The Medieval Period, 476–1500

Excerpt

‎Late medieval sermons were characterized by allegorical interpretation with its faulty exegetical method just as it was employed by the interpreters of Homer and introduced into the church by the second- and third-century fathers. While the period produced some famous preachers, such as Peter the Hermit, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Thomas Aquinas, none handled the text in an expository fashion. Faint hints of Bible exposition have been detected among independent groups such as the Paulicians, Waldenses, and Albigenses, despite the fact that these groups are commonly dismissed as “heretics.”

‎As the medieval period drew to a close, several pre-Reformation leaders rekindled the fire of expository preaching. Among these was John Wyclif (1330–1384), who was deeply concerned about proclaiming the Word. He denounced the preaching of his day, stating that all sermons that did not treat the Scripture should be rejected.32 William Tyndale (1494–1536) held a similar opinion. … More

Stitzinger, James F. “The History of Expository Preaching.” Rediscovering Expository Preaching. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1992. 45. Print.