In the estimation of some dear believers, mere preaching has become outdated. They claim that we need attractions, such as musical entertainment and drama to give the gospel added apeal. God is sovereign and is not limited by our failure or innovations, but we are subjects and must be guided by His Word.
It still pleases God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor 1:21). The word for “preaching” in this verse refers to the truths declared in the gospel. It is one of five words for preaching used in 1 Corinthians 1 and 2. The word that is used in verse 23, “But we preach Christ crucified” means to stand up as a herald and proclaim the gospel. Used 61 times in the NT, it never means to sing the gospel, nor to dramatize it, but simply to “preach the Word” (2 Tim 4:2). Is it possible that we think we can device a better method than the one God has chosen?
It has been claimed that we should use inducements, such as a dramatic skits, to get people to hear the message. The great apostle to the Gentiles wrote, “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified… And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor 2:2-5). We suggest that this is an excellent determination, in the 2lst century as well as in the 1 century.
