©1999, Banner of Truth Trust, 361 pages in paperback. 

Can a volume on preaching first printed in l870 be relevant to ministerial students over a century later?  The dramatic changes in culture since l870 might result in such a book being relegated to the dust of the ages; however, Dabney’s work is succinct, relevant, and profitable for modern readers.

R. L. Dabney served first as a Presbyterian pastor and later as a seminary professor.  He brings to this work practical, pastoral passion for the pulpit and the in-depth scholarship that one expects from a seminary professor.

Dabney begins by providing a history of preaching in scripture and in the years after the canon’s completion.  In a separate chapter, he addresses the mission of the preacher.  The preacher’s ultimate duty is the preaching of the Gospel to the lost.  He does not believe the pulpit is the place to address political policies.  Rather, the author stresses the need to preach and apply texts so that more holy citizens are produced.  Societies are then impacted through the beliefs and standards of these citizens.  As Dabney points out, sermons are to motivate people to take action to live for Christ now, with an eye to eternity.

Several chapters are devoted to the sermon proposition and how to properly develop the points of the sermon.  Dabney incorporates rhetoric rules.  He defends the need for eloquence in sermon delivery always for the purpose of gospel advancement.  He is quick to illustrate that a sole concentration on the wisdom of words turns the focus away from Christ and the cross.

Several chapters deal with very practical questions such as: “Can one profitably preach from any text in scripture?”, “What kind of sermon is best: topical or expository?”, and “How much of the sermon content do I include in the introduction?”

Later chapters concentrate on the persuasiveness of sermon points and the importance of using correct words throughout one’s message.  A chapter is devoted to the preacher’s character.  The preacher cannot expect a hearing if his private life does not agree with the sermons he delivers.  A final chapter is devoted to public prayer from the pulpit.  Should it be written or should it be extemporaneous?  Dabney explains the seriousness of this question and gives a thoughtful answer.

This book champions the awesome responsibility of preaching.  One must take seriously the preparation of each sermon, making sure that the text is faithfully and understandably exposited and applied to the congregation.  Dabney was a man of his time.  We may not agree with him on every point.  However, his emphasis on the careful exposition of scripture needs to be heard in our day.  Too often preachers read a text and never refer to it again.  Pastors have become too anxious to be men- pleasers rather than God- pleasers.

Although the book was written for ministerial students, it will be of help to any who are involved in teaching God’s word. It was originally published under the title Sacred Rhetoric.

Review ©2007 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia