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Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life
Preaching magazine’s 2008 Book of the Year! The theme of doctrinal preaching and teaching comes to life through the enthusiastic and inspired writing of professor Robert Smith in Doctrine That Dances.
Advance Praise:
“At a time when so much of the conversation on preaching deals with presentation, Robert Smith has reminded us that effective teaching must also take the theological task seriously. He makes his case so well that his book, Doctrine that Dances, is our Preaching Book of the Year.”
Michael Duduit, editor, Preaching magazine
"Away with dull doctrinal sermons! Using the metaphor of music, the author shows us how to blend cogitation and celebration—mind and heart—in our preaching of Bible doctrine. You can benefit from his wide knowledge and experience in traditional western homiletics as well as African American preaching. We have much to learn from each other, and this book is a valuable contribution to the current conversation."
Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of Moody Church, general director of Back to the Bible, and coauthor of Preaching in Black & White
“A masterful preacher and teacher himself, Smith provides direction for students, young pastors and veteran preachers alike. Pulpits across the land will be strengthened as preachers implement the guidance offered in this volume. Doctrine That Dances will become mandatory reading for a new generation of preachers. It is a joy to recommend this marvelous work.”
David Dockery, president, Union University
“Dr. Robert Smith, Jr. is one of the most compelling voices in American preaching today . . . Doctrine That Dances describes the preacher’s task in a way that is at once personal, passionate, and provocative. This book describes the kind of preaching that is at the heart of the awakening that must come.”
Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School and a senior editor at Christianity Today
Advance Praise:
“At a time when so much of the conversation on preaching deals with presentation, Robert Smith has reminded us that effective teaching must also take the theological task seriously. He makes his case so well that his book, Doctrine that Dances, is our Preaching Book of the Year.”
Michael Duduit, editor, Preaching magazine
"Away with dull doctrinal sermons! Using the metaphor of music, the author shows us how to blend cogitation and celebration—mind and heart—in our preaching of Bible doctrine. You can benefit from his wide knowledge and experience in traditional western homiletics as well as African American preaching. We have much to learn from each other, and this book is a valuable contribution to the current conversation."
Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of Moody Church, general director of Back to the Bible, and coauthor of Preaching in Black & White
“A masterful preacher and teacher himself, Smith provides direction for students, young pastors and veteran preachers alike. Pulpits across the land will be strengthened as preachers implement the guidance offered in this volume. Doctrine That Dances will become mandatory reading for a new generation of preachers. It is a joy to recommend this marvelous work.”
David Dockery, president, Union University
“Dr. Robert Smith, Jr. is one of the most compelling voices in American preaching today . . . Doctrine That Dances describes the preacher’s task in a way that is at once personal, passionate, and provocative. This book describes the kind of preaching that is at the heart of the awakening that must come.”
Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School and a senior editor at Christianity Today
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
82 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 15, 2025
This was a wonderful and encouraging book on preaching! Dr. Smith writes in a similar enough way to his speaking that you can hear him in the pages! I read this while really preaching more this year than I’ve ever had to and it’s been a constant source of encouragement and rebuke. It’s kept from veering off in various directions as the pressures of ministry have felt constraining on what a sermon is and does.
March 25, 2025
If you're looking for a guide for preaching, this is not it. If you're looking for Dr. Smith's best lessons, anecdotes, and big picture ideas on preaching, look no further. If you're looking for a different book on preaching that converges head and heart, this is it. More importantly, if you want to think more on how and why to preach doctrinal sermons, look no further. I love that Dr. Smith models what it means to write in an oral style for sermons both in his sample sermons and through this book which drips with his turn of phrase, alliteration, and double entendres. Dr. Smith also compiles profound and usable quotes for the preaching moment from others all in one place.
Favorite quotes:
"God wants to prevent humans from merely getting hold of doctrines; God wants the truth of the doctrines to get hold of humans" (48).
"Be a honeybee and go from glower to flower and gather pollen to make your own honey" (116).
"Preaching must be enjoyed and not simply endured" (163-4).
Favorite quotes:
"God wants to prevent humans from merely getting hold of doctrines; God wants the truth of the doctrines to get hold of humans" (48).
"Be a honeybee and go from glower to flower and gather pollen to make your own honey" (116).
"Preaching must be enjoyed and not simply endured" (163-4).
February 23, 2021
This was an easy read with some great information. When it comes to preaching, a struggle I have is getting more of my emotions into the sermon. I often aim for the head but neglect the heart. This book provides good examples of how to try and reach the head and the heart. There were the occasional times where I disagreed with the authors theology or how far he took some principles, but overall, I think many could benefit from this book.
October 19, 2020
I highly recommend this book.
Dr. Smith has provided the church with a wonderful resource that blesses each reader. It is not as technical as some preaching books but it is powerful. He slightly introduces the reader to the African American preaching tradition. The reader is left inquiring how to depend on the spirit in preaching and usher their congregations to the throne of grace.
Dr. Smith has provided the church with a wonderful resource that blesses each reader. It is not as technical as some preaching books but it is powerful. He slightly introduces the reader to the African American preaching tradition. The reader is left inquiring how to depend on the spirit in preaching and usher their congregations to the throne of grace.
July 26, 2023
Excellent! This is one of the best preaching books that I've read in a while.
Read
October 2, 2025I’m not sure how to categorize this book. The ideas are good and helpful, but it meanders a bit. Almost like a journal - but not quite stream of consciousness.
The overall point is good though.
The overall point is good though.
November 22, 2022
This book talks about bridging two important parts of preaching: the importance of
right doctrine and the importance of following the Spirit, being creative and improvising. The author provides some examples of how to reach both the head and the heart of the congregation.
At first I found myself somewhat lost in the book’s structure. I wasn’t exactly sure where the author is taking, I felt like he is just talking (very eruditely) about the topic of preaching without some specific direction. In the second half of the book I started to get a better grasp of the big idea he is trying to communicate.
The last chapter especially really challenged and inspired me to consider more freedom in my sermons. Although I think of myself as quite free already, the author opened up another dimension of the freedom that I don’t think I have been practicing. It’s not that I haven’t been following the Spirit, but I was definitely challenged to take more risks in following the nudges of the Spirit in preaching.
Another thing I benefited from this book is widening my knowledge of preachers, books and music. I noted down for later investigation many of the names the author has been mentioning.
right doctrine and the importance of following the Spirit, being creative and improvising. The author provides some examples of how to reach both the head and the heart of the congregation.
At first I found myself somewhat lost in the book’s structure. I wasn’t exactly sure where the author is taking, I felt like he is just talking (very eruditely) about the topic of preaching without some specific direction. In the second half of the book I started to get a better grasp of the big idea he is trying to communicate.
The last chapter especially really challenged and inspired me to consider more freedom in my sermons. Although I think of myself as quite free already, the author opened up another dimension of the freedom that I don’t think I have been practicing. It’s not that I haven’t been following the Spirit, but I was definitely challenged to take more risks in following the nudges of the Spirit in preaching.
Another thing I benefited from this book is widening my knowledge of preachers, books and music. I noted down for later investigation many of the names the author has been mentioning.
March 26, 2022
First of all, Dr. Smith is one of the best preachers of our current time, and this book expresses much of what he teaches his divinity students in preaching class. (I say this as a former student who sat under him at Beeson Divinity.) This book is an excellent treatment of how to prepare to preach a text, but it also emphasizes the need for the Holy Spirit to work in and through the preacher. For those who want to teach or preach God’s Word, I cannot recommend this book enough.
October 9, 2018
There is some great sections in this book. I liked the perspective and tradition that Smith writes from it's different then my own. He does a good job of pulling illustrative preaching style back towards doctrinal roots. However, the book fails to hold the readers attention. It is written in a wordy and often meandering way. Glad to have read it but probably won't be re-read for me.
August 13, 2022
It would be appropriate to call Dr. Smith a Christian hero of mine. This book underpins his approach to preaching the Bible and how to infuse Scripture into your life in such a way that it "dances" out of you into your preaching. I am not a pastor but his love of Scripture and how it naturally overflows his calling as a pastor and teacher is applicable for anyone who serves the church.
March 3, 2019
Honestly, this book drove me crazy. Yes, there was a lot of heart in this book so I gave it an okay. It, however, lacked clarity. I would read parts and have no idea what he was trying to say. I am so confused as to why this book has received such high accolades.
December 21, 2017
Thankful that Dr. Smith gave me this book. He has likely forgotten more about teaching the word of God than I’ll ever know. I intend to come back to this one again and again over the years.
May 23, 2019
I enjoyed the book and it had a lot of good insights. The book was a little wordy. There were times that he used 3 paragraphs to say what he could have said in 1.
May 18, 2024
Great book for ALL preachers!
He wrote with great passion! I especially like the chapter on jazz! It was very informative. Go and get your copy!
He wrote with great passion! I especially like the chapter on jazz! It was very informative. Go and get your copy!
March 5, 2015
The title alone should you let you know that this is not a dry and dusty step by step process to sermon writing. Dr. Smith's passion for preaching God's truth bleeds through on every page of Doctrine that Dances. It is a worthy companion to stand alongside more traditional preaching books.
I appreciate Dr. Smith's emphasis on being true to the truth while also encouraging pastors to communicate that truth in ways that engage the heart as well as the mind. It is not that the preacher must breath life into a dead word, rather it is the preacher revealing the life that exists in the Word and inviting others to join in the dance.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to old preachers like me, those who are just entering into ministry, and those who are sensing the call of God into ministry. It is fitting for teachers and preachers.
I appreciate Dr. Smith's emphasis on being true to the truth while also encouraging pastors to communicate that truth in ways that engage the heart as well as the mind. It is not that the preacher must breath life into a dead word, rather it is the preacher revealing the life that exists in the Word and inviting others to join in the dance.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to old preachers like me, those who are just entering into ministry, and those who are sensing the call of God into ministry. It is fitting for teachers and preachers.
June 8, 2016
Doctrine That Dances is an excellent book for preachers and those who teach. The author contends that effective preaching must not only reach the mind but also touch the heart. There is a wonderful dance with words throughout the book. Two sermons at the end of the book illustrate the kind of expository preaching the author proposes. Highly recommended!
October 14, 2016
I enjoyed this book and its fresh approach to preaching which looks to lend itself more to an African American context. Knowing the fundamentals so well that you won't forget them, which allows for the pastor to improvise as would a jazz musician.
July 1, 2009
Dr. Smith is my former professor. You can take what he says to heart and believe that he practices what his book teaches. This is a great book for people interested in preaching with power.
May 13, 2012
This is one of the best books of preaching I have ever read! And I love Dr. Smith.
February 20, 2013
Awesome
June 13, 2016
Smith is one of the best preachers I've ever heard so I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it's just too wordy and doesn't really teach the reader how to do what the author does so well.
March 26, 2019
Hands downs, the best book on preaching I've ever read. Wow. So good. Highly recommended.
June 3, 2023
Absolutely love this book. I have read it a couple of times this year. I continue to go back to it. It has a fresh approach to looking at doctrine.
June 15, 2014
Top 3 best preaching book
September 13, 2013
Every preacher needs to read this book!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews