Has the World Confused Evil with Righteousness?
When sin is disguised as virtue, the path to cultivating righteousness becomes impossible. Such is the challenge Christians face in the modern age. Not long ago, most people would agree that the seven deadly sins are in fact deadly. But ask them today, and you’ll hear a different answer. Today, “anger” is often considered an admirable emotion, “lust” the only expression of love, and “greed” the unassailable right to “get what’s yours.” The world can rebrand sin all it wants and declare the death of truth, but it has no power against the truth of the Scripture. What God calls sin is sin—no matter what the world says. And sin always has the same destination—death and destruction.
Dangerous Virtues examines how to recognize these seven deadly sins as they are subtly disguised in today’s culture. Dr. John Koessler provides a theology of sin and why the Christian must develop a prayerful heart and discerning eye to identify where sin exists in a world where good is called evil and evil called good.
When you stand before your congregation, what do you hope to accomplish when you preach the Word? If people have Bibles and the freedom to read and pray on their own---why do they need you? In short, what do you bring to the table?
Author, pastor, and professor John Koessler answers those questions and many more.
Why does one sermon have a powerful effect on the audience while another falls flat? Why should listeners heed what the preacher says? Is human language adequate for facilitating an encounter with God? What is the point of preaching a sermon?
Folly, Grace, and Power is a must-read for pastors, seminarians, and lay leaders charged with the task of preaching God's word. This essential book is both a stern reminder of the sacredness of the awesome 'job' of being a preacher, as well as a how-to that reveals the key to speaking powerfully on God's behalf.