Recently my wife spoke the truth in love to me. She told me that my favorite old brown shoes needed to be put out to pasture. These shoes have served me well, and I resisted for a while. Then I held them up to examine them, and among other flaws I noticed that the soles of the shoes were completely worn off in an angle. They looked like someone brought them to a deli and sliced off a wedge. It was a perfect cut. Obviously I have an issue in my walking pattern of overpronation. Over time this adds up and my shoes wear out, reflecting my issues.
Preachers can also overpronate when then preach. We may, without noticing it, apply the same type of application in our sermons. Some time ago I heard a talk by Tim Keller on preaching. As is often the case, Keller’s thoughts multiply in my mind faster than a rabbit farm. In this instance he was talking about sermon application. I may not have the quotes or points just right, but the gist is below and it relates directly to this issue.
Sermon application will often focus on either the doctrinal, the pietistic, or the service of others (declaring and/or demonstrating the gospel by loving our neighbors).
Keller’s point is that preachers often have their own convictional leanings to one of these three. As a result, their sermon application will tend to accent one particular category. Over the long-haul of a preaching ministry this accent leads a congregation to overpronate to one side at the exclusion of the others (not that any of these three are bad, they are just not complete).
The answer is to be aware of our blind spots and tendencies. With this in view we can prayerfully and carefully work to faithfully apply the text. Some of the best sermons will include all three components.
One of the best ways to overcome blind spots is to admit that you have them. I know for sure that I have them. And, I’ve begun to learn where they tend to be. I also know that I can get aggravated when other preachers may not emphasize my particular hobby-horse while riding their own. Keller’s call for thoughtfulness is really a call for intentional balance.
(Note: I have found Mark Dever’s Application Grid to be helpful in this area. Also, I recently read Keller’s book on preaching, and the chapter on preaching to the heart was especially helpful.)
