What is Expository Preaching? I am in the writing phase of my doctorate in this area and have been surprised to find the varied explanations to this question. I think that I have been most stunned by the comments from those who understand that expository preaching consists of a foundational understanding of the sufficiency of Scripture but who, then in practice completely ignore their claims of E.P. Does the preacher simply read and explain the text as in Nehemiah 8? In that case, Ezra simply reads and explains the Word of God and the people are cut th their hearts in repentance. Is expository preaching that simple? Tied up in this question are your other beliefs on the matter…for instance, if that is the true definition and practice of expository preaching, then you must have a sincere belief in the sufficiency of Scripture! If that is the definition of expository preaching, then you must truly believe the promise made to Isaiah that when the Word of God is proclaimed that God’s Will is accomplished. If however, you then give way in your sermons to the culture and modern times, then can you truly be an expositional preacher who holds to the sufficiency of Scripture? I would love to hear your comments.
April 7, 2008
4 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
A COUPLE of things I try to accomplish when preparing an Expository sermons is…
1. Scripture Synthesis
or not only how does this fit into God progressive revelation to man but how does it fit into the whole
picture of His dealings with both the particular subject and object of the verse and subject of Gods
particular pattern for man today.
2. How many parallel and significant doctrines are in a particular passage.
Sometimes a verse easily has several different thoughts being presented at the same time. Paraphrased
versions like Eugene Pedersons The Message can at times only grasp one so I enjoy trying to see how many
veins of truth run through the passage.
You said… “If however, you then give way in your sermons to the culture and modern times, then can you
truly be an ex positional preacher who holds to the sufficiency of Scripture?”
I think “giving way” is a loose term and i don’t fully understand your meaning.
Look how Paul communicated to the culture of modern times, he deals with the issue of unleavened bread at Corinth or hair coverings so well and with such grace and eloquence. Paul delicately peals away the legalism of Jewish culture to show Greek culture the root meaning or purpose of an observance this means he needed to understand what the audience he was writing to did NOT understand because of their culture was affecting them.
Just some thoughts
Good post
Able
Comment by disableme — April 8, 2008 @ 7:04 pm |
“Giving way” was a polemical phrase used to elicit a response. Obviously, I use modern illustrations and I speak with modern language and vocabulary…as we all should. I do however think that preachers place too high of an emphasis on culture and modernity. We are people of our times. Outside of some folks in Pennsylvania, there are few people who ride to church in a cart and buggy. We all take showers, shave with electric or gel type shavers, warm up our cars, and go to church. All of these things are intuitive things that we do because we are people of our culture. I do not think that Paul would have advised Timothy or Titus to study a culture for the sake of presenting the gospel. Rather, I think he told these young preachers to know the transcending Word of God that bypasses all cultures and all times.
I am a Native American and my reservation is in Great Falls Montana. The same gospel that saved you, saved the African, saves the Asian, saves the Jew, the Canadian, the Greek, and the people in our churches is truly transcending. The message is rightly proclaimed and the will of God is accomplished (Isaiah). God’s plan of using fools like us is not to engage our “wonderful talents,” but to preach the Word to any culture and any time without getting in the way.
Good response! I enjoyed your weblog and I want to ask if I can add it to my web roll.
Comment by christocentricpreacher — April 10, 2008 @ 5:33 am |
I think when I said…
“I think “giving way” is a loose term and i don’t fully understand your meaning.”
…It came across wrong and that is the major challenge of communicating on in this way. I wanted to express that understanding your culture is important in communicating with them. I did not mean to make it seem like “giving way” was bad but i just did not know how tight your tolerances might have been in regards to how far is to far.
When i said “Look how Paul communicated to the culture of modern times”
I think Acts 28:17 is a better example. Look at what Dr. Riemer Faber comments in regards to it.
“I think Paul quotes the Phenomena of Aratus not to demonstrate his erudition but to show the Athenians
that their religion is tantamount to idolatry. Paul enhances his argument by adducing an authority even the
Athenians would respect. The apostle shows thereby that he is familiar with the writings and beliefs of the
Greeks, and that in proving them false he is able to employ even their own authorities. Thus to some extent
Paul uses the ideas and language of the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers who were popular in firstcentury
Athens. Yet he does so to refute the commonly held belief in Athens that gods should be worshipped by means
of temples, statues and altars. Paul uses a line from the poem of Aratus as a part of his message that the
people must repent from the idolatry which characterized their lives. Moreover, the apostle argues that the
pantheism which the Stoics taught was also a misconception of the true God as He revealed Himself in His
Word and through His Son. Accordingly Paul’s address culminates in the good news of eternal life in the
resurrected Christ.”
Thanks for the discourse. I enjoy your blog and thoughts also i would be happy to be on your web roll. I did not ask you for permission and I apologize for that. Is it alright with you to be on my web roll?
May God bless you and your family
In Him
Able
Comment by disableme — April 11, 2008 @ 6:56 am |
No problem. I would be honored.
I am a stickler for the sufficiency of Scripture. It is all we need to preach and all we need to exegete. I will not give on that point. However, while Scripture is completely sufficient, I try to communicate effectively and I do try to communicate to my natural culture. While these later items are important, they pale in comparison to the preaching of the Word. I see and understand your point.
I will keep checking your blog.
Ben
Comment by christocentricpreacher — April 13, 2008 @ 9:38 pm |