I think in general my preaching style here has moved a little more away from a more analytical approach to trying to expose the larger themes of the gospel, less trying to prove the internal consistency of the Bible's message or the rationality of it and more trying to put forward the beauty of the gospel's message and the ways it challenges or affirms our preconceptions about morality. Been going through the Psalms for a few months now, which is a bit outside my comfort zone, but I think that's been a helpful experience. Maybe one of the challenges I have as a westerner is that in the American church I often associate preaching that appeals to emotions with bad theology, and I do think that is a danger. But good theology can and should have an emotional impact when it's properly understood. One thought is that perhaps preaching should have a focus on impacting the Japanese heart, and that we should include rational teaching regarding theology as one component of discipleship (but certainly not the only component).
I think in general my preaching style here has moved a little more away from a more analytical approach to trying to expose the larger themes of the gospel, less trying to prove the internal consistency of the Bible's message or the rationality of it and more trying to put forward the beauty of the gospel's message and the ways it challenges or affirms our preconceptions about morality. Been going through the Psalms for a few months now, which is a bit outside my comfort zone, but I think that's been a helpful experience.
Maybe one of the challenges I have as a westerner is that in the American church I often associate preaching that appeals to emotions with bad theology, and I do think that is a danger. But good theology can and should have an emotional impact when it's properly understood. One thought is that perhaps preaching should have a focus on impacting the Japanese heart, and that we should include rational teaching regarding theology as one component of discipleship (but certainly not the only component).
I hope you get the audio working and that you didn't lose it.