Some preachers whisper.
Some speak in a calm, steady voice.
And then there are those who shout, their voices booming from the pulpit, shaking the walls and echoing through the sanctuary.
Screaming preachers are nothing new.
For generations, fiery sermons have been preached with great passion, calling people to repentance, warning of judgment, and stirring the hearts of listeners.
But is this kind of preaching biblical?
Does God approve of loud, intense preaching, or does He prefer a gentler approach?
The Bible gives insight into how God’s message should be delivered and how preachers should approach their calling.
Let’s take a deep dive into what Scripture says about preaching and whether screaming from the pulpit aligns with God’s Word.
The Purpose of Preaching
Preaching is one of the main ways God’s truth is shared.
It is meant to instruct, encourage, correct, and lead people to Christ.
Paul explains the purpose of preaching in 2 Timothy 4:2:
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
This verse highlights that preaching is not just about warning or rebuking—it is also about encouraging and instructing.
A preacher’s job is to bring truth in a way that leads people closer to God.
Did Jesus Scream When He Preached?
Jesus was the greatest preacher to ever walk the earth.
He spoke with power and authority, but did He scream at His listeners?
There are times when Jesus raised His voice for emphasis, but He was not known for shouting at people in anger or frustration.
When He taught, people were amazed not by His volume but by His wisdom.
Matthew 7:28-29 says:
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Jesus spoke with authority, but His power came from truth, not from yelling.
He used stories, parables, and direct teaching to reach people’s hearts.
Even when He rebuked religious leaders, He did so with words that cut through hypocrisy, not just loud volume.
There were moments of strong emotion—such as when He overturned the tables in the temple—but His usual preaching was not characterized by shouting.
Passion vs. Volume
There is nothing wrong with preaching with passion.
In fact, passion is important when delivering God’s message.
People should feel the urgency and importance of the Word of God.
However, passion is not the same as volume.
A preacher can speak with deep conviction without screaming at the congregation.
1 Corinthians 13:1 gives a sobering reminder:
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If a preacher shouts but does not speak with love, their words become noise instead of truth.
The goal of preaching should not be to create fear or overwhelm people—it should be to share the truth in love.
The Bible Warns Against Harsh Speech
The Bible gives clear warnings about the way people should speak, especially those who teach or lead.
Harsh, angry, or uncontrolled speech does not reflect God’s character.
Proverbs 15:1 says:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
This does not mean preaching should always be soft and quiet, but it does mean that the way truth is delivered matters.
Ephesians 4:29 offers this guidance:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
If yelling or harshness causes people to shut down, become defensive, or feel condemned rather than convicted, it is not beneficial.
Preaching should bring people closer to God, not drive them away.
The Example of the Apostles
The apostles carried the message of Jesus to the world.
They preached in synagogues, in homes, in the streets, and even in prison.
But were they known for screaming?
The Bible describes their preaching as bold, clear, and powerful.
In Acts 4:31, after the believers prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Speaking boldly does not necessarily mean speaking loudly.
It means speaking with courage, confidence, and truth.
Peter, Paul, and the other apostles preached in ways that deeply moved people—not because they screamed, but because they spoke the Word of God with conviction.
When Loud Preaching Might Be Necessary
There are times when a strong, urgent voice is appropriate.
In the Old Testament, prophets often spoke with urgency when warning people to repent.
In Isaiah 58:1, God tells Isaiah:
Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
There are moments when a loud and urgent message is necessary, especially when warning people about serious sin.
John the Baptist, for example, called people to repentance with powerful, bold preaching.
But even in these moments, the goal was never just to be loud—it was to bring people back to God.
The Dangers of Screaming Preaching
While passion is good, constant screaming in preaching can have negative effects.
First, it can turn people away.
Some people shut down when they feel like they are being yelled at.
Instead of feeling drawn to God, they may feel like they are being scolded.
Second, it can create an emotional response rather than true transformation.
Loud, intense preaching can stir emotions, but emotions fade.
True change comes from the power of God’s Word, not from how loud it is delivered.
Third, it can reflect frustration rather than love.
Some preachers yell because they are angry or impatient with people.
But James 1:19-20 gives this wisdom:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
If a preacher is yelling out of frustration rather than love, their message can lose its impact.
A Balance Between Boldness and Love
The Bible teaches that preaching should be both bold and loving.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 gives important instructions for those who preach and teach:
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.
Preaching should be bold but not quarrelsome.
It should be strong but also kind.
It should challenge people, but it should also reflect the love and patience of Christ.
The Best Kind of Preaching
So what kind of preaching is most effective?
The Bible makes it clear—preaching should be centered on God’s Word, filled with truth, and delivered with love.
Paul’s approach in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 is a great example.
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters.
When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Paul focused on Jesus, not on theatrics.
He did not rely on volume to get his message across—he relied on the power of the gospel.
Final Thoughts
Screaming preachers may have passion, but volume alone does not make a message powerful.
The Bible teaches that preaching should be bold, truthful, and filled with love.
Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets spoke with conviction, but they were not known for shouting at people in anger.
Instead, they used wisdom, truth, and love to reach hearts.
Preachers today should follow the same example.
They should preach with passion, but also with grace.
They should be bold, but not harsh.
Because in the end, it is not the volume of a sermon that changes lives—it is the power of God’s Word spoken with truth and love.