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# Why Preaching is Important
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/2010415why-preaching-is-important-html/
- Published: 2010-04-15T10:00:29.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:30:28.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: Blog, preaching, #DashHouseCom, #wp

In [*A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious%5FAffections?ref=dashhouse.com), Jonathan Edwards argues that “Gracious affections arise from the mind being enlightened rightly and spiritually to apprehend divine things.”

This is one reason that preaching is so important.

> Such is the nature of man, that it is impossible his mind should be affected, unless it be by something that he apprehends, or that his mind conceives…**Truly spiritual and gracious affections…arise from the enlightening of the understanding, to understand the things taught of God and Christ, in a new manner.** There is a new understanding of the excellent nature of God and his wonderful perfections, some new view of Christ in his spiritual excellencies and fulness; or things are opened to him in a new manner, whereby he now understands those divine and spiritual doctrines which once were foolishness to him.

The affections, Edwards says, arise from a change in our understanding. This underlines the importance of Spirit-empowered preaching that aims at minds on their way to changing hearts.

By the way, there’s a reason Edwards is still being read today. If you’re interested in exploring Edwards, [this is a good place to start](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802424627/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com).