Expository Preaching: The Art of Preaching Through a Book of the Bible [Hardcover]

Harold T. Bryson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995

A variety of approaches for preaching through a Bible book, including how to analyze, exegete, and interpret, plus discussion of sermon structure. Also includes chapter outlines, examples, and extensive bibliography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 437 pages
• Publisher: Broadman & Holman Pub (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805421165
• ISBN-13: 978-0805421163
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #675,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Primer on Expository Preaching, May 3, 2006

By 

Brian Prucey "1-888-Jesus-2000" (Benton, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Expository Preaching: The Art of Preaching Through a Book of the Bible (Hardcover)

Summary of Purpose

In Expository Preaching, Bryson reviewed the development of expository preaching as a distinct homiletic genre. In doing so, he surveyed the strength and weakness of various etymological, morphological, and substantive definitions of expository preaching that have arisen over the centuries. Bryson then presented his own definition. He wrote that expository preaching is "the art of preaching a series of sermons, either consecutive or selective, from a Bible book" (39). The majority of the book addressed the task of doing just that, especially with respect to preaching Bible book series.

Analysis of Strengths

Students of expository preaching will appreciate Bryson's flexible approach to defining what constitutes expository preaching. Bryson noted how some authors narrowly limit expository preaching to sermons derived from more than two Scripture verses. Bryson argued that if the sermon derives its central thesis from the Bible, the message qualifies as expository preaching, even if the text is a single word. To Bryson, the focus should be on whether the message was biblical, not on how many verses are used. Bryson's approach is refreshing and freeing in an environment where many homileticians disagree on what constitutes authentic expository preaching. Such disagreements among academics have bred confusion among practitioners. Some authors on the subject decry the paucity of expository preaching, however their dismay is likely influenced by their limited definition of expository preaching. Bryson frees the preacher to preach the Word without worrying about some arbitrary criteria regarding the length the selected biblical text.

Not only did Bryson free preachers from the constraints of a limited definition of expository preaching, but he also freed them from limiting forms for preaching. To Bryson, the message of preaching is far more important than the method of preaching. "The issue in a sermon is not how God's truth is exposed but if God's truth is exposed (8, italics original). Bryson noted that some homileticians insist expository messages must derive main points and subpoints from the text. Bryson did not suggest that a sermon should have no rhetorical form. Instead, he opined that only the first major point should tie directly to the text. The remainder of the message can be developed as the preacher desires, providing that the message accurately communicates the central truth of the passage.

Applying Bryson's philosophy helps to eliminate several of the big errors of expository preaching. First, Bryson's approach helps eliminate the error of making the sermon a running commentary on the passage. The sermon must focus and expound upon the central idea of the passage, not exegete the passage itself. Second, Bryson's approach helps to prevent preachers from forcing an inappropriate rhetorical structure upon the text just so they can tie all the points back to the passage. The outline of the message must be the servant of the message, not the other way around. The preacher must seek to communicate God's message revealed in the text. The outline must serve that purpose. Third, Bryson's position further enables the message to bridge the gap between the past and the present. The main idea can transcend time and culture provided the preacher correctly interprets and applies the text. The sermon's structure should not interfere with that goal.

Bryson's discussion on interpretation and application are particularly helpful for the contemporary preacher. The sermon does not exist for itself, but it serves as a vehicle to deliver God's message to an audience. The message is the revelation of God, his will, and his ways. What God has spoken in the past, he speaks today. God's truths are transcendent. What was true two or three thousand years ago is still true today. Bryson argued that there is a continuity of the human condition to which the Bible speaks in order that people might experience God. Hearers benefit by know what God is saying, not just what God has said.

This reader was particularly interested in Bryson's extended application of his expository preaching principle as it related to preaching Bible book series. While Bryson allowed for thematic series based upon biblical words or contemporary issues, he favored book-based series. Bryson gave succinct exegetical principles for specific literary genre and provided generalized overviews for Old and New Testament books. This reader appreciated the examples from various preachers because they demonstrated the diversity of homiletic opinions. There is no single "right" way to organize a book series. The preacher's goal is to accurately communicate God's message revealed in the text and apply it to the contemporary needs of a specific audience.

Of particular help was Bryson's chapter on homiletical plotting. Bryson warned against simply jumping into a book series without planning the direction that series would take. Homiletical plotting organizes the Bible book into preaching units consisting of paragraphs, verses, sentences, clauses, or any combination thereof. Such a practice helps the preacher maintain thematic consistency. The hearers benefit by observing that Bible books are whole units of thought, and not merely a collection of haphazard verses strung together. Through homiletical plotting, the preacher knows how many sermons will be preached and can structure the preaching plan around the needs and sensitivities of the church.

Analysis of Weaknesses

There is little in Bryson's book that this writer classifies as a weakness. Nevertheless, one issues does stand out. Bryson's definition of expository preaching limits the genre to a series of sermons from a Bible book. He and others writers on expository preaching eschew topical messages that begin with a theme and then assemble scripture verses to support that topic. The underlying fear is that those supporting texts could be used out of their original context. Expository preaching purists demand that the text come before the theme. However, this writer sees no reason why an expository message must form a part of a series of sermons. A message is expository if it accurately and faithfully exposits the text regardless of whether it forms a larger series from a book. For example, a preacher could preach a month-long series of sermons on the family, use a different text each week, thoroughly exposit each text, and still qualify each message as expository preaching.

Bryson comes close to accepting this premise when he allows for expository messages based upon certain words like grace, justification, holiness, righteousness, peace, and others. He did not insist that a sermon on grace be a part of a series of messages on grace from Ephesians. Neither did he insist that a series of messages on righteousness must come from a single book, such as Paul's use of the term righteousness in Romans.

To this writer, an expository sermon is any message preached from a single textual unit of thought regardless of whether it is part of a larger on-going series. The preacher can preach expositionally on life-situation topics, or topics driven by the calendar or current events. Preachers often do just that. They preach about motherhood on Mother's Day. They preach holiday-themed messages on Christmas and Easter. They preach messages designed to address social issues such as abortion, homosexuality, or gambling. Additionally, a funeral sermon can qualify as an expository message without doing violence to the sermonic genre. The proviso is that the sermon exposit a literary unit of thought from the Bible and that the sermon's thesis remain consistent with the intent of the text. Bryson's overall thesis is right. Expository preaching is more about function and less about form.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for preaching through books, September 28, 2003

By 

Roy J. Meek "Justin Meek" (Louisville, KY. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Expository Preaching: The Art of Preaching Through a Bible Book (Paperback)

I have not read the entire book book yet, but so far I am pleased. Bryson gives us a good example to follow for preaching a book series. The chapters line up in chronological order so that you have a step-by-step kind of guide as you work through the book. There are lots of books on expository preaching, but few on the special challenges of prepareing a series of sermons from one Bible book. I recommed it.