Sophist Preachers

Introduction

It is my intention to write a new series with the above title and this first posting will be an introduction. It is my intention to finish my series on "Redemption," this being a priority, and to also continue my commentary on the "Apocalypse." In this series we will look at the history of the Sophists in Greek and Roman society in the time of the Apostles and how the apostle Paul in particular, in his Corinthian epistles, spoke against the beliefs, values, and tactics of the Sophists prevalent in Corinth. We will see that the beliefs and practices of the ancient Sophists are still prevalent in the world today.

The worldview of the Sophists, with their values and recipes for living life, are accepted, taught, and practiced by nearly the whole world today. Christians, however, cannot accept the basic beliefs and practices of the Sophists. To the degree that professing Christians accept and practice the teachings of the Sophists, to that degree they are yet "carnal" and "think (or reason) as natural men," as Paul stated in his opening words of his first epistle to the Corinthian Christians. For them to become more "spiritual," and less "carnal," they would have to rid themselves of the philosophy of the Sophists and of all worldly thinking.

In this Introduction I wish to cite from Dr. Henry B. Waiters and his article "What preachers have become" (see here). Wrote Waiters (emphasis mine):

"During the Classical period of Ancient Greece, the Sophists (a class of teachers of rhetoric, philosophy and the art of successful living) perfected the art of speech writing and public speaking. Central to their study was rhetoric which is defined as the skill of using language and speech effectively and persuasively.

Sophists were experts, professors, teachers and authorities on presenting arguments, earning a reputation of “extravagant displays of language for astonishing audiences with their brilliant styles, colorful appearances and flamboyant personalities.” Frequently a Sophist, as a professional orator, would offer his services for pay, generally for legal purposes or entertainment in the public square. They razzled and dazzled the audience with their mastery of persuasive discourse.

The Sophists became controversial for several reasons, particularly for their view of truth. For them, truth was not found in transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality, but in the persuasive power of words projected, rather than objective truth. In other words, skilled Sophists became the source of — as opposed to the tools or bearers — of truth. In this sense truth is not transcendent, but subjective intervention.

There is a sense that the majority of current preachers have become modern-day Sophists, concerned with the use of flattering words in the pulpit, as opposed to gospel truth, with the intent to entertain an audience that would rather have amusing discourse than preaching that “Convicts, Converts and Subverts.”

With the “platform grandstanding and showmanship” adorned in polished rhetoric, they preach to itching ears rather than wounded hearts. At the end of the day preaching becomes an act of entertainment in the interest of delighting the audience. Truth is dressed up with lavish garments of eloquence and style, turning it into something else.

Preaching is not to amuse but to amend the hearers. It is not manipulating the crowd using techniques that excite and stir and move people’s emotions to achieve results, but being the messenger of God with God’s Word and God’s Wisdom in God’s Power preaching the Scriptures."

Well, amen to all that!

Where do we see the Sophists today? Are they still not seen in colleges and universities? Are these professors not generally liberal in their thinking as the Sophists of old? Do they not think that absolute truth, like Christians believe is found in the Bible, is a myth? Do they not think that truth is relative? Like those judges who deny divine or natural law, in favor of the Realist view (in legal philosophy) that right (or law) is "whatever the judge says it is," Sophists believe that "truth" is whatever they say it is, or at least is what they can convince the majority is "truth." They convince people that they, because of their education and speaking skills, are the experts and know best, and that people should simply believe them for that reason. Sound familiar today?

Not only do we find Sophists in teaching positions, where they are paid for their sophistic teaching, but we find them in the legal profession still today. An eloquent and artful attorney has often been able to sway a jury and subvert truth and justice. Not only do we find Sophists plenty in teaching positions in schools and colleges, and in the legal profession, but in politics. How many politicians are Sophists?

We could multiply the list of occupations where Sophists are prevalent. But, it is not my intention to focus on Sophists in the secular world, but on how Sophist thinking is prevalent even among Christians, and certainly among those who make it a living to preach. We will contrast Sophist ideas with those of the Scriptures, as did Paul in his first Corinthian epistle.

I graduated college with a double major, in Sociology and Communication. I studied rhetoric, persuasion, debate, and other such subjects that are part of the core curriculum of a Communication's major. But, all students, whatever their major, had to take classes in speech and communication. The idea is that you cannot succeed if you do not learn to speak well.

I am not condemning speaking well. I am condemning the abuse of the thing, not the thing itself. I am not condoning a preacher butchering the king's English either. Preachers have a need to be "skilled in the word of righteousness" (Hebrews 5:13) and to have "the tongue of the learned" (Isa. 50:4). Some of this is "art," the result of being gifted by God, while some is "science," being a skill that is learned.

I also do not want to focus on merely how preachers today have become Sophists in their teaching and practice, but also on how ordinary Christians remain carnal and do not become more spiritual because of their acceptance of Sophistic thought.