Gifted Men: Evangelists Today?

Today, one’s view of the Holy Spirit’s work will greatly influence one’s thinking about evangelism, especially as it relates to the purpose and method of preaching.  If we espouse the view that the Holy Spirit continues this work, then the work of evangelists must be explained as the intervention of the Holy Spirit in the pulpit.  Northcutt proposes that many have the cart before the horse.  Rather than starting with questions about the method of preaching as when studying homiletics, studies must begin with answering questions related to purpose.  This would, in her opinion, shape the homiletic method because the content and method are influenced by the Holy Spirit.    ­She writes, “In particular, the lack of attention to pneumatology in homiletics (and theology generally) has had a detrimental effect on our ability to articulate the purpose of preaching.  In fact, it is possible that many of the disagreements between homileticians over the purpose of preaching can be clarified by the recognition that what is really at stake are questions of pneumatology and the relationship of pneumatology to Christology.“ (https://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu › unrestricted › RATracyDissertation  Pneumatology is the study of the Holy Spirit.  The entire field of homiletics and the training of preachers in today’s seminaries is a useless study if such are led by the Holy Spirit.  The emphasis of men who were guided by the Holy Spirit is not on the men, their knowledge, and training in homiletics.  For this reason, we find no instruction in the New Testament because the emphasis is on the Spirit who revealed divine instructions through these men.  They were just the medium through which the Spirit taught.  Consequently, they needed no training in homiletics.  Timothy did not go to a preacher training school or seminary.

While Northcutt combines the two, believing that the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit is ongoing beyond the first century, Dodd’s understanding of the work and purpose of the evangelist (kergyma) is Christ-centered.    Nowhere in his writing does he refer to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. The role of the Father is minimized, while that of the Spirit is neglected entirely. (C.H. Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching and Its Developments (New York: Harper & Row, 1964, 17).   Dodd’s understanding of preaching within the subject of salvation can be summarized by the word, proclamation.   In relationship to Paul’s preaching, he describes the kerygma as “a proclamation of the facts of the death and resurrection of Christ in an eschatological setting which gives significance to the facts” (page 59).  Dodd’s study of the New Testament texts leads him to conclude that there was no single articulation of the kergyma; rather, preachers such as Peter and Paul varied its presentation according to context.  Nevertheless, Dodd’s sharp distinction between preaching and teaching underwrites his conviction that the primary activity of the New Testament apostles was a proclamation of the events surrounding Christ.

However, making such distinctions between “preaching and teaching” is inconclusive as the words are used interchangeably.   What is clear is that all teaching and preaching was Christ-centered because it either introduces a Savior who has died, was buried, and was raised again or it points us to a way of life that honors Him for whom we live. The Hebrew writes explains, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).  Paul writes, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  To this end, I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (Colossians 1:28-29).

The evangelists referenced in the New Testament, along with the other gifted men, were part of God’s plan to equip the saints for service.  As part of a living organism, they were necessary agents of the Spirit that equipped every part of the body to contribute to the edifying of all.