Stott on the 5 Paradoxes of Preaching

John Stott has produced his 50th book in his 86th year called ‘ The Living Church’ in which he gives a chapter to preachers and preaching in the church. He speaks of 5 paradoxes of authentic preaching.

1. it is both biblical and contemporary (relating the ancient text to the modern context)
2. both authorative and tentative (distinguishing between the infallible word and its fallible interpreters)
3. both prophetic and pastoral (combining faithfulness with gentleness)
4. both gifted and studied( necessitating a divine gift and human discipline)
5. both thoughtful and passionate (letting the heart burn as Christ opens to us the scriptures)