Attacking the Definition of Expository Preaching

The definition of “expository preaching” is under attack in a very subtle but dangerous way. We actually live in a generation that considers the word “expository” to be in vogue. This is especially found in the Calvary Chapel churches of California. Now this post is not an attack against C.C.’s. But many Californian’s will use the words “expository preaching” when referring to someone preaching topically verse by verse. In other words, the pastor may preach on “Four Ways to Love Your Fellow Church Members” and use Ephesians 4:15 and then the next week preach on “Twelve Things You Should Mention in Your Prayer Closet” from Ephesians 4:16. And on and on the process goes, verse by verse, topic by topic.

But that is not expository preaching. Here are seven important principles of inductive Bible study that produces a genuine exposition: (these are not original with me)

1. The illumination principle

Only a Christian can truly understand and interpret the Scriptures, for they are taught by the Holy Spirit. The unregenerate cannot expound the Scripture accurately. First Corinthians 2:12-14 says - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

2. The contextual principle

Every word must be interpreted in its context. Every context consists of words within sentences within paragraphs within chapters within books within Testaments within the Bible. Every word has a human author, who wrote in a historical context, to a particular audience, for a specific purpose. All of this matters as to what the interpretation of every text is.

3. The literal principle

First, you should use the literal principles. That means you should understand Scripture in its literal, normal, natural sense. Now there will be figures of speech, but that’s normal language. There will be symbols, but that’s normal language too. When you study apocalyptic passages like Zechariah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Revelation, you will read about beasts and images. Now those are figures of speech and symbols, but they convey literal truth. Interpret the Bible in its normal, natural sense. Otherwise, you’re taking an unnatural, abnormal, nonsensical interpretation. So we must take the literal, normal, natural interpretation.

4. The synthesis principle

The synthesis principle is what the Reformers called the analogia scriptura—the Scripture all comes together. In other words, one part of the Bible doesn’t teach something that another part contradicts. So as you study the Scripture it must all fit together. There are no contradictions. What appear as contradictions can be resolved if we have the information, because the Bible comes together as a whole.

5. The historical principle

The Bible must be studied in its historical context. What did it mean to the people to whom it was spoken or written? It is said that a text without a context (historically) is a pretext. You have to understand the historical setting in many cases, or you’ll never really understand what’s in the writer’s heart.

6. The grammatical principle

To study the grammar we must look at the sentence, the prepositions, pronouns, verbs, and nouns. In school we had to learn how to diagram a sentence so we could find out what it was saying.

7. The practical principle

The final question is: So what? As you try to interpret the Bible, how do you find out what it means for your life? Make sure in your Bible study that you find the practical principles that transform daily living. Find out what spiritual principle is there that applies to you. But you can’t do that until you’ve gone through the other principles first: contextual, literal, historical, grammatical, and synthesis. You know what it means by what it says—now you come to how it applies to you.

In summary, just because a someone preaches verse-by-verse does not mean that they are doing expository preaching. We must not let the enemy be successful in re-defining this all important distinction between true preaching and topical religious talks. My old hermeneutics professor Dr. Fink was right when he said that expository preaching based on inductive principles of Biblical study is the ONLY true way to preach and teach the Bible.

Al Mohler offered the following definition of expository preaching as a framework for consideration:
Expository preaching is that mode of Christian preaching that takes as its central purpose the presentation and application of the text of the Bible. All other issues and concerns are subordinated to the central task of presenting the biblical text. As the word of God, the text of Scripture has the right to establish both the substance and the structure of the sermon. Genuine exposition takes place when the preacher sets forth the meaning and message of the biblical text and makes clear how the Word of God establishes the identity and worldview of the church as the people of God.