This ethics of preaching text identifies vices of irresponsible preaching practices. Preachers who fail to develop deep respect for their listeners or drift into a lack faithfulness to the Gospel can end up becoming:
· The Pretender (The Problem of In-authenticity)
· The Egoist (The Problem of Self-absorption)
· The Manipulator (The Problem of Greediness)
· The Panderer (The Problem of Trendiness)
· The Crusader (The Problem of Exploitation)
· The Demagogue (The Problem of Self-righteousness)
Just as the church historically derived its Seven Holy Virtues (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, & humility) by naming Seven Deadly Sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, & pride), Reid and Hogan call preachers to turn away from pulpit vices and strive to realize the homiletic virtues of becoming:
· Authentic (The Call to Be Genuine)
· Altruistic (The Call to Be Selfless)
· Careful (The Call to Exercise Self-Control)
· Passionate (The Call to Be Honest to God)
· Courteous (The Call to Woo a Reasoned Reception)
· A ‘Namer’ of God (The Call to Reveal an Ineffable God)
The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching explores the difference between the irresponsible practices, unfortunate missteps, and mere unthinking mistakes in preaching. A chapter is devoted to Preaching Missteps (problems that do not rise to the level of being irresponsible) that includes:
· Short Changing the Process
· Waving a Red Flag
· Thou Shall Not Bore the Congregation
· Through the Looking Glass Darkly
· The Mumbler
· TMI—Too Much Information
· Your Cup Do Runneth Over
· Where’s This Sermon Going, Anyway?
