This week on Things Unseen, we've been reflecting on the subject of preaching. And I mentioned

that there are fads in preaching, just as there are about almost everything in church life.

And if you live long enough, you begin to realize that's exactly what they are,

fads. Often they're the result of cloning. Someone does something different. It looks as though it works,

and then others follow. And the result is that we lose sight of what is fundamental and ought

to be unchangeable in the way we think about preaching.

Well, what should be fundamental?

Well, clearly the exposition of the Scriptures in the power of the Holy Spirit, and especially

the exposition that leads to the hearers being bowed down before the Lord in faith and worship and surrender and

obedience.

That's surely part of what Jonathan Edwards had in mind when he spoke in defense of what

he believed was the true preaching of the gospel during the first great awakening.

It was being criticized because of some of its effects on people.

And here's what Jonathan Edwards wrote.

I don't think ministers are to be blamed for raising the affections of their hearers too high.

If that which they are affected with be only that which is worthy of affection, and their

affections are not raised beyond a proportion

to their importance or worthiness of affection.

And then he says this, I should think myself in the way of my duty to raise the affections

of my hearers as high as possibly I can, provided that they are affected with nothing

but truth and with affections that are not disagreeable to the nature of what they are affected

with.

...