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Thoughts on Preaching
A collection of J.W. Alexander's thoughts on preaching gathered from his notebooks and from articles published during his lifetime. This volume comprises Homiletical Paragraphs, gathered from his unpublished notebooks; 10 letters to young ministers; thoughts on the preacher's study habits and other questions of preparation for preaching; a brief section on the history of preaching; thoughts on how to preach effective expository sermons; and a closing section on "The Eloquence of the French Pulpit."
- GenresTheology
332 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1864
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 19, 2020
Decided to give it 4 stars instead of 3, because I am recommending parts 2 (letters) and first half of part 3 (essays).
Very useful, and encouraging. Case for expository preaching was very well built, possibly the best I've read so far.
Read his letters, and the first three essays.
If I were to rate the book as a whole, then 3 stars max.
Part 1 can be skipped, these notes are so so random, that they're not worth of my time.
Essay no. 4 doesn't add anything really useful. Essay no. 5 - on French pulpit, presumably in the 18th and the 19th century does not interest me at all.
Very useful, and encouraging. Case for expository preaching was very well built, possibly the best I've read so far.
Read his letters, and the first three essays.
If I were to rate the book as a whole, then 3 stars max.
Part 1 can be skipped, these notes are so so random, that they're not worth of my time.
Essay no. 4 doesn't add anything really useful. Essay no. 5 - on French pulpit, presumably in the 18th and the 19th century does not interest me at all.
February 15, 2019
This is a unique book on preaching, divided into three parts.
The first section contains “Homiletical Paragraphs,” miscellaneous thoughts on various aspects of preaching, interpretation of Scripture, moral maxims, authors, and more, composed by Alexander over the course of his ministry. There are some real gems in these pages.
The second section of the book contains letters to young ministers. There are ten letters, which cover a variety of topics, but especially personal piety, extemporaneous preaching, and diligence in study. These letters form the best part of the book in my opinion.
The final section of the book is made up of five lengthy essays on various aspects of preaching. These very greatly in their content and quality. The first three, on studies and discipline of the preacher, the matter of preaching, and expository preaching, are quite good. The last two are more historical in nature, and while they contain some good sections, they feel too far removed from the modern pulpit to be very relevant.
This was my second time through this book, having first read it eight or nine years ago. I dropped the rating by one star this time. It is still good, and I will probably revisit some sections again, but doubt I will again read it all the way through.
The first section contains “Homiletical Paragraphs,” miscellaneous thoughts on various aspects of preaching, interpretation of Scripture, moral maxims, authors, and more, composed by Alexander over the course of his ministry. There are some real gems in these pages.
The second section of the book contains letters to young ministers. There are ten letters, which cover a variety of topics, but especially personal piety, extemporaneous preaching, and diligence in study. These letters form the best part of the book in my opinion.
The final section of the book is made up of five lengthy essays on various aspects of preaching. These very greatly in their content and quality. The first three, on studies and discipline of the preacher, the matter of preaching, and expository preaching, are quite good. The last two are more historical in nature, and while they contain some good sections, they feel too far removed from the modern pulpit to be very relevant.
This was my second time through this book, having first read it eight or nine years ago. I dropped the rating by one star this time. It is still good, and I will probably revisit some sections again, but doubt I will again read it all the way through.
February 21, 2024
This was a great book on preaching.
Not all parts were equally helpful (the section on French pulpit oratory, for example), but the parts that were shined brightly enough to make one tolerate the rest.
In particular, Alexander's thoughts on the content of preaching (Christ) and expository preaching were of great value, as well as his thoughts on manuscripts (don't read a manuscript in the pulpit), sermon preparation, and a rejection of rigid structures, outlines, and empty rhetoric.
It was also interesting to hear what preachers he thought worthy of imitation, since I hadn't heard of a lot of them before.
Not all parts were equally helpful (the section on French pulpit oratory, for example), but the parts that were shined brightly enough to make one tolerate the rest.
In particular, Alexander's thoughts on the content of preaching (Christ) and expository preaching were of great value, as well as his thoughts on manuscripts (don't read a manuscript in the pulpit), sermon preparation, and a rejection of rigid structures, outlines, and empty rhetoric.
It was also interesting to hear what preachers he thought worthy of imitation, since I hadn't heard of a lot of them before.
October 30, 2013
One thing that strikes me: j.w.alexander is very much for extemporaneous preaching – which means off the cuff preaching- preaching imprompt without any preparation in advance.
He wrote quite a few letters recommending preaching of this nature. To him, “it is not true that writing insures ratiocinative treatment; it is not true that what is lossely called extemporaneous speech necessitates incoherent declamation.”
Of course the greatest danger of having a script before you is there may be a danger of you reading off it word by word, rather than using it as a rough guide.
But we have to note 2 points here.
One, he is not against preparation, in fact he always prepares. But “in every case, this process of memory must be regarded as a transient one, from which nothing goes over to the actual delivery. Even where the sermon has been written, it must be conceived by the mind as something spoken, and not as something composed.”
And two, the reason why he is able to do that is because he is strong in the Word and has a lot of experience. He preached more than 300 sermons per year! – Which means he has a speaking engagement every day!
In fact he wrote more letters on the need to study the Word and the virtue of diligence.
Yet having said that, d. martyn lloyd-jones holds exactly the opposite views when it comes to extemporaneous preaching, and one which i am more inclined to:
"Instinctively one tends to feel that if one is not going to write the sermon fully, all that is necessary is to prepare the barest outline or skeleton and to leave it at that. The result of doing so can be quite disastrous in the pulpit. When the thought comes to you while you are reading the Bible, and you prepare a hurried sketch or outline of a sermon, you seem to be brimful of ideas and feel that there will be no difficulty in preaching that sermon. But, alas, you will often find that when in a few days or weeks you come to preach from this skeleton in a pulpit all your ideas seem to forsake you and there is but little to say. Try as you will, you cannot re-capture what came to you, and you will even begin to wonder how you ever arrived at the various headings. They obviously had a meaning once, but it has somehow vanished."
Which i think is very true. And that’s why i always write my full script out… in fact, i will go rehearsing by talking to myself like a day or a few hours before any sharings.
And it helps, at least psychologically. It doesnt matter if what i say eventually deviate from what i have prepared (and that always happens!), but somehow a script in hands make me feel more assured. It kind of tells me i have thought through the whole thing and have come to a consistent and at least rhetorically presentable position.
Hmmm guess it must be the most wonderful thing to live through times of great revival!
He wrote quite a few letters recommending preaching of this nature. To him, “it is not true that writing insures ratiocinative treatment; it is not true that what is lossely called extemporaneous speech necessitates incoherent declamation.”
Of course the greatest danger of having a script before you is there may be a danger of you reading off it word by word, rather than using it as a rough guide.
But we have to note 2 points here.
One, he is not against preparation, in fact he always prepares. But “in every case, this process of memory must be regarded as a transient one, from which nothing goes over to the actual delivery. Even where the sermon has been written, it must be conceived by the mind as something spoken, and not as something composed.”
And two, the reason why he is able to do that is because he is strong in the Word and has a lot of experience. He preached more than 300 sermons per year! – Which means he has a speaking engagement every day!
In fact he wrote more letters on the need to study the Word and the virtue of diligence.
Yet having said that, d. martyn lloyd-jones holds exactly the opposite views when it comes to extemporaneous preaching, and one which i am more inclined to:
"Instinctively one tends to feel that if one is not going to write the sermon fully, all that is necessary is to prepare the barest outline or skeleton and to leave it at that. The result of doing so can be quite disastrous in the pulpit. When the thought comes to you while you are reading the Bible, and you prepare a hurried sketch or outline of a sermon, you seem to be brimful of ideas and feel that there will be no difficulty in preaching that sermon. But, alas, you will often find that when in a few days or weeks you come to preach from this skeleton in a pulpit all your ideas seem to forsake you and there is but little to say. Try as you will, you cannot re-capture what came to you, and you will even begin to wonder how you ever arrived at the various headings. They obviously had a meaning once, but it has somehow vanished."
Which i think is very true. And that’s why i always write my full script out… in fact, i will go rehearsing by talking to myself like a day or a few hours before any sharings.
And it helps, at least psychologically. It doesnt matter if what i say eventually deviate from what i have prepared (and that always happens!), but somehow a script in hands make me feel more assured. It kind of tells me i have thought through the whole thing and have come to a consistent and at least rhetorically presentable position.
Hmmm guess it must be the most wonderful thing to live through times of great revival!
February 15, 2018
This little book is a gem! So many helpful thoughts coming from a faithful Presbyterian minister. There is much to glean and meditate on, particularly from his brief axioms or thoughts on preaching in the first half of the book. Perhaps my favorite line: "For a man to be a great preacher, he must be that and nothing more" (paraphrase). Excellent little volume.
June 30, 2015
These thoughts on preaching contain truly deep and amazing insights into the process while containing nuggets of the purest gold in thought and advice. I heartily recommend this book to any man in or considering to enter into the ministry.
May 19, 2025
This work is a collection of thoughts, truly. Looking for a monograph or for a systematic look at preaching, go elsewhere. But if you want practical reflection on what works and what doesn't, this is an excellent work from the middle of the nineteenth century.
Alexander writes a lot about preparation--how to study, whether to use a manuscript, how to preach extempore if desired, how to organize a sermon, and more. He clearly read quite widely and offers cogent analysis of other preachers I've never heard of, including many from the reign of Louis XIV! A whole new world for me, that's for sure.
Perhaps the most relevant section was when the author wrote of why preachers should not do politics from the pulpit. Eminently wise advice here. Pastors aren't equipped to delve deeply into politics, and shouldn't pretend to do so from the pulpit. Worse, effort spent in that era will steal time and attention from a pastor's actual task, which literally no one else on earth can do. Stick to expounding the Word in order to exalt the Savior and edify his people.
Alexander writes a lot about preparation--how to study, whether to use a manuscript, how to preach extempore if desired, how to organize a sermon, and more. He clearly read quite widely and offers cogent analysis of other preachers I've never heard of, including many from the reign of Louis XIV! A whole new world for me, that's for sure.
Perhaps the most relevant section was when the author wrote of why preachers should not do politics from the pulpit. Eminently wise advice here. Pastors aren't equipped to delve deeply into politics, and shouldn't pretend to do so from the pulpit. Worse, effort spent in that era will steal time and attention from a pastor's actual task, which literally no one else on earth can do. Stick to expounding the Word in order to exalt the Savior and edify his people.
October 6, 2023
A great little book with only 318 pages, easy to read, and has some fabulous insight into the mind and heart of the preacher along with some practical insight into sermon prep, resources, and even delivery.
The book was published by Banner of Truth it was first published in 1864 and reprinted in 1975 and 1988.
If you can find one, I would recommend picking up a copy.
The book was published by Banner of Truth it was first published in 1864 and reprinted in 1975 and 1988.
If you can find one, I would recommend picking up a copy.
May 29, 2025
Paradigm shifting. Because it was published after his death, this work lacks polish in places, but for that reason it seems to give a clearer view into Alexander’s thoughts. Reading this feels like getting a weekend with a brilliant scholar and warm pastor. Loaded with highly quotable sentences.
June 19, 2019
A Defective Book
The Table of Contents and a portion of this book are missing! I would recommend not buying the Kindle edition.
The Table of Contents and a portion of this book are missing! I would recommend not buying the Kindle edition.
September 4, 2023
Starts slow and ends slow, that is its only demerit. Otherwise an exceptional and worthwhile read
February 16, 2024
I would give this book 6 stars if I could. It is extraordinarily fertile. A marvellous and profoundly edifying volume on the work of preaching, though it is so abundantly rich that it will be an immense benefit to anyone to read. Quite proverbial in style and character, yet sparkling and devotional in nature as well. This should be on the shelf of every preacher. This is one of my favourite books ever.
July 10, 2011
Great book on preaching from the 19th century Princeton professor and pastor.
June 1, 2012
The first part "homiletical paragraphs" is excellent and very original. The rest was okay.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews