Birmingham Theological Seminary
2200 Briarwood Way
Birmingham, Alabama 35243
205-776-5650
Spring 2016
PT5524 Ministry of the Word II
Professor: Michael E. Reese, M.Min., D.Min.
Class Hours: 2
Work Phone: 205-426-5771
Cell Phone:
205-215-3209
Fax:
205-678-4512
Email: address mereese@bellsouth.net
Course Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to examine the theology, typology, analogy, history and
practice of the ministry of the Word II or expository preaching from the Old and New
Testament. To enable and expose students to the study of Old and New Testament
exposition as a whole; and to equip students with the necessary skills to do effective
expository preaching based on solid understanding of the characters, themes, and
theology of each book of the bible.
To encourage each student to evaluate and critique various approaches to expository
preaching that are based on the Christological Interpretation. To challenge students
against forced interpretation and the temptation of human-Centered preaching.
To enable graduate students to use their knowledge of the characters, themes and
theology of each book of the bible and to do competent expository preaching; and to
sharpen their ability to analyze and assess character studies, historical development,
narrative and solid interpretation of the text as the foundation for sound, solid, strong and
scriptural presentation.
Course Objectives:
It is intended that students who successfully completes this course will:
1. Be advanced in their use of developing and proclaiming effective expository messages.
2. Be enhanced in their ability to exegete scripture systematically.
3. Be efficient in critically evaluating the text and context of the Old and New Testament.
4. Be equipped in integrating the foundational disciplines of theology, the Old Testament and the
New Testament as they relate to the exposition of the text.
5. Be able to do narratives presentation, to summarize, formulate, and evaluate expository
principles related to expository preaching.
Required Texts:
Greidanus, Sidney. “Preaching Christ From The Old Testament” A Contemporary
Hermeneutical Method ISBN: 0-8028-0360-1
Massey, James Earl. The Burdensome Joy of Preaching. Nashville, TN:Abingdon Press, 1998.
Robinson, Haddon W. “Making A Difference In Preaching”. Baker Book House. ISBN: 08010-9092-X
Smith Robert Jr. Doctrine That Dances. B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, Tennessee 2008.
Holy Bible
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Collateral Texts:
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations University of Chicago
Press ISBN: 0-226-81627-3
Logos Bible Software
Course Requirement:
1. Class attendance: more than (2) unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade.
2. Completion of reading assignment on time.
3. Four two to three page papers. These papers are short. Be concise and precise. BTS is
interested in content not memorization. Papers are due by March 24.
Paper 1: Summarize your understanding of the formation of Old Testament preaching.
[Fulfills objective 1]
Paper 2: Explain Robinson’s case for preaching with a limp in chapter 4.
[Fulfills objective 2]
Paper 3: Give an analysis and appraisal of Luther’s Christological Interpretation of the
Old Testament in chapter 4 of preaching Christ from the Old Testament.
[Fulfills objective 3]
Paper 4: Explain the difference between typology, analogy and exegesis and the role
each plays within the formation of the sermon.
[Fulfills objective 4]
4. Write an 8-10 page summary paper on Robert Smith “Doctrine that Dances.” Tell what the
book says, what you have learned and how it can help you in your ministry. (The 8-10 pages
begin with introduction and ends with conclusion). Introduction and bibliography do not count in
page count. Paper is due April 14.
Grading
1. Class attendance: more than two unexcused absences drops final grade one letter
grade.
2. In class sermons, completion of reading assignments and ability to participate in
discussion is 40% of grade.
3. Four short papers are worth 5% each for a total of 20% of grade
4. Reaction paper 20%
5. Final grade 20%
BTS Format and Style Standards
BTS uses the Turabian style of formatting as a standard for papers. However, students
should regard individual professor preferences if they communicate any variance in
outlining their requirements for papers, as in this class (see below). Professors retain
discretion in determining how “formal” a paper must be. In this technological age,
information is readily available; make sure that you understand about giving reference
sources the proper recognition.
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Reading Assignment
Date
Chapters
Work Assignment
1/28
Genesis 3
½ page paper on meaning
of verse 7,15, 21 the fig leaves and coats of skin
(Read chapter 1-2 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)
2/4
2/11
Psalm 27
(Read chapter 1-2 Making A Difference In Preaching)
Exodus 33
Discuss in class
½ page paper on text
(Read chapter 3-4 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)
2/18
Malachi 3:8-12
Discuss in class
(Read chapter 3 Making A Difference In Preaching)
2/25
3/3
Isaiah 9:1-7
interpret the meaning of text
(Read chapter 5 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)
Proverbs 3:1-10
do outline on verses
(Read chapter 4-5 Making A Difference In Preaching)
3/7-11............................................Spring Break....................................................................
3/17
3/24
Job 1
(Read chapter 1 Doctrine that Dances)
Joshua 1:1-8
discuss here God’s sovereignty
Discuss in class
(Read chapter 6 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)
3/31
Ruth 2
½ page on interpretation
(Read chapter 1-2 The Burdensome Joy of Preaching)
4/7
Deuteronomy 6
Outline the chapter
(Read chapter 3-4 The Burdensome Joy of Preaching)
4/14
Psalm 3:1-8
Exposition on Text
(Read chapter 7-11 Making A Difference In Preaching)
4/21
Genesis 18
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Discuss in Class
The Analysis of a Bible Book
I. Preaching Christ and Preaching the Old Testament
A. The Necessity of Preaching Christ
1. To Guide in Exegeting the Book
2. The Meaning of Preaching Christ
II. The Necessity of Preaching from the Old Testament
A. Sequential Books
B. Reasons for the Lack of Preaching from the Old Testament
1. The temptation of human-centered preaching
1. The concern about forced interpretation
III. Procedures for Making an Analysis
A. Reading the Book Again and Again
1. Examining the Book’s Literary Characteristics
2. Dividing the Book into Parts
The Exegesis of a Bible Book
I. The Old Testament Witness To Christ
A. Various Options in Preaching Christ From the Old Testament
1. New Testament insights into Preaching Christ from the Old Testament
2. Benefits of Preaching Christ from the Old Testament
3. Providing a Fuller Understanding of Christ
B. Allegorical Interpretation
3. Multiple Texts
4. The Apostolic Fathers
5. The School of Alexandria
II. Exegesis and Interpretation
A. Exegesis
1.
Typological Interpretation
2. Interpretation: The Interaction and evaluation of typology
3. The Four senses of Scripture
4. Typology and Exegesis
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III. Initial Contacts with the Text
A. Selecting the Text
1.
Establishing Boundaries of the Text
2. Translating or Paraphrasing the Text
IV. Christological Interpretation
A. Luther’s Hermeneutical Method
1.
Luther’s Preaching of Christ
2. Evaluation of Luther’s Christological Interpretation
V. The Christocentric Method
A. Redemptive-Historical Christocentric Interpretation
B. Understanding the Passage in its own Historical Context
1. Parallel Contexts
2. Understand the Message in the contexts of Canon and Redemptive
History
VI. Word Study
VII. Syntactical Study
The Life Situation of a Bible Book
I. The Book within Bible History
A. Periods of Bible History
B. Fitting the Text into Bible History
II. The Book Setting
A. The Geographical Setting
1. The Political Setting
2. The Cultural Setting
B. The Theological Setting
III. The Book’s Special Features
B. The Author or Authors
1. The Readers
2. The Date
C. The Occasion and Purpose
1. The Literary Character
IV. Techniques of Historical and Literary Study
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A. Historical Criticism
B. Form Criticism
C. Redaction Criticism
The Interpretation of a Bible Book
I. A Perspective on Interpretation
A. The Origin of the Term
B. Values of the Process of Interpretation
II. Assumptions of Interpretation
A. The Reality of God
B. The Continuity of Human Nature and Experience
C. The Bible as God’s Word
D. The Experience of God
III. Interactions in Interpretation
A. The Text Interprets the Preacher
B. The Text Interprets the People
IV. Principles of Interpretation
A. Observe the Obvious
B. Probe for the Purpose
C. Build the Bridge
D. Learn about the Language
E. Ask for the Analogy
F. Interpret by Illustration
Variation of Sermon Structures in a Bible Book
I. Didactic Design
A.
Exegetical Paragraph Design
1. Dualism Design
2. Interrogative Design
3. Commentary Design
4. Syllogistic Design
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5. Multitext Design
6. Classification Design
7. Sentence-Slicing Design
8. Subject Design
II. Explorative Designs
A. Unfolding Exploration
B. Hegelian Exploration
1. Problem-Solving Exploration
2. Inductive Investigation
3. Experience-Exposure Exploration
III. Narrative Design
A. Narration-Implication Design
B. Story-Line Design
C. Shared-Story Design
D. Dominant-Metaphor Design
E. Explained-Narration Design
F. Multiple-Story Design
Selected Bibliography
Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Preaching from the Old Testament. Louisville, KY: Westminster,
1996.
_____. Preaching the Prophets with Honor. Kevin Miller, ed. Fall, 1997.
Allen, Ronald J. The Teaching Sermon. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1996.
Bailey, Raymond, ed. Hermeneutics for Preaching. Nashville. TN: Broadman, 1996.
Bryson, Harold T. Expository Preaching: The Art of Preaching Through a Bible Book.
Nashville, TN: Broadman, 1996
Knott, Harold E. How to Prepare an Expository Sermon. Cincinnati: OH: Standard
Publ.1930.
MacArthur, John Jr. Rediscovering Expository Preaching. Dallas, TX: Word Publishing.
1982.
Massey, James Earl. The Burdensome Joy of Preaching. Nashville TN: Abingdon Press,
1998.
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Meyer, F.B. Expository Preaching: Plans and Methods. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1974.
Olford, Stephen F. Anointed Expository Preaching. Nashville, TN Broadman & Holman,
1998.
Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository
Messages. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1980.
Thompson, William D. Preaching Biblically: Exegesis and Interpretation. Nashville, TN:
Abingdon, 1981.
Whitesell, Faris D. Power in Expository Preaching. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1963.
Biblical Texts
Armerding, Carl E. The Old Testament and Criticism. Spring Arbor Distributors.
Dillard, Raymond B. and Tremper Longman, III. An Introduction to the Old Testament.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006.
Ferguson, Duncan S. Biblical Hermeneutics, an Introduction. John Knox, 1986.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Toward an Exegetical Theology. Baker, 1981
Longman, Tremper III. How to Read the Psalms. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press,
1988.
Mickelson, A. Berkeley. Interpreting the Bible. Eerdmans, 1963
Silva, Moises and Karen Jobes. Invitation to the Septuagint. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker,
2005
Thomas, Robert L. Introduction to Exegesis. Author, 1987.
Vos, Geerhardus. The Eschatology of the Old Testament. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R
Publishing, 2001.
Waltke, Bruce K., and Charles Yu. An Old Testament Theology: A Canonical and
Thematic Approach. Zondervan, 2006.
W.E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White. An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words.
Nelson, 1984.
Young, E.J. “The Authority of the Old Testament.” In The Infallible Word, Edited by
Stonehouse, N.B., and Paul Wooley, 55-91. Phillipsburg, N. J.: Presbyterian and
Reformed Publishing Co, 2002.
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Concordances
Anderson, Ken. The Contemporary Concordance of Bible Topics. Victor, 1984.
Strong, James. Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Abingdon, 1980.
Young, Robert., ed. Analytical Concordance to the Bible. Rev. ed. Nelson, 1980.
Theological Works
Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1941.
Bruce, F.F. New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes. Eerdmans, 1968.
Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. 8 vols. Dallas Seminary, 1947.
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3 vols. Baker, 1983-85.
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. InterVarsity, 1981.
Packer, J. I., ed. The Best in Theology. Vol. 1 of multi-volume series. Christianity Today,
1987-.
Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. Zondervan,
1958.
Ryrie, Charles C. Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Moody, 1959.
Shedd, William G. T. Dogmatic Theology. 3 vols. Zondervan, )reprint) n.d.
Vos, Gerhardus. Biblical Theology. Eerdmans, 1948. ISBN: 0-85151-458-8
Warfield, Benjamin B. Biblical and Theological Studies. Presbyterian and Reformed,
1968.
_______ Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield. 2 vols. Presbyterian and
Reformed, 1970.
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