The centerpiece of the life of WRPC is the preaching of the Bible. Twice every Sunday (in our AM & PM services) the zenith of our gathered life occurs when a minister opens the Bible and authoritatively explains a text and then applies it to you. But this emphasis is not new to us. From its earliest days the Protestant Reformers made the exposition of the Bible THE ministry priority.
Even though he only lived to age 44, William Perkins made his mark. Jonathan Edwards studied Perkins’ writings carefully and viewed him as the model for both theology and philosophy. At the time of his death (in 1602) Perkins’ published writings (dozens of books) were actually outselling those of John Calvin! Perkins was also a great mentor, training such luminaries as Thomas Goodwin, William Ames, Bishop James Ussher, Richard Sibbes and hundreds of others.
But it was his lectures on preaching that captured a generation. Perkins classic The Art of Prophesying has been a standard textbook for seminarian and preacher in training for over 400 years. Listen to this little snippet from Perkins that perfectly summarizes what we mean by expository preaching:
Preaching has four great principles. First, to read the text distinctly, from canonical Scripture. Second, to give it sense and understanding according to the Scripture itself. Third, to collect a few profitable points of doctrine out of its natural sense; and Fourth, to apply, if you have the gift, the doctrines to the life and manner of men in a simple and plain speech.”
Carl is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a graduate of Crichton College and Covenant Theological Seminary. Pastor Robbins has served churches in South Carolina, Oklahoma and Nevada. In addition Carl has served on the board of crisis pregnancy centers, Christian schools and seminaries. He has spoken to college groups, medical school forums, state legislative groups, seminary chapels and church conferences. His special passion is training pastors in developing countries. Carl and wife Sandy have been married for 37 years(!) and are the parents of three believing, adult children: John and his wife DeAnna and their children (Bray, Emmie Ruth, and Maggie Grace), James and his wife Megen and their children (Jack and Lainey Janice), and Sarah and her husband Andrew Holmes. Carl and Sandy love OU football, big dogs, good Mexican food, and the beach—any beach, any time.
Carl is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a graduate of Crichton College and Covenant Theological Seminary. Pastor Robbins has served churches in South Carolina, Oklahoma and Nevada. In addition Carl has served on the board of crisis pregnancy centers, Christian schools and seminaries. He has spoken to college groups, medical school forums, state legislative groups, seminary chapels and church conferences. His special passion is training pastors in developing countries. Carl and wife Sandy have been married for 37 years(!) and are the parents of three believing, adult children: John and his wife DeAnna and their children (Bray, Emmie Ruth, and Maggie Grace), James and his wife Megen and their children (Jack and Lainey Janice), and Sarah and her husband Andrew Holmes. Carl and Sandy love OU football, big dogs, good Mexican food, and the beach—any beach, any time. View all posts by Carl Robbins →
