Professor Chris Holmes of Otago University's Theology Department joins Andrew Urquhart to mark the launch of Thoughts and Comments as a live TV simulcast, discussing the true nature and purpose of Christian preaching. He defines preaching as encountering the living Word of God through Scripture by the power of the Spirit, arguing it is far more than rhetoric or public speaking technique.

Professor Holmes warns against recycled or AI-generated sermons, insisting preachers must freshly and prayerfully engage each text for the specific congregation before them, drawing on the whole counsel of Scripture rather than comfortable favourites. He laments that preaching is becoming a "dying art", with many pastors padding sermons with attention-grabbing gimmicks out of a lack of confidence in the text itself, arguing congregations are more capable of sustained, thoughtful engagement than preachers often give them credit for.

Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

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