Notes on Preaching

16 December 20250 Comments

The Main Idea of the Lecture

This lecture presents a set of essential warnings and guidelines concerning the ministry of preaching, emphasizing that the preacher is a transmitter of Church teaching, not a promoter of personal thought, and that any deviation from the received apostolic faith constitutes a danger to doctrine and Church unity.

The Spiritual and Educational Dimension

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the fundamental difference between legitimate renewal in method and heresy that touches the essence of doctrine, stressing that the Coptic Orthodox Church is a conservative traditional Church that does not change its faith.
He warns against turning personal contemplations or private opinions into doctrines imposed on the people, as this has led many throughout history into heresy.
He affirms that freedom of thought exists, but it does not extend to changing doctrine, because faith is bound to the teaching of the Church received from the Fathers.
He draws attention to the danger of spiritual fame and pride that may afflict a preacher when people gather around his personal ideas, leading him into conflict with the Church.
He highlights the risks of relying on foreign books or non-Orthodox ideas, especially when they are transferred without discernment.
He stresses the danger of exaggeration in teaching or manipulating biblical translations to support preconceived ideas.
He teaches that doctrine is not built on a single verse, but on the entire Holy Scripture from beginning to end in complete harmony.
He establishes an important spiritual rule in preaching: “It is written… and it is also written,” meaning that verses must be gathered together for a balanced and complete understanding.
He concludes by affirming that Orthodox preaching is faithful, balanced, and submissive to Church teaching, leading to truth and not to division.