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Readers' Forum
Avoid Negative Image Of Afro-Americans
I have found
that many of the articles [in Pulpit
Helps] have been both informative and edifying. The articles have helped
to bring clarity to many subjects that are church and ministry related.
However, As I have looked through the magazine, I have noticed that other than
ads that are commercially objective—choir robes, colleges, seminaries,
etc., there are very few human-interest stories that show how African Americans
through faith and doctrinal application have been successful in marriage,
ministry, missions, and education. My concern,
however, is the portrayal of a negative image of African Americans in the minds
of your subscribers, e.g., the article (in the June issue) by Bill Denton
titled, “Conscienceless Youth,” which I
thought gave some challenging information. The picture that was offered
shows three males, two African Americans and one white or Hispanic male. One of
the African American males has the gun in his hand. The image of
the black youth with the gun contributes to what
I will call “Negrophobia,” an unrealistic and unfounded fear and perception of
African American people. This is a tradition that can be traced back to
slavery, when scientists, philosophers, and theologians taught that blacks were
not human. The era of Jim Crow and separate but “unequal” restrooms, drinking
fountains, restaurants, and even cemeteries perpetuated the thoughts of
inferiority. Even in
supermarkets today the remnants of marketing “Negrophobia” are prevalent:
“Uncle Ben” on the box of rice, “Aunt Jemima” on pancake mix, and “Rasmus” on
boxes of Cream of Wheat. I would like to
see Pulpit Helps
be the example of practical doctrinal purity when opportunities come for
human-interest stories. That African Americans be portrayed like everyone
else—sinners saved by grace. Sinners who without Christ can reach the
depths of depravity. But also by God’s amazing grace can reach great heights as
African Americans, like Chief of Neurosurgery Ben Carson at Johns Hopkins
Medical Center, or Atlanta’s successful pastor and family man, Dr. John McNeal,
missionary Montrose Waite, and sixty-year marriage of Walter and Alma Jones. We need
responsible journalism in America that will aid us in our primary objectives to
“go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Pastor Kevin J. Lavender, Sr. Editor’s response: The picture
accompanying Bill Denton’s article was a stock photo intended to represent the
gang sub-culture found in our cities—and that is not an “unfounded fear.”
We intended no racial implications. As for human interest stories,
Pulpit Helps has never
run many, as we lean much more heavily toward encouraging all to “run
with patience the race that is set
before us,” through Bible
commentary and articles on practical Christianity. However, we do run a few
human-interest stories, when we find good ones—note, for instance, the
article on “The Prince of Black Preachers” in the August issue. Exegetical Preaching Article Off-Base
In the July
issue Pulpit Helps
printed an article “The need for Biblical Preaching” by Albert Mohler, that
deeply concerns me. Dr. Mohler’s article attacked topical and “needs based”
preaching, arguing instead for strict exegetical preaching. In this article
arguing for biblical preaching, not one Bible verse was cited. No biblical
example was given. It had no biblical authority. Could the
reason no verses were cited in an article arguing against topical preaching is
because the style of Jesus Christ was topical? The Sermon on the Mount is very
needs-based! Jesus taught in “parables.” That’s not my analysis, that’s what
the Bible says! Parables aren’t exegetical, are they? The Sermon on
the Mount uses a host of Scriptures as Jesus says: “You have heard it said….” He’s not just
quoting from a single text; the entire body of Scripture is His reference. The style of
Paul was topical in Athens as he presented people with the “unknown” God (Acts
17:23). Most scholars tell us that James is written in the form of a New
Testament sermon. I would say it’s one of those “needs based” sermons Dr.
Mohler objected to. Peter preached a topical message at Pentecost. I challenge you
to find one example of exegetical preaching in the New Testament. Friends, the
point of preaching is not always to dissect the text, it is to tell the story of the risen
Christ! What is truly being lost in arguments about exegetical and topical
preaching is the cross as our
center. Show me one
single instance when the style or form of the sermon was an issue the first
century Christians even bothered to debate. Apollos certainly didn’t preach
like Paul, but neither was his approach condemned as more worldly. Can’t you be
content saying: If they are not against us, they are for us! At least the cross
is preached! But your publication and Dr. Mohler have now determined the right
method of preaching; how arrogant! Show me the Scripture you base this on! I am concerned
about unbiblical preaching, such as I hear from the pulpit of Joel Osteen and
some others. This is a health and wealth gospel without any preaching of sin.
However, the problem is not the outline, it’s the omission of sin. By suggesting
that topical preaching is some kind of new problem arising at the end of the 20th
century is simply historically inaccurate. What about men like George Truett?
My grandfather gave me his library; it was full of topical, “needs based”
sermon outlines from the 1920s-1960s. As a pastor of
a military congregation, I usually preach exegetical messages. However, there
are times when I preach on: fear, war, marriage, the deity of Christ, prayer,
and more, using a more topical approach. One approach is not more holy or
sanctified than another. Since Spurgeon
was cited, did you look through your own issue of Pulpit Helps? Spurgeon’s sermon, “The Kings
Gardens,” certainly wasn’t exegetical! Jesus did not
say: “Go preach exegetical messages”; Jesus told us to go preach. David Squyres Editor’s response: We think
your words, “the cross as our center!” hit the nail on the head. The
trouble—as Mohler points out—is with “feel-good” messages that
neither bring sinners to repentance nor strengthen and encourage believers in
the way of righteousness. We agree that there is a place for topical
sermons—when employed as our Lord used them. Contact Pulpit Helps
The opinions and beliefs found in
Reader’s Forum are those of the writers, and do not necessarily represent those
of Pulpit Helps. We welcome and encourage signed letters with different
perspectives. Please limit your letters to 250 words or less. Letters may be
edited for length and clarity. Mail: Pulpit Helps Chattanooga,
TN 37421 E-mail: editor@pulpithelps.com Phone:
1-800-251-7206 Fax: 423-510-8074 |