Review: Christ-Centered Preaching, 3rd Edition

Bryan Chapell's celebrated preaching book Christ-Centered Preaching (Baker Academic, 2018), now in its third edition, continues to prove itself as an indispensable resource for beginning and seasoned preachers alike. Chapell sets forth a vision of expository preaching, sermons that are sourced from scriptural themes rather than personal topics. He then describes the process of developing expository sermons, including explanation, structuring, illustrations, applications, introductions, conclusions, and transitions.

In his final chapters, Chapell turns to his contribution to the field of homiletics: redemptive sermons. For Chapell, "Christ-centered preaching" does not necessarily mean mystically finding Christ in every passage but showing how each passage points to Christ's saving work. The "Fallen Condition Focus," as the author coins, is redeemed by the Gospel. It is this redemptive-historical view, also seen in the separate but often overlapping river of the New Homiletic, that allows sermons to be presented not as moralistic or legalistic but as good news.

The third edition of this book is an attractive casebound book with revisions to citations and tightening of sentences for clarity. While a redemptive view of Scripture was revolutionary at the time of the first edition, given the advances in the field of biblical theology, Chapell modifies his message to reflect a now normative approach to hermeneutics. Furthermore, he responds to new trends in homiletics, namely, narrative preaching. He is careful to separate himself in practice but gracefully remind readers that their homiletical theologies may be closer than expected.

The primary strength of Chapell's book is that it is comprehensive and lucid. Frequent examples and graphics make his points easy to understand. Additionally, Chapell devotes much time to integrating secular communication theory in the public performance of a sermon. His suggestions for effective delivery, mostly tucked into the deep appendices, are incredibly valuable. Even those who do not fall into his particular, Reformed homiletical camp will benefit greatly from the practical tips apart from his theology of preaching. This book should be required reading for all seminarians and preachers.

(My thanks is given to Baker for providing a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Comments

Product Review: LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle

Overview When adventure strikes, the right bag makes all the difference. Too often, however, luggage bags are either large, ponderous suitcases or small, flimsy duffle bags. I have traveled to Central and South America multiple times with terribly large suitcases. It added extra complication to my trip—especially lugging the bag up the steps! This is the problem which LL Bean seeks to rectify in the LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle. With a 137-liter capacity, this duffel is able to hold the items of the biggest pack-rat while being easy to transport. It features a telescoping handle, smooth-gliding wheels, and cinch straps. Specifications Capacity: Approx. 8,350 cu. in., 137 L. Weight: 9 lb. 3 oz. Dimensions: 17"H x 34"W x 15"D. Highlights This bag is sturdy. Not only is it capable of holding many items, but it is incredibly durable. It has a reinforced nylon bottom and a thick plastic frame so that the bag does not sag or become weak.

Review: Pastoral and Spiritual Care in a Digital Age

The advancements of technology and social media are changing what it means to be human, yet religious studies rarely tend to intersect with technological and neurological sciences. In Pastoral and Spiritual Care in a Digital Age: The Future is Now (Lexington Books, 2018), Kirk A. Bingaman ventures into how technology informs spiritual care. Himself a professor of pastoral care, Bingaman claims that humans are becoming techno sapiens. Rather than retreating from technology, Bingaman sees the unavoidable development of technology as part of God's ongoing work of "doing a new thing." Consequently, he sees positive means for artificial intelligence that can be embraced in pastoral care. For Bingaman, pastoral and spiritual care in a digital age requires preserving humanity through contemplative spiritual practices, preventing technology from overtaking human identity. Bingaman's book is important for many reasons. First, he asserts that technological change is unav

Review: The Four Pages of the Sermon, Revised and Updated

Paul Scott Wilson's celebrated preaching text, The Four Pages of the Sermon (Abingdon, 2018) is now available in a revised and updated edition, with additions that reflect advancements in homiletical scholarship and cultural dynamics. First published in 1999, Wilson challenged the New Homiletic movement to emphasize God's gracious activity within the text and to let it saturate the entirety of the sermon—not to use the Gospel as a tantalizing treat at the end of a well-crafted plot. Today, this text stands as one of the most respected and accessible works for preachers at all stages in their ministry. Wilson argues that there are four main moves, or "pages," in a sermon: the problem in the text, the problem in the world, the grace in the text, and the grace in the world. Like Eugene Lowry's "homiletical plot," Wilson's sermon upsets the listener by exposing a human need and then moves toward resolution through the power of the Gospel. These page

Leitourgia

Search This Blog