Bedhead Theology

John of Antioch (349–407), often referred to as Chrysostom (meaning the “golden-mouthed”), stands as a bulwark in early Christian preaching. Larsen declared him “unquestionably the greatest preacher of the early church.” [1] His dedication to biblical exposition characterized his preaching. Chrysostom would take a passage of Scripture and provide an exegetical address with application. He had a keen ability to take the text’s literal meaning and apply it pastorally to his congregation’s needs. [2] Chrysostom’s preaching demonstrated his position as an astute student of rhetoric. His rhetoric demonstrated animated expressions as he traversed from exposition to appeal. Thus, he established that the sermon began with exegesis and concluded with its exhortation. Rhetorically trained by Libanius, Chrysostom was prolific in his oratory ability, and his rhetorical approach was grounded in his conviction toward holiness ( ethos ), his exegetical work ( logos ), and culminated in the exhortati...

  Charles Simeon was born on September 24th, 1759, in Berkshire, England. He served as the vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge until his death in 1836—over 54 years. He held that his conversion, in 1779, was greatly influenced by Thomas Wilson’s writings. Simeon found a copy of Essay on the Composition of a Sermon . This book set the trajectory of Simeon’s preaching towards text-driven exposition. First, as a great expositor, he translated it into English and had it republished. He held a deep conviction to help the next generation of preachers towards textual faithfulness. This stands as the foundation of his major written work, Horae Homileticae —a twenty-one-volume sermon outline of exposition. He had some impactful accomplishments, including his role in founding the Church Missionary Society (1799) and establishing the Simeon Trust (1816). Charles Simeon’s entire ministry exhibited a “radical commitment to Scripture and a passion for preaching.” [1] Charles Simeon’s exam...

Who was Benjamin Keach (1640-1704)? We often find ourselves learning about historical figures that had a lasting impact on our lives, yet we are often unfamiliar with them. Benjamin Keach is one such person. Keach was an influential 17th-century Particular Baptist preacher and theologian. He was born in Buckinghamshire in 1640. He worked as a tailor early on due to his family's poverty. He was baptized at the age of 15 and began to preach at 18. He served as the minister for the congregation at Winslow before moving in 1668 to the church at Horsleydown, Southwark, where he remained as pastor for 36 years.  Benjamin Keach was ardent in his conviction that the Bible was not merely to be explained, but it was a necessity that the Scriptures be applied to the conscience. He greatly emphasized the authority of Scripture over church tradition. His preaching revealed a confidence that when preaching, God speaks directly through His Word. This became the primary means by which God awakened...

The gospel is everything! This statement, as simple as it is, speaks to the very heart of preaching. Looking across the culture around us, we find that Faithful preaching must speak the truth with grace to move hearts toward Christ. Haddon Robinson declared, “When we concentrate on ideas, with the desire to make listeners understand and accept them, strong delivery comes naturally.”  Erasmus argued that the purpose “in persuasion is to have the hearer want to embrace the honorable and the useful.”  Thus, the goal is to move the heart. However, in this goal, it is imperative to note the impact of delivery. Francis Bacon understood delivery when he compared logic to a fist and rhetoric to an open palm.  He asserted that logic handles reason in absolute truth, whereas rhetoric handles reason through the lens of popular opinions. Essentially, a logical argument can affirm the truth but possibly in a heavy-handed manner. Conversely, a rhetorical approach can present the truth ...

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, I have found myself reflecting on the concept of freedom. All around us, we find ourselves inundated with rhetoric that permeates every aspect of our lives. From a political perspective, we can see the dire message of existential threat surrounding us today. What seems odd to me, especially as I have studied rhetoric and persuasion, is how readily our society latches onto ideas and concepts that are not well-vetted. We grasp at ideas we think bring freedom, but in turn they drive us further from it. I seek to honor my nation by expressing the truth of freedom. True freedom is found only in Christ. Freedom in Christ is one of those truths that sounds simple on the surface. Yet, it should reshape everything we hold dear once you let it sink in. Paul’s declaration in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free,” is not a political slogan, nor is it a catchphrase for a motivational post...