“Martin Luther strongly believed that every text of Scripture points to Jesus Christ. He emphasized that the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, should be interpreted through the lens of Christ, understanding that the Old Testament prophets and patriarchs were looking forward to His coming. Luther’s approach to Scripture was centered on the idea that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s Word and that all the other texts should be understood in relation to Him.”

Dedicated to all truly-called church ministers of the gospel

When I ask the question, “What is preaching?”, the context I have in mind is mostly, (but not exclusively), the church’s Sunday worship services.  I also hope to address the issue of the goal (or end) of preaching.

 Paul’s 10th chapter of Romans is probably the most comprehensive treatment of this sublime subject; and his (Paul’s) Holy Spirit-inspired injunction of 2 Tim. 4:2a: “Preach the Word!”, says it very succinctly.

I believe that preaching is the authoritative verbal presentation of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in the message of His gospel of grace and mercy.  I also believe that anything short of this, is not preaching at all.  It is also my conviction that every text of Holy Scripture not only lends itself to this grand enterprise; but exists so as to facilitate it.

Therefore, when a true gospel preacher approaches a text, in order to do the exegesis of it, he is already viewing the verses through the same “lens” that characterizes all of life, (especially church life)–and that lens is the Person of Jesus Himself.

This grand and glorious “presupposition” does not “prejudice” the understanding or explanation of any text–instead it employs the words in the very way they were always intended to be used, (by God Himself).

Therefore, when we address ourselves to a pericope of Scripture–Old Testament or New–we already know that God wants those verses to preach Jesus Christ to His people, His church; and (largely) through them, to the world.

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