This was very thought provoking. I do topical devotionals. I hope and pray I'm never emphasizing the wrong things or ever taking things out of context.
Oh, I know. I also get your point; the Matthew 23 illustration is spot on and very relevant.
My only point is that I've seen this stressed a lot over the past decade to the point where I think the value of the topical sermon is not seen like it should be because many want to avoid the dangers that you're talking about. In doing so, another danger might be present.
One of the preaching books I have points out that it's far more important to notice HOW the biblical material is treated rather than the AMOUNT of biblical material used, or WHERE the biblical material comes from. I think he's spot on and that's how I try to approach things.
Good thoughts. Textual studies are very important for the reasons you pointed out.
However, it should also be pointed out that the Sermon on the Mount was a topical sermon, in that its theme was on a specific topic and each of its points was a different topic unto itself. The sermon on Pentecost was a topical sermon, addressing the specific topics of the fulfillment of prophecy that day and Jesus being the Messiah. In like manner, pretty much each of the sermons that are on record in Acts are topical sermons. In fact, one could make the case that most if not all of the epistles are topical sermons in written form in that they, like the Sermon on the Mount, generally have a theme as the main topic and address that theme oftentimes by discussing other topics in turn.
You should devote an article to the discussion of the nothing more or less than the merits of topical sermons and topical studies. I say this because over the past decade I've observed many, many articles by preachers and discussions among preachers which tend to emphasize the merits and, according to some, supremacy of just about every type of study and sermon (textual, expository, etc.)......EXCEPT the topical study and sermon. Since, as you pointed out, there is nothing inherently wrong with topical studies, and since we do see them being used in Scripture, it would be refreshing to actually read an article that points out their merits.
True those are topical sermons and studies - but with all of those topical sermons, God Himself chose the topic and guided exactly how it was approached.
Topical studies and sermons certainly have benefits, and they aren't wrong. But a topical approach does carry some inherent dangers - like the one mentioned in this topical article ha.
One of the benefits of a topical approach is that it allows a certain topic to be considered when it's needed. Sometimes issues need to be studied on short-notice, or a general foundation of a topic may need to be laid or reinforced - topical studies are very good at doing this.
Maybe I'll nerd out and write that article soon ha. I've got to consider how to write it in a way that isn't just helpful to full-time preachers, but for everyone who spends time studying the Bible.
Your points about certain issues at times needing to be studied on short notice and how foundations for a topic need to be taught/reinforced are spot on. In fact, I would suggest that this is an inherent danger of textual and/or expository studies/sermons being emphasized to the detriment of topical studies/sermons. A particular topic that is truly needed for the congregation to hear and/or an individual Christian to ponder concerning their own walk with Christ right now might not be studied or touched on for a while if their textual studies are, say, in an area of God's Word that does not touch on that particular subject. This is why we must be truly balanced in these matters. We should work to study in such a way that we give good amounts of time and attention to each of the different ways to study, because they all have their merits and, if we focus too much on them to the detriment of the others, their dangers as well.
One final question to consider. If someone studies the totality of God's Word to find the whole truth about a particular topic (per Psalm 119:160a), and sticks to God's Word alone in doing so (per Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:6-10; etc.), then is it not true that God Himself is still choosing the topic and is guiding exactly how to approach it?
That's absolutely correct, and how topical studies should be approached. I think there's a little bit of a disconnect in what I'm getting at in regards to topical studies. As long as the material accurately and faithfully presents God's Word - I don't really have an issue with the "style" of sermon.
I'll try to explain a bit better what I'm getting at in the article I'm working on.
Very interesting thought. I would much rather do scripture by scripture study. Its more beneficial for me and when you stop and think about it, had God wanted the bible to be topical, he would have had it written that way!
This was very thought provoking. I do topical devotionals. I hope and pray I'm never emphasizing the wrong things or ever taking things out of context.
where I live - would LOVE to hear some topical sermons that relate to culture or involve application to "real" life.
Oh, I know. I also get your point; the Matthew 23 illustration is spot on and very relevant.
My only point is that I've seen this stressed a lot over the past decade to the point where I think the value of the topical sermon is not seen like it should be because many want to avoid the dangers that you're talking about. In doing so, another danger might be present.
One of the preaching books I have points out that it's far more important to notice HOW the biblical material is treated rather than the AMOUNT of biblical material used, or WHERE the biblical material comes from. I think he's spot on and that's how I try to approach things.
Excellent advice.
Good thoughts. Textual studies are very important for the reasons you pointed out.
However, it should also be pointed out that the Sermon on the Mount was a topical sermon, in that its theme was on a specific topic and each of its points was a different topic unto itself. The sermon on Pentecost was a topical sermon, addressing the specific topics of the fulfillment of prophecy that day and Jesus being the Messiah. In like manner, pretty much each of the sermons that are on record in Acts are topical sermons. In fact, one could make the case that most if not all of the epistles are topical sermons in written form in that they, like the Sermon on the Mount, generally have a theme as the main topic and address that theme oftentimes by discussing other topics in turn.
You should devote an article to the discussion of the nothing more or less than the merits of topical sermons and topical studies. I say this because over the past decade I've observed many, many articles by preachers and discussions among preachers which tend to emphasize the merits and, according to some, supremacy of just about every type of study and sermon (textual, expository, etc.)......EXCEPT the topical study and sermon. Since, as you pointed out, there is nothing inherently wrong with topical studies, and since we do see them being used in Scripture, it would be refreshing to actually read an article that points out their merits.
True those are topical sermons and studies - but with all of those topical sermons, God Himself chose the topic and guided exactly how it was approached.
Topical studies and sermons certainly have benefits, and they aren't wrong. But a topical approach does carry some inherent dangers - like the one mentioned in this topical article ha.
One of the benefits of a topical approach is that it allows a certain topic to be considered when it's needed. Sometimes issues need to be studied on short-notice, or a general foundation of a topic may need to be laid or reinforced - topical studies are very good at doing this.
Maybe I'll nerd out and write that article soon ha. I've got to consider how to write it in a way that isn't just helpful to full-time preachers, but for everyone who spends time studying the Bible.
I hope you do and I look forward to reading it.
Your points about certain issues at times needing to be studied on short notice and how foundations for a topic need to be taught/reinforced are spot on. In fact, I would suggest that this is an inherent danger of textual and/or expository studies/sermons being emphasized to the detriment of topical studies/sermons. A particular topic that is truly needed for the congregation to hear and/or an individual Christian to ponder concerning their own walk with Christ right now might not be studied or touched on for a while if their textual studies are, say, in an area of God's Word that does not touch on that particular subject. This is why we must be truly balanced in these matters. We should work to study in such a way that we give good amounts of time and attention to each of the different ways to study, because they all have their merits and, if we focus too much on them to the detriment of the others, their dangers as well.
One final question to consider. If someone studies the totality of God's Word to find the whole truth about a particular topic (per Psalm 119:160a), and sticks to God's Word alone in doing so (per Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:6-10; etc.), then is it not true that God Himself is still choosing the topic and is guiding exactly how to approach it?
That's absolutely correct, and how topical studies should be approached. I think there's a little bit of a disconnect in what I'm getting at in regards to topical studies. As long as the material accurately and faithfully presents God's Word - I don't really have an issue with the "style" of sermon.
I'll try to explain a bit better what I'm getting at in the article I'm working on.
Very interesting thought. I would much rather do scripture by scripture study. Its more beneficial for me and when you stop and think about it, had God wanted the bible to be topical, he would have had it written that way!
Very true!
Pastors should be teaching 3 things:
The whole counsel of God
To equip the saints and
to Defend the faith
Anything else in almost always a waste of time and off topic.
Amen! That is why we need our ears tuned in to the Holy Spirit who speaks through us and to us.