Unpacking Prophetic Preaching: The Pastor as Cultured Actor

Although the concept of prophetic preaching gets bantered around a good bit in pastoral circles, like many professional “buzz words” this one needs some unpacking. In this article, I will provide a brief overview of various understandings of prophetic preaching, illustrating the impact of history and culture on what it means to engage in prophetic preaching. I will then argue that pastors are cultured actors and provide a basic understanding of how cultural theory can illuminate options available to pastors who wish to preach prophetically. Specifically, I will articulate three dimensions of culture that significantly influence the options for prophetic speech. Finally, I will offer some suggestions to pastors who wish to engage more effectively in prophetic preaching.