I get frustrated every time I read or hear a pastor saying that expository preaching is the only right way to preach. I was listening to a podcast a few months ago where this topic came up again. Most people think expository preaching is verse by verse going through a book of the Bible. That is typically how it is presented. However, that is not true “expository” preaching. That is more of a commentary-style exposition. First let me define what expository preaching really is. Here’s a couple of definitions that were used in the podcast
Expository preaching is the presentation of biblical truth derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, Spirit-guided study of a passage in its context which the Holy Spirit applies first to the life of the preacher and then, through him, to his congregation. — Haddon Robinson
Expository preaching is the Spirit-empowered explanation and proclamation of the text of God’s Word with due regard to the historical, grammatical, contextual and doctrinal significance of the given passage with the specific objective of invoking a Christ-transforming response. — Stephen Olford
Now I agree with these definitions. It is important to look at the context and meaning of the scripture that we use while preaching. The problem is that the most famous sermon in the Bible does not fall into this category. The Sermon on the Mount is a topical sermon. A powerful one that utilizes many different texts and addresses many different problems. I like to define my style as “topical expository” I like to take topics and then use passages of the Bible to clearly communicate Biblical truth that we can apply and use in our life today. I do think that too many preachers use verses out of context to make their point. However, let’s quit criticizing different styles of preaching. As long as we remain faithful to the text, then our calling is to preach so lives can be transformed. Whether you preach topically or expository, or a combination of the two, what is most important is that you are sharing what God leads you to share. In other words, remain faithful to God and don’t let critics tell you the method to use.
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I thought I was the only one who realized their could and should be a middle in their somewhere… Thanks for your words.
AMEN! i love that "topical expository" best of both
I tend to preach and teach in a blended style also. Expository preaching can be powerful if used by one who has prepared in such a way that application of the word, and not just understanding of the word, is the desired outcome. However, most expository preachers do not prepare with that thought in mind.
I also don't find any real expository sermons in the Word of God. With my understanding that we should use the Bibile as our example of how to live, I would assume that we should also use the Bible as our guide on how to preach. I see the great sermons preached by Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets as being almost purely topical.
So, I find out what God wants me to present, the scripture that supports it (using proper exegesis) and present it as topically as possible. This promotes retention, understanding and application.
Great comments Jim. I agree completely. Thanks for joining the conversation.
There is not one expository sermon in the Bible. All of them are topical. I am not fighting expository preaching, but that kind of preaching will destroy a great church. Do not be swayed by their suave teaching. The great soul-winning churches have been pastored by topical preaching. I am not talking about evangelistic church; I mean soul-winning church! If you want a soul-winning church, you must call a pastor who preaches topical sermons. – Dr. Jack Hyles
I often feel that whenever am doing my devotion and study of the word of God, my reflection always lead to specific experiences or issues of which i thought is the working of the Holy Spirit, convicting me of my sins or teaching me certain truths about diverse issues that beset the church today. So i always thought and believed that topical bible studies, of course with proper exegesis and contextual approach, have always been the correct method of exposing the truths in our time.
Bring it on!!!
I would ALSO (and have done so numerous times) describe myself as primarily a preacher who does “Topical Expository”
I challenged a friend who has jumped on the Systematic verse by verse book by book expository teaching bandwagon that it had become ‘methodolatry’ (ie. Method Idolatry) It is sad to see what is essentially a reaction against the seeker driven movement which has contained some fairly average teaching to create a new idol of methodology.
I think you misunderstood the definition of expository preaching.
It dosn’t say anything about the style or way of presentation.
As long as you preach the correct message of the text,
it is expository preaching. so, even you just followed the
commentary style preaching without sincere study of the text
and preach what you personally intented, it should not be
called “Expository preaching” at all.
Actually there is no standard definition of ‘expository preaching’. All preaching should exegete and stand faithful to scripture however the common practice of expository preaching is largely one common standard. That is book focussed, verse by verse/Chapter by Chapter exposition.
I have no problem with someone doing so but like any methodology I do have a problem with someone turning a methodology into something sacred.
The common practice of Paul was largely a topical style which under present western academic standards would often get him a fail in both hermeneutics and homeletics.
In an ironic twist to the argument that it is about being ‘faithful to scripture’ I see actually little of such. It is largely a pragmatic shift in response examples such as Driscoll.
I am not a pastor, but as a follower of Christ have listened to many preacher/teachers over the years. The ones I am most inspired and motivated by are Alistair Begg, John Piper, and John MacArthur. I am not sure if you would call them expository, topical or “topical expository” as its been suggested. What I do know and like about these men, is that they do not allow the culture of our day to influence the truth of the gospel message. They stick to the Bible as absolute truth.
Expository preaching many times includes preaching through entire books of the Bible. An advantage of this is that the preacher is not choosing which topics he wishes to cover / not cover. He simply preaches on everything that is there. He will likely better give the whole counsel of God rather than his own pet topics.
You would think that it is true that a preacher doing verse by verse or chapter by chapter atleast would not be able to choose what he preaches one but it simply is not true.
Systematic Expository preachers regular skip over or glaze over verses or even chapters that make them feel uncomfortable theological or personally. For instance, I have heard Preachers regularly ignore or glaze over more experience directed material.
For instance I heard someone just recently glaze over material int he text in relation to dreams and visions because I know they are uncomfortable with the idea of spiritual gifts or unfortunately the supernatural having any real active participation objectively in their world.
I apologize, it was not my intention to attack. Merely to highlight that no methodology guarantees entire objectivity or the text being covered entirely. (such is not practically possible nor personally likely)
We all carry personal and cultural worldviews that influence us. To deny such or claim that any preacher only preaches ‘absolute truth’ (as claimed in a previous post) is to make that preacher equivalent to the catholic claim of papal infallibility.
I have made an attempt to highlight that these possibilities are even present in all preachers, including myself.
I agree that our presuppositions definitely influence what we preach and teach. I don’t always agree with the pastors that others have mentioned, but I have learned from them. I do think there is a difference between saying the Bible is absolute truth and claiming that our words are absolute truth. Thanks again
I loved this blog and I also feel that I am topical expositor. God bless you