Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith cover art

Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith

Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith

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 Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith.Episode Theme: Exegetical WeaverIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of Divinity and preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Smith describes his approach as an "exegetical weaver," interweaving explanation and application throughout the sermon. A notable aspect of his delivery is preaching without notes, relying on "internalization not memorization," which allows for improvisational, Spirit-guided expression. Dr. Smith emphasizes that "what counts is content," not just style, and teaches a 10-step Christocentric method that heavily focuses on deep textual study, including reading the text "50 times". He advocates for the sermon's form to reflect the text's genre, distinguishing between deductive and inductive approaches. Dr. Smith stresses the importance of unity in diversity within the church, encouraging preachers to learn from various cultural preaching traditions and for congregations to value faithfulness to the text over performative dynamics, warning against "emotionalism" that overshadows exegesis. Key Highlights:A Unique Definition and Approach to Expository Preaching: Dr. Smith defines expository preaching as deliberately aiming "to expose what is in the text. Not impose upon it but expose what's in there". He further clarifies it as "usher[ing] people by the word of God into the presence of Christ the Son of God through the power of the Spirit of God for the purpose of transformation". He characterizes his personal preaching style as that of an "exegetical weaver," explaining that he intends to "take the text, expose it, and then... weave the explanation throughout the text with the application" from start to finish, ensuring the listener constantly connects with the sermon as the text unfolds. This means the application is "interwoven with the explanation... from the beginning to the end rather than to wait to give the application at the end".Emphasis on Internalization Over Memorization for Delivery: Dr. Smith is known for preaching without notes, a practice he states he adopted early in his ministry after a divine prompting to put down his manuscript. He achieves this not through memorization, but through "internalization," where the message becomes "so deep in my soul that... it becomes almost an effortless effort". This allows for an "improvisational" delivery, trusting the Holy Spirit to bring forth thoughts and words that were not explicitly planned. While he models this approach, he teaches his students the importance of versatility in delivery, encouraging them to be proficient with manuscripts, outlines, or no notes, as the "context will demand that". He consistently stresses that "what counts is content. What counts is matter," above style or approach.Rigorous Textual Saturation as Foundational Preparation: A central tenet of Dr. Smith's 10-step "Christocentric method of preaching" is an intense focus on deeply understanding the biblical text itself. The initial six steps of this method are dedicated entirely to the text, with a notable requirement for his students to read the sermon text "50 times" before they begin sermon preparation (not in one sitting, but over time). This deep reading, combined with understanding the text's literary, historical, canonical, and redemptive-historical contexts, ensures preachers are "thoroughly saturated in the text" and their "senses have been engaged and evoked by the text". He also emphasizes that "the form of the text is inspired just like the text itself," and therefore, the sermon's structure should often reflect the genre of the biblical passage (e.g., narrative, epistle, proverb), contrasting deductive and inductive sermon forms.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Robert Smith for instructive insights into sermon preparation and deliveryHost: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Robert Smith Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Dr. Robert Smith Jr. served as professor of Christian preaching at Beeson for more than 25 years and held the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity. Previously, he served as the Carl E. Bates Associate Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Smith is the 2017 E. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference Living Legend. A popular teacher and preacher, he received Southern...
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