Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 44:2 (Jun 2001)
Article: The Hermeneutic Of E. D. Hirsch, Jr. And Its Impact On Expository Preaching: Friend Or Foe?
Author: Scott A. Blue

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JETS 44:2 (June 2001) p. 253

The Hermeneutic Of E. D. Hirsch, Jr. And Its Impact On Expository Preaching: Friend Or Foe?

Scott A. Blue*

[* Scott Blue is a doctoral student and co-instructor of Christian preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280.]

Homiletics deals with the construction and communication of sermons. As a communicator, the preacher borrows from rhetoric, the social sciences, and communication theories. Yet because he handles religious content, he must also involve himself with hermeneutics. A homiletician, therefore, cannot merely ask, “How do I get the message across?” He must also ask, “How do I get the message?” 1

The foregoing quote by Haddon Robinson, a preacher and professor of preaching, underscores the necessary relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics. It is a relationship also recognized by others outside the area of sermon preparation and delivery. For instance, David Dockery comments: “Our understanding of hermeneutics, or the task of interpretation, focuses on discovering the historical meaning of the Biblical text. The task of preaching relates the ancient text to the people to whom the preached word is now spoken again as the living word.” 2 Expository preaching, in particular, is dependent upon the hermeneutical process to an even greater extent, because of its attention to the message in a specific passage of the Bible as the word delivered to a contemporary audience. Again, Robinson notes, “Since effective expository preaching deals largely with the explanation and application of Scripture, it reflects exegesis and hermeneutics on every hand.” 3

It is important for the expository preacher to be well versed in the subject of hermeneutics and its impact on the process of the preparation of expository sermons. This familiarity includes noting and understanding the contributions of individuals within the field of hermeneutics. One such person of notoriety is E. D. Hirsch, Jr., literary scholar and professor of English at the University of Virginia. While Hirsch’s focus is on the field of literary

JETS 44:2 (June 2001) p. 254

criticism, his influence is felt in other areas, including Biblical hermeneutics. 4 Because expositors are dependent upon the interpretation of Scripture, one might naturally assume that his work would find its place in the discussion of expository preaching. It is my contention that the hermeneutic of E. D. Hirsch, Jr. does indeed have much to offer expository preachers. In what...

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