Homiletical Theology
Last month, I shared the experience of my very first appointment and the realization of the challenges I faced in teaching the Scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ to my congregations. The idea of using your sermons to teach theology is known as homiletical theology. This means that you are particularly attentive to the content of your messages. Your style may vary. Your use of illustrations may be rich and deep, but it is all driven by a desire to obey the most neglected part of the Great Commission: “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). Some of the best theological work comes not from the academy, but from men and women in the pulpits: The Lutherans had Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Presbyterians have Tim Keller, the Episcopalians have Fleming Rutledge, the Puritans had Jim Philip, the Anglicans have N. T. Wright. We must take up that mantle for the corner of the ecclesiastical world which we occupy.
One of the most amazing periods in English history was the short six-year reign of Edward VI (1547-1553). He has the distinction of being the first English Monarch raised as a Protestant. He opened wide the door to the Reformation in England. It was during his short reign that the Book of Common Prayer was published, which is still used today. One of the problems in the 16th century, especially among English speaking Protestant clergy, is that they had no real knowledge with preaching. They had come out of a tradition which focused on the Mass, but did not have sermons. The actual knowledge of Christianity was very low, even among some of the clergy. To turn things around, King Edward VI did something quite extraordinary. He asked the Archbishop of Canterbury, the famous Thomas Cranmer, to produce a collection of homilies or sermons which explored all the key doctrines of the Reformation. The twelve sermons which Cranmer eventually wrote explored all the major themes of the Reformation: the authority of Scripture, justification by faith, the message of God’s grace, the centrality of Christ, holiness and sanctification, and so forth. King Edward VI then issued a decree that these sermons must be delivered by every pastor in the entire kingdom. In addition, every church was required to obtain an English Bible (Tyndale had just published the first English New Testament in 1526). This was a major offensive to make sure that every Christian in England knew and understood what Christians believed and affirmed.
Later in the 18th century when John Wesley emerged, he borrowed from the playbook of King Edward VI. Wesley produced a set of sermons (originally 43 sermons, but later one more was added and it became 44 sermons) which were to be read and preached by every Methodist preacher. In addition, Wesley insisted that every pastor learn Wesleyan theology by studying John Wesley’s Notes on the New Testament. Between these sermons and Wesley’s notes there could be a growing confidence in the doctrinal clarity and theological soundness of the newly emerging Wesleyan movement. In 1763 Wesley even issued the Model Deed which stated that if any Methodist preacher preached a sermon which strayed from the doctrines set forth in the 44 official Wesleyan sermons or contradicted Wesley’s Notes on the New Testament, they would be expunged from the ranks of Methodist preachers. Can you even imagine that today?
As graduates of Asbury, each and every one of you reading this article has a responsibility to recapture (or deepen) solid Christian understanding from your pulpits, or whatever ministry God has given to you. God has given to each of you a special platform which you must use for the sake of the gospel. Our publishing and resourcing arm, known as Seedbed, had published some wonderful guides to Wesley’s sermons, as well as short reflections on the Apostles’ Creed (This We Believe) and the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments (Ten Words, Two Signs, One Prayer). All of these resources can help you to strengthen the content of your preaching and to make sure that you are teaching God’s Word with clarity and accuracy.
I am thankful that Asbury gave me the tools, theology and inspiration to do just what Dr Tennent has said. I do take it seriously, but with joy!
This is great! I would love to see us return to preaching as the primary locus of theological work. The sermon is first-order theology. The Wesleyan tradition has the background to recognize and re-claim that.
I chose to come to Asbury in 1974 just so I could be prepared preach Word of God faithfully. Over 40 years it became more counterculture to do so, but I knew my Heavenly Father was pleased. Thank you Dr. Tennent for continuing what John Wesley started.
It is because of Asbury that this has always been my goal in preaching. What a joy to know that after years of preaching the Word of Truth as we were taught at Asbury many faithfully follow the Lord.
A wonderful reminder and encouragement. How firm the Word!