Course Rationale:
Biblical preaching is a divinely-ordained way of calling people to repentance and for edifying the people of God. It is more than speaking in worship services, and it is deeper than offering life-learned principles. It is communicating God's Word to His people - standing between the world of Scripture and the world of people and speaking the truth of God. Unfortunately, today, many pastors are careless in this task and allow preaching to become a secondary priority, which has produced poor preaching and minimal growth in the Church. Some wonder whether preaching is an out-of-date form of communication and not of value to current church needs. However, it is in the preaching ministry of the Church where God's Word is proclaimed and His people are called to respond. Therefore, pastors and church leaders alike must gain a firm grasp of the importance and power of preaching and an awareness of what is and is not true biblical preaching.
Course Description:
In this course (recorded in 1974), Dr. John R. W. Stott reflects on over 20 years of pastoral experience in the pulpit and offers his unique perspective on the task of biblical preaching. The lectures focus less on practical homiletics - methods and techniques - and more on what pastors need to understand as they engage the preaching task. Dr. Stott addresses the arguments that opponents of preaching have raised and offers a passionate defense and plea for expository preaching, which he regards as the most faithful approach to communicating Scripture. He also provides key insights on how a pastor should view the authority of the Bible and how to approach biblical interpretation. Listeners sit at the feet of one of the most influential preachers of the twentieth century and hear his wise, godly, and often humorous advice on topics such as sermon preparation, delivery, and how to study.
Given active participation, upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Define the nature and purpose of biblical preaching and describe its key characteristics.
- Defend preaching as a permanently valid and vital means of communicating God's Word to humanity both for salvation and edification.
- Answer objections to the value of preaching in today's churches.
-
View expository preaching as the preferred approach to communicating God's Word.
-
Articulate a high view of the authority of Scripture and how that view should impact preaching.
-
Apply key principles of biblical interpretation.
-
Gain experienced insight on sermon preperation and delivery.
-
Develop sermons from single verses, paragraphs, chapters, and whole books.
-
Appreciate the great heritage of Christian preachers in the Church.
-
Value the awesome privilege and responsibility of the call to preach the Gospel.
Course Texts:
At the beginning of Biblical Preaching, Dr. Stott asks students to read three books during their work in the course. Listeners of Legacy Series Courses are encouraged to supplement the lectures with readings as well. Dr. Stott recommends reading one book from each of the categories listed below. Also, please note that some of the texts below are available free online.
Marshall McLuhan and the Cybernetic Revolution (select one)
McLuhan, Marshall. The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man. University of Toronto Press, 1962.
McLuhan, Marshall and Quentin Fiore. The Medium is the Message: An Inventory of Effects. Corte Madera, California: Ginko Press, 2000.
Mcluhan, Marshall. Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. California: Corte Madera, Ginko Press, 2003.
Christian Classics (select one)
Baxtor, Richard. The Reformed Pastor. William Brown, ed. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Banner of Truth, 1974.
Brooks, Phillips. Lectures on Preaching: Delivered Before the Divinity School of Yale College in January and February, 1877. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1990.
Forsyth, P.T. Positive Preaching and the Modern Mind. The Lyman Beecher Lecture on Preaching, Yale University, 2003.
Modern Work
Lloyd-Jones, Martyn. Preaching and Preachers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972.
|
