Thank you for this. I am in another 'conservative' 'grassroots' Presbyterian denomination, and I am struck by how seldom a Gospel Call is given in a sermon. Usually it is when a guest preacher comes. The pushback I get consistently when raising this issue is: 'we preach the Bible expositorally. So when the pericope dictates an invitation or call, we give it. Otherwise not.' I do not respect this view, as it seems to be counter to both the Gospel and to common sense. Thank you for offering a counter-view.
I would appreciate it if you would address apologetically this 'expository preaching' view over against the ARP view.
Second, you have not gotten to it yet, but there is an implication in this essay that only 'educated ordained clergy' should give the Gospel Call. I would appreciate your addressing and defending this view, assuming you hold it, since most of your audience likely falls into the same bucket I am in, namely: overeducated laymen.
Thanks for your holding up the ARP Lamp, beacon and lighthouse. There are many of us floundering on the shoals of coming declension, we need the hope of a light to swim to when our ship takes on water.
Thank you for this. I am in another 'conservative' 'grassroots' Presbyterian denomination, and I am struck by how seldom a Gospel Call is given in a sermon. Usually it is when a guest preacher comes. The pushback I get consistently when raising this issue is: 'we preach the Bible expositorally. So when the pericope dictates an invitation or call, we give it. Otherwise not.' I do not respect this view, as it seems to be counter to both the Gospel and to common sense. Thank you for offering a counter-view.
I would appreciate it if you would address apologetically this 'expository preaching' view over against the ARP view.
Second, you have not gotten to it yet, but there is an implication in this essay that only 'educated ordained clergy' should give the Gospel Call. I would appreciate your addressing and defending this view, assuming you hold it, since most of your audience likely falls into the same bucket I am in, namely: overeducated laymen.
Thanks for your holding up the ARP Lamp, beacon and lighthouse. There are many of us floundering on the shoals of coming declension, we need the hope of a light to swim to when our ship takes on water.
Your brother in Christ,
Randy