Therefore, preaching to postmoderns can never simply be
dogmatic assertions of propositional statements about biblical content or a
preacher’s pet topics. Rather, the postmodern Christian preacher must engage
people with his own real questions, and listen to and incorporate his
audience’s own questions into any interaction with Christian texts and ideas.
One must encourage the kind of habit the Bereans were commended for in Acts, as
they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”
(Acts 17:11b NIV). The preacher must be the humble representative of God’s Word
who invites the community into a relevant dialogue, asking questions about what
God says and wants, and representing the quandaries of his people.
It
is a part of the very essence of the record of God’s Word that it holds up to
fierce inquiry. The Bible record gives names, dates, and locations for its
“salvation history” events. Christianity is not a faith based on people’s
personal experiences or opinions, but the record of a communicative God who has
revealed his character and will through real events. These events are attested
to as historical facts. This is not human fantasy, but divine revelation, and
he expects his people to know, love, and serve him correctly.
Of course, there are essential
doctrines of the faith that must be believed for one to be a Christian
“believer.” There is specific content to the Christian faith. But one’s
understanding of these essential beliefs, as well as one’s ongoing reception of
God’s continuing revelation through his written Word, must be personally
appropriated. Faith is not a matter of people blindly agreeing to rote
information. Our questioning, searching, doubting, and inquiring are all vital
to the authentic Christian life and faith development, especially in this
postmodern context.
At
our church, we attempt to encourage inquiry through many avenues. Sermons
often begin with a query. The congregation is invited to dialogue about a
question related to the theme of that week’s pericope. Also, people are invited
to meet the preacher after the service at our own café, for questions,
arguments, or concerns about the message. Small groups are encouraged, to allow
for diversity in opinions or practices. Our website provides space for people to
share their questions and ideas. Doug Pagitt invites his congregation to
participate in a sermon development discussion on Tuesday nights, and then even
encourages what he calls “progressional dialogue” wherein anyone can interject
a comment, question or challenge as a vital part of the Sunday sermon.
We are interested in everyone’s
opinion on anything. However, the question that must guide all discussions is
always: What does God say about it? The dictum, “In essentials unity; in
nonessentials disunity and charity over all” is a good one. Certainly there is
disagreement about what is “essential.” But we agree that the essentials are
revealed in God’s Word, and it is there that we must debate, question, study,
and examine to see if what anyone teaches or believes is true.
