Jonathan Moorhead:

Hughes Oliphant Old has written a classic 7-volume history of preaching. Theologically he is a liberal, clearly rejecting the doctrines of inerrancy and the person of Satan (and demons). Yet, I find it interesting how he evaluates the preaching of John MacArthur:

"Why do so many people listen to MacArthur, this product of all the wrong schools? How can he pack out a church on Sunday morning in an age which church attendance has seriously lagged? Here is a preacher who has nothing in the way of a winning personality, good looks, or charm. Here is a preacher who offers us nothing in the way of sophisticated homiletical packaging. No one would suggest that he is a master of the art of oratory. What he seems to have is a witness to true authority. He recognizes in Scripture the Word of God, and when he preaches, it is Scripture that one hears. It is not that the words of John MacArthur are so interesting as it is that the Word of God is of surpassing interest. That is why one listens" (7:557-8).

It has become increasingly important to me when teaching the Bible that I speak with authority only where Scripture speaks. And not only that, but the people must see the connection. It is not good enough to teach something true or even biblical if it is not in the passage you are teaching.

This is harder than it looks. Many good preachers fail at this at times, I believe.

I read this here and think it worth reposting for you.

This one may be hard to accept, but you shouldn’t assume that because your child makes straight A’s that he/she is getting a good education. The truth is, a lot of times it’s the bad teachers who give the easiest grades, because they know by giving good grades everyone will leave them alone. Parents will say, "My child has a great teacher! He made all A’s this year!"

Wow. Come on now. In all honesty, it’s usually the best teachers who are giving the lowest grades, because they are raising expectations. Yet, when your children receive low scores you want to complain and head to the principal’s office.

Please, take a step back and get a good look at the landscape. Before you challenge those low grades you feel the teacher has "given" your child, you might need to realize your child "earned" those grades and that the teacher you are complaining about is actually the one that is providing the best education.

I’ve seen this a bit at our boys ‘ middle school. I’d quickly trade the grade for the education.

A former student wrote me last week and said this:

I still remember a certain Land and Bible site paper on [site name redacted] that received an 83 when I thought it was a "for sure" A (which is what [teacher’s name redacted] told me he would have given me after proofreading it).  To a large degree – I credit the feeling that I felt after reading that grade (angst) with my desire to become a better writer – it was a watershed moment in my development as a student and writer. So thanks for giving me a B- !

Challenging teachers out there, be encouraged!