Preaching: A Biblical Theology

by Jason C. Meyer

Do you know what makes for good preaching?

The pastor opens with a funny joke, strings together a series of disconnected Bible verses and clever anecdotes, and then closes with an inspirational quote. But is this the kind of preaching that most glorifies God, honors his Word, and edifies his people?

In Preaching: A Biblical Theology, pastor Jason Meyer examines the biblical precedent for preaching in both the Old and New Testaments and offers practical guidance related to the what, how, and why of expository preaching for today.

The most comprehensive biblical theology on the topic, this resource will help you identify good preaching and embrace it as a means to encounter—and be transformed by—the living God.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Religion, Ecclesiology

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Jason Meyer is pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church and associate professor of New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary. He daily thanks the Lord that he gets to be married to the love of his life, Cara. The Lord has blessed them with four children and they live in Roseville, Minnesota. Jason still can't get over the fact that the Lord saved him. He believes that being a Christian is the most wonderful thing in the world.

Reviews

[Tuyi Yohana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really solid book. I’ve never heard of Jason C. Meyer and I was thinking it was going to be trash tbh. But then I began to read and I did not want to put the book down, had to discipline myself to. I think this book made me realize that if systematic theology and biblical theology were out against each other, and I had to choose one, I think I would go with biblical theology. Defined the role of a preacher and preaching, and traced it throughout Scripture with a good defense for it. Also, he quoted a bit from a classic on preaching: Preaching & Preachers by Martin Lloyd Jones. Here’s a good quote: “Preaching is a high calling. It is not just difficult; impossible with man.” This quote highlights the sheer dependence that a preacher must have on God.

[Spencer Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mantle of leadership has been passed from the steady hands of John Piper to the young preacher/scholar in Jason C. Meyer at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This new book, Preaching: A Biblical Theology by Jason is a winsome book devoted to the awesome task of preaching God’s word to His people. Rather than a prescript-filled resource, Jason’s main concern is to “steward and herald God’s word in such a way that people encounter God through his word” (21). The stewarding aspect of preaching is primarily about the managing of the faithful words of Scripture so that the clear truth of the word is evident as we preach and speak. Heralding concerns the tone of the preacher and his delivery even as the authority of the preacher is a derived one (23). What we find in the largest section of the book, Part II is a rendering of paradigm shifts in the ministry of the Word from Creation to Apostles, and finally the pastor. Parts III-V hint at expository preaching, systematic theology, and application. The great benefit of this book is its clear organization and razor sharp focus on the transformative nature of Scripture.

Highlights

Jason brings out the supreme connection that words play in the early narrative of Genesis 1 and the covenant of creation. He writes, “The implications are already on display in Genesis 2:16. God speaks and warns that if his life-sustaining words are not followed, death in inevitable. Satan knows that if he can cut off their connection with God’s words of life, death will surely follow.” (77) We know that death wasn’t immediate for our first parents but it did come to pass. The significance that Jason brings to the surface is the dynamic between God’s words as truth and the distortion of these words leading to physical, moral, and spiritual consequences. If there can be a breach between the effect that the words from God have upon the relationship between Adam and Eve, then there can be a distrust altogether between the two parties. Jason goes onto mention that Satan’s questions were rebuffing God’s word and not necessarily his works (77).

Second, Jason moves ahead with a concept that is very important for the people in our congregations concerning calling and equipping. He writes, “Second, the calling of Moses itself stresses that God does not call Moses because of Moses’s ability. God does not call the equipped; he equips the called. He calls Moses and stresses that he, God, would enable Moses to fulfill the call.” (104). Moses was able to steward God’s law not on account of his brilliant scholarly bent in Hebrew, but because God equipped him to do the job he called him to. Jason wisely over and over again mentions that at every point in the Scriptures, the characters of the Bible steward and herald God’s word in many different ways that serve to edify, nurture, convict, and challenge people made in the image of God. Jeremiah, Moses, and many others were concerned that they were not capable of speaking God’s word to the people, but God was faithful to give them his words to speak.

Jason forcefully argues for irony beyond a mere sociological function in the Gospel of Mark with vigor and wit. He posits that ‘irony forces readers to decide if they are going to reject Jesus (as virtually everyone else in the narrative does) or affirm God’s hand behind all of the events.’ (196) From the disciples fleeing Jesus side in Mark 14:50-52 to the silence from anyone defending Jesus at his trial, the irony is apparent in Gospel account to bring readers to a dilemma. I would add that one could also see the irony forcing the readers, at least the early readers, to choose to decide if they are going to follow Rome (read political power of the day)or take their turn of the wheel of suffering and possibly persecution.

Criticism

There was not much here that I didn’t agree with in the book. However, I would like to point a few areas in which I think Jason addressed minimally. Topical preaching was given a positive review for Jason but under the aim and power of expository preaching. I hope Jason would’ve addressed the appropriate distinction between topical sermons on what the Bible says on a given subject and topical sermons on a given theme, issue, or point of contact with the culture. Furthermore, I found it overwhelming at times to try to fit what the Bible says on a given topic into a slot of 25-35 minutes well. Yet, I think with a lot of practice this might work. Secondly, I think some writing on the nature of the preacher and communicating with the people would’ve been helpful. For instance, how might a expository sermon look with aim towards a more dialogical approach to the people?

Conclusion
I hope you get this book. This was a real winner in my book because it sang of a deep love of the Scripture and an eye towards the congregation and their reception of the word.


Thanks to Crossway Publishers for the review copy of this book in exchange for review.

[Samuel Gonçalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro é EXCELENTE!! Vale muito a pena comprar e ler. Recomendo

[Nathan Battey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5 rating all in all. Meyer starts off strong and provides some good big picture material for the Bible as a whole and teaching in particular in the middle sections. When you get to the end of the book, chapters 20-21 are a bit over the top in pressing home the necessity of expository preaching. Chapter 22 provides a helpful correction as it backs off the dogmatism of the previous two chapters and places topical teaching in its proper place. Aside from from over zealousness at times, the only other main drawback is some of the writer’s Reformed doctrine that comes up (which is to be expected since he is Reformed).

Final Assessment: it doesn’t quite deliver on its excellent beginning. Not bad, but also not the be all end all.

[Jon Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful read for not only preachers, but Christians in general. Meyer takes time to survey the approach man is called to take to herald and steward God's word throughout all the scriptures. The reoccurring danger to minimize God's word and maximize man's self-glorification is real, and this book is a sobering reminder of the Biblical view of what man is called to do with God's word.

This book is a case for expositional preaching as well. I thought Meyer did an excellent job of defending the regular diet of expositional preaching as the most effective way to teach a church to value and read their Bibles.

If you are in the ministry or are going into the ministry, I commend this book to you.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted in: angelroman.org

When I saw this book it was my first option. I’ve been a youth pastor for 3 years and this book seemed to be a good resource about preaching. I’ve been taught about preaching in the past but honestly, never studied the topic for myself.

First I gotta say the length of the book took me by surprise. Meyer takes the time to prove and explain each point he has. Now, this is not a hipster book of how to make your preaching more interesting using jokes, movie examples and the like. This book deals very seriously with the responsibility of being a good steward of the Word.

The first part of the book explains with enough detail (enough to take more than the half of the pages) the stewarding of the Word by the people of the Old Testament like Moses, Joshua, th judges, prophets, until it gets to the New Testament with Jesus and then the Apostles. But have no fear, because even it sound really long and complicated, Meyer solves this by having an easy structure to follow with each character and its divided into calling, heralding and effects/encounter with God, making really easy to understand.

The last part of the book deals with expository preaching. The importance in the church and in the life of the one preaching. And while Meyer is an advocate of this type of preaching he’s not against topical preaching, actually he shares some pros and cons, but never attacks or judges those who do it.

I really recommenced this book to those looking for a substantial and anointed message about preaching, please do yourself a favor and before you get one about using jokes in your preaching read this one first.

Rating: ★★★★

I received this book for free from Crossway for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason Meyer keeps his promise. He sets out to place the concept of Preaching within the larger context of a "ministry of the word." He does that well. Meyer makes a number of interesting connections using a common rubric for evaluating stories. His connections are worthy of further investigation and thought.

The book doesn't claim to be a text on homiletics nor a how-to book for writing sermons. It sets out to be a Theology of Word that gives the contemporary preacher a foundation on which to build his/her concept of preaching. He succeeds at that.

He defines and defends Expository Preaching without creating a cage too small for such a concept and also without dismissing all other forms of preaching. He's to be commended for his balanced approach.

****
Reread a major portion of this for a preacher's seminar at Restoration House Ministries. Was reminded of the scheme of "ministry of hte Word" and also that there are several assumed connections between themes/texts which stretch things a bit far.

Still a solid read for anyone wanting to see beyond simple preaching vocabulary.

[Jeff Emery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intense, in-depth book examining the tenants of preaching, and studying preaching throughout the Scriptures. While some may find this a hard read, it is still written on the level for the average minister to comprehend, without being too academic. Meyer makes an excellent case for the "Why" of expository preaching, and as is the case for anyone in the sphere of John Piper's influence, he keeps the Supremacy of Christ in tact while making Scripture look glorious. Every minister would do well to read this book to keep their preaching Bible centered, and be a Word preacher versus an entertainer.

[Ben Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good biblical theology of preaching

I love that this book fills a glaring gap in preaching literature. Namely, this book surveys the whole Bible and provides a robust biblical theology of the ministry of the Word that oriented itself around the concepts of "stewarding," "heralding," and "encountering." The effect of this book is to establish a mighty defense of expository preaching.
This is the book would-be preachers should read before they open their first "how-to" manual.

[Bfleegs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started out well by making a proposition on how preaching works, but the middle section seemed less like a biblical theology and more like purposeless wandering through Scriptural narratives which focused on themes ancillary to the main point (the author seems to strongly suggest skipping this section). The final two sections, however, were practical and in-depth, offering insight into both the preacher and his work. As a book on preaching, the final chapters were well-written, but it seems a slight misnomer to label this a "biblical theology."

[Mike Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the essential and only proper form of preaching... Expository.
Not just his opinion, but a well researched methodology of the why and how of heralding God's love letter written to humanity.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second section, on stewarding the word in each sort of literature in the Bible, becomes a little repetitive, but it's necessary for the fullness of Meyer's work. Overall, he makes a strong theological case with immediate practical applications.

[JR Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second half is a far faster and more memorable read than the first half for those who want to "cut to the chase". But, the first half gives an important detailed summary of preaching from the whole of Scripture that helps to frame the second half.

[Gabriel Pech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a must read for all preachers and teachers of God's Word.

[Joey Rosado · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is been many books on biblical theology but not on preaching. This is a must read for anyone who wants to look at preaching throughout the whole Bible.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides a clear and comprehensive theology of preaching and argues effectively for expository preaching being the best way to proclaim God's Word faithfully and consistently.

[Seth Channell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great. The read will be better if you take the author's advice and skip Part 3 of the book.

[Scott Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book. A great overview of how to preach from a Biblical Theology perspective and an exaltation to Biblical preaching!

[Jónatas Rafael Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro muito bom sobre a “teologia da pregação”. Diferente dos livros mais comuns sobre técnicas.
Uma leitura muito proveitosa e com citações muito úteis de outros autores.