Failure Quote by Neil Postman
““It would be a serious mistake to think of Billy Graham or any other television revivalist as a latter-day Jonathan Edwards or Charles Finney. Edwards was one of the most brilliant and creative minds ever produced by America. His contribution to aesthetic theory was almost as important as his contribution to theology. His interests were mostly academic; he spent long hours each day in his study. He did not speak to his audiences extemporaneously. He read his sermons, which were tightly knit and closely reasoned expositions of theological doctrine””
About This Quote
Source Book: Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, 1985
Billy Graham’s televised revivalism differs from historic revivalists; his approach is more academic and scripted, lacking spontaneous extemporaneous preaching.
In simple terms: Graham’s style is scripted, not spontaneous.
Key Takeaway
Recognize differences in preaching styles.
Themes
religion
media
communication
history
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
scholarly
critical
When to use this quote
- church services
- television evangelism
- academic study of religion
Key Concepts
theology
public discourse
media influence
Questions to Reflect On
- What impact does media have on religious experience?
- Can scripted preaching be as effective as spontaneous?
A Different Perspective
Scripted sermons may lack emotional immediacy.
![“[Jonathan] Edwards definitely shows up in the book [Saving Calvinism]. He appears as one of the interlocutors in the chapter on free will, the other being the Southern Presbyterian theologian John Girardeau.” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37e/oliver-d-crisp-12863_book_jonathan-edwards-definitely-shows-up-in_710749.jpg)
![“[ Jonathan] Edwards is one of my heroes. I've learned much from him over the years.” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/685/oliver-d-crisp-12863_hero_jonathan-edwards-is-one-of-my-heroes-i-v_2410640.jpg)
