Five Paradoxes of Preaching

John Stott (2011) lists five paradoxes of preaching.

Good preaching is…

• Both biblical and contemporary (relating the ancient text to the modern context)
• Both authoritative and tentative (distinguishing between the infallible Word and its fallible interpreters)
• Both prophetic and pastoral(combining faithfulness with gentleness)
• Both gifted and studied(necessitating a divine gift and human self-discipline)
• Both thoughtful and passionate(letting the heart burn as Christ opens to us the Scriptures) (pp.97-110)

Stott, J. (2011). The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor. IVP Books.