Preacheritis
- Jerry Moffit, "Preacheritis," (August, 1993) Retrieved 03/31/08 <http://www.bible-infonet.org/ff/articles/living/108_08_26.htm>
- James P. Needham, "Preachers and Preaching," Chapter 12 (1969) Retrieved 03/31/08 < http://www.watchmanmag.com/0108/010803.htm>
- Ibid.
- Thayer and Smith. "Greek Lexicon entry for Sarkikos". "The New Testament Greek Lexicon". <http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=4559>
- D.E. Garland, 1 Corinthians. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic. 2003), p. 109.
- Thayer and Smith. "Greek Lexicon entry for Zelos". "The New Testament Greek Lexicon". <http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=2205>
- Thayer and Smith. "Greek Lexicon entry for Eris". "The New Testament Greek Lexicon". <http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=2054>
- Thayer and Smith. "Greek Lexicon entry for Dichostasia". "The New Testament Greek Lexicon". <http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1370>
- Bill Cavender, "Trends Toward Apostasy," The Gospel Guardian, Vol. 12 No. 6 (1960).
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Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul;
and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:12
The problem within the Corinthian church is one which plagues many churches today - preacheritis. Preacheritis can be defined as thinking too highly of men, particularly of preachers. It is "the building up of the man of God to where he can do no wrong."1 It is the elevating of God's vassal (i.e. servant) to a place of pre-eminency. Furthermore, "preacheritis sets in when people take their eyes off Christ, and set them on men."2 1 Corinthians 4:6 warns of the danger of thinking more highly of men than God. Some make the preacher the central focus of their religious duty. Others simply exalt the preacher above the preaching. Ultimately, people come to the place of being more concerned about the authority of the pastor in their life than the authority of Christ.
Preacheritis: Its Production
It should be noted that people are not the only ones to blame for this malady. Sadly, it is the men of God that should be blamed first and foremost. James P. Needham in his book, Preachers and Preaching points out in chapter twelve, three ways in which pastors produce preacheritis. To summarize:3
First, 'iron-fisted dictatorship' produces preacheritis . They are the lords of their congregations. Rather than deacons, he has 'henchman' and 'hatchetmen'. If someone does not believe exactly like the pastor believes he is labeled a troublemaker at the least and a heretic at the worst. Anyone who opposes him is accused of being jealous of his position.
Second, the use of the 'martyr-complex' produces preacheritis. They are quick to tell their tale of victimization to anyone who will listen. They are quick to note that they are being plotted against. This they wear as a badge of courage. By preying on the emotions of well meaning brethren, they quickly amass a following who wish to dote on their every needs.
Third, 'alignment with the weak element' produces preacheritis. Some preachers gain personal followings by aligning themselves with weaker 'Christians'. The weak usually complain the church is run by a clique, yet they themselves contribute nothing. The pastor champions their cause, throws out the establishment (i.e. the so-called clique) and replaces it with these weaker elements that are completely loyal to him.
Preacheritis: Its Results
- Preacheritis
results in a plethora of sins within the body of Christ. Consider 1 Corinthians 3:3-4: For ye are yet carnal:
for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not
carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am
of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Note that the elevating of the man of God
produces 'carnality'. 'Carnality' (sarkiko~
- sarkikos) means 'having the nature of flesh,
i.e. under the control of the animal appetites'.4
It is a feeding of the flesh; doing those things, which a believer
ought not do (Romans 7:14-17). It
manifests itself in self-centeredness, self-indulgence, and arrogant
self-sufficiency.5 Such boasting in man produces carnality both
in the boaster and the boasted.
Further, if there is any question in regards to such carnality, note
three particular issues that develop: 'envying', 'strife' and
'divisions'.
The first example of carnality is envy. 'Envying' (zhlo~ - zelos) means 'an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy'.6 Such envy arises from supposed affluence some claim to possess over others. Innocently enough, people appreciate their pastors or some other individual who has been a spiritual mentor in their life. At times, people even desire to display their appreciation. However, too much appreciation is a bad thing, because appreciation is soon replaced with a pedestal. How often are tales told of people whose faith has been shattered, zeal stomped to pieces and trust ripped to shreds because the man on the pedestal fell off? Sadly, many people have fought for advantage to be closest to the pedestal. Beloved children of God have been envious over one another because they believed that someone a little closer to the pastor than they, somehow has a greater advantage than themselves. Beware, the fruit of envy bears the seed of strife.
The second example of carnality is strife. 'Strife' (eri~ - eris) means 'contention, strife, wrangling'.7 Whereas envy begins on the thought level, strife bears itself out in words. How quickly people are to boast that their pastor is the best and that there is none like him. Sadly, how equally quick the pastor is to receive it. Alas, what is man? Is he not a creature? Consider the commandment of God, 'thou shalt have no other gods before me' (Exodus 20:3). Even a man can become a 'god' when he receives the praise of man. What glory does God receive when a man is elevated to the place of preeminence? When the people are praising the pastor, who is praising God? When the pastor becomes the center of attention, whose attention is on God? Man's pride does not need boasting. No minister of God should ever be venerated. Veneration of God's servants produces fragmentation (i.e. divisions) between the people of God and in the work of God. Beware the flower of strife blossoms into the fly trap of division.
The third example of carnality is divisions. 'Divisions' (dicostasia - dichostasia) means 'dissension or sedition'.8 As envy is to one's thoughts and strife is to one's words, so division is to one's deeds. The word 'divisions' draws a picture of people split into factions who in turn become bitter towards one another. The church community becomes a stage upon which such factions advance their personal agendas. Take note, the divisions of which Paul warned were not due to the color of carpets, but due to boasting in men. Some of the believers in the church at Corinth were boasting in Paul, some Apollos, some in Peter, etc. Today, fleshly believers are being divided by their allegiance to personalities who appeal to them. It may be the pastor's personality, a deacon's personality, a Sunday School teacher's personality, etc. On and on it goes… tearing the church apart in the process. When the personalities become larger than the Head of the Church - Jesus Christ, the church has lost her first love and in turn her effectiveness in the larger Body of Christ. Beware, the flytrap of division will devour the church.
Preacheritis: Its Remedy
There is a two-fold remedy or prescription to ward off preacheritis and its affects as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23: Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
First, remember the equality of the saints. There is no reasons to boast (i.e. glory - kaucavsqw - kauchastho) of one saint over another. The phrase "all things are yours" (pavnta uJmw'n - pantahumon) indicates that everything both physical and spiritual (including preachers) are given to believers for the growth of the whole body. All believers are equal both in their position in Christ and standing in the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:3; 4:4-7, 16). Each believer is a member of the body and each member has a specific ministry within the body. One member is not more important than another, all are equal and equally important to the proper functioning of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). When believers begin to think too highly of men, they set up the body of Christ for carnality (Romans 12:3). Carnality does not glorify God. As well, carnality hinders the body of Christ from doing the work of God and again God is not glorified. When the church of God is built around a preacher's personality (or anyone else's), it will self-destruct. Destruction follows on the heals of pride (Proverbs 16:18). Consider as well that there are three basic elements needed for apostasy to develop. "[One] a lack of knowledge of the will of God and a disrespect for the same; [two] the exaltation of human leaders and human pronouncements; [three] [the passing of] time."9 Rather than 'appreciating' the man of God by praising him, try encouraging the man of God by praying for him.
Second, refocus on the glory of God. God and God alone deserves glory. God is a jealous God and it is not a light thing to rob Him of His glory (Exodus 20:5). How serious is God about His glory? Consider Acts 12:21-23: And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. God publicly punished Herod Agrippa for accepting honor that belonged to God. God does not always bring punishment so quickly, but be not deceived, God will not be mocked, the Judge of all the earth will do what is right (Genesis 18:25; Revelation 6:9-11).
- Endnotes:
- copyrighted GGCJr, 2010