Namby pamby is pretty dated. The phrase “namby pambyism” came from a book I saw twenty years ago (or more). The focus of the book (if I remember right) was the “weak” Christianity of “liberalism” (as the author saw it). I was thinking recently of some who have a similar view today - or at least talk in a similar fashion. These believe that preaching that isn’t full of fire and brimstone and telling how wrong others are is a soft and weak preaching. Really, it’s their version of “hard” preaching that is weak and lacks substance.
How is that? Generally, this type of preaching is centered on how others are wrong and are facing the judgment and condemnation of God. These sermons are centered on everyone who is not sitting in the pew (unless an unfortunate sinner happened to walk in that Sunday). Sins and sinners are hammered on and then everyone walks out of the church building feeling good about their own lives - the sinners have been told. Soft. Weak.There’s nothing there. A sermon that is aimed at people who aren’t there is useless.
Preaching that is truly hard is the preaching that talks about what we do, say and think. These sermons (that those above describe as soft) challenge and illuminate the lives of those who are in the pews at that moment. There’s hardly ever 100% hit on everyone, but it must be focused on those who are present. As everyone walks out of the door, the sermon should echo in their lives.
Maybe the problem with hellfire and brimstone sermons is that too many preachers seem to enjoy preaching them. If the preacher hasn’t been brought to tears in preparation because he is looking at what God is saying about him personally, maybe it’s time to start preaching really hard sermons.
I stumbled across this posting, and it led me to read through many more. My beliefs may not line up with most of your readers, but I find you have a lot worth saying here. Thanks for it.