Horae Homileticae, Volume 20: James to Jude
Overview
The last few Epistles in the New Testament are short, but they are packed with theological truths that must not be overlooked. Charles Simeon recognized that over 150 years ago when he penned his expositions on James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 3 John and Jude. Simeon's work is just as relevant today as it was in 19th century England. That is why Volume 20 of the Horae Homileticae collection is an ideal resource for Bible study and preaching.
These expository outlines (or "skeletons") are not a verse-by-verse explanation of the English Bible. Rather, they are a chapter-by-chapter study with explanations of the most important and instructive verses in each chapter. Simeon's aim with this commentary is "Instruction relative to the Composition of Sermons." To this end, his exposition of the Scriptures is designed to maintain a focus on the more general aspects of a passage over and above possible treatments of particulars. His test for a sermon, as he teaches in Horae Homileticae, is threefold: does it humble the sinner, exalt the Saviour and promote holiness?
Opposing all human systems of divinity, Simeon's commentary is also marked by an avoidance of any possible systemization of God's Word and entanglement with theological controversies. A self-described "moderate Calvinist" or, more plainly, a "Biblical Christian," Simeon believed that the Bible should speak for itself. "Be Bible Christians, not systems Christians" was his maxim; "My endeavor is to bring out of Scripture what is there, and not to thrust in what I think might be there. I have a great jealousy on this head; never to speak more or less than I believe to be the mind of the Spirit in the passage I am expounding." With Horae Homileticae this conviction is soundly applied.
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Top Highlights
“, If God’s paternal chastisements be so severe, what must his vindictive judgments be?” (Page 261)
“grace is glory begun, and glory is grace consummated.” (Page 157)
“You are looking too much to your own exertions, and too little to the Saviour: and hence you make but little progress in the divine life. Hence, also, you obtain but little comfort in your own souls. You are ready to say, How can I be a child of God, when I bear so little of his image? and how can I venture to apply to myself his promises, whilst I am so unworthy of them. But these persons need to be informed, that they reverse God’s method of making his people holy. They would become holy first, and then apply to themselves the promises of God: whereas they must first take to themselves the promises of God as sinners; and then, through their influence upon the soul, obtain a conformity to the Divine image.” (Pages 163–164)
“Yet, how did the Apostle address them? in terms of pity or condolence? No: but in terms of the sublimest congratulation. He thinks not of what man has done against them, but of what God has done for them; and bursts forth in this rapturous strain: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who of his abundant mercy hath begotten us again!’” (Page 136)
“Our minds are dissipated by ten thousand vanities, and our affections, for the most part, flow loosely round us, but our thoughts and desires should be carefully gathered in.” (Pages 157–158)
Praise for the Print Edition
[Horae Homileticae] is the best place to go for researching Simeon's theology. You can find his views on almost every key text in the Bible … What Simeon experienced in the word was remarkable. And it is so utterly different from the counsel that we receive today that it is worth looking at …
—John Piper
If Wilberforce is the most famous evangelical layman in the Church of England, then Simeon is the most famous evangelical clergyman.
—Who's Who in Christian History
[The volumes of Horae Homileticae] have been called 'a valley of dry bones': be a prophet and they will live.
—Charles Spurgeon
Product Details
- Title: Horae Homileticae, Volume 20: James to Jude
- Author: Charles Simeon
- Series: Horae Homileticae
- Publisher: Holdsworth and Ball
- Publication Date: 1832
- Pages: 574
Charles Simeon (1759–1836) was a leader among evangelical churchmen. He studied at Eton College and King’s College. After becoming a fellow of King’s College, the position of benefice of Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge became vacant and Simeon petitioned for and was appointed to the position.
Simeon was one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society and the London Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews.
After reading An Essay on the Composition of a Sermon by Jean Claude, Simeon was inspired and began writing his chief work, Horae Homileticae. Simeon also published hundreds of sermons and sermon outlines.