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One of the greatest mysteries in preaching is that God would speak through humans. Even the concept of revelation itself, is remarkable. That God would put his Word in print is a mystery beyond my understanding. Charles Bartow has undertaken a considerable challeng in thinking through the human side of biblical communication. In so doing, he offers the preacher, not so much a thorough-going structure for the practice of preaching, but a helpful way of thinking about the task. The sermon is not a manuscript to write, he says, but it is a divine act – a happening that is about to happen again (121). One might not agree with everything Bartow says, but one could not help but be challenged by his thinking.
Excerpt: (w)hen I step into the pulpit of a church, face the congregation, say: “Let us hear the word of God,” and then proceed to read the Bible and to preach, that is a performative action. The people of the church have chosen me, educated me, called me, and installed me in that pulpit. And I have chosen to accept that appointment. They have prayerfully considered what they want me to do for them. I have prayerfully calculated how to go about it. We are committed to one another, and, in that commitment, we understand ourselves to be mutually accountable to God for our deportment. In the pulpit I am no longer simply a private person. I am a public persona. I am still myself, no doubt, whatever that may be. But I am not in service to myself. I am no engaged in self-expression. Instead, I am in service to the words – and the Word – the people of God would hear. My weeping, melancholic, all unadorned and shattered self is not what people come to church to see and hear. On their faces you can read it: “We wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21). And for their sakes, I had better hope to see him too – however terrifying or comforting the prospect of doing that may be. (2)