R-Rated: Preaching Disturbing Stories
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R-Rated: Preaching Disturbing Stories
These stories provide a survival guide for living in a fallen world.
Editor's Note: Some of the content below is adapted from Matthew Schlimm's book This Strange and Sacred Scripture. It is used by permission from Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group (2015).
The Old Testament is difficult to read, and it's even more difficult to preach. It contains many stories that are neither uplifting nor inspiring. The story of Noah features most of the world drowning to death. To make matters worse, after Noah leaves the ark, he gets so drunk that he passes out while naked (Gen. 9:21). Abraham fools around with polygamy (Gen. 16). On two other occasions, Abraham lies about his wife, giving her away to other men (12:10-20; 20:1-18). His son Isaac does essentially the same thing (26:7-11). Meanwhile, Abraham's grandnieces get their dad drunk and sleep with him (19:30-38).
Abraham's grandson Jacob exploits his famished brother Esau (25:29-34). Later, Jacob deceives his nearly dead father and again cheats Esau, who then plots ...
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Myrtle
Really good article. Very encouraging.
Esther
This is a great article, exactly what church needs today.
Dallas, TX
Absolutely excellent article, thank you so much! In a world of platitudes, How good it is to be enriched by meaningful reading that we can actually learn and grow from. We can appreciate every ounce of God's amazing Word! Thank you again and blessings to you!
Isa Lopez
Thanks for this eye-opening artilce!
Serge
Excellent article with helpful insights about those OT narratives that we often gloss over. Bottom line, let us be real with what the text says. Excellent job Matthew in bringing attention to these issues.