Developing Biographical Narratives: Insights for Preaching from Charles Swindoll
2.
Biographical Narration for Explanation and Application
Let
the vivid retelling of the biographical narrative be the significant means of
explanation of the text. In “biographical narration” the text of the
larger narrative is viewed through the lens of the focal verse(s). The narrative
provides the framework for the sermon. The Bible story may be retold and selected
Scriptures may be treated expositorily using the traditional functional elements
of explanation, application, and illustration.
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Formal
argumentation as a functional element is seldom used in a biographical sermon.
Generally, argumentation is woven indirectly into the sermon through the various
scenes of the story as characters are developed and inner motives are explored.
Thus, the indirect unfolding of the story itself becomes the argumentation.
Narration and carefully worded theological statements are the primary means
of explanation in a biographical narrative.
3.
Indirect and Direct Application for Impact and Life Change
In
the retelling of the biblical narrative, look for ways to include indirect application.
Carefully crafted theological statements may serve a dual purpose, that of explanation
and application. According to Daniel Baumann indirect application applied throughout
the biographical sermon may have a more profound effect than any kind of direct
application that is “tacked on” at the end of the sermon. He noted
that biographical sermons were particularly adept for using suggestive or indirect
application throughout the sermon. Furthermore, he believed that the biographical
sermon was significantly weakened when points of application were appended to
the sermon.13
A
caution must be raised when making application in biographical narratives. The
preacher should resist the impulse to simply look for an ethical behavior to
be imitated or shunned in every biographical narrative.14 Nevertheless, when
the preacher enters fully into the narrative world of the biblical text he or
she discovers a world of worthy indirect applications of the story/text for
modern audiences.
A
sermon plot or story design sermon need not preclude the use of direct application.
Swindoll freely scatters direct applications throughout his sermons. However,
as a general rule begin the sermon with a more indirect approach and gradually
move to a more direct approach, especially in the conclusion. First and second
person pronouns are an effective way to communicate indirectly and directly
and every sermon should contain both.15