The solution, then, is to actually quote the text and, “say the actual words of the text again and again. Piper maintains that the effects of such preaching leaves the hearers wondering if the authority of the sermon is in the text or the preacher. One wonders if this is an unintended result of the instruction of men such as Haddon Robinson, who writes, “an expositor communicates a concept,” in direct contradiction to communicating the very words of Scripture. John Piper’s primary critique with modern preaching is that they seem to have been taught to, “get the drift of a text and then talk in your own words for thirty minutes” (45). He shares lessons and insights learned during his faithful and fruitful ministry, but more emphatically, shares those he has learned through his diligent, lifelong study of the great Jonathan Edwards. Piper leads his reader by the hand and encourages them to exalt and exist as those called to this task. Part One of the book focuses on defending why God should be supreme in preaching, and in Part Two, Piper gives his reader insights regarding how to make it so. This then is the goal of preaching: “the glory of God reflected in the glad submission of the human heart” (29). 52:7) Piper quotes Cotton Mather, who calls preachers, “to restore the throne and dominion of God in the souls of men” (26).
Preachers proclaim with Isaiah, “Your God reigns.” (Isa. With that definition in hand, Piper calls for a renewed understanding for the true goal of preaching. To this end, then, Piper calls for “expository exultation” – that is, “not the opinions of a mere man,” but “the faithful exposition of God’s Word” (11). Piper states, “People are starving for the greatness of God,” and the only cure for that hunger is His greatness and majesty (13). In The Supremacy of God in Preaching, John Piper provides a unique perspective on the definition and goal of preaching.
Piper, John The Supremacy of God in Preaching.
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