How can preachers speak to the splits in our society? In Preaching to a Divided Nation, Matthew D. Kim and Paul A. Hoffman presents a seven-step model for promoting reconciliation and unity.
Restoration and Reconciliation
Kim and Hoffman readily admit that the United States aren’t as united as we claim to be. In regards to the actual divisions in our nation, ethnocentrism, widening gaps between economic classes, sex and gender issues, and our toxic political environment are at the forefront of their minds. These issues have infiltrated the church, causing harm to God’s people. But those who herald God’s word can bring healing and hope, restoring and reconciling relationships.
The seven steps are explained with examples throughout the book:
- Theological
- Contextual
- Personal
- Positional
- Methodological
- Practical
- Categorical
Looking at biblical texts with this framework in mind helps the preacher understand and examine what the Bible has to say to our modern issues of cultural brokenness today.
Deep and Diverse Relationships
Step 1, the theological step, encourages expostors to look at the entire arc of scripture through the lens of reconciliation. This narrative calls for a robust view of sin. We must consider how sin can be active and passive, as well as individual and social. We preach Christ crucified, and his reconciling work reaches both to God and towards man. The four -isms of ethnocentrism, classism, sexism, and partisanism must come to terms with the four great equalizers of the imago Dei, human sinfulness, the vast atoning love of Jesus Christ, and the final judgment.
Seeing scripture in this way prepares the preacher for the contextual step in the framework. The preacher is challenged to develop and employ in himself as well as his congregation multiple intelligences, including cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and historical intelligence. As an Asian American preacher, I was challenged to build deep relationships in a covenant community (live life together with and amongst the congregation) and also cultivate diverse relationships outside of my own Asian American church.
How Change Occurs
In Chapter 4, the book spends time studying how change actually occurs, and encourages pastors to not fear change. Churches already have theological stances based on their pastors’ training and denominational tradition. But true conviction comes from the Holy Spirit, and the preacher needs to see himself as a conduit of truth. Churches can and should take practical steps together toward cultural change, including becoming more diverse or more socially engaged.
I found Chapter 5 to be most helpful as it detailed core, shared foundations of the faith. These shared foundations provide common ground for preachers to connect with their congregation while encouraging growth and change. Preachers can speak to shared doctrines, shared identity, shared mission, and shared experiences. Empathy can be achieved while cultivating humility, kindness, and charity in the congregation.
One in Christ Jesus
Chapter 6 details pre-, mid-, and post-sermon practices for the preacher. What I found most empowering was to see the different ways a sermon can be purposed, including:
- informing perspective,
- providing pastoral care,
- promoting peace/reconciliation/unity,
- persuading, and
- promoting affections.
Preachers must do the hard work of examining the divisions and biases in their own congregation, meeting their needs by giving them the gospel.
Preaching to a Divided Nation concludes by providing key texts on biblical themes of classism, ethnocentrism, political divisions, reconciliation, sexism, and unity. After reading this book, I am better convinced that the Bible speaks to our current cultural moment. I am equipped and challenged to preach for greater unity amongst God’s people. And I am hopeful that those who are bonded by the blood of Christ can see that there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
I received a media copy of Preaching to a Divided Nation and this is my honest review.