Keller on Preaching: Part 2 (but Chapter 1)

It was a practice, a ritual of sorts, that before entering the pulpit I would read Paul’s admonition to his young protégé, Timothy, to “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2). It was my way of reminding myself to keep that as the focus, preaching the Word. My dad’s first words of advice as I began the ministry, “son, don’t preach your opinion, preach what the Bible says,” still rings in my ears. As we continue looking at Tim Keller’s book, ‘Preaching’, we move into the first section, titled; Serving the Word. This section includes three chapters, the first of which is; Preaching the Word. This is the second installment of a review that is really a study based on Keller’s book. The first installment that covered the Prologue of the book can be found here.

Keller begins this chapter with a fabulous quote, “The Word of God alone is to be preached, in its perfection and inner consistency” (William Perkins [1592] ‘The Art of Preaching’). I think my father said as much, and Keller begins the book on preaching with the obvious point; ‘Preach the Word’. The quote is from the oldest Protestant manual on preaching, according to Keller, in a time when English ministers thought preaching needed, “to be supported by eloquence” (Perkins). Perkins was pushing back against a class of preachers intent on “wisdom of words” (1 Corinthians 1:17) as their foundation, instead of the power of the scriptures. Keller points out that Perkins was not rejecting education, use of philosophy, or knowledge. But as Perkins puts it, their wisdom (human), “not [be] ostentatiously paraded.”

Before I go into the next section of the chapter on Expository or Topical Preaching, I want to point to why this section is of interest to Level 1 preaching (which Keller describes as the one on one conversations we have with believers or unbelievers). I hoped to use Keller’s book to make the case for all Christians to use the advice in the pages and this first chapter is no exception, in my opinion. So how does this apply to our daily conversations, the Level 1 preaching? Simply, the Word is sufficient, and doesn’t need our wisdom to make its point. By that I mean, what the Word says about, whatever, is sufficient to make the point. For example, in speaking to a lost friend, telling them, (Romans 10:8-10 [NLT]) "In fact, it says, 'The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.' And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” This is very clear, concise, and prudent to that situation. I’m not saying that it may not need you to explain some concepts, but the point is made by scripture, perfectly.

The rest of chapter 1 is more towards the Level 2 and 3 type preaching, (see here in last BLOG what that means), but especially Level 3. Keller makes a case for expository preaching as the best, most effective way a pastor, or minster, can communicate the truths of God’s Word. Keller quotes Hughes Oliphant Old to explain his meaning of expository preaching, “the systematic explanation of Scripture done on a week-by-week…basis at the regular meeting of the congregation.” (Old ‘Reading and Preaching of the Scripture’, vol. 1 Biblical Period, pg. 9). This seems the best explanation of what it is and Keller dives into the how’s as the chapter unfolds. Keller emphasizes that preaching, the Level 3 type, falls into two basic categories, topical or expository. Keller rightly points to the fact that there is no ‘pure’ form of either type, or at least very rare, and that you employ both types in which ever form you are using.

Keller commends us, the Level 3 preachers, to use expository preaching as the main diet of a congregation's sermons. His six reasons are given as follows, first, it conveys the notion that we (as ministers and congregation) that the whole Bible is true. Second, he states that expository preaching helps the hearer see God’s authority, not the preachers. Another, it allows God to set the agenda for your congregation. Related to the previous reason, it, that is expository preaching, also sets the agenda for the preacher, helping to resist the culture’s preferences. Next, he points out that expositional preaching keeps the preacher from grabbing onto “hobbyhorses and pet issues.” He then states that it helps the hearers to learn how to read their own Bible. Finally, he lists that expository preaching, as the main method, helps to see the overarching main Biblical theme; the gospel of Jesus.

Again, how does this apply to Level 1 preaching, our day to day conversations? Much of what his points describe are ideas all Christians should hold to. The notion of Scriptures overarching authority in all things. Studying God’s Word in a systematic, even expository way, is helpful to understanding its message. And of course, the overriding importance of the Gospel of Christ, as the main message of the Word, is useful in everyday witnessing, as well as encouragement to fellow believers. Keller’s points are useful as basis for our acceptance of the Word of God as authority in our lives, and in the lives of others. As was pointed out in the Prologue, the Holy Spirit’s activity takes all these truths, found in the Word, and uses them to convict the individual, this is true of Level 1, 2, as well as 3.

Keller has a section on the ‘dangers’ of expository preaching. This is easily summarized as being stuck to long in passages, with no flexibility for seasons, time constraints and mobility of the congregation, or not taking into account your hearer’s spiritual condition or level of belief. Keller underscores expository preaching is more an idea to idea or theme to theme, rather than a strict verse by verse structure. He also allows for the need to use a topical sermon interspersed within expository ones, to deal with situations that may occur, holiday topics, or any special situation that a break from the passage, would be deemed necessary. These suggestions on the ‘danger’ of this method are well reasoned advice, which Level 3 preaching should keep in mind when practicing it.

The last section of Chapter 1 is called Defending the Lion. This is taken from a quote of Charles Spurgeon, in which he stated, in describing defending scripture, “I do not know whether you see that lion-it is very distinctly before my eyes, a number of persons advance to attack [him]….Pardon me if I offer a quiet suggestion. Open the door and let the lion out; he will take care of himself.” (‘Speeches of C. H. Spurgeon at Home and Abroad’ ed. G. H. Pike, 1878) Keller, as I do, believes the Bible needs less of our defense and more of our ‘open the door’ approach. Let Scripture stand on its own strength, its own authority, and use your energy more wisely declaring God’s Word. Quoting Keller, “Then the extraordinary power and authority of the Word will become self-evident-even in the most antiauthoritarian settings, among the most skeptical people. I know this to be true.” To this truth all levels of preaching can surely find great advice.

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