Copyright © 2018 Howard Jared Bumpers All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. A MAN “MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES”: THE HERMENEUTIC OF JOHN A. BROADUS AND ITS IMPACT ON HIS PREACHING __________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________________ by Howard Jared Bumpers May 2018 APPROVAL SHEET A MAN “MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES:” THE HERMENEUTIC OF JOHN A. BROADUS AND ITS IMPACT ON HIS PREACHING Howard Jared Bumpers Read and Approved by: _____________________________________ Hershael W. York (Chair) _____________________________________ Robert A. Vogel _____________________________________ Thomas J. Nettles Date___________________________ To Kimberly, who “is far more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 31:10), and to McCartnie Joyce, Howard Rush, Maverick Michael, and Jett H. H., who truly “are a heritage from the Lord” and “a reward” (Psalm 127:3). TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ............................................................................................................ vii Chapter 1. A STUDY OF THE HERMENEUTIC AND HOMILETIC OF JOHN ALBERT BROADUS .................................................................. 1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 Hermeneutics, Homiletics, and Broadus .................................................. 3 Thesis ..................................................................................................... 7 Background ............................................................................................ 8 Methodology ........................................................................................ 12 Summary of Content ............................................................................ 14 2. BROADUS’S LIFE AND MINISTRY ......................................................... 17 Childhood and Education ..................................................................... 17 Early Career and Pastoral Ministry ........................................................ 20 The Founding of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ................ 22 Ministry During the Civil War ............................................................... 27 Professor of Preaching and New Testament Interpretation ..................... 29 Seminary President ............................................................................... 32 iv Chapter Page Death and Legacy ................................................................................. 33 3. BROADUS AND THE BIBLE ................................................................... 37 Introduction ......................................................................................... 37 The Toy Controversy ............................................................................ 37 In Response to the Toy Controversy ...................................................... 47 Broadus and the Bible ........................................................................... 51 Broadus, the Bible, Hermeneutics, and Preaching .................................. 72 Conclusion ........................................................................................... 74 4. BROADUS AND BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION ...................................... 75 Introduction ......................................................................................... 75 Selecting a Text .................................................................................... 77 Causes and Examples of Errors in the Interpretation of a Text ............... 85 Broadus’s Hermeneutical Presuppositions ............................................. 94 Broadus’s Hermeneutical Principles ..................................................... 104 Broadus and Application ..................................................................... 121 Summary of Broadus’s Hermeneutic .................................................... 125 5. BROADUS AND BIBLICAL EXEGESIS .................................................. 126 Introduction ....................................................................................... 126 Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew .............................................. 127 Commentary on the Gospel of Mark ................................................... 140 Unpublished Lecture Notes ................................................................. 149 v Chapter Page Conclusion ......................................................................................... 154 6. BROADUS AND BIBLICAL PROCLAMATION ...................................... 156 Introduction ....................................................................................... 156 An Overview of Broadus’s Theory of Preaching ................................... 157 An Analysis of Broadus’s Sermons ....................................................... 165 Homiletical Characteristics of Broadus's Sermons ................................ 182 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 187 7. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................... 188 APPENDIX ....................................................................................................... 195 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................ 207 vi PREFACE This dissertation would not exist without the love, support, and encouragement of many people. While space prevents me from mentioning every individual who has impacted my life or affected my educational journey, several groups of people deserve recognition for the significant impact they have made upon my life. First, I am thankful for my dissertation committee and the feedback they have offered. My supervisor, Dr. Hershael York, has provided valuable input along the way. He has also impacted my life in a personal way. I never left one of his seminars without being challenge to love Jesus, love my wife, and love the church in a deeper way. Dr. Robert Vogel is the consummate professional. His knowledge of the field of preaching, his ability to engage with research papers and lead classroom conversations, and his knowledge of Broadus were all formative. It was due to his encouragement to visit the archives and look at the sermon manuscripts of John Broadus that I wrote on John Broadus. Dr. Tom Nettles graciously accepted the invitation to assist with this project, and his knowledge as a historian has been invaluable. I am truly grateful for each of these men. I would be remiss if I did not thank the members of Crossway Baptist Church, where I have served as a student pastor, and then as the associate pastor, for the past ten years. They have supported and encouraged my academic endeavors in a variety of ways, and I am incredibly grateful for them. One couple in particular deserves special recognition. H. E. and Liz Whitener enabled me to pursue doctoral studies by praying for me, encouraging me, and assisting me financially, and I am vii incredibly thankful for their friendship and their support. I could not have done it without them. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my parents, Eddie and Tess Bumpers. They consistently modeled the gospel in their marriage and Christlikeness in their behavior. More than anyone else, they have shaped me and made me into the man I am today. Not only did they shape me personally, but they shaped my approach to ministry. In addition to being my father, my dad was my pastor. His love for Jesus, his love for the church, and his love for preaching have infected me, and for that I am eternally grateful! I love you both! My wife, Kimberly, has supported my pursuit of doctoral studies from the beginning, although with growing interest as I have moved towards the completion of this dissertation! Her love and encouragement mean more to me than she will ever know. I love you! She has also given me four amazing children: McCartnie Joyce, Howard Rush, Maverick Michael, and Jett H. H. Words cannot express how much I love them. My strongest desire is that they repent and trust Jesus Christ, whom Broadus preached in almost every sermon. Finally, last in order but first in importance, I must thank the Lord Jesus Christ. He redeemed me with His blood and called me to preach the riches of His glorious grace. I am proof that God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise! May I love Him and proclaim Him until my dying breath! Jared Bumpers Springfield, Missouri May 2018 viii CHAPTER 1 A STUDY OF THE HERMENEUTIC AND HOMILETIC OF JOHN ALBERT BROADUS Introduction The study of the history of preaching is an enlightening journey. The paths of preaching history are filled with homiletical giants who have much to teach preachers today, and studying preaching from a historical perspective allows preachers to walk these paths, meet these giants, and gain a deeper understanding of the task of preaching. Alfred Garvie argued the study of preaching from an historical approach was the best way to study the subject. He wrote: The best approach to any subject is by its history; if it be a science, we must learn all we can