Expository or Topical Preaching?

[Tea]

When discussing preaching styles, two prevalent approaches are expository and topical preaching. Expository preaching entails a sequential examination of the Bible, while topical preaching gathers various verses to illuminate a specific subject.

Which style do you prefer, and why?

 

[37818]

Which style do you prefer, and why?

We need both.

 

[Some Rando]

Both: as long as your "Topical" preaching is done in an expositional manner.

I've seen "Expository" preachers pretend to "exposit" a passage but, do nothing but drone on for an hour on said passage and accomplish nothing more than completely explain it away, and explain why it doesn't actually mean what it quite clearly and obviously means.

Some things need to be covered topically. (We need "instruction in righteousness") Many times one passage can be expounded upon in order to address said topic because it is covered thoroughly by that passage.

Exposition is more you about your approach to the Bible and sermons in general and not really a "style".

If preachers simply preached "The Word" and allowed it to be exalted instead of getting in the text's way by inserting our "sermons" we would be vastly better off.

 

[37818]

Both: as long as your "Topical" preaching is done in an expositional manner.

Both can be, but not necessarily. But probably should be as part of any exposition.

 

[KenH]

Which style do you prefer, and why?

Expository. For example, at Grace Baptist Church of Ruston, Louisiana, currently, we are going verse-by-verse through the book of Ruth in the Sunday School, and we are going verse-by-verse through the book of 1 John in the worship service.

 

[Some Rando]

Expository. For example, at Grace Baptist Church of Ruston, Louisiana, currently, we are going verse-by-verse through the book of Ruth in the Sunday School, and we are going verse-by-verse through the book of 1 John in the worship service.

My larger point:
Simply "going verse by verse" is not proof that there is any real Bible exposition occuring at all. <(Not suggesting that is the case at your Church.)
Simply preaching on a Bible doctrine "topically" is not proof that Biblical exposition is not what is actually occuring.

Either your preacher is preaching a sermon he wrote and using Scripture to back his sermon up.
Or, he is preaching the text of Scripture and his sermon is organization, explanation, and illustration of what is actually in the text.
Favoring one "style" over the other is to miss what exposition is.

 

[Reynolds]

When discussing preaching styles, two prevalent approaches are expository and topical preaching. Expository preaching entails a sequential examination of the Bible, while topical preaching gathers various verses to illuminate a specific subject.

Which style do you prefer, and why?

Expository 95 percent of the time, but topical has its
limited place.

 

[37818]

Expository 95 percent of the time, but topical has its
limited place.

Neither expository or topical ensures a best interpretation of a Biblical text. Doctrinal disagreement still exists.

 

[37818]

Hebrews 6:1, . . . not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, . . . .
Hebrews 9:14, . . . purge your conscience from dead works . . . .
Ephesians 2:9, . . . Not of works, . . . .

 

[37818]

Hebrews 6:1, . . . not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, . . . .
Hebrews 9:14, . . . purge your conscience from dead works . . . .
Ephesians 2:9, . . . Not of works, . . . .

I have been using the topical Bible study method since 1968.

 

[Salty]

I tend to be topical-in the worship service.

 

[canadyjd]

Expository. For example, at Grace Baptist Church of Ruston, Louisiana, currently, we are going verse-by-verse through the book of Ruth in the Sunday School, and we are going verse-by-verse through the book of 1 John in the worship service.

I read once of a Puritan Preacher (sorry can’t remember who) that preached in Ezekiel for 30+ years.

Peace to you

 

[KenH]

I read once of a Puritan Preacher (sorry can’t remember who) that preached in Ezekiel for 30+ years.

Peace to you

William Greenhill.

 

[shodan]

Hebrews 6:1, . . . not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, . . . .
Hebrews 9:14, . . . purge your conscience from dead works . . . .
Ephesians 2:9, . . . Not of works, . . . .

Hebrews 6. As always CONTEXT: Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings,[a] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

 

[Salty]

I read once of a Puritan Preacher (sorry can’t remember who) that preached in Ezekiel for 30+ years.

Peace to you

when did he preach the rest of the Bible?

 

[Ben1445]

when did he preach the rest of the Bible?

I’m not saying that he was right or that he had not failed to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word. This is the first I’ve heard of him.

I know of a couple different people who take their time through different books. Both of them cover a wide amount of material because of the way they do it. In a way, their topical content is just coming from where they are. If atonement or baptism come up in the text, time is spent on the individual topics.