Page 94 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

in light of himself and his ministry. Jesus believed that the key to unlock the meaning of Old

Testament correctly was located in his own life and ministry, “for everything pointed to

94
himself.” The right exposition of the Word of God is essential in Jesus’ preaching. It is fair to
95
conclude that for Jesus, preaching is considered as the correct exposition of the Word of God.

The Roles of a Preacher in Jesus’ Preaching

In light of the role confusion among preachers today, it is worthwhile to examine

the roles of a preacher Jesus took on while preaching. The particular posturing of Jesus as

preacher is integral to the present identity confusion since identity and role are like two sides of a

96
coin. Since the present Christian preaching ministry is contiguous with Jesus’ preaching

97
ministry in many ways, preachers are in a sense “the mouths of Christ.” A study of the roles

94
Dockery, Biblical Interpretation, 25.
95
F.B. Meyer, Expository Preaching: Plans and Methods (New York: George H. Doran
Company, 1912) 77. He, therefore, views Jesus as “the Prince of Expositors.”

96 John P. Hewitt, Dilemmas of the American Self (Philadelphia, PN.: Temple University
Press, 1989), 164. He provides a theology of identity in the book. He says, “Role differentiation
is an inherent part of social life.” Each transition from one role to the next is “an occasion on
which the person is momentarily conscious of identity.”

97
Augustine Rock, O.P., Unless They Be Sent (Dubuque, IA: WM. C. Brown Company,
1953), 134.