Interview 92: Lofty Words Versus Rhetorical Excellence

We’re discussing the September-October issue of Frontline, which had the theme, “Using Your Words: Glorifying God with Language.” This issue of the magazine is full of helpful articles and we will be talking to a few of our authors to give you a bit more than they had time for in the magazine.Today’s conversation is with Mike Riley, a frequent guest on our program. He is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Wakefield Michigan. His article this time is called, ‘Lofty Words Versus Rhetorical Excellence’Mike’s topic is an examination of the way we speak when we are speaking for Christ. We start with the contrast between Paul and his opponents in Corinth who were aggrandizing themselves and belittling Paul. But from there we go on to talk about our own struggles with a desire for pre-eminence, a desire to be noticed. We also talk about our culture that seems to admire the noticeable, the eloquent speakers, more than they notice Christ.These are normal human problems. I found our conversation very thought provoking. I hope it stirs you up as well. Inevitably, when we speak for Christ, we are the ones speaking, and people will notice us as well as our message. Or perhaps instead of our message. Our goal must be to make much of Christ and put him at the forefront so that people look to him rather than to ourselves in the ministry of God’s word.Well, Mike addresses this better than I do and I will let him describe more of the subject to you.Before we get to the interview, let me remind you that Mike’s article is available on our substack right away for paying subscribers. We have previews for everyone else. I hope you will join with us and support the ministry of the FBFI by becoming a paying subscriber.The Contents & Editorial for the Sept/Oct FrontLine:Using Your Words: Glorifying God with Language (FrontLine)The Article:Lofty Words Versus Rhetorical Excellence Get full access to the Proclaim & Defend Podcast at proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe