I’ve always loved this article. It’s clear and a great truth in warning.  I don’t want to lose it, so I just want to archive it: Contexts, Pretexts, and the Potency of Truth One of my Old Testament professors in seminary was blessed not only with fine expository and oratorical skills, but also with a sharp wit. He was renowned throughout the seminary community for his biting one-liners that generally evoked much laughter, as long as the class was not on the receiving end of the barb. Among his witticisms that stand out in my memory is one he repeated a dozen times each semester, as he waxed eloquent on the need to return to genuine expository preaching: “Keep your finger on the verse.” By this he warned the would-be preacher not to stray from the passage under study. While that reminder was well received in theory, the dark clouds of despondency would descend upon the student preacher who finished his or her sermon and sat down to await the professor’s verdict. The moment of truth would arrive as the professor would mount the platform, level his gaze at his meekly seated victim and say, “Gre at sermon; poor text.” […]