Evangelical Eloquence: A Course of Lectures of Preaching [Paperback]

R. L. Dabney (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 361 pages
• Publisher: Banner of Truth (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851517730
• ISBN-13: 978-0851517735
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,622,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Bird's Eye View of Preaching, May 17, 2000

By 

S. moore (Pharr, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evangelical Eloquence: A Course of Lectures of Preaching (Paperback)

I ordered Dabney's book along with several others that I thought I would read before I read Dabney but after browsing Dabney one evening I got HOOKED and laid the others aside! The strength of the book is its "overall view" of preaching. He moves from a definition of preaching as the "moral energy of the soul" of the preacher impressing itself on its hearers by means of a proper exposition of the Scripture to defining and explaining the elements of preaching. Of particular interest to any student of preaching will be Dabney's explanation of the role of the understanding in preaching and consequently in sanctification. He speaks thus, "The Bible directs itself to man as a reasonable creature... Sanctification is by means of the truth... quot; Quite a contrast to views commonly held today. Very excellent and readable treatment; a great orientation to the subject. Though it is less strong as a "how to" manual, the reading will nevertheless prove the book to be eminently helpful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Treatment of Sacred Rhetoric, May 28, 2009

By 

Joshua Butcher (Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evangelical Eloquence: A Course of Lectures of Preaching (Paperback)

As a student of rhetoric with two degrees in the subject (and working on one more) I am always interested to discover interesting treatments of rhetorical principles. Dabney is a grand figure of 19th century Southern Presbyterianism in the Calvinistic and Reformed tradition. His treatment of Sacred Rhetoric is a brilliant combination of principles adapted from classical rhetoric (particularly Cicero) and Reformation hermeneutics and homiletics (interpreting and preaching Scripture). His focus is upon a clear exposition of Scripture, an avoidance of disjointed topical treatments and emphasis upon flourishes of style, and a strong emphasis upon the preacher's own personal piety in studying and delivering the Word of God to his listeners.

Dabney departs from the Ramistic logic of the earlier Purtian divines, and attempts to mitigate some of the emotionalism that was prevalent in 19th century revivalism (associated with the 2nd Great Awakening). The power of preaching, in his view, should come from the precise exposition and penetrating application of the text to the heart of listeners, and not from an appeal to their appetites for eloquence or superficial desires.

I believe Dabney's chapter on public prayer continues to be an example modeled for many seminarians who take courses on homiletics, but the entire book would be of great benefit to anyone interested in improving their understanding of and skills in expositional preaching.