Theology cannot be overlooked in preaching. Theology must form the core of our preaching. In fact, it will. Whether that’s intentional or not is up to us. Preachers must start with the text of scripture, extract its theology, and then present it to the audience, helping them apply it to their lives for salvation or sanctification.

Theology plays a crucial role in preaching, particularly in the context of the doctrine of salvation. This is often overlooked or soft-pedalled by preachers. But it is essential to incorporate theology into our preaching. In fact, it’s inevitable that our theology will be communicated in our preaching.

This article argues that theology is not an optional aspect of preaching. Instead, theology is the foundation of all preaching. The preacher’s theology is communicated to the audience and helps them apply it to their lives. This is true, whether the preacher is aware of it or not. Our theology comes through in our preaching. So I want to exhort preachers to thoughtfully and deliberately consider their theology as they preach.

The Pastoral Epistles Emphasise Doctrine

Consider the pastoral epistles, the letters to Timothy and Titus. Paul urges his understudies to uphold sound doctrine, emphasising the importance of teaching what accords with sound doctrine and rebuking those who contradict it (1 Timothy 1:10; 4:6; 6:3; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). Paul also highlights the grace of God bringing salvation, based on the message of the scriptures, through the preaching of the word.

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