Keller's version of No Quarter November https://twitter.com/timkellernyc/status/1326847964569079809

So what this tweet needs is some NUANCE. Let's try.

It is true that mere words, apart from context & other relational values, are highly unlikely to be effective. Further, the rule "Show, don't tell" is generally good advice for relationships & ongoing pedagogy. So far, so good.

You might also say that the Bible gives examples where words are made more powerful by other prophetic or ritual accessories-- move to the desert, grow your hair out, make a model of the city and then smash it.

Maybe there are modern analogies-- wearing black, a "grave" manner

But after all of that, the Bible does put a premium on the Word & on speaking the Word.

After all, no one really has to "learn" that they are a sinner. Deep down, they know.

They need to learn what that means and what to do about it. If they persist, they need to be warned.

"Telling" someone that they are a sinner can be a reminder. It can also be a warning of what will happen to them if they are not forgiven.

And in the case of the reprobate, it can be a way to harden them, a prophetic judgment which God does use (see Isaiah 6:10).

Relational ministry is good, but it has serious limitations. You can only have real relationships with a small number of people, and you will very likely self-select this group according to earthly factors. These can be good and justifiable factors, but still earthly.

Preachers have to preach. They must spread the word. That's their job. Paul draws attention to this in Rom. 10:14-15.

Addtnlly, using your words to explain & open the Word is the single most important thing a pastor can do. Doing so moves the attention away from him and to God.

In fact, all of the other features of ministry, which are indeed so important, must be built atop the Word. If the Word is being preached & taught clearly and faithfully, then the other aspects of relationship will enhance and fill out the process.

But without the foundation...

Without the foundation of Word, the other aspects of ministry will become worldly counselling or community or friendship. All good in their way, but not the power of God to salvation.

Usually the people most attracted to confrontation need to spend more time with counseling and the people most attracted to counseling need to spend more time with confrontation. You gotta have both in this life.

And the best way to strengthen your church is still to do more bible-- preach more bible, teach more bible, get people to read and understand more bible, and apply more bible.

Do Bible, and you will be different from everything else in the world.