Alan Jacobs has written an essay entitled Preachers Without Poetry. Appearing in his book A Visit to Vanity Fair: Moral Essays on the Present Age, the essay uses Michael Warner’s book American Sermons which includes fifty-eight different sermons from fifty-three different preachers as a platform to pontificate about the slow and sublte shift in preaching. Homiletical language has moved from literary, even poetic to much more straightfoward, almost even academic.

Much of this, at least in the Protestant tradition, may be traced to the Puritans who eschewed showmanship in favor of “plain speech:” say what you have to say in a way that everyone is able to understand. Theological truth is for everyone. The Puritan concern was primarily that theological truth was being obscured by the showmanship of rhetoric. Attention was being drawn to the eloquence of the preacher rather than to the message being preached. In response, they vowed to speak as plainly as possible.

Without realizing its background or implications, Protestant preachers have inherited an understated approach. Yet, we might wonder if this approach has not been taken too far? There was a time when theological treatises were both easy to understand and well-written. It is not coincidence that Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God by Jonathan Edwards is studied in both theology and literature classes; it excels at both.

A common theme running through much of my thought lately is the lack of creativity in most “Christian” culture. Too often, Christians mimick cultural trends from elsewhere rather than striving for true creativity themselves. Typically, we don’t do the music, literature or movies as well as those we’re parotting and we wonder why we’re not taken seriously. I mean, who mistook The Omega Code for quality film-making?

Jacobs’ essay came at a time while I’m also reading Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey. Arguing for a truly Christian worldview, Pearcey makes the statement “Those in relationship with the Creator should be the most creative of all.” Through the work of the Cross, Christ has not only redeemed souls but also intellects. If we hold that all of creation was affected by the Fall (which, as a Reformed thinker I do, per Romans 8 and other Scriptures), then all of creation is also affected by Redemption. This includes man’s intellect and creativity. Though we exist in an already/not yet tension in which we are not yet glorified, we see at least the first glimmers of the reversal of the Fall.

Those in relationship with the Creator should be the most creative of all. This idea has been weaving its way through my consciousness at increasing intervals of late. Specifically, I am repeatedly drawn to examine our use of words, particularly in the context of the sermon, something I must prepare weekly. Is it possible to balance the Puritan concern for understandable communication with the clarion call for creativity?

In other words, is it possible to strive for literary excellence (to the best of our individual abilities) in the context of also trying to clearly communicate? A perfect example for me is Donald Miller. Though I do not (theologically) like much of what he says, I do like the way he says it. Miller has crafted an understandable yet creative approach that blends the best of both worlds showing us that it can indeed be done.

On a personal level, I strive for the day when my sermons might be described as poetic and understandable. On a corporate level, I challenge Christians everywhere, no matter what your field to glorify God through the pursuit of creativity.

Read A Visit to Vanity Fair: Moral Essays on the Present Age by Alan Jacobs.
Read American Sermons by Michael Warner.
Read Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards.
Read Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.
Read the poems of William Cowper.
Read Poetry magazine.