Preaching to felt needs
One of the reasons sermons become anthropocentric is that they set out to address felt needs. This approach can lead us into trouble because, according to Will Willimon, we live in a culture that sees “orgasm, a satisfying career, an enjoyable love life, a positive outlook on life” as needs, “stuff the Bible has absolutely no interest in.”
In an interview called “Preaching Past TiVo” in the Summer 2006 issue of Leadership Journal, Willimon reflects on a sermon he heard that addressed a felt need:
One assumption is that the gospel has anything to do with “my needs.” As I read the Gospels, Jesus seems oblivious to most of my needs. Was Jesus about fulfilling people’s desires? What a curious image of Jesus.Another assumption is that I have needs worth having. A consumer culture is not about the fulfillment of real need; it’s about the creation of a need I wouldn’t have without the advertising. So when I say “I need this” I shouldn’t be trusted.
My point: I have tremendous respect for the power of the market to own everything, including preachers. If my sermon becomes another product that makes you feel a little less miserable this week, then that, it seems to me, is a little less than the gospel.
August 25th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
The blind man “needed” to see, the woman with the issue of blood “needed a healing”, Paul “needed” a change in his mindset. Our needs or “felt” needs or whatever do matter to Jesus because he is our father. Our Lord and Savior. We are Kings Kids, children of the most high. It’s amazing how we act like we serve a small God who just wants us to get saved and just get by. God wants us to be blessed so we can bless others. That mean financially, spiritually, and in other manners. If you don’t have any spirit how can you speak life to someone else, if you don’t have any money how can you bless someone else. Think about it brother.
And what’s the point of Christians always disagreeing on the methods, isn’t the goal to add to the KINGDOM. To bring people to CHRIST. If someone gets saved after hearing a message from Joel Osteen or Spurgeon who cares, as long as the Spirit of God enters them, they believe and confess, then we have done our job. STOP HATIN!!!
August 26th, 2007 at 6:18 am
Ronnie,
I think you could argue that the examples you mention were real as well as felt needs. The message that Jesus and others preached wasn’t that you can be well-off and happy etc. In fact, Jesus was clear about what he was calling people to, and many turned away. Part of his call is the call to die to ourselves.
I think there is an appropriate use of preaching to felt needs but there are also lots of dangers that we need to be aware of.
I believe the key sentence is the last one - and it’s a great warning.
I appreciate your echo of Phil. 1:18, which speaks of motive, not message - but we should still try to get the message right!
“STOP HATIN!!!” To disagree surely isn’t to hate.