What is Heart Preaching?

What does it mean to preach to the heart? The answer to this question depends on how we define "preaching" and how we define the "heart." A biblically derived definition of each concept is more challenging to articulate for the former and much easier for the latter. The biblical term "heart" is easier to define because the metaphorical use of the word "heart" in the Bible consistently conveys a tripartite uniformity across the biblical canon. This uniformity is evidenced through synonymous usage of the Old Testament Hebrew word for "heart" (lēb/lēbāb) and the New Testament Greek word for "heart" (kardia) [1]. Here, the Bible's metaphorical "heart" contains three chambers: the intellect (1 Kgs 3:12), the emotions (Ex 4:14), and the will (Ex 36:2). These chambers function collectively to form desires that will inevitably lead to every action in a person’s life (Mt 12:34). Thus, one’s motives are born in the recesses of the heart as they pass through and become molded by each individual chamber. To biblically speak of the heart, then, is to speak of the entire human being; a being made up and motivated by a collective intellect, emotions, and will. 

When it comes to defining preaching, however, the biblical evidence is far more complex for deriving a biblically faithful definition. A number of complex challenges surface. First, is there any distinction between preaching and teaching? Second, the stewardship of God's word across the biblical canon differs to a degree[2]. An Old Testament prophet functionally stewards God's word differently than Paul in an epistle. Third, apostolic preaching is intrinsically different when one factors in the revelatory nature of that preaching. In contrast, the modern-day preacher is called to proclaim the word of God in the Old and New Testament, not deliver new revelation directly received from God. Fourth, since the examples of preaching in Acts are not necessarily exhaustive accounts of everything said during the message, to what degree can we derive our preaching model from an incomplete snapshot of that message? These are the kind of challenges that make defining preaching a difficult matter. Though deriving a biblical understanding of preaching is complex, it is not an impossible endeavor. However, we will never acquire a biblically faithful understanding of preaching by the reductive process of oversimplification. We must deal with the complexity. We must craft a theological vision of the nature and practice of preaching. 

In the PhD dissertation that I am currently writing, I am seeking to develop a biblically faithful theological vision of preaching. My hope and prayer for my research and writing is that I can advance theological clarity for greater vision on what it means to faithfully exposit Scripture. For those men who are called to preach God's word, they must must do so with an increased awareness of how to move towards greater degrees of expository faithfulness. I hope to advance this cause for glory of God and for the increased joy of His people. 



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[1] In the Septuagint, kardia “is the true equivalent of” lēb/lēbāb. Johannes Behm, “Kardia,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964). The New Testament use of kardia also “agrees” with the Old Testament lēb/lēbāb. Ibid.

[2] Within the category of canonical biblical theology, “the ministry of the word in Scripture is stewarding and heralding God’s word in such a way that people encounter God through his word.” Jason C. Meyer, Preaching: A Biblical Theology (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), 21.