Preaching for Bodybuilding: A Quick Review
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As a minister presenting a lesson to convict the people of God each week, you know it takes planning and personal study. There are various types of preaching which a preacher may use to share the message: topical, textual, expository and narrative. Each type of preaching has its place in the presentation of God’s Word. Many preachers will stress one type over another, and some preachers seek to use a variety of the types.
Dr. Joel Breidenbaugh wrote Preaching for Bodybuilding to “provide preachers with a methodology and an inspiration for combining engaging exposition with a spiritual nutrition of doctrinal instruction.” (Introduction, Electronic version, page 1)
Dr. Breidenbaugh begins his work by discussing the purpose of the book (see quote above) and the benefits of expository preaching; this is Part #1 of the book. As the book continues, a discussion of the “Historical Issues for Doctrinal Exposition” takes place to set the pace for the remainder of the book. The history of expository preaching is met with the need to return to the need for expository preaching to build the Body of Christ on the Word.
Part #2 of the book discusses the “Definitional Clarity for Doctrinal Exposition” by addressing the issues of declaring a definition of expository preaching and discussing the purpose of focusing on expository preaching. Chapter 7 closes out Part #2 with some words regarding the “Doctrinal Prerequisites of an Expositor.” The challenge is to the preacher to deep his “spiritual diet” to break forth in his preaching.
Dr. Breidenbaugh uses Part #3 to revive his discussion of the Biblical Basis for Doctrinal Exposition and continues the thought with Part #4 – “Theological Methods for Doctrinal Exposition.” In each chapter, Dr. Breidenbaugh shows his belief for the power of “doctrinal expositional preaching.”
As the book draws to a close, Dr. Breidenbaugh brings the practical and beneficial aspects of what he refers to as “doctrinal expository preaching.”
Additional resources are provided in the back of the book are three samples sermons and a few appendix images.
The author, Joel Breidenbaugh is the senior minister for the First Baptist Sweetwater Church in Longwood, Florida. Dr. Breidenbaugh is also a professor in homiletics for Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
Personal Thoughts:
The book is clearly about the standard of expository preaching and the authors intent to persuade others to begin or continue the practice of expository preaching. Various part of the book were more in-depth than others, but it is still not an overnight read.
I found the book useful in describing the history of expository preaching and the practicality of presenting messages in an expository format.
A Quote from the Book:
“In explaining this move towards more of a subjective approach to preaching, especially preaching directed at people’s needs, Robison argues that the way preachers have viewed their roles reflect the shift of authority in the American culture. Prior to the 1950s preachers saw themselves as evangelists. From 1950 – 1970, the viewed themselves as teacher. The 1980s and 1990s ushered in the preacher as therapist role. The first few years of the twenty-first century has carried the preacher as therapist into the preacher as a “feel good” helper. These role transformations caused changes in sermon content as well as in the authority in preaching.” (Chapter 2, page 8 of the electronic version)
What books are you reading to improve your preaching?
Just my thoughts,
Book Review: Losing Our Religion
When I found out an atheist wrote a book entitled, “Losing Our Religion: Why the Liberal Media Want to Tell You What to Think, Where to Pray, and How to Live,” I had to read it.
S. E. Cupp is a conservative political commentator and writer who has appeared on Fox News, Larry King Live, GBTV, the Alan Colmes show and many others. She is an atheist, even claiming so in Losing Our Religion.
S. E. Cupp takes on the issue of the removal of “In God We Trust”, one nation “under God” and “God Bless America” by sharing that the worship of Americans is not God, but “political demagogues” (her words). Cupp says,
“Not only has the liberal media seemingly stripped the word from its lexicon, but when it does bring it up it’s to mock believers or champion the cause of the angry atheist, who, the media promises us, represents the mew majority opinion about God and faith – that faith should be banished to the far corners of the earth (Alaska would suffice) so that it is spoken of only in hushed tones in one’s own bedroom.” (Chapter 1-3; Kobo electronic version)
From the National Day of Prayer to Prop 8 to the worship of Profits, not Prophets, Cupp takes on the media by using their words to provide overwhelming evidence of the bias persuasion of the media to the left and to a removal of God.
Cupp tackles the debate over evolution with the consistent views of a religious scholar. (By the way, she has a master’s degree with a concentration in religious studies from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University.) Cupp states,
“But the debate over the legitimacy of evolution isn’t really about a battle between fact and fiction. It’s about Christianity, and the liberal media’s attempt to eradicate it from all corners of society.
Overall, the book is filled with example after example (sources cited) of the unending battle the mainstream media has on religion.
It is definitely worth the read.
Just my thoughts,
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Separation of Church and State – A Review
When Thomas Jefferson penned his reply to the Dansbury Baptist Association of Danbury, I do not think even ever considered the depth to which his words would be used. The phrase “separation of church and state” sat in the text of the letter for years before it was used to divide religion from the founding principles of the Republic.
In Separation of Church and State: What the Founders Meant, David Barton examines Jefferson’s text in the context which the letter was written as well as the context of the words used during the period the letter was written. Mr. Barton’s in-depth analysis of the culture as well as the background of the text gives new understanding to Jefferson’s words.
From an examination of the First Amendment’s “Establishment Clause and the “Free Exercise Clause”, David Barton examines what the founders meant in the writings of the beginning documents of our country; bringing to light such words as religion, denomination and church in their 18th century context.
David Barton expounds on the decision in the courts as to the wording of Jefferson and how the courts spoke from the phrase “Church and State” and not the context of the writing as well as redefining the words according to their decision. (see page 14 regarding the 1962 Decision Engel v. Vitale)
Following his writing in other works, David Barton quotes from the Founding Father as well as the court decisions to make a valid point in his examination of the phrase, “separation of Church and State.”
Personal Note:
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Education in Jefferson’s phrase “separation of Church and State” should be examined in context. It should also be examined by your own mind instead of taking for granted what is continually mentioned on television, radio and other media.
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Just my thoughts,
How Do You Kill 11 Million People–A Book Review
When I told me wife what I was reading, her slowly turned around with her eyebrow raised and she said, “What?” The sound of the title is sure to true some heard, but the message of the book is direct as the title.
Usually, Andy Andrews is the motivational speaker and writer of such works as “The Noticer,” “The Island of Saints” and several others. Mr. Andrews new book, “How to Kill 11 Million People” might seem like a break from his normal writings, but not so. While the book may not be as motivational as some, his point is well made and should cause each of us to take action.
Mr. Andrews presents the way on “How to Kill 11 Million People” with evidence from years past. In fact, Mr. Andrews asks you not to believe his writings, but to research the sources yourself.
Once I began, I could not put this brief text down. It is well worth the read and definitely worthy to be shared to others.
So, how to you kill 11 million people? Read the book and find out. It is worth it. But once you read it, will you do something about it?
Just my thoughts,
This post contains links to the Preacher’s Pen Amazon affiliate link. Using our affiliate link allows us to earn a small portion of the sale (4% – 6%). The earnings go right back into the work of the Preacher’s Pen.
Update – January 17th, 2011
Since some have asked a variety of questions I thought I would give you a more in-depth look at the review.
“How to Kill 11 Million People” is about lying. Pure and simple lying. Andy takes you, as a reader, through the atrocities of the Nazi regime upon the Jewish people. How were a small group of Nazi’s able to kill over 11 million Jews? Simple, they lied to them.
Andy Andrews discusses how lying and drastic effects and even we might be lied to today.
Enjoy the book.
Chris Gallagher
Four Centuries of American Education–A Review
See if you can answer the questions below: (The answers are at the bottom of the article.)
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Which Ivy league school had this as an educational practice? – “Everyone shall so exercise himself in reading the Scripture twice a day that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein.”
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Which other Ivy league school admonished it students to, “Above all, have an eye to the great end of all your studies, which is to obtain the clearest conceptions of Divine things and to lead you to a saving knowledge of God in his Son Jesus Christ”?
The quotes above, both taken from foundational documents of Ivy League schools, provide a small glimpse into the beginnings of our nations educational system.
In Four Centuries of American Education, David Barton, founder of WallBuilders (http://www.wallbuilders.com) spends time tracing the roots of the American educational system. Throughout this resource, Mr. Barton provides source after source to show the foundations of this nations educational system were founded upon a higher standard.
Mr. Barton’s research provides interesting insights and material to which I imagine the majority of Americans are not aware. Not only does Mr. Barton quote from these documents, there are images throughout the book from those documents.
A quote I found to appreciate throughout the book is, “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” (page 6) Mr. Barton not only covers the founding principles of the American educational system, he continues the discussion into the current period to provide insights into our current system and the journey it has taken from its foundations.
If you are looking for a resource to assist in learning about the foundations of the American educational system, I recommend Four Centuries of American Education. As a minister, I am intrigued by the educational system because most of the people I talk with have attended public schools in the American educational system. It is good to know what people are learning to assist them in growing.
Just some thoughts,
Answers to the first two questions:
- Harvard
- Yale
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Preaching with Freshness: A Book Review
Burnout.
It is a word which preachers deny and many have experienced. You very rarely know you are there until the griping effects of burnout latch hold and tear you down. Staying fresh in ministry is a difficult task when you are bearing the burdens of others, keeping things confidential and seeking to grow those who do not want to grow. Add a 50 hour work week to the mix and burnout approaches when you least expect it.
Preaching with Freshness (affiliate link) by Bruce Mawhinney and Jay Adams is an excellent story of a preacher struggling with ministry and the assistance provided to him by an aging minister. While not written like many self-helps books, Preaching with Freshness takes on a different format with a “true to life” story captivating your thoughts.
When I first read this book, I could not put it down. The words grabbed me from the beginning and the assistance provided was excellent.
This book is not only a great resource for your ministry, but it is a great book to give away to someone struggling in their ministry.
Just my thoughts,
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