WILLIAM PERKINS’ PERCEPTION OF PREACHINGWilliam Perkins in his preface to The Art of Prophesying makes the following illustrative statement regarding preaching: “The dignity of the gift of preaching is like that of a lady helped into and carried along in a chariot, while other gifts of speech and learning stand by like maidservants, conscious of her superiority.” He avers that this incomparably dignified spiritual exercise has dual value: (1) it is a divinely ordained instrument in assembling the church and drawing together all the elect people of God; (2) it is a divinely ordained instrument to drive away the spiritual wolves from amongst the sheepfold of God. He also views that it is magnetic in that it is “the allurer of the soul, by which our self-willed minds are subdued and changed from an ungodly and pagan life-style to a life of Christian faith and repentance.” He even views it as a vicious weapon in that it shakes “the foundations of ancient heresies, and also, more recently cut to pieces the sinews of the Antichrist.” Hence, Perkins is fully convinced that prophesying stood as the “most excellent” spiritual gift available to man from God.
Moreover, Perkins perceives that the highest level of mental commitment is essential for studying and acquiring the ability to correctly execute this “most excellent” gift. Consequently, it ceaselessly mandates a tremendous responsibility on the part of the preacher in preparation. He doubts that there is a more difficult challenge in the theological disciplines than the art of preaching. Furthermore, he views preaching as a solemn utterance by the prophet of God and as relating to the worship of God. It is this earnest preacher’s sermon methodology that is be explored and evaluated in this paper.
Perkins interchangeably used the words “preaching” and “prophesying.” Thus, such prophesying for Perkins was not about receiving new revelations from God but about accurately handling the perfectly revealed word of God given by inspiration through the penning of both prophets and apostles. The word “prophesying” was an Elizabethan adopted terminology for preaching that was distinctively penetrating, doctrinally sound, convicting of sin, and glorifying God’s sovereign grace (Schaefer, 39, 42).
Notes:
Moreover, Perkins perceives that the highest level of mental commitment is essential for studying and acquiring the ability to correctly execute this “most excellent” gift. Consequently, it ceaselessly mandates a tremendous responsibility on the part of the preacher in preparation. He doubts that there is a more difficult challenge in the theological disciplines than the art of preaching. Furthermore, he views preaching as a solemn utterance by the prophet of God and as relating to the worship of God. It is this earnest preacher’s sermon methodology that is be explored and evaluated in this paper.
Perkins interchangeably used the words “preaching” and “prophesying.” Thus, such prophesying for Perkins was not about receiving new revelations from God but about accurately handling the perfectly revealed word of God given by inspiration through the penning of both prophets and apostles. The word “prophesying” was an Elizabethan adopted terminology for preaching that was distinctively penetrating, doctrinally sound, convicting of sin, and glorifying God’s sovereign grace (Schaefer, 39, 42).
Notes:
- Perkins in his The Art of Prophesying argues that preaching has a dual value (p.3) but then adds that it is also “the allurer of the soul” and a “weapon.” Hence, it can be argued that Perkins actually viewed preaching as possessing a fourfold value.
- William Perkins, The Art of Prophesying (1595; trans. 1606; reprint, Carlisle: Banner of Truth Trust, 2002), 3.
- Ibid., 3.
- Ibid., 3.
- Ibid., 5.
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