During a discussion following his lectures on preaching at Beeson Divinity School some time ago, Haddon Robinson expressed concern that, “The model for the preacher has changed. Up through the 1940s into the 50s—at least among evangelicals—the model for the preacher was the evangelist…
“In the late 50s and 60s, the model in many circles became the Bible teacher…[corresponding to the emergence of the Bible church movement].
“In the 80s to 90s, the model of the preacher (became) the therapist—the task of the preacher is to meet the needs of the converted people who are still secular…Sermons today are much more likely to be topical than expository…and many of the materials in the sermon come out of the behavioral sciences…
“The aim of most sermons today is not to explain the biblical text. The aim of most sermons is to connect with the listeners’ felt needs…The Bible is used as a way to get a divine imprint on what is simply good advice.”