Before we dive into the topic of why topical preaching is dangerous, I believe it is necessary to define what is meant by topical preaching.  Topical preaching is where the preacher will decide on a topic up front and then set out to find verses that appear to deal with the selected topic. There are several reasons why this is dangerous.

First, topical preaching is not loyal to context.  When the above mentioned approached is taken, verses may appear to deal with the specific topic, but to what extent cannot be known apart from the context.  Just because a topic that is being preached on is mentioned in a verses does not mean that verse is actually dealing with that topic…or if it is, what it truly has to say about it.  The true meaning of a verse can only be determined by the context…and the context is lost in topical preaching.

Second, topical preaching leaves portions of the Bible untouched.  There is really no explanation needed for this point.  When all that is preached are selected topics, the preacher jumps around to various passages that seem to prove his point.  In the process, portions of the Bible are left in the dust…never to be preached.

Third, topical preaching allows the pastor to present a topic in line with his biases.  This point is directly connect to the first.  Usually those who preach topically have a predetermined belief or bias on the topic they are preaching.  The problem arises when these preconceived ideas are not 100% in line with Scripture.  The preacher then selects only the verses the appear to match his ideas.  If there is a verse that deals with the topic that the pastor does not understand, he just leaves it out.  The loyalty is not to the text, it is to the preacher’s ideas.

Let me say as a final note that topical preaching can be done in an expository manner.  This is where the preacher preaches on  a passage that deals with a specific topic.  I also understand that there are times when it is necessary to preach a topical message.  The point of this post is that topical preaching is dangerous and, in my opinion, should not be a pastor’s primary preaching method.  To sum it all up; topical preaching tends to lead the pastor to use the Bible to preach his own message, not to preach the true message of Scripture.  Although there can be exceptions to this, the dangers should be acknowledged and the pitfalls avoided.