Differences between "old time" preachers and modern preachers

[John81]

Recently I've been listening to a lot of sermons from some of the "old time" preachers, and reading some of their writings, while at the same time listening to some of what's on various Christian radio programs and trying to discern the differences.

Most often, when listening to the "old time" preachers one gets a sense of the precense of the Holy Ghost and detects a boldness to preach the whole Word of God as is, with no excuses, no watering down, no skipping over. For most of the modern preachers this seems to be lacking. This seems especially lacking when it comes to those who do "focus on the family" type programs (I think they've changed their name but don't recall the new name; and there are several similar programs today as well).

It seems the "old time" preachers took the world on directly while modern preachers tend to either beat around the bush (as if they fear naming names, calling certain sins sin, giving clear warning, etc.). The "old time" preachers were far more proactive (was that even a term back then?). While they called upon Christians to get in the Word and to actually obey the Word, the whole Word, even the parts their flesh didn't like, most modern preachers today fail to do this or they only hint at such or direct folks do obey the Word in certain areas only.

The "old time" preachers preached that Christian men are to be men as the Word declares; Christian women are to be women as the Word declares; and children are to be raised as the Word says. Most modern preachers avoid much of this and when they do preach upon the subject they water it down, make exceptions, bend over backwards and jump through hoops in an attempt not to "offend" any women. Parents are commanded to be godly men and women and to raise their children for the Lord in accord with His Word. Today it's more common for such matters to go unaddressed or glossed over until there is a problem. Then the modern preachers preach a "how to try and fix this" sermon while being careful to proclaim it's not the parents fault their daughter had wicked friends for years, was running around late at night, decided to drop out of high school, shacked up with a heavy drinking guy they don't even know and got pregnant. The modern preachers "fix" is to "love" the daughter, pray for her and just let things work themselves out somehow...being careful not to mention Scripture, sin, repentance, God or any such thing unless the wayward child brings it up themselves.

"Old time" preachers called for sacrifice, for living simple for the sake of Christ, for giving our all in the service of Christ, truly making Jesus the Lord of our lives. Most modern preachers deliver a message (not even a sermon!) telling Christians how to be comfortable, how to handle their money so they have a good retirment, how to give so they get tax breaks, how to "serve" without sacrifice.

"Old time" preachers spoke openly about the fact that if one truly and fully follows Christ the world will not like them, might even hate them and persecute them. Most modern preachers tell us that Christians should be so sweet and non-offensive that everyone should like us, and if they don't, we need to be nicer.

"Old time" preachers confronted things like the Masons, the RCC, false religions, wayward churches and denominations head on. Many modern preachers are more likely to either ignore such, tolerate such, cooperate or even yoke with such!

"Old time" preachers spoke openly and boldy about sin, clearly naming sins and calling them sins and not being "tolerant" of those who decided to practice sin. Such is little heard today.

[John81]

As Providence would have it, today after mowing I heard something on Christian radio about a mom with daughter problems. Interestingly, Dr. Rice had addressed a very similar situation in his day. The Christian "experts" on the radio talked about how it wasn't the parents fault, how sad it was for the mom that she had to deal with such pain, that if she just prays and acts as if everything is okay hopefully the daughter will eventually, in weeks, months or years, "turn her life around".

Dr. Rice, in addressing a very similar situation squarely told the parents it was their fault the daughter was as she was because they had not been raising her according to the Word and they had not been disciplining her in accord with the Word. Dr. Rice told the father to whip the child (either with a ping pong paddle or belt, I don't recall which he mentioned this time) until the daughter was begging for him to stop and was surely aware she had received a sound whipping. He then told them to tell the daughter from then on things were going to be done right in the home and if another whipping were needed it would be longer and harder than that one. Then they were to explain to her what God's Word says about such matters and what they were dealing with and the home and such.

The daughter in Dr. Rice's case got right while the daughter in the current case is wallowing in sin with parents advised to do or say nothing other than to pray.

[John81]

Another matter came to mind this morning.

Scripture and "old time" preachers tell us to take the Gospel to the lost, preach and present the Gospel continually, not getting sidetracked, for today is the day of salvation. Meanwhile, most modern preachers tell us to be cautious and careful, to hold back so as not to "offend" someone. The modern preachers declare we must not simply take the Gospel to the lost, but we must learn all we can about their false religion, whatever that may be, by studying and learning Mormonism, Islam, wicca, the Norse gods, American Indian spiritualism, the many thousands of gods in India, etc.

Scripture tells us we are to meditate upon the Word of God day and night. We are told to totally separate from false religions, not to allow them place in our hearts, minds or lives. The "old time" preachers seem to have believed and followed this. They preached we are to take the Gospel to the lost, whatever false religion they follow, and preach the Gospel boldly. It is, after all, the Word of God and the moving of the Holy Ghost which convicts men of their sins and draws them to Christ; not our cleverly thought out arguments or comparisons and contrastings.

Most modern preachers tell us we have to hold back on presenting the Gospel until we have studied their false religion and know it well. Then we are to build friendships with the lost false religionists. After this we can begin to mention our Christianity but only carefully so we don't "offend" them, and only in a duplicitious manner acting as if we are interested in their religion and seeking to learn of their religion. Then, at some point and without "offense" we can compare some aspects of Christianity with their religion. Maybe, eventually, at some point after months or many years have gone by, we might feel it's a comfortable time to mention the Gospel.

Scripture, and the "old time" preachers, tell us that now is the acceptable time, none of us know how much time we have so we better get right with God today and help others to get right with God quickly. We are told the preaching of the Gospel will be offensive to many yet we are never told to water it down or hold back on spreading the Gospel to all.

Is it any wonder the results of following the modern preachers reaps little harvest while those in other countries who are following the Word of God are seeing many come to Christ because they boldly preach the Gospel to all, without regard for their particular false religion?

[heartstrings]

Does the Bible say anything about "old time preachers"? I know it mentions false teachers, false prphets and wolves in sheep's clothing; but then those were around in "old times" too...even 2000 years ago. We don't need more "offensive" preaching, since the Bible has much to say about offending our brother. What we need is Holy Ghost preaching. If a man can just preach full of the Holy Ghost, he won't tell jokes, he won't be hateful or sarcastic, he won't try to manipulate people and he won't exaggerate, lie or twist scripture.

[JerryNumbers]

Bible truths offend, many were offended because of what Jesus stated, if we preach the truth, some will be offended. And what John stated is true, many of todays pastors do not preach truths, and perhaps there is several reason they do not. Among them be they fear to offend, perhaps another one is they don't know the truth.

[heartstrings]

Bible truths offend, many were offended because of what Jesus stated, if we preach the truth, some will be offended. And what John stated is true, many of todays pastors do not preach truths, and perhaps there is several reason they do not. Among them be they fear to offend, perhaps another one is they don't know the truth.

Yes, Bible truths offend.
There is a diifference in offending with conviction of sin...and offending with an offensive spirit

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

...speaking the truth in love....Ephesians 4:15

[John81]

Does the Bible say anything about "old time preachers"? I know it mentions false teachers, false prphets and wolves in sheep's clothing; but then those were around in "old times" too...even 2000 years ago. We don't need more "offensive" preaching, since the Bible has much to say about offending our brother. What we need is Holy Ghost preaching. If a man can just preach full of the Holy Ghost, he won't tell jokes, he won't be hateful or sarcastic, he won't try to manipulate people and he won't exaggerate, lie or twist scripture.

By "old time preachers", I was simply referring to those fine men of God from previous era's. Listening to, reading and speaking of Vance Havner, John R. Rice and others got me to thinking of this.

Wtih regard to offense, I was referring as Scripture does to the offense of the Gospel. I agree we don't need hate, hurtful sarcasm, manipulation, twisting or lies. Such is actually more common with modern preachers. The preachers of old tended to preach from the Word and preach it boldly. While they might add some stories to help illustrate some points, they were often from their own lives and dealt directly with the Scripture being preached. These men spent a great deal of time in prayer, Bible reading and Bible study and even hearing or reading their works today one can often note the power of the Holy Ghost coming through.

Why anyone would want to listen to a preacher who sounds more like a less vulgar commediene out to get laughs, especially at others expense, and who doesn't treat the Word of God and preaching the same with all due reverence and respect, I don't know.

[Cliff Hanger]

Which modern Preachers are you referring to?

[John81]

Which modern Preachers are you referring to?

I wasn't referring to any specifically as there are so many who fit this category.

We had vistors at our church and they picked up a printed copy of one of our pastors past sermons and as they flipped through the pages they asked if he preaches each sermon in 3 or 4 parts. The answer is "no", that's one sermon. Apparently, the church they attend (didn't catch the name of their church) only has 10-12 minute "sermons". They said they didn't know anyone still preached longer sermons.

[JerryNumbers]

Ear scratching people want sermonetts ALL the time, and there be lots of people that will cater to them. Notice I said people, not pastors nor preachers. And many of the cxhurches that do that way have many probrams, singing groups, and its more about entertaiment that about God and our Savior.

Personally I never cared for 2, 3, 4, 5, & or 6 part or more sermons.

And personally I never did like it when a pastor stopped so that the congregation would exit the building at 12:00 noon. I do not care for timed sermons. Some sermons are OK to be a bit longer than others, yet its OK for some to be shorter than others. Mine vary, and at times mine ends at 11:30 AM or shortly after.

[John81]

Ear scratching people want sermonetts ALL the time, and there be lots of people that will cater to them. Notice I said people, not pastors nor preachers. And many of the cxhurches that do that way have many probrams, singing groups, and its more about entertaiment that about God and our Savior.

Personally I never cared for 2, 3, 4, 5, & or 6 part or more sermons.

And personally I never did like it when a pastor stopped so that the congregation would exit the building at 12:00 noon. I do not care for timed sermons. Some sermons are OK to be a bit longer than others, yet its OK for some to be shorter than others. Mine vary, and at times mine ends at 11:30 AM or shortly after.

Our pastor said he's heard that "sermonettes create Christianettes"!

Our pastors sermons are typically about 30 minutes but sometimes they will go a little longer and on rare occasions a little under.

Too many people today attend church to look good in the eyes of others and get entertained. Sadly, there are many churches willing to do what they have to in order to have them and keep them in their congregations.

What can you get out of a 10 minute sermon???

[JerryNumbers]

In my time I recall hearing a few sermons that were 15 to 20 minutes in length, that were full sermons. And I have heard several preachers, pastors, that preached for 1 hour yet it really was only about a 15 to 20 minute sermon. And if they had ended it sooner I believe there would have been better results.

And I am not saying that there are not times, topics, where its OK for a full hour sermon. Yet I think being a bit shorter would be more effective on many occasions.

[John81]

In my time I recall hearing a few sermons that were 15 to 20 minutes in length, that were full sermons. And I have heard several preachers, pastors, that preached for 1 hour yet it really was only about a 15 to 20 minute sermon. And if they had ended it sooner I believe there would have been better results.

And I am not saying that there are not times, topics, where its OK for a full hour sermon. Yet I think being a bit shorter would be more effective on many occasions.

Our associate pastor recently completed his Masters degree and had to video record himself preaching a 20 minute sermon on a particular topic. He had to talk a little faster than normal to get the sermon in at 20 minutes but he did a great job and received an A.

For the most part, somewhere between the 20 to 40 minute range seems best. These days it's really hard to hold a congregations attention any longer than that. There are a few preachers who can preach an hour sermon well but many who try to preach hour sermons would be better off preaching a shorter sermon because their sermons don't flow well, it seems they add filler just to get that hour in.

I can't imagine going to church just to hear the pastor preach for 10 minutes. No way could I get enough spiritual meat to carry me through. I've visited some churches where they have 20 minutes of singing, about 15 minutes of preaching, and then another 20 minutes (sometimes 30 minutes) of singing. Those services were all too entertainment and emotion-based.

[Covenanter]

Sorry you don't like 6-part sermons - my first sermon (last Sunday) for the church where we are now worshipping had 6 parts:

Ezekiel 37:1-14
1. Introduction to Ezekiel's prophecy
2. The vision of the valley of dry bones
3. The message of the vision
John 5:24-29
4. What Jesus taught about spiritual life from the dead.
5. The resurrection at the day of judgement.
6. Eternal life – for us.

2,000 words & 30 minutes. I'll post it in the sermon section.

[John81]

Sorry you don't like 6-part sermons - my first sermon (last Sunday) for the church where we are now worshipping had 6 parts:

Ezekiel 37:1-14
1. Introduction to Ezekiel's prophecy
2. The vision of the valley of dry bones
3. The message of the vision
John 5:24-29
4. What Jesus taught about spiritual life from the dead.
5. The resurrection at the day of judgement.
6. Eternal life – for us.

2,000 words & 30 minutes. I'll post it in the sermon section.

Is that one sermon or six sermons? I'll look for it in the sermon section when I have time to devote to it.