Recovering the Lost Art of Argument in Preaching
Introduction — The Quiet Failure in the Pulpit
Many sermons today are biblically faithful, theologically sound, and passionately delivered—yet they fail to persuade.
Listeners nod politely. They appreciate the effort. They may even affirm the doctrine. But when the sermon ends, conviction is shallow, and transformation is minimal.
This failure is rarely caused by heresy or lack of preparation. More often, it stems from something subtler and more uncomfortable: the absence of clear argument.
Preachers are trained to exegete texts, explain doctrines, and apply Scripture. But very few are trained to reason publicly, to guide listeners step by step from biblical truth to lived conviction.
As a result, sermons often assume agreement rather than earning it. They declare conclusions without carefully establishing why those conclusions should be accepted.
The Misunderstanding of Preaching
Many preachers resist the language of “argument.” The word feels secular, academic, even confrontational. Isn’t preaching about proclamation, not persuasion?
But this resistance misunderstands both preaching and argument.
Argument, properly understood, is not debate. It is the disciplined act of making reasons visible. It is the pastoral work of helping listeners see why a claim should be believed, not merely that it is true.
Every sermon already makes arguments—implicitly or poorly. The real question is whether those arguments are:
- clear or confused
- responsible or manipulative
- supportive of faith or a stumbling block to understanding
When argument is ignored, sermons rely heavily on assertion (“The Bible says… therefore…”) and emotion (“We should feel… therefore…”). These may move hearers temporarily, but they often fail to produce lasting conviction.
The Listener’s Silent Question
Every listener, whether consciously or not, asks a silent question during a sermon:
“Why should I believe this?”
This question is not rebellion. It is not skepticism. It is the normal function of human reasoning.
When sermons fail to answer this question clearly, listeners do one of three things:
- They disengage mentally
- They accept the message superficially
- They rely on the preacher’s authority rather than understanding
None of these outcomes serve the long-term spiritual health of the congregation.
Good preaching does not bypass the listener’s reasoning; it guides it.
Why Passion Is Not Enough
Passion is often celebrated as the mark of powerful preaching. And rightly so—preaching without passion is lifeless.
But passion without structure creates problems.
Emotion can intensify a message, but it cannot substitute for reasoning. When sermons lean too heavily on passion, they risk becoming inspirational talks rather than acts of careful theological communication.
Listeners may feel moved, but they struggle to articulate what they have been persuaded of and why.
Clarity, not charisma, is what allows truth to take root.
Recovering Argument as Pastoral Care
Clear argument is not an academic luxury; it is an act of pastoral responsibility.
Confused reasoning confuses the flock. Weak connections between text and application weaken trust. Unstated assumptions leave listeners unsure how conclusions were reached.
In contrast, structured argument:
- honors the listener’s intellect
- builds confidence in biblical reasoning
- strengthens conviction without coercion
To argue well in preaching is to love well.
A Practical Framework for Preachers
One of the most helpful tools for recovering clarity in preaching comes from an unexpected place: the Toulmin Model of Argument.
Originally developed to analyze real-world reasoning, this model offers preachers a simple yet powerful framework for examining how claims are supported.
At its core, the model asks:
- What am I claiming?
- On what grounds?
- How do those grounds logically support the claim?
When applied to sermons, this framework exposes gaps that often go unnoticed:
- Claims without sufficient biblical grounds
- Assumptions left unstated
- Applications disconnected from the text
Rather than complicating preaching, the Toulmin model clarifies it.
Argument Without Manipulation
Some fear that focusing on argument leads to manipulation. But manipulation thrives in obscurity, not clarity.
Manipulation hides reasoning. It pressures without explaining. It demands response without understanding.
Clear argument does the opposite. It invites listeners into the reasoning process. It allows them to see the connections, test the claims, and respond freely.
Persuasion grounded in truth and clarity is not manipulation—it is responsible ministry.
Why This Matters Now
We live in a time when attention is fragmented, trust is fragile, and authority is questioned. In such a context, preaching that relies solely on assertion or emotion struggles to endure.
Listeners—especially younger generations—are not rejecting truth. They are rejecting unclear reasoning.
Preachers who can articulate not only what Scripture says but why it matters, how it follows, and where it leads are better equipped to shepherd faithfully in this age.
Toward Clearer, Faithful Preaching
Preaching has never been merely about delivering information. It has always been about forming conviction.
That formation requires more than good intentions. It requires disciplined thinking, careful structure, and pastoral sensitivity to how people actually reason.
Recovering the art of argument in preaching is not a departure from faithfulness—it is a return to clarity.
A Final Invitation
These reflections only scratch the surface of a larger conversation about clarity, structure, and responsibility in preaching.
In The Speaker’s Edge: Mastering Argument with the Toulmin Model, this framework is explored in depth, with practical examples, sermon analysis, and step-by-step guidance for preachers who want their sermons to be both faithful and persuasive.
For those committed to preaching that honors Scripture, respects listeners, and builds lasting conviction, clarity is not optional—it is essential.
This article only touches the surface of a much deeper issue in preaching: how arguments actually function in forming conviction.
Those interested in thinking more deeply about clarity, argument, and pastoral responsibility in preaching may find the following resource helpful:
👉 The Speaker’s Edge: Mastering Argument with the Toulmin Model
Also available on Amazon