George Butler on Homiletics

by koot van wyk (DLitt et Phil; ThD)

Kyungpook National University

Sangju Campus

South Korea

Conjoint lecturer of Avondale College

17 October 2009

George Butler was one of the greatest leaders in early Adventism of his period. He was a man of gifted talents. In fact, it is wrongly said by some historians that Ellen White introduced Trinitarianism in the Adventist church in 1890 (see Gane 1963 and Schwarz 1979: 168; for critical evaluation of Gane see Eric Webster, Crosscurrents in Adventist Christology [Berrien Springs, Michigan: Andrews University, 1984]: 143-144). In our opinion, contra Gane (Gane 1963: 65), many Millerites were Trinitarianists and Ellen White was also one as early as 1858 in Spiritual Gifts vol. IV. Her husband was one already in 1877. However, one find George Butler in 1885 presenting the Trinitarian position as biblical in his revised book (G. I. Butler, Facts for the Times: A Collection of Valuable Historical Extracts on a Great Variety of Subjects of special interest to the Bible Student, from Eminent Authors, Ancient and Modern [Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, July 12, 1885], 262-263 speaking of the personality of God and including Jesus and His deity as well, so also in 260-261). Since this book is a revised edition, it means that the doctrine could have been in this book even earlier. The second point we have to realize is that already in this book of Butler, he had a correct understanding of the atonement work of Jesus Christ on our behalf: "But, if a divine being did not die, then we have only a human atonement" (Butler 1885: 260). A third point we need to realize is that Butler in fact compiled here a precursor of what became later in Adventism Questions on Doctrine and later the Fundamentals of Beliefs. It was the purpose of Butler in the light of so many false doctrines around, to collect from outsiders and some insiders citations supporting the Adventist cardinal doctrines. Of extreme importance is the citation of a letter by prof. dr. George Bush of New York University (Hebraist) after the Great Disappointment, encouraging William Miller that he had no choice but to follow the course he did since he was listening to the voice of Great Scholars through the centuries preceding him that had done the same method of historicist interpretation (Butler 1885: 38-39).

Some try to present Butler as the "Monster of Minneapolis" but far from it. His health was not good and when he resigned in 1888 as President, Ellen White mentioned that he was acting for three years as if he is infallible. This comment may just be concerning his administrative style at a particular point in time, since we do find him later again in the presidential seat. Butler was a gatekeeper of truth, as this book of 1885 demonstrates, and one must evaluate his role at Minneapolis from this angle as well.

Butler on Homiletics

"Advice to Preachers" (Butler 1885: 279-280)

1. Resolve to be brief, as this is an age of telegraphs and stenography.

2. Be pointed; never preach all around your text without hitting it.

3. State your proposition, plainly, but do not stop long to particularize.

4. Avoid long introductions; but plunge into your sermon like a swimmer into cold water.

5. Condense; make sure that you have an idea, and then speak it right out, in the plainest, shortest possible terms.

6. Avoid all high-flown language; quote no Hebrew nor Greek; aim to be simply a preacher.

7. Make no apologies. They do not edify, and hence are a waste of time.

8. Desire no rapid growth. When the clock has struck twelve, it does not strike thirteen next. The full moon grows no larger.

9. Be not over hasty to combat public opinion without pressing reason. He that spits against the wind, spits in his own face.

10. Never scare off a fly with a club when a feather will do as well; and remember you can take more flies with a gill of molasses than with a gallon of vinegar [meaning that one should not be overly critical and skeptical. Sweet talk can also catch the errors].

11. Never forget that a minister's work is to break hard hearts, and to mend broken ones.

12. Avoid extreme gesture. Do not be too stiff on the one hand, nor like a limber jack on the other; and remember that gestures are to be seen, not heard.

13. Do not try to tell all you know in one sermon. The art of condensing costs study, but when once attained, its value is priceless.

14. Never talk merely to hear yourself; if you do, you will weary the hearers.

15. Avoid levity. Jesus was never known to laugh but often to weep.

16. Be natural. Do not try to ape the tone or gestures of some great man. Be great by being yourself. Guard against what is termed "heavenly tones" a tremulous voice, and "ministerial twang".

17. Be in earnest. Let your hearers see that you believe what you are preaching. How can any preacher go with God's awful message to dying men and women with feelings of indifference?

18. Articulate plainly. Let every word be heard from the number of the first hymn to the amen of the benediction.

19. Consider well the best manner as well as the matter in your preaching.

20. Realize that unless the attention of the hearers is fully arrested and vigorously maintained, the most excellent discourses will be without effect.

21. Unless there be deep feeling, the object of preaching will be defeated. After the understanding is in formed and the judgement convinced, the heart and soul must be moved, or no lasting effect is produced.

22. A minister must talk every word from his very heart, and pour out the riches of his own knowledge upon the people round about him, by the help of the Spirit and power of God. Then every word and gesture will be free and natural, and full of life and spirit, and a deep and lasting impression will be made upon the minds and hearts of the hearers."

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