At the annual pastor’s colloquium for The Gospel Coalition last May, the pastors discussed future enhancements on TGC website. When discussing the new database of resources, John Piper strongly suggested that we add a note against sermon-stealing, something he “abominates.” Everyone seemed to agree. Here’s the note that is currently on the bottom of the resources page:
A NOTE ON THE USE AND ABUSE OF SERMONS
The instant availability of thousands of expository sermons and addresses prompts us to reflect a little on how they should not be used, and how they should be used.
To take the latter first: many of our Council members avidly read the sermons of others, or, increasingly commonly, listen to them while they are driving or walking or jogging. Good preaching not only opens up texts, but helps us learn how others tackle the challenge of structure, apply Scripture to their particular congregations, relate their texts to the central themes of God and the gospel, and much more. We soon sense their urgency and God-given unction. We are sent back to the study and to our knees to become better workers who do not need to be ashamed of the way we handle the word of truth.
The bad way to listen to the sermons of others is to select one such sermon on the topic or passage you have chosen and then simply steal it, passing it off as if it is your own work. This is, quite frankly, theft, and thieves, Paul tells us, will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:10). Yet in some ways that is not the most serious aspect of this form of plagiarism. Rather, it is the deep damage you are doing to yourself and others by not studying the Bible for yourself. Ministers of the gospel are supported by their congregations so they will give themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer. That demands rigorous study. A faithful minister of the gospel is never merely a biological tape recorder or CD, thoughtlessly parroting what someone else learned, thought through, prayed over, and recorded. Indulge in this exercise and before long you will starve your own soul—and, no matter how good the sermons you steal, your ministry will sooner or later, and deservedly, become sterile, for the stamp of inauthenticity will be all over you.
One helpful suggestion: Listen to many sermons, not just one or two. You will be far less likely to steal, and far more likely to be stimulated and helped, if you listen to five or ten sermons than if you listen to one.
I am pleased to find such a strong statement regarding sermon theft! I have been surprised to find how often it happens. Oh that pastors would long to labor in the inspired Word of God and say with the Psalmist, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
Andy,
Where do you think the line exists between plagiarizing and having things committed to faithful men who will also teach others? Is it wrong to borrow language from one theologian on a particular aspect of your sermon? I do not mean taking an entire sermon or even an entire section–that is clearly laziness and stealing. What I am wondering is whether it is wrong to say a particular phrase or sentence the same as an outstanding theologian or pastor? J.W. Alexander, in his excellent work “Thoughts on Preaching,” explains that the minister should read broadly and make ideas and teachings, from the books he reads, his own. At what point does this pass from faithfully passing on truths and plagiarism?
I haven’t thought deeply about this, but here are a few thoughts that come immediately to mind.
1. Sermons are a different category than writing, and I think a different criteria applies when it comes to plagiarism. One simply cannot pause to footnote every paraphrase, for example, without having a dampening rhetorical effect.
2. Quoting exact sentences (and longer) without giving credit seems misleading. When I preach, my conscience feels compelled to mention when I am borrowing in such a fashion. Otherwise I am giving the impression that that thought—and the way I put that thought—is original with me.
3. On the other hand, when a preacher reads (and listens to MP3s) widely, that content may penetrate his thinking so that his paraphrases my contain exact phrases from others. Consequently, he may unwittingly quote others without noting that. Other times he may judge that stopping to footnote a source would be distracting and unnecessary in that context. Thus, I think this requires some degree of charity in our assessment of others.
This is nothing profound—just a few off-the-cuff thoughts. I’d welcome other thoughts.
Andy, you say you haven’t thought deeply about this–all the more true of me! But I have a kneejerk reaction here: Just what are the protestors protecting? The purity of the Gospel? No. One assumes what material is being “stolen” or “borrowed” is based on Truth. So, is it their “property rights” at issue here? Intellectual property, the Gospel? Yes, some preachers are lazy. Is it better for them to present a slip-shod, ineptly assembled sermon or to follow an outline from Piper or MacArthur and perhaps have more understanding gleaned by their hearers? I surely am guilty of this “crime” to some extent, knowing how many times when hearing a message I have thought “Wow, that’s a great point” and filed it away for further study and possible use. I’d like to think we could extend a bit of grace to the “weaker brethren” and be thankful that they are motivated to provide quality content even when they are incapable (or too lazy) to produce it under their own steam.
Andy,
I think I agree with all your thoughts above. However, I find this a difficult area for a couple of reasons. Why would someone want to hear what I have to say as over against a John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, or Sinclair Ferguson? When I say this I do not mean, “Why shouldn’t we just rip everything off from them?” But what I am suggesting is that the way something is said is often very powerful and affecting. I have met several men who have been so influenced by Piper that this shows in the way that they pray and preach. I do not like it when someone tries to act like another preacher, but why not use things that they do when you find it to be effective on your own listening? I have rarely quoted someone without giving them credit but I have been warned in years past not to quote so much and just to make things my own. This is a very difficult area for me. I guess that someone who is listening to loads of sermons, reading a lot, and meditating on Scripture should be able to reward expositions of particular portions of Scripture so that it does not seem like he is stealing material. Anyway, thanks for posting a very useful post.
P.S. I thought about stealing it and posting it on my blog as if I wrote it, but then I was convicted!