Howard Book Critique Chappell Assignment

.docx

School

Liberty University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

635

Subject

Religion

Date

Jan 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

5

Uploaded by aawells93

Report
Book Critique: Chappell Assignment HOMI635: Preaching for Special Occasions (D01) August 06, 2023 Overview
2 After reading, The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times written by Bryan Chapell, I have learned much about how sermons can impact the preacher. This was the first book I read about preaching sermons during tragic moments. This book is a collection of 25 sermons that address various topics of suffering, grief, and loss, such as suicide, abortion, abuse, divorce, cancer, and natural disasters. The book also provides practical guidance on preparing and delivering such sermons and how to minister to the bereaved and the hurting. Bryan Chappell understood that people desire words of encouragement when they experience good and bad life-changing events. Bryan Chapell is currently head of the Administrative Committee of the Presbyterian Church in America. He is also the Pastor Emeritus of the historic Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois. The many years Bryan Chapell has spent as a faculty member of numerous seminaries and Bible colleges in different parts of the world allow him to obtain a level of skill in preaching that many do not achieve in their lifetime. Bryan Chapell has authored several influential books on preaching and theology. His most well- known book is "Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon." This book has become a widely used resource for preachers seeking to craft sermons that emphasize the centrality of Christ in the Scriptures. Chapell's approach to preaching is known for its emphasis on expository preaching, which involves explaining the biblical text in its historical and literary context and making relevant applications to the listeners' lives. Strengths and Weaknesses I praise the book for its biblical and Christ-centered approach, as well as its pastoral sensitivity and relevance. Chapell mention in the book that his church is one of many evangelical bodies that have sought to inform its members of the Bible’s defense of the sanctity of human
3 life. 1 I also appreciate the diversity of the contributors, who come from different denominations, backgrounds, and experiences. The situation, concern, and approach method displayed at the beginning of the chapter enabled the readers to gain a deeper understating of the author, and the situation discussed this the rest of the chapter. The author mentioned in the “approach” section of chapter one, emphasizes that he intended to be a representative of the gospel, which encourages him to base his words on a biblical text, and he is speaking primarily as a Christian. 2 However, this book does have some weaknesses of the book, such as the lack of attention to the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching and counseling, the uneven quality of some of the sermons, the inclusion of more sermons that deal with personal sin and repentance, the use of more illustrations and stories that connect with the listeners, and the need for more examples of sermons that address non-death-related tragedies. I commend the book for its theological depth and clarity, as well as its honesty and realism. The book is helpful for preachers and anyone who wants to learn how to comfort others with the gospel. Value The book brought value to its readers based on the authors’ ability to engage their readers. The book is organized and presents a clear and coherent structure that is concise and easy to understand. The contributions of the many authors with their writing styles enhanced the book's overall message. The book is relevant to the field of preaching because there is no book like it in the market. Most authors stray from difficult topics and focus on preaching that glorifies the name of God to its audience, but this book has given me the confidence to preach about complex life events. 1 Bryan Chapell, The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 19. 2 Ibid, 20
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help