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Vance Havner
Vance Havner (1901 - 1986). American Southern Baptist evangelist and author born in Jugtown, North Carolina. Converted at 10 in a brush arbor revival, he preached his first sermon at 12 and was licensed at 15, never pursuing formal theological training. From the 1920s to 1970s, he traveled across the U.S., preaching at churches, camp meetings, and conferences, delivering over 13,000 sermons with wit and biblical clarity. Havner authored 38 books, including Pepper ‘n’ Salt (1949) and Why Not Just Be Christians?, selling thousands and influencing figures like Billy Graham. Known for pithy one-liners, he critiqued lukewarm faith while emphasizing revival and simplicity. Married to Sara Allred in 1936 until her death in 1972, they had no children. His folksy style, rooted in rural roots, resonated widely, with radio broadcasts reaching millions. Havner’s words, “The church is so worldly that it’s no longer a threat to the world,” challenged complacency. His writings, still in print, remain a staple in evangelical circles, urging personal holiness and faithfulness.
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Sermon Summary
Vance Havner addresses the nervous and unstable segment of the religious community that is constantly seeking new interpretations and trends, much like the Athenians in Paul's time. He critiques the tendency to judge the Bible through the lens of contemporary philosophies and sciences, arguing instead that these should be evaluated in the light of Scripture. Havner emphasizes the importance of returning to the foundational truths of the Bible rather than allowing it to be subjected to the whims of modern thought. He calls for a focus on delivering the core message of the Word to those who are spiritually hungry, rather than getting caught up in theological debates. Ultimately, he urges believers to trust in the timeless truth of the Scriptures rather than the ever-changing opinions of man.
A Nervous Unstable Segment
There is a nervous, unstable segment of the religious world today, ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Like the Athenians of Paul’s time, they are forever seeking some new thing. Every time a new theologian comes out with some novel slant on God or the church or the world, every time a new translation breaks into print, they cry “Eureka!” The Bible must be viewed in “in the light of” every fad that blows into town, in the light of science or psychology or philosophy or current events. Isn’t it about time to turn things around and view these things in the light of the Bible? After all these centuries, must the Book of books be put on trial every few days while a panel of churchmen pool their ignorance in a symposium? I do not get excited when a physicist, for instance, endorses the Bible. It gives me a little more faith in the physicist but not necessarily in the Bible. When Bob Ingersoll was lecturing on “The Mistakes of Moses,” somebody remarked that he would be interested in hearing Moses lecture on the mistakes of Ingersoll! It would be comical if it were not so pitiful-this trying to make the Word of God pay tribute at all the little toll gates of this befuddled age. Let us feed the meat of the Word to hungry-hearted people who never heard of existentialism and let theologians pick the bones.
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Vance Havner (1901 - 1986). American Southern Baptist evangelist and author born in Jugtown, North Carolina. Converted at 10 in a brush arbor revival, he preached his first sermon at 12 and was licensed at 15, never pursuing formal theological training. From the 1920s to 1970s, he traveled across the U.S., preaching at churches, camp meetings, and conferences, delivering over 13,000 sermons with wit and biblical clarity. Havner authored 38 books, including Pepper ‘n’ Salt (1949) and Why Not Just Be Christians?, selling thousands and influencing figures like Billy Graham. Known for pithy one-liners, he critiqued lukewarm faith while emphasizing revival and simplicity. Married to Sara Allred in 1936 until her death in 1972, they had no children. His folksy style, rooted in rural roots, resonated widely, with radio broadcasts reaching millions. Havner’s words, “The church is so worldly that it’s no longer a threat to the world,” challenged complacency. His writings, still in print, remain a staple in evangelical circles, urging personal holiness and faithfulness.