Preaching

This chapter examines the various traditions and changes within Ulster Presbyterian preaching. The first section provides an overview of Old Light and Seceder preaching, drawing attention to the ‘free offer of the gospel’ and its importance to the development of evangelicalism within Presbyterianism. Section two begins with some general comments about the influence of Enlightenment ideas upon Presbyterian preaching, as mediated through university education and presbytery trials, before examining New Light preaching. Section three assesses lay attitudes towards preachers and their sermons. The final section examines the development of an evangelical style of preaching in the 19th century that was influenced by the prevailing cultural mood of the time, but was also deeply indebted to the Old Light and Seceder preaching of the previous century.

Philosophy · Religion, Society, and Development