A course of lectures on preaching - Dabney - III - Lecture 3 (Distribution of subjects)

Required reading
A course of lectures on preaching by RL Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Lecture 3 (Distribution of subjects).

My summary
Now Dabney teaches about different types of preaching.

Firstly we learn about doctrinal preaching.  It is preaching that aims to instruct the people methodically in the truths of the Gospel.  Here it is noted that doctrinal preaching is different from theological preaching which does not aim at the immediate movement of the will.

Secondly we hear about practical/ethical preaching.  It is preaching that discusses the duties of the Christian life toward God and toward man; with their nature, limits, obligations and motives.

What grabbed me
I liked Dabney's defence of teaching doctrine: 'The result of all this is, that no people can be formed into stable, consistent and righteous Christians without much doctrinal instruction. My argument is reinforced by the example of Christ and his apostles. These inspired preachers are eminently doctrinal ; in other words, they are full of explanations of, and evidences for, the great truths and facts which make up the Christian system. They give us an illustrious example of the method of dealing with the human soul, by always grounding their appeals to the heart upon appeals to the mind. The preacher may amuse the curiosity of his hearers with human speculations ; he may excite by the scintillations of his rhetoric, but if he has not instructed them in divine truth, he has done nothing. A permanent religious effect is impossible.'

The preaching of doctrine is essential.

Next week's reading
Read Lecture 4 (The same topics continued).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.