Preaching John's Wisdom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here's a post by Rev. Randy Saultz, a former student of mine.... and a good colleague in ministry. --- Preaching John\u2019s Wisdom Ben Witherington is\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Preaching John's Wisdom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here's a post by Rev. 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{"id":15193,"date":"2016-05-12T01:25:23","date_gmt":"2016-05-12T05:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/bibleandculture\/?p=15193"},"modified":"2016-04-24T21:26:53","modified_gmt":"2016-04-25T01:26:53","slug":"preaching-johns-wisdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/bibleandculture\/2016\/05\/12\/preaching-johns-wisdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Preaching John’s Wisdom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Ben Witherington is recognized for his exegetical expertise. Not as many know him as a preacher but his commentary John\u2019s Wisdom shows his interest in homiletics as well. Look especially in the sections titled \u201cBridging the Horizons\u201d for sermon starters. I will go straight to the back of the book to highlight some examples.<\/p>\n

He offers a helpful reminder;<\/p>\n

A great deal of good preaching involves drawing out the significances of the text for audiences vastly different from those originally addressed. This does not provide a warrant for making the text say whatever we would like it to say, for the starting point must always be, What did it mean in its original context? The later significances must be seen to be moving in the same direction as the text\u2019s original meaning or drawing out its possible implications. Otherwise we lose contact with the original intent and purposes of the inspired author and the Bible becomes an ink blot into which we can read whatever we please with impunity.<\/p>\n

Witherington goes on to give some sermon suggestions. Throughout the course of the commentary he suggests the characters of John\u2019s drama as paradigms of people on the way to full Christian faith. In chapter 20 this changes with examples of Mary and Thomas who have met the Risen Lord. That is why Thomas can be referred to as \u201cunbelieving\u201d in 20.27 yet as having \u201cbelieved\u201d in 20.29. It is the episode with Thomas that prompts a memory of an Easter sermon \u201cLate for the Holy Spirit.\u201d Witherington then tells us about this sermon and its repeated emphasis to the largest crowd of the year that by not gathering with God\u2019s people puts one at risk to miss out on the presence of Christ and the blessings that entails.<\/p>\n

Witherington draws from Fred Craddock for a sermon idea in chapter 21 and what inevitably happens in churches after Easter. What does one do after a \u201cmountaintop experience?\u201d One is unable to sustain that level of enthusiasm constantly. Yet, the answer is not the one that Peter takes. The text does not call us to go about business as usual. Instead, Peter is called to get on with the mission \u201cFeed my sheep.\u201d This, Witherington reminds us, is what defines life\u2019s work. Not mountaintop experiences.<\/p>\n

Witherington goes on to offer further sermon fodder as he reminds us of the problems of comparing ourselves with others. As Peter turns to ask about the disciple Jesus loved \u201cfollowing\u201d, we are reminded that though others may interest us, \u201cJesus in this passage insists more than once that the task of each Christian is to follow him, not be a follower of other human beings.\u201d<\/p>\n

While exegetes are a gift to the church, some seem far removed from this role. John\u2019s Wisdom: A Commentary on the Fourth Gospel is an attempt to connect sound exegesis and the ministry of the local church by offering starter ideas for preachers. I propose this is a helpful resource for those who attempt to communicate the message of John\u2019s Gospel.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"