As a follow up from the last post, here is a further comment from Samuel Stennett. He is responding to the argument that shallow, flamboyant preaching has at least led to many conversions. Since this argument continues today, Stennett’s response continues to be relevant. And now there remains only one thing more to be noticed, …
Continue reading ‘Stennett, Showy Preaching & False Conversions’ »
Particular Baptist Press has recently republished Samuel Stennett’s An Exposition of the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, and it is worth purchasing. Stennett (1728-1795) served as a Baptist pastor for almost 47 years in London and composed many hymns including “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks.” In the introductory portion of his exposition Stennett provides …
Preparing for my annual survey of commentaries and biblical reference works for Preaching Magazine (see last year’s installment) which will be out soon I needed to assess Baker Academic’s Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics (2011), edited by Joel Green. It is a large reference work so I decided the best way to get a feel …
Continue reading ‘Dictionary of Scripture & Ethics: Neither Scriptural nor Ethical’ »
This past week in preparing to preach on Ezekiel 34 I came across this provocative comment in Ian Duguid’s helpful commentary: “If we are to return to truly being shepherds, perhaps we need to reconsider our love affair with big churches. It is possible to lord it over a flock of thousands; it is possible …
Much of my work has been on the Pastoral Epistles, and I have written in a couple of places on the fact of their neglect in various settings. In the foreword to the recent book, Called to Lead: Paul’s Letters to Timothy for a New Day, by Anthony Robinson and Robert Wall, Walter Brueggemann comments …
Continue reading ‘The Pastoral Epistles, “An Unwelcome Testimony”’ »
I have previously mentioned here the forthcoming book, KJV400: The Legacy & Impact of the King James Version, which I have edited, and I am now pleased to be able to say that the book is at the final stages of production and should be available soon. I have been encouraged by the warm endorsements …
Years ago, when I was a teenager, a seasoned, well-intentioned Baptist deacon gave me an explanation. I was bothered by the apparent arrogance of a pastor, directed towards this deacon and not me. The deacon explained, “Well, you have to expect a certain amount of arrogance from preachers. That’s just the way they are.” Without …
At Desiring God recently Tony Reinke posted a video of J. I. Packer giving advice to aspiring writers. Also included was a transcribed portion quoted below. Though Packer is talking about writing, his comments apply very well to preaching and capture a concern of mine about preaching. There are writers who think that simply by …
Continue reading ‘Packer & the Human Element in Preaching’ »
A common theme at this site is the importance of extra-pulpit ministry. While upholding the crucial importance of preaching, we also need to uphold the crucial importance of direct, individual ministry to our people. I have pointed to various historical examples who have made this point, and recently I came across a great comment on …
The Book of God: How We Got the Bible, by Ben Avery & Javier Saltares (Kingstone Comics, 2012), pp. Ages 8+ A graphic novel on the production and preservation of the Bible? Brilliant! I had no previous awareness of KingstoneComics until I happened to see this book in Sam’s. I was intrigued by the idea …