Do you ever struggle with how to get to the bottom of a text while being true to its context? It is an area where we can use a little help as so much preaching today totally misses the mark. Here is a book by Randell Pelton, and published by Kregel, of manageable length to help us in that endeavor. If you read the detailed footnotes, you will double the length and depth.

Mr. Pelton traces out the particulars of his own method, but you would not have to rigidly follow his steps to glean from this book.His Introduction clearly lays out his philosophy of true preaching and how he will discuss it. Chapter 1 is a passionate plea to show that expository preaching still works. He shows how a seeker-sensitive approach has changed preaching for the worse–we have morphed into little self-help talks that obscure the vibrant power of Scripture. He also gives guidance on picking Scripture portions to preach and explains how to “cut” the text.

The bulk of the book defines his method. If you have preached long enough to have settled into your own pattern, for the better or worse, as I have, you can still get great insight here. The point of any such method is to be true to Scripture and say in context. He has his own terminology, but it is mostly watching the context both near and far. I loved his guidance on preaching the OT (sensus plenior).

His last point is focusing on a Christ-centered hermeneutic as the final point of context. He feels Tim Keller is the role model here. His goal is to avoid moralistic preaching and stay Gospel-focused. This can be overdone, in my view, as some portions of Scripture have a true ethical or moralistic component, but that Christ is our only hope to live it is also valid.

A good reminder for seasoned preachers, and a great help to less experienced ones, this volume deserves high ratings.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.    

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