365 - Biblical Preaching: An Expositor's Treasury

Biblical Preaching:
An Expositor's Treasury
Edited by James W. Cox
Philadelphia, Westminster, 1983. 360 pp. $19.95.

Thirty years ago, introducing a book of his sermons (The Recovery of Humanity), James D. Smart observed "that thorough biblical preaching has become a lost art." He steadfastly lobbied for sermons in which "Scripture is allowed to speak its own word into the situation of our time." This book will be welcomed by those who share this view.

The editor of this compilation of twenty essays, offers it as "a comprehensive reference too] for biblical exposition, that is, for preaching that 'gives diligence' to let the timely Word of God come to expression with clear reference to the text." Although books that represent themselves as a "Treasury" evoke skepticism (a treasury for some is only basic subsistence for others), Biblical Preaching can be valuable to non/sometime practitioners of expository preaching who seek a guide to its rich possibilities. For the already persuaded, it will be thin, but other works listed in the footnotes and bibliography of each chapter are helpful resources for further study.

Each chapter combines exegetical, historical, hermeneutical information with specific homiletical leads from contributors who are present and former teachers of biblical interpretation or homiletics. Nine chapters discuss books of the Old Testament and eleven focus on those of the New Testament, generally organized by subject: "Primeval Narratives,"

366 - Biblical Preaching: An Expositor's Treasury

"The Patriarchs," "Narratives of the Monarchy," "Sermon on the Mount," "Miracles," "Pauline Epistles." etc. For the most part, concentration is on oft-visited portions of Scripture, the Synoptics (or portions thereof) receiving the largest share. There is also material from less frequented books such as Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs, and some of the General (but not Pastoral) Epistles of the New Testament. A homiletical index of scriptural references used throughout the volume is helpful.

Because of the breadth of its scope, the commentary and homiletical material is seldom substantive, the treatment being on the whole generalized rather than specific. There are exceptions. In some instances, specific sermon outlines are provided: H. H. Mitchell's "The Patriarchs" are especially full (pp. 45-5l). Donald Macleod in the chapter on the Psalms even volunteers guidance for sermon construction (p. 110), as does D.E. Stevenson in his treatment of "The Passion and Resurrection Narratives" (p. 272). The intention of each author, however, is to point out possibilities and stimulate more intensive study, and exploration in biblical commentaries and other resources listed in the bibliographies. In no sense do the homiletical materials pretend to be Saturday night's life-raft for the preacher afloat on a sea of panic. They can, on the other hand, be an encouragement to sermon preparation that is awarded time, study, and thought.

Throughout the chapters there are several evaluations of preaching that add color and flavor. For example, "The dullness of most mainline preaching is due to its being conceived of as an argument rather than art-as syllogism rather than symbol" (Mitchell, p. 37); "A hidden danger [in preaching] … is the one-liner, the contemporary, fondness for sloganizing everything, including the Gospel, by which cleverness becomes the enemy, of adequate proclamation" (Macleod, p. 107). These are but two of the many offered.

Biblical Preaching, especially, in the New Testament essays, offers several suggestions for series of sermons planned around a particular biblical theme or book: the Sermon on the Mount, the Passion Narratives, the Parables, etc. Many of these have potential for a limited course of Bible teaching at various times in the year as well. Accepting the truism that "biblical illiteracy is rife in our congregations today" (p. 74), these are all instruments to educate and enlighten, suitable for use beyond the pulpit.

Pauline enthusiasts should be warned that they, will find wanting the single chapter on Paul's Epistles. Krister Stendahl has chosen to limit examination to what they, reveal about "the church, its mission, its problem, opportunities, weakness, and glories" (p. 325). Some will find the limitation disappointing, perhaps wondering if the extensive (and in places duplicating) treatment given to the Synoptics and the subjects therein, might better have been traded for additional Pauline examination.

The volume makes a welcome and useful contribution to the cause of

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expository, preaching. Hopefully there will be other works of its type (perhaps less broad in scope) in the future.

John B.Macnab
First Presbyterian Church
New York, New York