Episode 17: A Conversation with Dr. Bart Barber

Dr. Bart Barber

In episode 17 of The View From the Pulpit, host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Bart Barber, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, about preaching and the unique demands of ministry. The discussion highlights the impact of community demographic changes. Dr. Barber explains how Farmersville's transition from a rural area to a growing bedroom community has impacted how he illustrates his sermons.

They also discuss how Dr. Barber weaves systematic theology into the Biblical theology of his expositional preaching. Dr. Barber, who has conducted extensive academic studies in biblical languages, explains how he utilizes his language skills to understand and interpret biblical texts and offers practical advice on how anyone can engage with the Bible’s original languages. Finally, in addition to discussing his sermon preparation process, he advocates for the value of theological education, gaining preaching experience.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 17: A Conversation with Pastor Dr. Bart Barber.

Episode Theme: “I will occasionally explain myself.”

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Dr. Bart Barber, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Farmersville, TX, about how to integrate systematic theology with Biblical theology through expositional preaching, effectively utilize original language study in preaching, and his unique method of sermon preparation process.

Key Highlights:

·      The challenge of demographic changes: Dr. Barber describes how the rural context in which his church has existed throughout its history has been transformed by population growth, and the effect and challenges this has had on his preaching, especially in relation to the sermon illustrations he uses.

·      Integration of systematic theology with biblical theology: Dr. Barber describes his approach to expository preaching and preaching through books of the Bible. He explains how this approach is focused on biblical theology and how he often preaches a conclusory sermon series to integrate a systematic theological approach to issues that were prominent in the book.

·      Use of original languages in preparation and preaching: Dr. Barber is an accomplished scholar in biblical languages, having conducted extensive academic work in both Greek and Hebrew. He explains how he integrates his linguistic expertise into his preaching and offers suggestions on how anyone, regardless of their linguistic ability, can engage in basic language studies.

·      Preparing to preach months in advance: During his PhD studies, Dr. Barber recognized that meeting the academic demands while handling the regular and often unexpected demands of ministry required that he prepare his sermon well in advance. Dr. Barber explains how he plans and prepares a year’s worth of sermons during an intensive week dedicated to this singular task.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Bart Barber for a fascinating conversation about expository preaching and how to be most faithful when proclaiming God’s word. 

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Bart Barber

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

• For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

• Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

• For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

• All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

• Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Bart Barber has served as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, since 1999.  At an associational summer camp at the Mount Zion Baptist Camp in Walcott, Arkansas, Bart surrendered to pastoral ministry in the summer of 1981. The following year, just prior to the start of his senior year in high school, he assumed the pastorate at New Hope Baptist Church in Black Oak, Arkansas.

A National Merit Scholar, Dr. Barber earned his BA in the University Scholars program with an emphasis in Greek and Hebrew from Baylor University, Waco, TX. He would go on to earn an MDiv with advanced standing in biblical languages, a PhD in church history, and a minor in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Bart has served in various denominational capacities with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. At the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, June 14-15, 2022, Bart was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Tracy, have two children.

Find Dr. Barber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbartbarber/

Follow Dr. Barber on X: https://x.com/bartbarber

Listen to Pastor Barber’s latest sermons on:

·      YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drbartbarber

·      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hINKd4GBOMJ8RxrFMqZ3d

Glossary of Key Terms

• Biblical Theology: The study of what a particular book, chapter, or section of the Bible conveys about a specific theme or doctrine, examined on its own terms within its historical and literary context.

• Christology: The study of the nature and person of Jesus Christ, including his divinity and humanity.

• Conclusory Sermons: A series of sermons preached after completing an expository series through a book, designed to summarize and emphasize key doctrinal themes found within that book.

• Eschatology: The study of the "last things" or end times, including topics such as the second coming of Christ, the millennium, and the final judgment.

• Exegesis (Exegetical Work): The critical interpretation and explanation of a biblical text, involving careful study of the original languages, historical context, and literary features.

• Expository Preaching: A style of preaching that aims to explain and apply the meaning of a specific biblical passage, often working through books of the Bible sequentially.

• Historical Theology: The study of the development of Christian doctrines and beliefs throughout the history of the church, often focusing on significant figures and movements.

• Homiletical/Homiletics: Relating to the art or science of preaching or giving sermons; the principles of sermon preparation and delivery.

• Hypostatic Union: The theological term used to describe the union of the divine and human natures in the single person of Jesus Christ.

• Logos Software: A popular digital library and research tool used by pastors and scholars for biblical study and sermon preparation.

• Pericope: A distinct passage or section of scripture, often used as the basis for a sermon or study.

• Pathos: An appeal to emotion, used in rhetoric to persuade or connect with an audience.

• Systematic Theology: The study of Christian doctrines arranged in a systematic and logical order, integrating teaching from across the entire Bible on various theological topics.

• Text Driven: Refers to preaching or teaching that derives its main points and structure directly from the biblical text being studied.

• Trinitarian: Relating to the doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches that God is one God in three co-eternal consubstantial persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

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