The Mandate of Biblical Inerrancy: Expository Preaching -- By: John F. MacArthur, Jr.

Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 01:1 (Spring 1990)
Article: The Mandate of Biblical Inerrancy: Expository Preaching
Author: John F. MacArthur, Jr.


The Mandate of Biblical Inerrancy:
Expository Preaching1

John F. MacArthur, Jr.

President and Professor of Pastoral Ministries
The Master’s Seminary

The special attention of evangelicalism given to the inerrancy of Scripture in recent years carries with it a mandate to emphasize the expository method of preaching the Scriptures. The existence of God and His nature requires the conclusion that He has communicated accurately and that an adequate exegetical process to determine His meaning is required. The Christian commission to preach Gods Word involves the transmitting of that meaning to an audience, a weighty responsibility. A belief in inerrancy thus requires, most important of all, exegetical preaching, and does not have to do primarily with the homiletical form of the message. In this regard it differs from a view of limited inerrancy.

* * * * *

The theological highlight of recent years has without question been evangelicalism’s intense focus on biblical innerrancy.2 Much of what has been written defending inerrancy3 represents the most acute theological reasoning our generation has produced.

Yet, it seems our commitment to inerrancy is somewhat lacking in the way it fleshes out in practical ministry. Specifically, evangelical preaching ought to reflect our conviction that God’s Word is infallible and inerrant. Too often it does not. In fact, there is a discernable trend in contemporary evangelicalism away from biblical preaching and a drift toward an experience-centered, pragmatic, topical approach in the pulpit.

Should not our preaching be biblical exposition, reflecting our conviction that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God? If we believe that “all Scripture is inspired by God” and inerrant, must we not be equally committed to the reality that it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work”?4 Should not that magnificent truth determine how we preach?

Paul gave this mandate to Timothy: “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”5 Any form of preaching that ignores that inten...

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