Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 104:416 (Oct 1947)
Article: Editorials
Author: Anonymous

---

BSac 104:416 (Oct 47) p. 385

Editorials

Expository Preaching

The only preaching which fulfills the Apostle’s injunction to “preach the word” is that which expounds the Scripture. None will disagree with this statement, but it is too often assumed that expository preaching is an easy undertaking whereas men do not expound the Word of God until they by some means come to know it and to understand it. That knowledge is not accidental. The Dallas Theological Seminary was founded to provide what at the time was not existing, namely, courses of study designed to develop the ability to expound the Bible. With no existing courses from which to copy or to imitate, the whole plan of study had to be designed and tested by experience. Such experience is invaluable. It was soon discovered that the standard three-year course of theology did not provide the required time for the work attempted in this new field. Therefore, with some fear and trembling lest the students would not be drawn to a four-year course, the step was taken; and it should be said to the credit of the serious-minded young men of this country that there has been no occasion to advertise for students from that time until now. The young men see the value of the extra year and have welcomed and sustained it.

What, then, is needed if men are to be trained in exposition? First, they must come to know the Book itself. What can be learned in classroom study does not take the place of personal devotional study gained through years of attention to it. When study ceases usefulness ceases. But personal study cannot be pursued with profit without a method and the background which the seminary alone can give and which serves as a guide in interpretation. Second, knowledge of original languages is essential to real progress in the knowledge of the Bible. It is only in recent years that lower ideals for ministerial service have appeared. Short courses of

BSac 104:416 (Oct 47) p. 386

study have been encouraged and men graduated from these have been led to believe that they are prepared to preach provided they have zeal and claim a special degree of spiritual power. In the days of rapid growth of our country, such men have been ordained and placed in charge of churches when better trained men were not available.

Recognizing the importance of the knowledge of original languages, the Dallas Theological Seminary requires an extended study in these languages which is wholly unknown in existing theological seminary courses, except it be for specializing on the part of some students. It was determined from the beginning that enough of the original languages should be required to prepare students for continued personal study throughout their lives with a method by which they might hope to become exegetes in their own right....

visitor : : uid: ()