Philip Arthur Bence PhD Thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText

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to future revelation, both the Word of the preaching
moment, and the ultimate Word seen in the day of Christ's
return. Jesus has "come again" already in the
resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit, yet the
revelation event will not be complete until Jesus' final
return. The war has been won, yet the fighting [the
work of Christ and the Church, including preaching] goes
on.
"7 "The Word was made flesh' has as its reponse:
'Amen, come quickly, Lord Jesus' . " -3e "All has been
done," but "all must [yet] be changed."'
In Barth's mind, preaching "is directed to one end
only: to point to divine truth.'"4 ° The preacher
points to God. He instructs his hearers to listen to
God. Thus the preacher's primary goal is not that people
should hear him, but that they should hear God's Word.
"She is the true church in proportion as she is the
listening [to God's Word] church."'
In God's Word lies hope for all men, hope which
attacks deep-seated human anxieties. Mankind fears
judgment. Rightfully so, for God has judged mankind, but
at the same moment offered grace. Man fears death. God
has condemned man to death, but also promises
resurrection. And although man fears the awesome God,
but the God who is fearsome is also the "loving father
who takes the prodigal in his arms."'" 2 God has
redeemed mankind. The preacher's task? To aid his
people to hear from God this Word of redemption, and
experience His peace.