The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching

by Keith Willhite (Editor)

Since 1980, Haddon Robinson has influenced generations of students and preachers through his widely used classic text, Biblical Preaching, in which he shows preachers how to communicate the Bible's big ideas with precision. But does Robinson's "big idea" approach to expository preaching still work in today's diverse cultures and fast-paced world?
The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching, now in paperback, presents a strong defense of the ongoing relevance of this approach to expository preaching. An experienced and skilled group of contributors to this volume includes: Paul Borden, Scott M. Gibson, Duane Litfin, Terry Mattingly, John Reed, Bruce L. Shelley, Donald R. Sunukjian, Joseph M. Stowell III, Bruce K. Waltke, Scott Wenig, and Keith Willhite.
This volume is written not only for the current generation of students but also for today's preachers, who will find in the pages of this book a powerful approach to expository preaching.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Bogdan Javgurean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book works best as a extension on Haddon Robinson’s “Biblical Preaching.” I takes Robinson’s method of “Big Idea Preaching” and develops it. Each chapter takes a different niche of preaching and addresses it in light of the “Big Idea” method.
One of the most helpful chapters was Paul Borden’s “Is There Really One Big Idea in That Story?” He walks the reader through a practical process of exegeting a narrative passage to find the main idea (which can be more tricky than an epistle) and then shows how to craft a narrative sermon. We live in a culture of story today and in a sense humans have always, even the Bible is mostly in narrative form. Since as humans we inherently respond well to narrative, it is critical that we adapt our preaching to communicate God’s word more effectively.
Another interesting chapter was Bruce Waltke’s “Old Testament Interpretation Issues for Big Idea Preaching.” Since I’ve taken Robinson’s idea for granted, it was interesting to have it pointed out that some genres in the Bible do not submit easily to this method. Waltke shows how even the book of Proverbs has a big idea and therefore claims that all the Bible can be viewed through Robinson’s lens.
Terry Mattingly’s “Preaching the Big Idea to Cultures and Subcultures” was also very relevant to me personally. I find it hard and emotionally draining to get involved in the matters of the day, investigate the latest trends in the culture. It is easier for me avoid these topics and concentrate on personal relationship with God, discipleship, community… Therefore it was a good reminder for me that if I am to do the pastoral work, it is crucial to bring God’s truth into contemporary burning issues.
The weakest chapter in my opinion was the Scott Gibson’s “Philosophy versus Method: Big Idea Preaching’s Adaptability.” It felt like a restatement of the content of Biblical Preaching and didn’t bring any significant new insights to the table.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written as a dedication to the influential homiletics professor, Haddon Robinson, and a reflection on his well-known approach of "big idea" preaching. It is a measure of the Robinson's influence that the contributors are well-known preaching professors. Like many compilations, however, the quality of the chapters is a little mixed.

The book is separated into three parts:
1. Why a single idea lands the best punch
2. It's biblical and theological power
3. Communicating the point

I found the first chapter, by Keith Willhite, the most helpful as it outlined the evangelical convictions that support big idea preaching and the rhetorical rules that also justify it. I also appreciated the second chapter by my former preaching prof, Scott Wenig, and thought that if I'd read this book before taking his class I may have done better.

I really liked the chapters dealing with OT and NT issues written by Bruce Waltke and Duane Litfin respectively. I found the chapter by Paul Borden quite confusing, but that may be because I find preaching narrative quite challenging already. There were helpful elements in each of the remaining chapter but one thing I felt was missing was a reflection on how the whole of redemptive history - the big idea of the Bible - is tied into the individual passages where the big idea is being studied. In other words, I felt like the emphasis on application seemed to fail to incorporate the elements of "truth and grace" that make up the gospel.

In conclusion, this book is an above average treatment on its topic. It is especially beneficial to read after having read Haddon Robinson's original classic because it will develop ones thinking further on this important process.

[Porter Sprigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one was slightly more helpful to me than Robinson’s own textbook. A great compilation of thoughts on this preaching method I’m trying to learn.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of essays on preaching in honor of Haddon Robinson, who encourages all preachers to focus their sermons on one point for the benefit of their hearers.

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 3 out of 5]

Слаба книга по моите впечатления. Голямото изключение е главата разглеждаща съвременната култура, която е много полезна и добре написана.