What Does Evangelical Preaching In A Pluralistic Culture Look Like? -- By: Pete Charpentier
Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 18:1 (Spring 2021)
Article: What Does Evangelical Preaching In A Pluralistic Culture Look Like?
Author: Pete Charpentier
JBTM 18:1 (Spring 2021) p. 95
What Does Evangelical Preaching In A Pluralistic Culture Look Like?
Exploring Homiletical Implications from the Content and Rhetorical Strategies of Paul’s Sermon in Acts 17 for Contemporary Evangelical Preaching
Pete Charpentier is associate professor of theology and pastoral ministry at Grand Canyon Theological Seminary in Phoenix, Arizona.
Abstract
Paul’s sermon in Acts 17:22–31 has been evaluated in diverse ways. This article contends that both its content and rhetorical strategies represent a positive model for evangelical preaching. In Acts 17:22–31, Paul communicated the gospel within the biblical narrative of redemption as he creatively connected with his audience and boldly challenged their core philosophical presuppositions. The above understanding yields implications for appropriate approaches to argumentation from a posture of humility in contemporary evangelical preaching.
Introduction
One of the challenges facing contemporary evangelical preaching is how to defend the gospel to a culture awash in pluralism.1 To meet this challenge, preachers must engage in effective argumentation2 even when many in their audiences may bristle at the
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exclusive claims of Scripture. Yet, argumentation in preaching is not optional. Although it is difficult to navigate the tricky currents of postmodernism,3 the biblical text repeatedly confronts preachers with exhortations to communicate the gospel persuasively (see, for example, 1 Pet 3:15 and Jude 3).4 Specifically, Paul’s sermon in Acts 17:22–31 functions as a model for offering an effective strategy of argumentation before a pluralistic audience.5 Of course, Paul’s sermon in Athens has been the focus of much scholarly attention.6 In light of this, the following article will limit its analysis of Acts 17:16–34 to relevant homiletical implications for contemporary evangelical preaching in a pluralistic culture.