Preaching the Topical Sermon

By: Ronald J. Allen

Westminster John Knox Press / 1992 / Paperback

3 out of 5 stars (2 Reviews)

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Product Description

''Convince me!'' ''Encourage me!'' ''Help me worship and pray!'' If your congregation is thirsty for answers to specific needs, Allen offers a practical model for developing on-target topical sermons. He explains why and when such sermons are appropriate and outlines strategies for developing them. Controversial topics are his specialty. Sample sermons are included. 176 pages, paper from Westminster.

Product Information

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 176
Vendor: Westminster John Knox Press
Publication Date: 1992

Dimensions: 5 1/4 X 8 (inches)
ISBN: 0664253067
ISBN-13: 9780664253066
Availability: Usually ships in 24-48 hours.

Publisher's Description

This book offers a practical model for developing sermons for occasions when the Bible offers little specific guidance for interpreting an issue, need, or situation. Ronald Allen describes why and how topical sermons should be used, discusses special occasions when they are appropriate, and outlines strategies for developing topical sermons, giving particular attention to controversial issues. The last chapter includes sample sermons by other preachers.

Author Bio

Ronald J. Allen is Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Preaching and New Testament at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of numerous books about preaching and about the New Testament, including The Life of Jesus for Today.

Product Reviews

Preaching the Topical Sermon 3 5 2 2

Biblical preachers beware! While this book does give some good advice on preparing topical "talks," or sermons, it is from a definitively liberal slant.The sample sermons in the back make a mockery of biblical authority. The premise that you must preach unoffensively is carried to the extreme that should a topic from the Scripture itself be offensive, it's best to hedge as much as possible.I would have avoided this book had I been able to preview it. Refer to Broadus' "On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons" instead, and save your money here. October 16, 2002

I found this book to be quite helpful in considering the structure and nature of a topical sermon. Allen gives the reader a good framework to work off of when considering what makes for a solid topical sermon.Allens book does well to stay on the practical side of sermon preparation, and he proves that by actually giving you tips on how to shape and prepare a topical sermon. He is well versed in this process, and gives examples all throughout the book on how to preach topically. For me, his best section of the book came at the end when he not only gave you tips on how to preach on controversial issues, but also gave a few examples of topical sermons preached by well known pastors. In fact, the section on Strategies For Preaching Controversial Sermons was in itself worth the price of the book!! Anytime I can avoid needlessly hurting peoples feelings I most certainly want to do so; and, this very helpful chapter gave many tips on how to approach volatile issues. All in all, I think it was a good book. Sometimes it was a little dry, but for the most part, I enjoyed it. February 26, 2001