I am excited about the new series being published by Broadman and Holman called “Studies in Baptist Life and Thought.” With Dr. Michael Haykin at the forefront of this project as the series editor, Broadman and Holman promises to deliver a series of insightful books on Baptist history.

The first installment of this new series is devoted to the man who is most responsible for the tenor and content of the great expository preachers of the Southern Baptist Convention. John A. Broadus served as the second president of Southern Seminary in the 1889-95. But even before his leadership as president, Broadus gave Baptists an example of “balance, careful thinking, biblical faithfulness, and denominational statesmanship.” (xi)

John A. Broadus: A Living Legacy  consists of essays from a variety of Baptist scholars. The book feels, at times, as if it were condensed from a two-day conference on Baptist history. Because the scholars did their work separately, there is a fair amount of repetition in each essay, especially in the biographical information. (Occasionally, the repetition makes its way into the same essay!)

But the level of scholarship represented within these pages makes the book well worth the reader’s time. Here are some of the chapters I found most helpful:

In the introduction, Timothy George summarizes Broadus’ life and assesses his legacy.

Roger Duke summarizes and explores Broadus’ most important work: A Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons. He shows how Broadus borrowed liberally from the principles of classical rhetoric. Broadus was also a firm advocate in learning the biblical languages and employing the Canons of Rhetoric in delivering a sermon. Broadus believed that a preacher does not invent the chief materials of a sermon. These materials are the result of previous acquisition and reflection. (The lesson here for preachers? READ!) Duke also shows that Broadus never believed in pitting systematic theology and biblical exegesis against one another.

David Dockery writes about how Broadus’ legacy was carried on by A.T. Robertson. Broadus was a careful scholar. The biblical text reigned supreme. Broadus’ legacy was earned by his devotion to biblical exegesis, expositional preaching and church-focused theology. Robertson learned from Broadus. He never feared taking into account recent developments in critical scholarship, but he held fast to the authority of the Bible.

Beecher Johnson’s chapter is the most practical. He uses Broadus as an example of a preacher who could preach “marketable messages,” but without “selling out the Savior.” How did Broadus manage to avoid sensationalistic preaching and yet still captivate his congregation? By modeling his preaching philosophy after Jesus’ teaching. Broadus encouraged his students to emulate Jesus, not chase the current fads.

Preachers should learn from John A. Broadus. The new book from Broadman and Holman helps us along in that task.

written by Trevin Wax. copyright © 2008 Kingdom People Blog.

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