Dr. Iain Murray argues that verse-by-verse preaching may not be best for many preachers. He says that...
1. Preachers have different gifts and some work better from selected texts (a la Spurgeon) rather than working slowly through chapters or books.
2. The verse-by-verse approach too often becomes all about conveying as much information about the Bible as possible, but preaching should be as much about stirring up and awakening people as informing and instructing them.
3. Historically (in Scotland), the verse-by-verse approach was used mainly in lecture settings and not in the main worship service of the church.
4. Verse-by-verse preaching may not be the most helpful to our people, especially if we allow our preaching to become something of a dry, dull running commentary.
5. Evangelistic preaching doesn't fit well with the verse-by-verse model.
Your thoughts?
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6 comments:
Hmmm. It seems like he's mainly just warning against bad expository, verse by verse preaching.
Many of these arguments can be used against other types of preaching too. Topical series' can become about conveying a lot of info. Very often, topical series' are done in lecture settings.
Again, it looks like he's picking on the worst (dry, dull running commentary) of expository sermons... which seems to me to be the minority in the resurgence, if you will, of expository preaching.
Just curious, does anyone know when verse-by-verse became the popular way to preach?
Jesus didn't appear to preach verse-by-verse through OT passages (at least from the gospel accounts).
Neither did Peter or Paul (in Acts).
I don't know the history of it, but I think Augustine (as one example) preached his way through the book of Genesis. One key difference between Jesus, Peter, and Paul and pastors is that Jesus, Peter, and Paul didn't have a sustained preaching ministry with a particular church. They were travelling preachers, for the most part.
Paul did spend a few months or even years at a few churches, and we don't really know what he did there. We do know that when he met with the Ephesian elders, however, he was able to tell them that he had not refrained from preaching to them the whole counsel of God. This doesn't necessarily mean verse by verse preaching, but it does imply his preaching was comprehensive.
Another point of difference is that preaching verse by verse through NT epistles is particularly helpful because of the logical argumentation used and because of how each section builds off the one before it. Jesus, Peter, and Paul did not have NT epistles to preach from, but were preaching infallible truth by the power of the Holy Spirit. Their preaching was of a whole different caliber than what we do today.
All that to say, I don't think the issue of preaching verse by verse is an issue of right or wrong, but an issue of wisdom. It many circumstances I think it is the wisest way to preach. In other circumstances it may not be.
I know many Lutherans are absolutely convinced that preaching using the liturgical calendar (the way Luther did) has proven itself to be a better way, since particular important doctrines and particular parts of the Bible are guaranteed to be placed before their people on an annual basis.
I agree with you Justin on all points. Expository preaching is a wise way to serve congregations over the long haul. It's what I try to do most of the time.
I raised the question because it sometimes appears to me that many young, reformed, and restless preachers act as if expository verse-by-verse preaching is THE biblically ordained way to preach.
I just don't think that can be supported (much less proven) by the examples of preaching we are given in the NT. Even Paul would have been hard pressed to do verse-by-verse expository teaching of the entire OT in the time he taught at Ephesus. Comprehensive? Yes. Verse-by-verse? Doubtful.
PS - nice liturgical plug!
Dan, there is never a time to not preach verse-by-verse and focus on every single word. I'm not sure what you're talking about!
My guess is we're all about the same on this. Certainly there are appropriate times to deal with things, but if our goal is to teach the Scriptures, there is wisdom in seeking to preach expositionally through books.
With the subject of preaching, what are your thoughts on what Kevin Deyoung says here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/02/09/the-four-indispensable-qualities-of-good-preaching/
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