Introduction

We have come a long way since the start of this short series addressing plagiarism in preaching.  We began in article one by acknowledging the issue and giving some caveats when it comes to plagiarism in the pulpit—namely that preaching is a unique medium of communication which does not fit into the typical model used for research and writing.  In article two we took a cold hard look at the issue of plagiarism and endeavored to uncover some of the reasons why a man might turn to plagiarizing another man’s sermon or part of a sermon in lieu of writing his own.  In this final article on the topic, I would like to address some reasons why preachers ought to cite sources, and even some benefits that come out of such a practice.

Reasons why preachers should cite:

• Your own honesty—this seems self-explanatory but is worth noting. When a man cites his sources, he is simply being honest with his audience and honest before God.  After all, Pastors are supposed to be those who are above reproach.

• Give weight to your arguments—another reason why preachers ought to consider citing sources is to give weight to their arguments. Personally, when I encounter a doctrine in the text which I might think to be new or difficult for our people to understand, I generally try to find a source to cite.  Why?  Because this helps our people to know that I did not come up with the idea on my own.  I did not just “suck it out of my thumb,” as one man in ministry used to describe it; this teaching is something that is accepted by other evangelical and scholarly individuals.  When I show my people that what I am teaching is something that came up in my study, not just my head, this gives credibility to the point I am trying to make.

• Gain the respect of your people—another great reason why preachers out to cite their sources is to gain the respect of their people. I think preachers gain the respect of their people through citation in two specific ways.  First, they gain a reputation of being truthful and trustworthy.  I know my people appreciate when I acknowledge that I gleaned something from another source because it shows them that I do not have a problem acknowledging that I need help and use other material.  Secondly, I think this gains the respect of the people in that citing sources shows that a man has actually used  When a preacher cites material from others, it shows that he has put in his time reading and studying in a text.  He did not just throw his sermon together haphazardly on Saturday evening, rather he put significant time and detailed effort into studying his text and researching what has been written.

• Highlight key resources—a third benefit from openly citing sources is that preachers can highlight good resources. I do this currently in my own preaching.  In preaching through II Timothy, I have one commentary which I almost always consult.  This particular author sets himself aside from other writers by creating short, pithy statements or observations from the text.  These often fit well in a sermon.  When I cite this source over the course of my sermon series, I introduce my people to a great resource on the book of II Timothy.  If my people were to ask for a good commentary to read covering this epistle, I would likely recommend this one.  But I am already recommending it by quoting from this author and citing the reference in my PowerPoint slides.  The people get to see and hear firsthand from a key source on the text we are unpacking and are exposed to a great resource which they might consider acquiring.

• Keep you accountable—one further reason preachers ought to cite their sources is for their own accountability. When a preacher cites a source, this practice keeps him accountable in that he checks his work and is not afraid to show that to his people.  As he researches in commentaries and exegetical guides, he keeps himself accountable in his exegesis and exposition to make sure he indeed is interpreting the text correctly.  When he quotes from these materials, he keeps himself accountable before his people and shows them that he is indeed working diligently in the text.

• Teach church history—another important reason to cite sources in a sermon is to teach church history. We can learn a lot from the past.  Sad to say, church history is often underemphasized in most pulpits.  But when a preacher cites sources, and specifically uses sources from church history, he is having a dual effect.  Not only is he backing the argument which he is making, but he is also teaching his people about the founders of our faith.  What church could not use more quotes from Augustine or C. H. Spurgeon!  When we cite, and cite from church history, we expose our people to the fact that our faith has survived the test of time and we introduce them to great men in history who have labored diligently for our faith.   

• Know where you got it and where to come back—a final and practical reason to cite sources in a sermon is simply to know where material came from and where to come back to read more. Imagine if five years down the road a preacher determined to re-preach a message and he recognized material as not his own, but he did not remember where he found it.  How will he investigate and read further if he does not know where he found the source?  Further, how is he to differentiate between his own material and that which he took from a source if there is no citation?  Citing sources helps to keep pastors organized and protects them from confusion and even accidental plagiarism.

We have made the case for citing material and the benefits that can be gained from doing so.  But how ought one to cite?  Does a preacher need a full bibliography for every quotation?  I think at this point we ought to make a difference between two types of citations—one is used in a sermon for the people, while another is used in sermon notes for the preacher.  When speaking of the type used in sermon notes, I believe it always helps a preacher most to be as detailed as possible in this type of citation.  I may remember now that I read a quote from chapter 2 of a current book I am reading, but five years down the road I will not.  Generally speaking, when citing in sermon notes, cite for your future self who might re-read the sermon and wonder exactly where information came from.  Citation during a sermon that is geared towards the people need not be as extensive.  Unless trying to specifically direct listeners to a source, citation can be as generic as “one man said it this way” or “commentators suggest.”  One need not tell people the exact resource or page which holds the quotations unless this is necessary to the point the preacher is trying to make.  I believe the point is to let people know that what is being read is not original with the preacher, not necessarily to have congregants purchase the resource and look up the quotations.  When citing for the congregation, shorter is better.  One may give a name of who said or wrote the quotation, but full bibliographic information is not necessary.

Final Thoughts

Over the course of these three articles we have covered a wide expanse of topics relating to plagiarism in the pulpit.  I would like to close with an admonition specifically geared to preachers, but also applicable to all Bible interpreters.  The admonition is this: do your own work!  Do not take short cuts with the Word of God; it is far too important for that!  Put in the time, do your due diligence, and come out with a finished product that fulfils your responsibility before God to faithfully unpack the Word of God!