What Exactly is Feet of Gamaliel Style?

What is more Biblical? Please explain and show references.


Coram Deo,

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Michael Daniels
Reformed, RPCNA
Denton, Maryland

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I have no idea what this thread is about.

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Davidius
Husband of Emilia
Member: First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Durham (RPCNA) - Durham, NC
Student: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, German Literature and Classics

This may explain the old adage about Baptists being Methodists with shoes, and Presbyterians being Baptists who can read. To round out the adage, Lutherans might qualify as Presbyterians who drink to excess, and Episcopalians as Lutherans who know when to say when. - D.G. Hart

I read on another website quoting early church fathers that the preaching style of the early church was more like "Feet of Gamaliel Style" then what we have today which is Oratory/Pulpit Style.

So I asked what exactly is the feet of Gamaliel Style and between the two systems of preaching what is the more biblical style...

I've never heard it put like that. But I know my brother was taught to speak "in a tone of preaching", more declamatory than conversational.

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Ruben
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Could you elaborate?

I see. Perhaps the rhetoricians had their influence on Christian preaching. You know, I've heard at least one guy argue that sermon time should consist of a several short teachings followed by Q&A/dialog with the congregation.

Sometimes people are taught to use a special voice (tone, intonation, etc.) for preaching, and to speak in a manner quite different from what they would employ if they were simply explaining something in a conversation. Hence the distinction between declamatory and conversational styles. The increase of cheap high-quality audio equipment means that for many preachers this can be a decision to make, instead of something that is forced on them by the need to make oneself heard.

Yes, I used to hate it when a preacher put on his sanctimonious churchy voice.....GAWD this and GAWD that..... one of the reasons I held onto skepticism so long...church appeared to be much showmanship only...

I still sometimes do not like and prefer real people speaking plain language about the Gospel without needlessly multiplying pious adjectives and putting on holy airs...

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

Acting according to the needs of the situation is probably useful.

If, for example, an elder is teaching the fellow believers about a certain topic, it is certainly within his Christian liberty to allow for questions and discussion. However, all should probably guard against rabbit-trails that are not "done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26).

From the 1556 Geneva Book of Church Order:
However, it is also within his liberty to deliver his message all at once and then allow for questions and discussion afterwards.

Men are not bound by a command given to women to remain silent. In fact, perhaps men would grow more in grace and knowledge of the Lord if they were actively involved in the learning of the Word. Asking questions, adding useful exhortations and explanations, etc.

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Taylor Otwell
Considering Membership -- Oak Cliff Baptist Church
Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA

Did we ever hear any cry out on their deathbed that they have been too holy, that they have prayed too much, or walked with God too much? – Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture

The problem is, apart from the observation of a man's life, we do not have the ability to discern if their adjectives and airs are stemming from false piety/holiness. Thus, we hold the doubts to ourself, and try not to presume (unless we see an otherwise betrayal of his speech by his character and actions).

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
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Gamaliel is one of two rabbinical style of rhetoric. Paul, being schooled in the Gamaliel-style of rhetoric, uses it heavily in Romans. What we see in our court system today where prosecutors and defense attorneys present their cases, they were taught to present their cases in the historic Gamaliel-style of rhetoric. Also the police use Gamaliel-style of rhetoric during interrogations.

Whereas there are differences between the Gamaliel-style of rhetoric where a preacher shouldn't present the Scripture text like a prosecuting attorney and treat the congregation like they were on the witness stand, to completely segregate this "either/or" or "this vs. that" is too hairsplitting because sometimes preachers do preach Gamaliel-style.

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Will Shin
Rockville, MD

Michael,

I've been to a messianic jewish church service twice in my life (both times in Baltimore) and the sermon was delivered in such a manner. It is very conversational and I found it very enlightening. In a sense, it was much less formal as we literally sat at the teachers feet (he was in sort of a high chair). I'm not sure which is more biblical, but I definetly enjoyed it.

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[B]Nse'

Seattle, WA
Reformed Church
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