“Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ’s sheep. The preacher’s job is to proclaim the faith, not to provide entertainment for unbelievers–in other words, to feed the sheep rather than amuse the goats.” – (Packer, A Quest For Godliness , 285).
http://atwistedcrownofthorns.com/2013/08/02/doctrinal-preaching-bores-only-hypocrites/
I found this amazingly apropos quotation on a Protestant site yesterday morning. The reason I am quoting it refers to my post the other day that there is no separation between doctrine and Scripture. Now, unpacking this quotation one sees several key points for bloggers.
1) Some hypocrites have criticized our Catholic clergy and specifically the Church for upholding doctrines which are all Bible based. Hypocrites want the world, the flesh and the devil for approval, comfort, and status.
2) Only doctrinal teaching will save Christ's sheep-and not emotionalism or happy-clappy Masses. I am impressed that this person understand's Christ's own mission to teach.
3) We all as baptized Christians have been called into the world to preach, to teach.
4) And, my favourite part of this-we are not hear to amuse the goats. Wow! Catholic bloggers, take heart. Entertaining goats is the job of the mass media. Passing on the Faith is our baptismal duty.
Now, Michael who runs this blog above and Catholics would disagree on most doctrinal positions, but the premise of the statement holds true for Christianity in general and Catholicism specifically. All Christians must hold true to the teachings of Christ. We also have the benefit of the Early Church Fathers, who commented and interpreted these Scriptures for us.
We have the benefit of the graces of baptism. Let us not squander those graces by entertaining goats.
Thank you, Michael, for this thought. We can all think of the times we failed to preach, teach, live by example and merely entertained purely for the sake of entertaining, that is pandering to those who really do not want the Truth. Not my job...........I do not herd goats.