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Rediscovering Expository Preaching

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Though I am not a preacher, I decided to read <em>Rediscovering Expository Preaching</em> in an attempt to discover exactly what expository preaching is and compare it to the type of teaching practiced in most modern churches. That this book was written by John MacArthur and the faculty of Master's seminary is a strong endorsement of its value, for that institution is known as being one that upholds the value of expositional teaching. I hoped also that I would learn some techniques and disciplines that would enrich my personal Bible study as well as my writing. I was not disappointed.

Effective exposition of the Bible requires four steps and each of these receives careful analysis in this book. The steps are:

-Personal preparation. This involves ensuring that the expositor is walking with the Lord. He must be dedicated to studying the Word and to prayer as well as other spiritual disciplines. Proper exposition cannot be done apart from the Spirit who alone can illumine the text.
-Processing the Biblical text. This involves using study tools, engaging in hermeneutics and exegesis and generally drawing the meaning from the text in a biblical manner.
-Pulling the message together. This involves determining the central ideas of a text and drawing up an outline. It involves an effective introduction and conclusion and moving from exegesis to exposition.
-Preaching the exposition. This involves actually delivering the message in an effective manner.

Each of these steps is explained in sufficient, though not burdensome detail. Nine authors combined to write the nineteen chapters, and while some are more effective communicators than others, each does a good job of handling his topic.

While this book is clearly aimed at the aspiring pastor or to pastors who are attempting to make their messages expository, there is still value in reading it for people who are not pastors. Many of the principles of hermeneutics and exegesis are important for all believers to understand thoroughly in order to effectively interpret and apply the Word of God. While not all of the information will pertain to these readers, those parts can be passed over without losing the value of the book.

I recommend this book for the targeted audience (pastors and aspiring pastors) but also for lay people who are interested in learning Biblical methods of hermeneutics and exegesis. That being said, there are other options that may be better-suited for these people, such as How To Interpret the Bible For Yourself by Richard Mayhue.

The purpose of this 410-page comprehensive volume is "to motivate and equip this and the next generation of Christian leaders to provide wholesome spiritual nourishment for God's people from His Word." It is a compilation of essays by John MacArthur and eight members of his faculty at The Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, California. The volume is designed to be a condensed version of the seminary's expository preaching program. It is divided into five parts and nineteen chapters. The first section is essentially an apologetic for the necessity of expository preaching. Section two deals with the preacher as a man of God, a man of prayer and a man of the Word. The third section covers hermeneutics, exegesis, grammatical analysis, study tools, and study methods. Section four examines the preparation of the expository message. The final section looks at effectively delivering the message.

"Rediscovering Expository Preaching" is well written, thorough, challenging, inspiring, and instructional. Only those students proficient in Biblical languages would be capable of fully utilizing the book's instructions; Yet, any Christian hoping to improve his ability at interpreting and expounding Scriptural truth could benefit from this work. The authors guide you through the entire process of preparation to presentation of expository messages. Along the way you are given principles, guidelines, suggestions, motivations, and examples. You derive from this writing the highest regard for God's Word and a great sense of responsibility to proclaim it authentically, accurately and boldly. The authors present the material authoritatively, even on disputable matters. It isn't the first book I'd recommend on the subject of preaching but it is an outstanding presentation of the discipline and art of expository preaching.

John MacArthur's Rediscovering Expository Preaching was a very good book. It presents insights into preaching that are valuable to both the prospective preacher and to the non-preacher. I've found it interesting to listen to sermons after reading the book. Just as you enjoy and get more out of a sporting event when you understand the game, I believe that I am a better listener to sermons as a result of reading the book. I can better appreciate the effort put in by the preacher to try to make his message clear to the listeners. I can also use the knowledge I've gained by reading to book to more easily pull the key points out of the message. In addition to being a better listener, I feel that I am better prepared to evaluate other churches if we ever find ourselves in a situation, such as moving, where we have to look for a church. I am now in a better position to evaluate the quality of the preaching based on understanding the fundamentals of sound expository preaching.

Rediscovering Expository Preaching presented the historical and theological basis for expository preaching. A commitment to the inerrancy and sufficiency of scripture is one of the key motivators for the use of an expository approach to preaching. It was interesting to learn what expository preaching is not. It was also interesting to learn of the various benefits of preaching expositionally, most importantly being forced to deal with the whole of scripture.

Rediscovering Expository Preaching was also motivating. It made me want to be used of God through the preaching of His Word, if it is His will. I want to work hard to understand the Bible and be bold enough to proclaim it faithfully whether it is in season or not. The book presented both the responsibility and the privilege associated with preaching God's word. It is clearly not something to be taken lightly. Preaching is done in the presence of God and for His glory. There is no more serious business.

Rediscovering Expository Preaching also presents tips, techniques, and methods for studying the Bible, preparing your sermon, and finally presenting it. The information was easily accessible and practical. It will not be hard to put the methods taught in the book into practice.

If you enjoy expository preaching or perhaps you are a teacher of the Word of God who wants to learn the basics and blessings of expository preaching than this book is a must. The staff of Master's Seminary (www.tms.edu) have provided the Christian church a guide to expository preaching from the biblical basis to the basic "how to's."

Each chapter of the book deals with an aspect of expository preaching and will engage the reader to strongly consider the long term benefits of expository preaching and teaching. Simply put, expository preaching and teaching glorifies the Word of God and allows the text to speak for itself much more than topical preaching.

A great book! For more information on the expository preaching of Dr. John MacArthur see his website at www.gty.org.

This is a must read for those who preach. John MacArthur does an excellent job of discussing the importance of expository preaching.

If you desire to understand better the principles and processes involved with the preparation and delivery of the expository sermon, this is the book you need.

Athough the book is not a "How To" for expository preaching, it does give helpful advise for the study and preparation of the expository sermon. Never before did I realize all of the different elements that are involved in accurately proclaiming the Word of God. By applying these easy to understand principles of study and delivery, there is no doubt that my preaching has progressed to the next level.

If preaching the Word with accuracy and clarity is your desire in ministry, this book is a must.

A useful tome, this book has sections in it written by different people, but all from the Master's Seminary (The College associated with Grace Community Church - Macaruther's church). As a result, I think it is a little too slanted in one direction - and does not even examine the importance of preaching the Old Testament from a coventantal perspective (Macarthur and Masters are Dispensationalists).

Macarthur's sections are probably the most illuminating, but the technical details apply only to those with an understanding of Greek and Hebrew and are therefore only aimed at preachers with a seminary background (as opposed to lay preachers).

One quibble - Macarthur argues that sermons less than 40 minutes in length are questionable. While I don't like 10 minute homilies, I do believe that 20-35 minute sermons are a good balance of detail and brevity.