I also wrote about Rodney “Gipsy” Smith. What an interesting life he led! I respect
his desire to learn and his determination to accomplish the goal. He also did not
take himself too seriously. “One Sunday I entered a turnip-field and preached
most eloquently to the turnips. I had a very large and most attentive
congregation. None of them made an attempt to move away.”[1] His preaching
style included the use of emotion, gestures, and movement. The use of humor
was characteristic of his sermon style, and when combined with his use of
analogies and illustrations, he was able to reach many for Christ.[2] I believe he
demonstrated McDill skill five, bridging text to sermon. Although he did not use a
manuscript and the McDill method was yet to be developed, I find his intent of
the analogies and illustrations to represent this skill. Curtis writes “Perhaps the
most effective element in Smith’s preaching was his use of illustrations; his
sermons were filled with them…he did not find his illustrations in books, but took
them rather from his own ‘experience and imagination.’ Indeed, it was his use of
illustrations that often led his listeners to respond to his message.”[3] Rodney
“Gipsy” Smith had found a way to infuse contemporary life with biblical
principles.I enjoyed reading each comment on the preachers that you chose. I
also chose John Albert Broadus. Of the six skills that we have read written by
McDill, I believe that Broadus's writing is found in more than one of the six skills.
As a young preacher, he availed himself of every opportunity to improve as a
speaker.[1] Matriculating from the University of Virginia, he determined to acquire
as much knowledge as possible, as he diligently disciplined his studies.[2] g He did
not allow himself not to continue studying. After graduation, Broadus cultivated
his interests in theology, church history, preaching, language, geography, and "old
English divines," like John Owen. An avowed linguaphile, he mastered Greek,
Hebrew, Latin and eventually added many other languages to his repertoire[3] g g
I agree with you that "It could be argued that Broadus used all six of the skills
found in McDill's text." [4]
In A Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, his homiletical tour de
force, Broadus showed himself a master of preaching, not only in practice but in
highly articulated theory. In the introduction, Broadus set his discussion in a
framework that explained how he could remain so profoundly connected to the
plain, simple, and earnest people of local congregations while instructing both
aspiring and highly trained theologians worldwide in the craft of sermon building.
[5]
I chose "Noting the Text Details" Broadus's sermons reflected the skill of McDill's
as stated by Forrest et al. concerning his sermons and preaching; "He believed in
a method of preaching that respected the text and sought to serve it. He gave a
disciplined lifestyle of studying the Word of God in great detail. g He believed in
the total truthfulness and authority of the Bible as being the Word of God, and he
sought to teach preachers to respect, love, study, and preach the Word[6]. I chose
a few others for the three of them but we both chose Spurgeon. His preaching was
perfectly designed to impact and influence the common people. I have learned a lot by
studying Spurgeon's sermons. His wisdom of expository preaching for his time is also
something I see needed in today's day and age. He was someone who preached with
power and precision. Isn't it something how all these men throughout the last two
centuries followed a similar outline when it cam to preaching. I think this is due to the
unity of the Spirit of the Lord that would have been inspiring these men to preach. It;s
hard to deny the validity of the skills McDill lists as it pertains to these men and their
preaching. I often wonder if the men and women of old, who were mightily used by God,
would add to these 12 skill sets. McDill has done an awesome job at studying and
carefully examining many of these people and their sermons and outlines. Instead of
designing from scratch, McDill was able to look back in observation and ascertain a
common practice and outline being used. Anyway, great choices and explanations. I too
chose Spurgeon but instead of comparing skill 1 I said that he used Skill 4. As I read
your post I can see where skill one could come to mind. Skill 4 is naming the text idea
which is, "to discover the writer's central idea in the text and designating it with precise
terminology"[1] I chose this because of Spurgeon's deep dive into theology and that
comes with knowing the words that are used by the writer. I do see how skill 1 would
have been used by Spurgeon and how his dive into scripture because of the breakdown
of scripture and seeing the real meaning of the text. You did an outstanding job at
covering some of the legacy preachers that I didn't touch and gave a perspective I
didn't see when I was reading the material. I think you are right when it comes to
Karl Barth; the was one that best fit the "bridging the text to the sermon" step. We
know that Barth had very structured messages that is one element you can see
when it comes to bridging the test to the sermon. I really like the quote you
mentioned, "The preacher need only uncover that point of contact within the
listener's self and build a bridge to that innate point of contact." [1] Doing this is
what Barth did throughout his ministry.
The only area of improvement is adding a little bit of personal touch to why these
preachers stuck to you the most. Was it because it aligned with the steps more
clearly on your end? Was it because some of their preaching styles are familiar to
your very own preaching styles. You did a fantastic job, but adding a personal
touch would have put the cherry on top.
[1] Thomas J. Nettles. Why every preacher should know John Broadus. March 31,
2020Why every preacher should know John Broadus — Southern Equip (sbts.edu)
Links to an external site.,
[2] Ibid,
[3] [Benjamin K Forrest A Legacy of Preaching, Volume Two: Enlightenment to the
Present Day. (2019). g 211.. Retrieved from
https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
[4] Words from Discussion of Andrian Bojoriquez
[5] Why every preacher should know John Broadus — Southern Equip.
https://equip.sbts.edu/article/every-preacher-know-john-broadus/ Links to an
external site. 2019
[6] [Benjamin, K Forrest. A Legacy of Preaching, Volume Two: Enlightenment to
the Present Day. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
Bibliography
Nettles, Thomas J. Why every preacher should know John Broadus. March 31,
2020Why every preacher should know John Broadus — Southern Equip (sbts.edu)
Links to an external site.,
Forrest Benjamin K. A Legacy of Preaching, Volume Two: Enlightenment to the
Present Day. (2019). Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
