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The book is a critical examination of the state of Christian preaching and the church in modern society. It argues that the influence of humanism and naturalism has led to a decline in spiritual values and a focus on individualism and self-assertion. The author emphasizes the need for a return to a more spiritual and religious approach to life, and for the church to reassert its essential message and values in the face of naturalism and secularism. The book explores the role of the preacher in modern society, highlighting the need for a personal culture and a deeper understanding of human nature. It also discusses the importance of recognizing the "otherness" of God and the transcendent element in human beings, and the need for salvation through faith in Jesus. The book critiques the current state of Protestant public worship, arguing that it prioritizes instruction and entertainment over reverence and awe, and suggests a return to a more liturgical and contemplative approach to worship. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the importance of worship, doctrine, and a distinctly religious approach to life in cultivating a deeper understanding of God and the Christian faith. It calls for a religious revival, with a focus on preaching the content of the truth and a balance between intellectual honesty and emotional passion. The author concludes by highlighting the need for the church to redefine its values and return to its essential message, rather than conforming to the standards of the world.
The chapter discusses the role of the preacher in modern society, highlighting the need for a personal culture and a deeper understanding of human nature. It emphasizes the importance of the preacher's task in bringing people to a sense of unity and transcendence, and critiques the current state of preaching, which often focuses on human relationships rather than the relationship between humans and God. The chapter also explores the influence of humanism on Christian preaching, arguing that it has led to a depersonalization of religion and a focus on individualistic ethics. Additionally, it touches on the rise of naturalism and its effects on society, including the decline of moral standards and the increase in industrial and political unrest. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for the church to redefine its values and return to its essential message, rather than conforming to the standards of the world.
The chapter explores the influence of humanism on Christian preaching, highlighting its limitations and the consequences of its emphasis on human values and experience. Humanism is seen as a movement that has led to a decline in the spiritual solidarity of mankind, as it minimizes the force of subrational and superrational elements in human experience. The chapter also discusses the rise of naturalism, which is characterized by a rejection of humanistic law and religious mandates, and an emphasis on individualism, self-assertion, and the pursuit of power and pleasure. The author argues that naturalism has led to a disintegration of moral and spiritual values, and that it is the underlying philosophy of modern industrial and political systems. The chapter concludes by highlighting the need for a return to a more spiritual and religious approach to life, and for the church to reassert its essential message and values in the face of naturalism and secularism.
The chapter discusses the effects of humanism on Christian preaching, which has led to a decline in the spiritual solidarity of mankind. Humanism's emphasis on reason and individualism has resulted in a focus on human values and experience, minimizing the importance of supersensuous and subrational elements in human experience. This has led to a naturalistic and pagan worldview, where individuals prioritize their own desires and interests over moral and religious principles. The chapter also explores how this naturalistic philosophy has influenced literature, art, and society, leading to a culture of relativism, hedonism, and nihilism. The author argues that the church has failed to counter this trend, instead adopting a secular and worldly approach to preaching and ministry. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for a return to a more spiritual and religious approach to life, and for the church to reassert its essential message and values in the face of naturalism and secularism.
The chapter explores the concept of the "unmeasured gulf" between humanity and nature, and the human desire to bridge this gap. It argues that humanism and naturalism have led to a decline in spiritual values and a focus on individualism and self-assertion. The author emphasizes the need for a return to a more spiritual and religious approach to life, and for the church to reassert its essential message and values. The chapter also discusses the role of the preacher in modern society, highlighting the need for a personal culture and a deeper understanding of human nature. It critiques the current state of preaching, which often focuses on human relationships rather than the relationship between humans and God. The author argues that the preacher's task is to redefine religious values and return to the essential message of the church, rather than conforming to the standards of the world.
The chapter discusses the importance of recognizing the "otherness" of God and the transcendent element in human beings. It argues that humanism, which emphasizes human sufficiency and natural values, is insufficient to address the deepest needs of human beings. The chapter also explores the concept of sin and the need for salvation, emphasizing that knowledge alone is not enough to guarantee right living. It highlights the importance of faith and the role of Jesus as a mediator between God and humanity, who embodies the transcendent and absolute qualities necessary to bridge the gulf between humans and God. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for religious preaching to focus on the transcendent and absolute aspects of God, rather than trying to make God more relatable or human-like.
The chapter discusses the concept of the "unmeasured gulf" between humanity and nature, and the human desire to bridge this gap. It argues that humanism and naturalism have led to a decline in spiritual values and a focus on individualism and self-assertion. The author emphasizes the need for a return to a more spiritual and religious approach to life, and for the church to reassert its essential message and values in the face of naturalism and secularism. The chapter also explores the idea that the preacher's task is to redefine religious values and return to the essential message of the church, rather than conforming to the standards of the world. Additionally, it touches on the role of the preacher in modern society, highlighting the need for a personal culture and a deeper understanding of human nature.
The chapter discusses the importance of worship in the Christian life, emphasizing its role as the chief approach to transcendence. The author argues that worship is not just about intellectual understanding, but about experiencing the presence of God through high and concentrated emotion. The chapter critiques the current state of Protestant public worship, which often prioritizes instruction and entertainment over reverence and awe. The author suggests that a return to a more liturgical and contemplative approach to worship is necessary, one that emphasizes the transcendence and majesty of God. The chapter also explores the relationship between worship and doctrine, arguing that doctrinal preaching is essential for maintaining a deep and abiding faith. The author distinguishes between doctrine and dogma, emphasizing that doctrine is a natural and essential expression of religious experience, while dogma is a rigid and outdated formulation. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of worship and doctrine in cultivating a deeper understanding of God and the Christian faith.
The chapter discusses the importance of worship and doctrine in the Christian life, emphasizing that worship is the chief approach to transcendence and that doctrine is essential for maintaining a deep and abiding faith. The author argues that the church's emphasis on preaching and instruction has led to a decline in the importance of worship, and that a return to a more liturgical and contemplative approach to worship is necessary. The chapter also explores the concept of doctrine, distinguishing it from dogma, and argues that doctrinal preaching is necessary for a religious revival. The author believes that the preacher's task is to preach the content of the truth, rather than its application, and that this requires a balance between intellectual honesty and emotional passion. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of worship and doctrine in cultivating a deeper understanding of God and the Christian faith, and by highlighting the need for a return to distinctly religious values in society and church.