Topical vs. Expository Preaching discussion

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This is for my WOLBI Homiletics guys and anyone else interested in the discussion between Topical vs. Expository preaching. This article is an interesting introduction to start the discussion and makes a few good points in the list given.
  
A Caution for Expository Preaching, Dr. Iain Murray



I really don't think it needs to be an either/or debate. Whether "Topical" or "Expository" every text handled must be "rightly divided" - properly interpreted. In a sense, good topical preaching must be expository as it must properly 'exposit' ever text used. I prefer to compare Topical vs. Textual sermons. Textual being the use of a primary text in the message and preaching the message of that text.

Some of the ideas we highlighted in class:

Topical:

Christmas, Easter and other seasons of the year are often best covered in a topical way.
Current issues - be careful with this one. One of the cardinal rules of preaching that I learned at NBBI was "Do not use the pulpit as a whipping post."
Doctrine -How else can Systematic Theology be covered (but heaven forbid we preach Systematic Theology!)? ie. preaching of the gospel - to clearly present the gospel, one must use multiple texts to cover the points of a Creator God's Holiness, Man's sin, Jesus perfect sacrifice/substitute, Man's needed response.

Textual:

Context - should be easier to explain passage as it relates to its context because that is where you are.
Context of the Big Idea - should be easier to relate a passage to the overall theme of the book/chapter it's in.
Preach the Whole Counsel - should be easier to cover difficult issues as they come up in the text without seeming to 'pick-on' a particular person or situation.

I say 'should' as I suggested each of the points for the Textual sermon because the power of the Textual sermon is in the preparer/presenter. Just as the dangers of Topical sermons are being shallow and disconnected so the Textual sermon may be boring or irrelevant in the hands of one who is ill-equipped to prepare and deliver a text with accuracy, relevance, and impact.

Happy Preaching Textually or Topically as the Lord leads to drive home the meaning and life-applications of His incredible Truth!