharias’ framework, our arguments must begin by establishing truth (level 1) before applying it to ourselves existentially (level 2) and then prescribing it to others (level 3). In every area of life the questions associated with these levels must be answered sequentially. 1) Is my belief tenable? Can I defend it with the laws of logic? 2) Is it livable? Can there be a harmony in existence? 3) Is it transferable? Do I have the right to make moral judgments? …Zacharias details this process in the appendix of his book, A Shattered Visage.[2]
Here is an additional way to think of the “worlds” or “levels” involved in the dynamic, accurate, practical communication of God’s Word in teaching and preaching.
- The Biblical world.
As John Stott affirmed, we need to respect the inspiration and authority of God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16,17). It needs to be interpreted accurately, with illumination by the Holy Spirit (John 16:14). But before moving to the next “world” context, the biblical teacher needs to put Old Testament and New Testament teaching before Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) in the context of the New Covenant. To neglect this is to slip into a Galatian heresy of mixing law and grace, not only regarding justification, but also regarding sanctification (Gal. 2:20,21; 3:1-3, 24, 28; 5:1-6).
- The modern world.
Here we track with the second “world” described by John Stott. We are to be like the men of Issachar “who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chron. 12:32). Biblical prophets were to “forth-tell” (as well as foretell) God’s Word as it related to their generation. Today’s preacher should address our current context, but with timeless principles.
- My personal world.
Here Ravi Zacharias’ perspective is noted. The biblical preacher needs to apply God’s inspired, culturally relevant truth to his own life. We don’t want to fall into the pattern of the pessimistic description of teaching whereby the information travels from the textbook, through the teacher, through the student, on to the student’s notebook but without engaging the minds of either one!
We should aspire to Paul’s values of mentoring by example:
- “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).
- “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me” (1 Cor. 15,16).
Therefore he exhorts the preacher (through Timothy) to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).
Although we can’t model perfection—we haven’t arrived—but we can model humility, sincerity, and integrity by the enablement of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:12,13; 3:12). Thus, we don’t bypass personal application. We can testify of how the truth is impacting our lives, including our response with struggles and victories.
- The listener’s world
When someone is listening to a sermon, although they should revere God’s Word, understand their culture, and appreciate glimpses of the preacher’s interaction with the message in his own life, the bottom line is that people are concerned about their own lives. “How can this biblical message help me know and worship God, handle personal problems, and improve relationships?” A prominent topical preacher remarked that people will listen for a long time if they perceive the message is about their own lives. Admittedly, ultimate needs should be proclaimed even when they are not obviously related to “felt needs,” but the preaching should apply the message in practical, relevant ways.
Is our biblical teaching/preaching connecting wisely with these four “worlds” of the Bible, our culture, our personal life, and the needs of the hearers? Which one(s) needs to be elevated for fruitful, impactful communication of God’s Word though our ministry?
[1] Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century, Eerdmans, 1982.
“For many years the Rector of All Souls Church in London, Stott was also the founder and director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His preaching ministry became a model of the effective communication of biblical truth to secular men and women. The author of several books, his voice and pen were among the most determinative forces in the development of the contemporary evangelical movement in the Church of England and throughout the world.” https://preaching.org/preaching-between-two-worlds/
[2] https://jamesmirror.com/2012/12/14/ravi-zacharias-apologetics-method/
J.B.W.
Revitalizing Pastors 