Pulpit Aflame

by Steven J. Lawson

The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to preach the word!...'Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching' (2 Tim. 4:2). This instruction is in keeping with the principle reflected in the book of Acts that the proclamation of God's Word is the heart of corporate worship. Yet in many churches, preaching is in decline under the influence of a culture that prefers entertainment to exposition. In this volume, fourteen experienced preachers reaffirm the centrality of preaching in the life of the church as they explore what the Scriptures have to say about the mandate, meaning, motivation, and method of preaching. With wisdom and conviction, the authors remind the church that God works through the faithful preaching of His Word, no less in the twenty-first century than in the first. Table of Contents:
Foreword by Ian Hamilton
1. Steven J. Lawson: Knowing the Man and His Message - Dustin W. Benge
Part 1: The Mandate of Preaching
2. A Biblical Priority: Preach the Word - John MacArthur
3. A Pastoral Preeminence: Feed My Sheep - R. C. Sproul
4. A Historical Pedigree: Sixteenth-Century Reformed Preaching - Joel Beeke
Part 2: The Meaning of Preaching
5. Preaching as Exposition - R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
6. Preaching as Transformation - Derek W. H. Thomas
7. Preaching as Worship - Sinclair B. Ferguson
Part 3: The Motivation of Preaching
8. The Aim of Preaching: The Glory of God - Robert Godfrey
9. The Foundation of Preaching: The Cross of Christ - John J. Murray
10. The Power of Preaching: The Presence of the Holy Spirit - Michael A. G. Haykin
Part 4: The Method of Preaching

11. Building the Sermon - Geoffrey Thomas
12. Delivering the Sermon - Conrad Mbewe

Genres: Theology, Christian

200 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2016

About the author

Dr. Steven J. Lawson is the Senior Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, having served as a pastor in Arkansas and Alabama for the past twenty-nine years. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University (B.B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Reformed Theological Seminary (D. Min.)

Reviews

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joel R. Beeke and Dustin W. Benge. Pulpit Aflame: Essays in Honor of Steven J. LawsonGrand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2016. 188 pp. $19.00

In 2007, I listened to Dr. Steve J. Lawson preach for the first time at the Shepherds’ Conference (Grace Community Church). The title of the sermon was Bring the Book, an exposition of Nehemiah 8:1-8. I remember being mesmerized by Lawson’s authority, passion, and his ability to handle the Word of God. The pulpit presence of Lawson riveted my attention on the text and rallied my affections around the great theme of God’s glory. Later in the day, I listened to Lawson explore the contours of George Whitfield’s life and ministry.

The following day, Lawson joined John MacArthur and several other pastors for an extended Q & A session. Pastor John asked Steve Lawson to share about his departure from Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. I vividly remember tears welling up in my eyes as Lawson recounted the animosity he experienced when he preached about the doctrines of grace. I too, experienced similar opposition. Eventually, Lawson resigned and move on to plant Christ Fellowship Baptist Church.

I have since listened to hundreds of sermons by Steven Lawson and have poured over his books and articles that address pulpit ministry and Reformed theology. While many have influenced my preaching ministry, no living person has influenced me more than Dr. Steven J. Lawson.
Numerous expositors have been influenced by Lawson’s ministry. Pulpit Aflame is a fitting tribute to a man who has given his life to preaching the gospel of Christ and training men to do the same. The book is edited by Joel Beeke and Dustin Benge. Thirteen fellow expositors offer contributes in this volume that focuses on the preaching task.

The book is arranged in three parts including the mandate of preaching, the meaning of preaching, and the motivation of preaching. Authors include the likes of Al Mohler, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, and Sinclair Ferguson. Each contributor sets forth a particular aspect of preaching which magnifies the great God of the universe. Each contributor expresses deep admiration and respect for Steven Lawson.

I highly commend Pulpit Aflame. I recommend that preachers pour over these pages and find confirmation in the important task before them. May these essays challenge, comfort, and confront a new generation of preachers who are committed to wielding the mighty Sword so that nations would find their joy in Christ. May pulpits around the world catch fire as they follow the example of Dr. Steven J. Lawson.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, ESV)

[Cale Fauver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the essays were good. Mohler and Ferguson had absolutely phenomenal chapters.

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Update "Pulpit on Fire": Sadly after pastor Lawson's fall into adultery I can no longer keep this book at 5 stars. The content of the contributors is still good for the most part, but the biography of Lawson's life praising his steadfastness in the faith, I am afraid, was written prematurely. Sadly, he has tripped at the finish line of his race and ministry. I pray and hope he is a brother in Christ and will be encouraged and built back up in Christ (not to the pulpit) to finish his race well in Christ. However, holding him up as a leader others will want to emulate is not wise anymore, and therefore I cannot recommend this book.

[Joel Davison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beeke and Murray had super chapters, rest of chapters had good and bad so they did

[Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each individual essay in this book is worth the price of the book itself (and Albert Mohler's essay on Preaching as Exposition is worth far more) With each subsequent entry I found myself revering the preaching ministry more and more and desiring to honor my pastor for the work he has done. I encourage those interested in preaching: read this book. Those lay people in the church who wish to more fully understand the task undertaken by their pastor (and so be able to discern biblical preaching): read this book! And pastors who wish to preach by reproof, rebuke and exhortation as so commanded in the scriptures and emulate the long line of godly men before us: read this book...

[Clay Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful survey of several aspects of preaching that I would recommend to anyone who anticipates being in the pulpit. A good look at the theological foundation of preaching as well as some very practical insights. Some chapters are more helpful or memorable than others, and with each chapter being written by someone different, you will find places where they almost seem to disagree with one another about certain nuances of things. But overall it is well put-together and uniform. It flows logically from chapter to chapter. Well worth the read for me as someone who hopes to preach more often in the future.

[Isaac Gajendran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound wisdom from faithful preachers

One of the best books on preaching. Though it is written in honor of Steve Lawson, the book truly honors the preaching.

Two chapters stood to me. One by Al Mohler and the other by Conrad Mbewe.

I recommend this book to pastors, seminarians and elders to read in order to be refreshed and renewed in their commitment to preach.