Piper wrote an article today about preachers and the importance of eloquence. My brother and I have discussed this issue numerous times. I thought Piper’s article provided keen insight, though I think there is room for debate among Christians.

Now to the point, the article discussed the preaching of George Whitefield and how Benjamin Franklin loved Whitefield’s eloquent preaching while not accepting the message.

What is the role of eloquence in preaching?

First, we say the message and not the medium is important. We teach theology until seminarians are blue in the face, but shy away from teaching eloquence and delivery. Is God and the message shown respect and reverence when we do that?

Great preachers of old like Spurgeon and Whitefield, were popuralized by their eloquence which promoted the message throughout their lands. God used these men’s eloquence in preaching the message. I don’t believe men like Spurgeon and Whitefield woke up one more as great orators. They worked at it and I am sure thought it was important. Do reformed preachers feel the same today?

Second, some say the medium is more important than the message. This is when one does not even know what the Bible teaches but stands and speaks with great eloquence, drawing those with “itching ears”. These men seek honor from men rather than God. This can lead to condemning heresy and a greater judgment as spoken of in the epistle of James. This is rampant today.

I wonder how much clearer the true Gospel would be if preachers taught with more eloquence and spirit driven power. I have to admit, the dependence upon the spirit in regeneration and not eloquence of the preacher is what does the saving. But does that give a preacher the right to stand in the pulpit cold and boring with no eloquence? The spirit uses and ignites eloquence in a man, just as much as it gives understanding of the Gospel to the sinner.