Haddon W. Robinson (1931–2017)

In Biblical Preaching, Haddon Robinson (Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) lays out a process to assist preachers in the development of their sermons. Even at the time of it’s original publication, Robinson recognized a trend moving away from the importance of the sermon in the life of the church. Despite this trend, he states that, “no one who takes the Bible seriously should count preaching out” (19).

In light of this conviction, Robinson show more begins by presenting a case for expository preaching, defining this as:

“the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers” (21).

Within the first few chapters, the reader quickly dicerns that Robinson is significantly less interested in the actual words of the text, but is rather infatuated instead with concepts and ideas. He infers as much early in the first chapter, writing, “Some conservative preachers have been led astray by their doctrine of inspiration,” which results in an overemphasis in the words, which, “are stupid things until linked with other words to convey meaning” (23). Robinson prefers sermons that convey a Biblical idea or concept derived from the text of Scripture, rather than sermons that teach the text itself. (This objection will be further developed in the following section.)

His entire approach to the preparation and delivery of a sermon is built upon the notion of a central idea or concept. Once the preacher secures a text to preach from, they are to discover the central concept of the text through study. Robinson teaches the major components of the text in terms of subject-complement. A subject is, “the complete, definite answer to the question, ‘What am I talking about?’” (41). The complement, “completes the subject by answering the question, ‘What am I saying about what I am talking about?’” (41). This construction presents a complete idea, and each supporting point provides a sub-point for the preacher’s outline.

With an outline in place, Robinson recommends that preachers either prepare a thorough manuscript for each sermon, or in the least write out the introduction, conclusion, and transitions between major sermon points. Robinson is emphatic, however, that preachers should not read these manuscripts. The purpose of manuscripting is to force the preacher to think through these pivotal moments in the sermon, searching for the ideal turn of phrase, rather than preaching disjointedly from an outline (185-186).
Critique

As noted at the onset, Robinson’s application of the doctrine of inspiration leaves much to be desired by those who value the words of Scripture. Robinson, himself, appears to waffle throughout the book, attesting to the authority of the Scriptures, then denying the importance of the very words breathed-out by the Holy Spirit. He goes so far as to state, “While an orthodox doctrine of inspiration may be a necessary plank in the evangelical platform on biblical authority, this sometimes gets in the way of expository preaching” (23). One can only pray that the casual manner in which Robinson treats the Scripture in his approach to preaching should be avoided by his students and readers.

Another point of concern arose in the preface to the second addition, where he writes, “I’ve also changed my language to reflect my theology. God doesn’t distribute his gifts by gender” (10). While his statement is true enough on the surface, the context in which he makes it can only mean that he has abandoned the conservative, Biblical teaching that preaching is the responsibility of qualified men as taught in 1 Timothy 2-3. However, this actually follows his earlier reasoning, for he clearly believes preachers should be qualified, but abandons the words of the text in search for the specific qualifications themselves.

Finally, one must note the audience that Robinson envisions for his students as they preach. For Robinson’s purposes, they are dull, uneducated, and disinterested in God’s Words or actions on behalf of fallen humanity. Therefore, the preacher must avoid using examples from Scripture to illustrate a biblical concept for fear that it they would not be understood by the congregation (155), and to always preach in such a way as to “secure some moral action,” (107) rather than declare to them what God has done on their behalf. The reader is left to ponder how different this book may have been written were Robinson to anticipate his students’ congregations to actually be regenerate.

Robinson’s book on expository preaching, titled, Biblical Preaching, fails to deliver on either point. Upon further examination, it teaches preaching that is neither biblical, nor expository. show less

Haddon W. Robinson is the Professor of Preaching and senior director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has authored several books, including another I have on my bookshelf, It’s All in How You Tell It: Preaching First-Person Expository Messages, which was published in 2003. Robinson also compiled and edited a book about how twelve pastors apply the principles of Biblical preaching, Biblical Sermons, which was published in 1997. With plenty of show more training, practice, teaching, and expertise in the field of expositional preaching, Dr. Robinson offers guidance for preachers in developing and delivering expositional sermons in Biblical Preaching, which came well-recommended by my mentor of over fifteen years when I started preaching.

Book Synopsis
Biblical Preaching is a clear book made up of ten chapters, along with some examples of sermons, some exercises for preachers, and with a helpful index of Scriptures and subjects used throughout the short book. Robinson begins by laying out his case for the necessity of expository preaching. And in an age where virtually any preaching is not seen as a need, Dr. Robinson makes a case for its importance and need for it to not be centered on politics, economics, philosophy, psychology, but in the Bible, and even more specifically, through the preaching of expository sermons. Yet it is one thing to share the need of it, Dr. Robinson continues to define and articulate what it is not and what it should be.

As you move into the subsequent chapters you find helpful teaching such as the three stages in preparing expository sermons (choosing your passage, studying your passage, and finally to relate all the “parts to each other,” determining the main idea (39). Doing so begins to pave the road from the text to your sermon, as chapter four continues by asking what the text means, how is it proved, and what difference does it make to guide the shaping of the sermon. Once you come to know the purpose of your sermon (chapter five), you are offered ways to shape or outline your sermon to accomplish the purpose in chapters six through eight.

His final two chapters offer corrective words on how we use our words, and we really either use them well or poorly, along with tips on delivering the sermon in a way that is living and ultimately heard by our congregants. If we do not heed them, our words are likely to arrive “stillborn,” as he states on page 149, and if our goal is for the people to hear and respond to the Word of God, we must be careful to do our best to not get in the way of that goal by preaching ineffectively.

Personal Interaction
As I mentioned in my introduction, this book came recommended to me years ago when I started preaching. I had mentioned to my pastor my utter disdain for topical preaching but felt ill-equipped to preach expositionally. He recommended this book then and it has been a go-to on my bookshelf since. I primarily appreciate the way the book is laid out, making it easy to find something I need or by which I need to be refreshed.

I especially appreciate Robinson’s reminder we are not called to be lecturers, but preachers of the Word of God. However, as much as I enjoyed this book, especially for its occasional humor, I do not find a lot of emphasis on the centrality of Jesus to expositional preaching, even if he poses the question on page 13! Instead of highlighting the importance himself, he offers several books to do so. While helpful, Biblical preaching devoid of Christ or not centered in the person and work of Jesus, will be hard-pressed to be “Biblical Preaching.”

Yet a true strength of this book is how it moves from the importance of expositional preaching into teaching how to do it, step by step, as Dr. Robinson takes you through the process from the study to the pulpit. I believe this book is an example of what he tells us to be, a bullet of truth, and not buckshot, as he vividly describes on page 17. He is clear, concise, and straight to the point through each page as he develops his own “big idea,” by teaching us how to take our big idea and follow the steps he lays out for us from the first outline to the pulpit.

Finally, the most helpful aid is probably his final chapter on preaching so people will listen, as it should be. We need to be honest with ourselves and consider the importance of dress and grooming, along with how we speak. Perhaps what we speak is just as important as how we speak it, especially as we seek to do so in an engaging way for our hearers. Nothing goes unnoticed by Dr. Robinson; whether it is the pitch or even the correct use of pauses, but he reminds us, we “need all the help we can get” (165).

Conclusion
To summarize, I always hesitate to say a book is a must to be on a bookshelf, but for any preacher desiring to one day preach the gospel, Biblical Preaching absolutely belongs on their bookshelf. Is it perfect? No. Is it helpful? Absolutely. Is it clear and easy to read? Yes, in fact, at times it is downright humorous. Dr. Robinson has written an invaluable tool for pastors seeking to preach the Word faithfully, especially those desiring to preach expository sermons, and may not know where to start. He defines his terms clearly and walks you through the process, step-by-step until you reach the pulpit and deliver God’s Word to God’s people. show less

An analysis of the work of lesson formation and preaching.

This is a newly revised edition of a standard text on preaching. The author is a fan of what he deems "expository preaching," and yet his definition seems expansive enough for both true exposition and for thematic preaching. He is concerned about the preacher imposing his ideas on the text as opposed to the preacher's ideas being informed by the text, and the concern is right and good. Nevertheless not a few "expository" lessons can show more suffer from the same problem; the challenge is in disposition, not inherently in structure.

The author proceeds to detail the process for sermon preparation (selecting a text, getting the big idea of the text, establishing the interpretation of the text, determining the form of the sermon, giving life to the sermon with illustrations, etc., how to introduce and conclude, how to proceed with thoughts and transitions) with a final chapter on delivery. The author also provides a sample sermon and evaluation along with student exercises for those interested.

In general the author's advice is sound. Those who have just begun preaching or are intermediate preachers will gain much from it; more experienced preachers may find it useful as a refersher.

I was a bit surprised when the author discounted the value of Biblical illustrations which the audience may not really understand in favor of more up-to-date, modern illustrations which would be more comprehensible. In a world where Biblical literacy is already terrible such is not good advice; furthermore, with such a generational gap in cultural understanding between the oldest and youngest audience members, how many modern illustrations can be found that would be equally applicable/comprehensible to all? Far better, in my estimation, to use Biblical examples, even if they must be explained; they come with more authority anyway. Perhaps the speaker might also use modern illustrations as well, and even then may have to select more than one so as to be comprehensible to elder and younger alike.

In general a good resource on the mechanics of sermon authorship and proclamation.

**--book received as part of early review program show less

This is actually quite a good book on a subject that is so often dominated by matters of taste, style and subjective opinion. Of course, some opinion does come into the book, but the author does his best to set out objective principles which are applicable in many different contexts as to what good expository preaching actually is, and how to do it. Worth reading.