The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The First and Primary Object

I recently read an article that I thought was worth sharing with others on the Highway. It is called 'The First and Primary Object'.
It is about what a pastor hopes to accomplish with his sermon and is based on the views of Jonathan Edwards on the subject. You can read this article here.

Enjoy
Tom

Since I first started this thread, I read the article again and noticed something that I never noticed before.
In the article, there is a link called ‘expository thoughts’ in the article that talked about how both Edwards and D.Martyn Lloyd-Jones were not in favor of people taking notes during a sermon, because it distracted away from the sermon itself.
This is something that I have never thought of before and at the moment I am not completely sold about that.
It seems to me that as I look at Christians that I know that take there faith seriously, one of the characteristics that many of them portray is that they take notes during sermons.
Any thoughts?
Tom

I am usually prepared to take notes during a sermon, i.e., pencil ready. Most often, when I do take notes it will be in my Bible if it is worth much and on the back of the bulletin if it is worth further study. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't take notes because it is distracting to me. But that is because I have vision impairment and I have to hold the paper up close and it takes me a longer time to write it. But, personally, God has given me the ability to remember what I hear with good accuracy. I have had people comment on this, even. I have the blessing of re-listening to sermons online (something ironically Lloyd-Jones would not approve of!) I will take notes sometimes during a lesson or sermon if there is an outline so I can jot down some key points to remember. But normally I don't take notes. As for the rest in my congregation, some do take notes and others don't. In fact, I remember one sermon where the pastor said that those who take notes might want to put down their pens and paper and just soak in the truth. It was one on Luke 24:27 and would have been very hard to take notes on anyway...

Yes, my favorite sermons have been those that have fostered further study! I love meditating on the message throughout the week <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Marie

Actually, I am not so sure you are correct that Lloyd-Jones would not approve of that.
Have you read his book called 'Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure'?
This book is made up of a series of sermons he did on Sunday mornings virtually as they were given.
I mention this because whether we listen or read as sermon, it is basically the same thing. Why would write a book, made up of sermons he preached, if he didn't approve of that method?

By the way, if you have not read the book, please do. It is well worth your time.

Tom

I read it some time ago! It was very good! As to recording sermons, I thought I heard that he objected to recording them in audio format in Preaching and Preachers. I could be wrong. I see that there are audio recordings of him available on the net, though...