Angles of Preaching

This edition of the Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society is a
demonstration of the various angles by which to understand and
appreciate the breadth of approaches to the field of homiletics.
The articles are from around the globe, including authors
from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the
United States. The diverse contributions cover the use of
scripture in the sermons of Martin Lloyd-Jones and W.E.
Sangster at the outbreak of World War II, an analysis of
theocentric preaching during the COVID-19 pandemic,
imagination in expository sermon construction, preaching and
teaching and the doctrine of humanity, and evoking and
invoking gratitude in preaching. In addition, a guest editorial,
and the appreciable gallery of book reviews, which includes a
new feature—voices from the past.

A World Homiletic

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Evangelical Homiletics
Society was held at Moody Bible Institute 13-15 October 2023.
The annual scholars gathering featured the theme, “A World
Homiletic.” In planning for the event, the Evangelical Homiletics
Society governing board wanted to reflect the worldwide
influences of the field of homiletics as the society embarks on the
next phase of growth. The intention was to look beyond North
America to a global perspective on homiletics. Hence, invitations
were issued to two homiletics scholars from two different parts
of the world, Ezekiel A. Ajibade from Nigeria, Africa, and Sam
Chan from Sydney, Australia. These scholars provided plenary
session presentations and served on a panel to engage questions
from those in attendance. This issue of the journal includes both
Dr. Ajibade’s and Dr. Chan’s thoughtful and challenging
addresses.

The Preacher and the Text

For homileticians, there is the preacher and the biblical text.
Without these there is no mouthpiece, but, more importantly,
without the text there is nothing to preach. The preacher needs
the text and the texts needs a preacher. The two are integrally
intertwined. Paul reminds us in Romans 10:14, “And how can
they hear without someone preaching to them?” Yet, as we
know, God empowers the Word itself to speak, even to preach to
people in far-flung places where the flesh of a mouthpiece is
absent. We’re told that the Lord’s word goes out from his mouth:
“It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Is. 55:11).
These are reassuring words. God’s Word read or preached
accomplishes the purposes of the Lord in the lives of men and
women, boys and girls. And, amazingly, the Lord uses the
preacher and the text to achieve his desired intentions. This
edition of The Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society both
preacher and text are explored.

Preaching Plus

There might be variations of homiletical math. In my teaching of Haddon Robinson’s philosophy of preaching I instruct my students that to get the idea of a passage one uses the following homiletical math formula: S + C = I. That is, subject question plus the complement answer equals the exegetical idea.
But it strikes me that we can apply homiletical math to other areas of preaching. We could call this formula “preaching plus.” That is, preaching can be considered as an addition to a given area of study. For example, preaching plus history directs us to discover how and if preaching has had an impact in historical development in any culture or context. Preaching plus psychology may help us to discover how preaching intersects with the field of psychology. Further examples may come to your
mind. But the point here is to help us to see that the intersection of preaching with other fields and situations or contexts is far-reaching.