Homiletics and pastoral theology by William G T Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 4 (General maxims for sermonizing).
This week Shedd begins to give us his maxims for writing sermons.
He divides his maxims into two classes: 'Maxims for the composition of sermons are of two classes, general and special, — those, namely, which relate to the fundamental discipline that prepares for the construction of a sermon, and those which are to be followed in the act of composition itself.'
Today we are only concerned with the 'general' maxims, next week we will explore the 'special' maxims.
Shedd's general maxims are:
(i) cultivate a homiletic mental habit;
(ii) form a high ideal of a sermon and constantly aim at its realization;
(iii) in immediate preparation for the pulpit, make no use of the immediate preparation of other minds, but rely solely upon personal resources;
(iv) maintain a spiritual mind.
Shedd may have come down a little too hard on commentaries, but he is right that they can be abused.
But I did like the encouragement to maintain a spiritual mind: 'Let the preacher, then, maintain a spiritual mind, — a mind that is not dazzled with the glare of earth, that is too solemn to be impressed by the vanities of time, and made habitually serious by seeing Him who is invisible. Dwelling among the things that are unseen and eternal, such an orator when he comes forth to address volatile and worldly men, will speak with a depth and seriousness of view, and an energy and pungency of statement, that will leave them thoughtful and anxious. Without this abiding sense of the reality and awfulness of eternal things, though the preacher may send men away entertained and dazzled, he cannot send them away thinking upon themselves, and upon their prospects for eternity. And of what worth is a sermon that does not do this ?'
I'm not sure if Shedd's general maxims were in an order of priority, but if they were, maintaining a spiritual mind should have been top of the list.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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