Update

I'm amazed that almost 7-months has passed since I completed my last Seminary course, Advanced New Testament. I finally was able to order my 3rd course today, B1564 Principles of Biblical Interpretation. I'm going to pick up my books tomorrow morning. Here is the description:

"A study of the principles of sound biblical interpretation with practical application in preaching and teaching. Emphasis is given to theological, historical, cultural, grammatical, and literary aspects of interpretation. Included are specific topics such as typology, prophecy, figures of speech, miracles and parables."

Sounds pretty intense huh? This is exactly the kind of thing that I was hoping for though. I'm sure it's going to be a tough one but I believe any preacher worth his salt should do all that he can to further his education. I know there are many hard-headed preachers out there that: "don't believe in schooling," which is very obvious from their haphazard pronunciations and interpretations. Don't get me wrong, I fully believe that the Holy Spirit counts toward the majority of a man's preaching abilities but the Bible clearly teaches that it is our duty to study the Word.

I've been reading an excellent book from the John MacArthur Pastor's Library titled, "Preaching, How to Preach Biblically." While I'm not much of an expositor, my preaching style is typically topical and narrative, I have found this book very enlightening. It is centered on expository preaching. For a brief lesson in expository preaching, click on this interview with MacArthur. Basically it is preaching verse by verse and word by word, giving the original meaning and in the context that it was written in for the people and culture that it was written for. The only way to preach this way is by doing intense studying. I think a lot of preachers are lazy when it comes to this type of preaching and therefore avoid it and say things like, "well, I just let the Spirit lead me on what to say when I get up there." While I agree that you should be lead by the Spirit in what to preach, it doesn't mean that the Spirit can't lead you through your studies and preparation for a sermon. I once heard a preacher get up to preach on a Sunday morning and he paced back and forth with one hand cupped over his ear and the other hand with a handkerchief wiping sweat and the only thing he said the entire time was, "if the Lord don't give me something I'm going to sit down, Amen." He repeated that over and over with great intensity for about 15 minutes. The whole time I was thinking to myself, "buddy, why don't you sit down and shut up and let someone that has studied and prepared get up and preach?" The sad part is there were people in the congregation hollering out "Amen," and "help him Lord."

One point that the book brings out is a warning for preachers not to be quick in repeating sayings and ideas that they have heard from other preachers unless you have thoroughly researched it and know it to be a Biblical fact. I've seen many well-meaning preachers do just that and they are spreading misinformation. One example; I was in a church service listening to a preacher that I had known for many years and always looked up to. He made a matter of fact statement during his sermon that I knew to be nothing more than an old wives tale that had been passed down. It was not Biblical and was totally untrue. It wasn't a week later I heard another preacher that had been present during the same service, repeat the same untrue statement during his sermon. I knew that he had not researched it because just a little bit of studying would have revealed it to be untrue. While it was not something that would make a difference in a person going to Heaven or Hell, it was still an untrue statement and misleading. That is irresponsible preaching.

Well, I didn't intend on writing this much about preaching, I was really just wanting to update my family and friends on my progress toward obtaining my Master's in Ministry. I doubt many people bothered reading this far anyways! ;)