When our brother writes, “It’s indisputable that all good preaching is text-driven. But not all text-driven preaching is done in the same way. As important as the intellect is, it is not everything—it is not even the main thing when it comes to preaching the Word of God,” he betrays an improper anthropology. To say that the intellect isn’t “even the main thing” in preaching is not biblical, and a grievous  overstatement of his case.

This article is a response to Rev. Ryan Denton: “Expository Preaching, The New Golden Calf” posted on Reformation 21’s website on May 12, 2025.[1] This cannot be an exhaustive treatment of the topic but will simply engage with Rev. Denton’s article.

In the title of the article, Rev. Denton introduces the image of idolatry at Sinai, recorded by Moses in Exodus 32:4-8. From the exposition of this text, we understand that the Israelites were attempting to worship God by syncretistic means, mingling worshipping the Egyptian bull-god Apis, with that of Jehovah. He asserts that expository preaching is a new golden calf, or species of idolatry. For the eye-catching title of Rev. Denton’s article to obtain, he must demonstrate that his outlined method of preaching is the only acceptable, divinely commanded method.  

Our first difficulty is that our brother seeks to instruct ministers and members of the Church on preaching without turning to the Scriptures. As Presbyterians, upholding the Westminster Confession of Faith, we confess this truth: “But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy scripture.”[2] Preaching, an element of worship, is to be informed by Scripture. More is required than well-meaning assertions to press a law on the conscience of ministers. Our brother never holds up his preferences next to Scripture, the only rule of faith and obedience. Rev. Denton seems to prefer a Romantic strand of preaching,[3] emphasizing emotional appeals such as pleading or wooing as the sine qua non of lawful preaching (vs. golden calf preaching) apart from Scripture direction.

The second difficulty is the false dilemma asserted by our brother. He writes, “We have taught our men to expound the Word but not necessarily to preach it… not to apply it with urgency.” And again, “We need teaching, but teaching is not preaching. Preaching is heralding. Preaching is confronting. Preaching is pleading. Preaching is not the delivery of data, but a divine summons… It is preaching that aims not merely at the intellect, but at the heart.”

He assumes that exposition and preaching are distinct activities without providing proof. The Greek verb for expound, is ἐκτίθημι ektithēmi. Acts 28:23 correlates this word with other verbs:

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

In Paul’s ministry, exposition is not distinguished from testifying and persuading. Testifying is used of Peter’s preaching (Acts 2:40), alongside preaching by Philip (Acts 8:25), as a synonym in Peter’s sermon to Cornelius (Acts 10:42). Exposition is pastoral work. It is a virtual synonym in Scripture to persuasion, testifying, reasoning, opening, and alleging. When our brother writes, “Preaching is more than the delivery of biblical data,” he reveals a view of Scripture alien to our Reformed understanding. Speaking of mere “biblical data” and its delivery diminishes Scripture. Inspired history, prophetic pleading, correction, conviction and comfort, lofty doctrine, teaching, prayer, praise, and other forms of “biblical data” are inspired, filled with unction, and if expounded truly, able to make one wise unto salvation.

The third objection, another false dilemma, pits the intellect against the heart. Scripture reveals that the heart thinks, reasons, debates, recalls. The intellectual function of the heart is seen in Luke where it is turned by preaching (1:17), thinks (1:51, 9:47), lays up (1:66, 2:51), ponders (2:19), muses (3:15), is wounded and healed (4:18), reasons (2:35; 5:22), treasures (6:45), retains the word (8:12), a synonym of soul and mind (10:27), chooses (12:34), and dialogues internally (12:45). Scripturally, man is, in his heart, what he thinks.

Further, we disagree with the idea that it is anything other than the Word of God, administered by the Spirit of God, that “wounds, and heals.” The thought that the preacher effects this should be abhorrent to all. We decry emotional appeals lacking Scripture. The Lord condemns this lifeless communication, no matter how animated or urgent.

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[1] https://www.reformation21.org/blog/preaching-expository-the-new-golden-calf.