Journal: Michigan Theological Journal
Volume: MTJ 02:1 (Spring 1991)
Article: Content Choices In The Composition Of Expository Sermons: A Case Study Of The Contrast Between Text-Orientation And Audience-Orientation
Author: Keith R. Willhite

MTJ 2:1 (Spring 1991) p. 58

Content Choices In The Composition Of Expository Sermons: A Case Study Of The Contrast Between Text-Orientation And Audience-Orientation

Keith R. Willhite

In recent years, homileticians have noted a major movement in expository preachingfrom a text-oriented to an audience-oriented mode. To identify the specific characteristics of these two proposed modes of expository preaching, a case study was constructed in which the content of sermons was analyzed. Sermons of John F. MacArthur, Jr. represented the text-oriented preaching and sermons of Charles R. Swindoll represented the audience-oriented preaching.

Expository preaching, though rooted in explanation of the biblical text, may take shape in a variety of forms.1 A preacher may choose to emphasize application in a particular sermon, while another sermon stresses understanding of the biblical message. The elements of the sermon, or the traits of an expository sermon that may compose these emphases, are many. Braga, for example, listed twelve phases of a sermon, including such standards as introduction, illustrations, proposition, and conclusions. He discussed various structures that the preacher may employ to convey these elements, as well.2 A more contemporary and communicative approach views the shape of a sermon as that which expands the central idea. Some sermons

MTJ 2:1 (Spring 1991) p. 59

present an idea to be explained, while other sermons offer a proposition to be proved. Still, other sermons may document a principle to be applied, offer a subject to be completed, or provide a story to be told.3

This essay reports selected yields of a larger study in which expository sermons were divided into two overall camps on the basis of their orientation toward the biblical text or their orientation toward the preacher’s audience.4 Until approximately 1970, expository preaching was that brand of preaching known for its pedantic explanations of literary and exegetical data, its knowledge-centered descriptions of the merit of a biblical passage to inform doctrine. Indeed, expository preaching was highly text-oriented. Since 1970, however, hornileticians have noted a shift in expository preaching from the erudite concern for the explication of the biblical text to sermons that appear to produce more audience-oriented preaching.5 It should be emphasized that both text-oriented and audience-oriented preaching are message-primary preaching, for they remain in the general sphere of expository preaching. The preeminent c...