Comments on: Have you ever heard a “pulpit exaggeration”?

By: jjs

jjs — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:19:49 +0000

Yes, I have heard exaggerations and I have heard things that I thought can’t possibly be true and scripture used out of context…I’ve probably heard it all.

What is a lay-person’s response/responsibility when they hear something questionnable from the pulpit?

By: Audra

Audra — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:06:11 +0000

While I do not believe I have done this from the pulpit, THANK YOU for this, it will challenge me to ensure I don’t. MUCH APPRECIATED!

By: Don

Don — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:23:19 +0000

Dear Brothet:
I am a senior citizen and years ago I lost count of the numerous exaggerations I heard from the pulpit. On former pastor related how that if nobody put up their hand when the invitation was given, he would say ‘I see that hand’ without seeing any. It was supposed to encourage others to do so.
I believe all that is dishonoring to the Lord Jesus Christ since they are outright lies.
Also, how many times have I heard people say things like “the bible says He set his face as a flint to go to Jerusalem” when in fact no such a thing can be found in scripture.

By: Sean Scott

Sean Scott — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:14:09 +0000

We are commanded to be holy and live righteously, being honest is surely near the top of the list of character qualities necessary to be Christ-like. Are we in Christ’s image when we exaggerate, fib, or outright lie? What does this show to unbelievers?

Whenever we communicate, as in everything we do, it helps to approach it by asking “What Would Jesus Do?” I know that seems like a cute advertising slogan, but I’ve found it really helps when I have that thought foremost in my mind.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverb 10:19

We can preach to the unbelievers simply by our actions. We do not need to be ordained ministers, priests, great writers, or even have perfect attendance in church. Just by our conduct alone, even in our ordinary communications with others, we are conveying Christ. Speak truthfully and treat others as you would have them treat you.

By: jim

jim — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:02:47 +0000

What I find more frequent and more concerning than this is the tendency (including myself) to support a minor point with a quick scripture reference that “makes the point” but in fact would not be a proper support if viewed in context.

The shame is that in most cases the point being made is correct and scripturally supported, but not from the referenced passage. (perhaps a result of of the ability to quickly search our Bibles via the great electronic study tools we now have?) This practice is concerning because it undermines both the credibility of the speaker and a high regard for the scriptures themselves.

By: Pastor Howard Gunter

Pastor Howard Gunter — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:57:19 +0000

I plead GUILTY. Not from the Pulpit but certainly from forwarding email accounts. I hope that I’ve learned a lesson and try and verify via “Snopes” or another source but even then rarely forward them anymore.

By: toni

toni — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:39:08 +0000

What courage it took to write/admit this. I’ve thought the same many times as I listen to people speak. And, I think I may have committed the crime a few times. Abe Lincoln once said that he would prepare 2 weeks to speak for 20 minutes. Excellence, always. Thank you for the great post, Andy!