He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World

by R. Albert Mohler Jr., John F. MacArthur Jr. (Foreword)

"Contemporary preaching suffers from a loss of confidence in the power of the Word, from an infatuation with technology, from an embarrassment before the biblical text, from an evacuation of biblical content, from a focus on felt needs, from an absence of gospel." Preaching, the practice of publicly expositing the Bible, has fallen on hard times. How did this happen? After all, as John A. Broadus famously remarked, “Preaching is characteristic of Christianity." In this powerful book, He Is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World, R. Albert Mohler Jr. shows us how. In a style both commanding and encouraging, Mohler lays the groundwork for preaching, fans the flame on the glory of preaching, and calls out with an urgent need for preaching. This message is desperately needed yet not often heard. Whether you're concerned or enthused by the state of the church today, join Mohler as he examines preaching and why the church can't survive without it.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Philosophy, Cultural, Faith

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.

Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”

In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.

Reviews

[Julio Padilla Mozo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es increíble que ya hayan pasado 20 libros. Por qué negarlo, la cuarentena ayudó mucho.

Este es mi tercer libro de Al Mohler. De manera particular me gusta como escribe.

Mi primera impresión del libro fue de ánimo. Como predicador de una vez al mes, este libro es un descanso para tomar en serio la predicación.

El Dr. Mohler habla tan claro y llano (al menos en su traducción, bien aquí Portavoz). Eso no significa que no tenga cosas profundas. Tengo muchas flechas azules (de mayor importancia) de las que normalmente pego.

Esta reseña no es nada estructurada o pensada. Creo que no tengo cabeza para esto debido a que tengo una cachorrita en la familia, y en 4 días mis rutinas han cambiado tremendamente. Si así es con una perrita qué será si Dios me bendice con un bebé, pero la gracia de Dios es nuestro soporte.

El enfoque del libro es la predicación, y como esta se relaciona con la adoración, el pastor y nuestro tan extraño mundo posmoderno.

Este libro tiene un Epílogo de Charles Spurgeon que disfruté y anhelé por más de conocer acerca del "Príncipe de los predicadores".

Si predicas regularmente, este libro es para ti. Si predicas cada semana, ve, corre y adquiere este libro, necesitas refrescarte en este oasis del análisis del Dr. Albert Mohler.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, if a little dated at this point.

[Thomas Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book but not my favourite. Content was solid but was written in a very American, over-confident way. It seemed to not be intellectually deep enough to stretch or learn. But not accessible enough to be light and easy to engage with.
3/5

[Rick Shrader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was reviewed at AletheiaBaptistMinistries.org

This is a timely book on preaching by Dr. Mohler. I greatly enjoyed it, keeping it close by on my Kindle and going to it in my spare minutes. Mohler takes the reader through the homiletics of preaching but insists that “the only form of authentic preaching is expository preaching.” By this he means that the preacher must explain the text to his hearers or preaching has not taken place. “The heart and soul of expository preaching—of any true Christian preaching—is reading the Word of God and then explaining it to the people so that they understand it.” Mohler also takes contemporary worship to task. “The sacred desk has become an advice center, and the pew has become the therapist’s couch. Psychological and practical concerns have displaced theological exegesis, and the preacher directs his sermon to the congregation’s perceived needs rather than to their need for a Savior.” He continues, “The audacious claim of Christian preaching is that the faithful declaration of the Word of God, spoken through the preacher’s voice, is even more powerful than anything music or image can deliver.

Especially good is his chapter on preaching to a postmodern culture, titled, “Stranger than it Used to Be.” “The rise of postmodernism presents Christians with the undeniable reality that many people simply do not accept the idea that truth is absolute, or even that written texts have a fixed meaning. All claims to truth—especially claims to universally valid truth—are met with suspicion, or worse. This presents the Christian with a changed climate for truth-telling and a genuine intellectual challenge.”

I also appreciated Mohler’s emphasis on the Scripture which we preach being the Word of God. “Does God speak today?” he asks. If we do not realize that God actually is speaking through His Word (as opposed to charismatic chaos) as we preach it, then we ought to stop preaching. In fact, then we ought to stop having church altogether.

[Josué Pineda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un excelente libro, de principio a fin.
Me deja muy desafiado a seguir creciendo en el ministerio de la predicación y del evangelismo.

[Shane Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021 reads: 12/52

Rating: 3.5 stars

[Bobby James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised by how helpful this was! Feels like a spiritual sequel to Christianity and Liberalism.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the struggles that preachers are finding in this postmodern world, as well as Scriptural advice on how to overcome postmodernism without being sucked into it.

[Justin Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the primacy and importance of expository preaching (that being redundant as the book says).
My favorite section:
"Indeed, I will go so far as to assert that if you are at peace with the world, you [the preacher] have abdicated your calling. You have become a court preacher to some earthly power, no matter how innocuous it might appear. To put it simply, you have been bought! If there is no controversy in your ministry, there is probably very little content to your preaching."

As a lay person myself, and not a "full time" pastor, this book was extremely useful as well as encouraging. The call to teach the Word is a heavy responsibility, at the same time a vital and necessary one. Even if you are just teaching Sunday School to the preschoolers, you are preaching the Word of God (or at least you should be, and again this book makes the case for why). Al Mohler makes the case here from Scripture what preaching should look like, sound like, and all levels of Bible teachers would do well to heed the instruction in He is Not Silent.

[Dennis Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a book about the technical side of homiletics, but a clarion call to passion and conviction in preaching to the post-modern world. It stirs the soul of the preacher. Mohler continually reminds the pastor of the sufficiency of Scripture in ministry.

[Nathan Whitley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I was expecting, but OK in the long run. The first couple of chapters are good the rest didn't keep my attention. John Macarthur's Expository Preaching is worth your time and money if you want to know more about preaching and expository sermons.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cogent and delightful.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mohler begins his book about preaching by outlining recent developments in the changing of preaching. In many churches, preaching has changed from expositional preaching to “counseling sessions” from the pulpit. Now more than ever, we need a return to expositional preaching. Congregations are not being fed from the Word of God.

In the preface, the author presents six problems contemporary preaching has caused. Preachers do not confront their congregations with the Word of God. In chapter 1 he talks about how preaching is the center of Christian worship. We need to understand what worship is today. Today's worship is full of entertainment instead of a focus on God. He offers an understanding of worship from Scripture.

In chapter 2, Mohler talks about preaching as a way to reveal God to the world. Preaching bears witness to what God has said about slightly themselves the Cross. Preachers don’t focus on Christ and the Cross. They are giving their people everything but Jesus, God’s Word, and the Cross of Christ. They entertain their people and treat the Bible as a book that is not authoritative. It is not about the preacher but about Jesus.

The author extols expository preaching as the most effective and accurate form of preaching in chapter 3. When preachers preach, they must read the text of the Bible and explain it. In the Bible, God speaks while idols do not speak. We must hear God speak to us through preaching today. Saving faith only comes from God’s Word.

In chapter 4, he further explains what expository preaching is. Expository preaching explains and applies Scripture to the congregation. Preaching must bring its listeners to a choice. We must realize the authority of the Bible. We must have reverence for God’s Word. Expository preaching must be the center of our worship.

In chapter 5, Mohler makes the case that the preacher preachers from the authority that comes from the Bible. A church should be known for great preaching that puts Christ at the center. A preacher receives his authority by the call of God on his life. Every preacher should make his aim to present those who hear the Word mature and complete in Christ. The preacher must reprove, correct, and warn people according to the Word. People must grow in Christ through preaching.

In chapter 6 the author tells us pastors need to preach the big Story of Scripture and connect the passage to the rest of God's word. Postmodernism rejects the big story. In contrast, Christianity is the big story all smaller stories most explain themselves against. Every passage of the Bible points to Christ. He explains how Scripture has four movements that all the passages fit into.

The pastor is a theologian according to the author in chapter 7. Theology has become associated with academia instead of the pastor. The pastor teachers and preaches the Word. The pastor today is pulled in so many directions that it’s hard to focus on teaching and preaching. Pastors often have administrative duties, ministry leadership, and visitation. What pastors need to focus on preaching and teaching God's Word. The pastor must not teach what others say, but most preach and teach out of their personal theology gleaned from Scripture and experience.

In chapter 8, Mohler has a heart to heart to preachers. Preaching is a lot different than it used to be. He walks through the changes postmodern philosophy wants to make our culture. This is the most helpful chapter in the book. The author explains how postmodernism affects Christianity and the story of the Bible. He points to apologetics and the example of Paul at Mars Hill in Greece.

The author encourages preachers to preach the gospel because people need to hear it, and it is the only way for people to Christ. In this ungrounded culture, people need to hear about the foundation of Jesus. He explains the good news and how it can change unbelievers. We need the gospel more now than ever as a culture changes because of postmodernism.

In the final chapter, Mohler encourages preachers to preach and not worry about what others think. God will speak through the words given by the preacher. He invokes the passage in Ezekiel 37 where the dry bones are brought to life because of the prophecy of Ezekiel. In the same way, pastors are calling dry bones to life through their messages and the power of the Spirit. The challenge is before the preacher.

The author offers an epilogue about an example of a great preacher, Spurgeon. Like Spurgeon preachers today can influence this generation in this postmodern age and let the Holy Spirit speak through them according to God’s Word.

I liked reading Mohler’s writing because he admonishes and encourages the local pastor. So many books take the pastor to task instead of lifting him or her up. The author organizes the book well and stays accountable to the topic of each chapter. I am a proponent of expository preaching, so I didn’t need convinced by the author. I think he could be a little more open to different styles of preaching that still exposit the text of the Bible. I would recommend this book to any preacher who needs encouragement.

[Peter Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

He Is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World by R. Albert Mohler Jr. is exactly what the title claims it to be. Mohler explains that modern preaching is often not preaching, and he gives a corrective.

In the preface, he explains that modern preaching does not gave confidence in God’s Word and relies, instead on technology and addressing felt needs (16-20).

He explains that the heart of biblical preaching is to understand it is worship (24). This aspect of worship leads to confession of sin (33).

In the second chapter, Mohler explains that preaching is a theological act because God has commanded us to preach (40). Preachers need to understand and pass on to the congregation that God the Holy Spirit works God’s Word internally in a person (45). It is not a matter of ow “great” a preacher he is, but how much he relies on and is confident on God’s Word.

In chapter three, Mohler argues that true preaching is expository preaching. It takes the text in context, explains it in its context, shows how it refers to Christ and His salvation, and applies it to the people who are listening and readying to act (49ff).

He explains that the text of the Scripture defines the sermon – its structure, points – the preacher preaching the text of the Bible speaks for God (65). The congregation is then obliged to obey God’s Word (73).

Mohler warns against moralistic preaching which separates the text from its context and the history of salvation. Rather, it presents a list of dos and don’ts (89). Biblical preaching understands that there is a metanarrative from Creation through Restoration that only makes sense if we explain the text in the history of salvation (95). Therefore, he urges preaching through books – to see the metanarrative and encounter texts that might be difficult, but God’s Word, nonetheless.

Mohler argues that the pastor must be a theologian. If the pastor does not present the theology of the Bible, other people will make It up – usually incorrectly (106).

True Christian preaching bangs heads with postmodernism which says there are no universal truths – everything is subjective (116). He writes, “When truth is denied, therapy remains” (121). It is then not enough to just preach Christ, but to also command belief and repentance from all those who hear (130).

In the final chapter, Mohler looks at Ezekiel and the dry bones, and he explains we should always have hope when we confidently preach the Word of God because God is the One Who changes hearts, not us (145).

In the epilogue, Mohler looks at Spurgeon’s passion for preaching.

The book ends with endnotes.

This is a book that is needed for our time when pastors are minimizing the Word of God for programs and bands and all sorts of other things that push the sermon out of worship. If you are a minister, you will be comforted and encouraged to preach the whole Word of God as the centerpiece of worship. If you are a lay person, it will help you to understand what worship is to be and why preaching is of the utmost importance, and you may even use it to help your pastor leave behind his postmodern ramblings.

[This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

[Michael Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to preach truth to a post-modern world where truth is claimed by most to be relative to the individual hearer is quite the difficult task. For some preachers, declaring the truth of God’s word has taken a backseat to clever marketing tactics in the vein of the seeker sensitive model. In an effort to reach the unchurched, the seeker sensitive approach far too often engenders the idea of adjusting the timeless truth of God’s word, something Scripture declares is a dangerous road to take. Dr. Albert Mohler, in his book He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World, provides a salient reminder for pastors and layman alike of the necessity to teach the truth of Scripture, especially in a time and cultural milieu where that truth is so desperately silent and needed.

While there certainly is a noticeable resurgence among evangelicals for sound doctrine and a concomitant hunger among the body of Christ for biblical truth, Mohler rightly comments “some contemporary preachers now substitute messages intentionally designed to reach secular or superficial congregations – messages that avoid preaching a biblical text and thus avoid a potentially embarrassing confrontation with biblical truth.” Without naming names, those who have taken that route almost assuredly gain popular attention with church attendance numbering in the tens of thousands on occasion. Mohler cogently states the solution to combat that lukewarm and often theatrical approach to Scripture is the “Christian preacher simply must confront the congregation with the Word of God. That confrontation will be a times awkward, challenging, and difficult. After all, this is the Word that pierces us like a sword.”

Throughout this book, Mohler provides a number of key ways to remain committed to sound doctrine in an age when ear tickling has become quite popular in the body of Christ. He first reminds the reader that preaching is an act of worship. Since many churches treat worship and preaching as somewhat separate enterprises, the reminder that “the norm of our worship must be the Word of God, the Word that He Himself has spoken.” Worship devoid of sound biblical doctrine and a commitment to worshiping God in the manner that is worthy of the One we worship is simply not worship. It is lacking in love towards God and is in the words of the Apostle Paul, a gong and nothing but empty noise. True biblical worship is not so much about the argument over hymns or modern worship techniques and more about recognizing the holiness of God and our need to bow before the feet of the Almighty. This leads according to Mohler to “an ongoing response seen in the proclamation of the gospel in personal evangelism and in missions.”

Mohler also rightly declares “The sermon has not earned its place in Christian worship by proving its utility in comparison with other means of communication or aspects of worship. Rather, we preach because we have been commanded to preach.” Since the preacher is to declare the Word of God, it is thus vital to understand who God is so that the body of Christ may draw closer in their understanding of who God is and the fact that the Word of God is just that, the words spoken by God Himself. Thus, the preacher must aver the full authority of the Word of God in all matters. Furthermore, Mohler declares “If preaching takes its ground and derives its power from God’s revelation in the Son, then the cross is the paramount symbol and event of Christian proclamation. Preaching that ignores or mitigates the importance of the cross is merely empty words. Moreover, both the cross and the glory of the resurrection of Christ must be declared from the pulpit for not only is the sin problem addressed at the cross, the death and eternal relationship problem was addressed with the empty tomb.

Yet another important aspect of preaching is that of how to preach. Should the pastor tell nice stories that make the congregation feel good about their life or should the pastor engage in expository preaching, the process of rightly dividing and declaring the truth of Scripture? For Mohler and rightly so, the answer is found in the need for expository preaching. He notes “the therapeutic concerns of our culture too often set the agenda for evangelical preaching.” In response to that rather wishy-washy approach, Mohler reminds the reader “we should define exactly what we mean when we say “preach.” What we mean is, very simply, reading the text and explaining it – reproving, rebuking, exhorting, and patiently teaching directly from the text of Scripture. If you are not doing that, then you are not preaching.”

Mohler then defines the parameters of what expository preaching looks like when properly applied. He further elucidates “Genuine exposition takes place when the preacher sets forth the meaning and message of the biblical text and makes clear how the Word of God establishes the identity and worldview of the church as the people of God.” The necessity for pastors to properly understand the methodology of homiletics, more commonly known as the process of preparing a sermon is sorely needed as this skill is lacking in many pulpits. The proper use of homiletics and sermon preparation will result in Scripture being central to the sermon, cultural and personal concerns being secondary to Scripture, the text being taught being the bedrock of the sermon, and finally, the provision to the congregation of the so what of the passage at hand. Ultimately, as Mohler so wonderfully states, “God is most beautifully praised when His people hear His Word, love His Word, and obey His Word.”

One final excellent aspect of this book is Mohler’s reminder that the entirety of the message of Scripture must be taught. Cherry picking elements that are non-confrontational or that provide a nice backdrop to a story the pastor found on the internet is not what Scripture declares as sound teaching. Mohler rightly avers “Many of our people are dying of spiritual starvation because they do not know the Bible’s whole story, and thus they do not find themselves in the story. True, they know many little stories. They have a bag of facts. But a little bit of knowledge is not a big picture. As we preach, we need to bring every text into accountability with the big story of Scripture. When you preach, help your people to know the beginning, the middle, and the end – creation, fall, redemption, and consummation.” In an age when the front of the Book is diminished in importance, it is no wonder what is being taught are small stories that are far removed from the proper context of the overall message of Scripture.

He is Not Silent is a clarion call for pastors to return to a sound methodology of teaching and preaching. Ours is an age where a great conflict resides in defining just what truth is and why anyone should really care. There is a desperate need for pastors to rise up and to stand firm on the authority of Scripture within their respective churches. The conclusion by Mohler in this timely and excellent book is a stark reminder of what preaching is all about and something all pastors and layman should understand with great clarity: “No doubt, the challenges are great, and the frustrations are sometimes even greater. But we do not preach because we thought it would be easy. We preach because our hearts are broken by the spiritual death and destruction all around us – and because we see the spark of hope in the question our sovereign, live-giving God put to Ezekiel and now puts to us: “Son of man, can these bones live?” So we answer as he did, with simple faith and deep truths: “O Lord God, You know.”

[Jessica A Kramasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We have gone from 'Holy, Holy, Holy' to 'God the Swell Fellow.'"
In this blessedly short yet powerful book, Dr Albert Mohler Jr shows how modern preaching and worship suffers from a "loss of confidence in the power of the Word."

Mohler begins the book by showing how preaching is an act of worship, and that true worship is confessing God's worthiness. In order to truly worship God in "spirit and in truth" we must first turn to the Word of God.

He goes on to show from Scripture how authentic worship leads to a confession of sin, a proclamation of the Gospel, and requires a response. Music is not the central act of Christian worship, the preaching of the Word of God is.

"For it is primarily through the preaching of Scripture that we come to a true vision of the Living God, recognize our own sinfulness, hear the declaration of redemption, and are called to a response of faith, repentance, and service." (pp 35-36)

After laying the foundation of preaching the Word of God as the primary part of Christian worship Mohler goes on to show that preachers are ordained by God to preach the Word of God - words that He has spoken - and to preach the Gospel of the Son who saves through the power of the Holy Spirit who illumines the Word. God has spoken, and His words are a matter of life and death. His people hear His words and live.

"The preaching of the Word is central, irreducible, and nonnegotiable to authentic worship that pleases God." (p 49)

As Mohler further explains the centrality of expository preaching, he shows how the text of Scripture must be central and that the purpose of preaching must be to communicate the text of Scripture. Applications must be found in and subordinate to the text.

In showing how the Scriptures are the metanarrative - the story in which all other stories find their meaning, Mohler explains how the whole counsel of God must be kept in mind.

He wraps this all up with an exhortation to see the urgency of preaching, an exhortation for weary pastors, and a beautiful epilogue about Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

If you want to understand why expository preaching is so important, this is the book for you.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Preaching is therefore always a matter of life and death” (63). God speaks to His people through the public proclamation of His Word. God is not silent. He is not distant. He is not unknowable. We can hear Him, draw near to Him, and know Him through the Bible.

The subject of this book is one of preaching, but this is a book for far more than the pastor of a church. It is a compelling case study into the current Christian cultural landscape and a must read for the pastor as well as the everyday Christian. 

The authority of Scripture is not to be taken lightly, or altogether discarded, misused, or disobeyed as is so often the case for the regular Christian. As Dr. Mohler references, “Many today claim Christianity as their religion while living like atheists.” May that not be true of you and I.  May that not be true of the congregations we lead or participate in. 

Dr. Mohler writes clearly, authoritatively, and compellingly about the necessity of preaching the full counsel of the Bible. It is through knowing God's Word that we are best able to know God and faithfully follow Him.

A book claiming to contain absolute truth is a book that, in our current cultural climate, will face quite a bit of backlash. And those who are called to preach that absolute truth will themselves face tension and struggle and hardship. Mohler writes, "The task of truth-telling is stranger than it used to be. In this age, telling the truth is tough business and not for the faint-hearted." May every follower of Christ, not just the preacher, be willing and able to communicate clearly the truth of the Word of God.

Mohler commends the preacher and Christ-follower about the urgency of the Gospel. God is not silent, nor can we be silent about what God has spoken so clearly and urgently about. This is a wonderful read and one I would encourage every Christ-follower to read.

[Bob Hayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preaching in today’s postmodern world is a tall order. A new book from R. Albert Mohler Jr. aims to encourage and help pastors in this task: "He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World." Mohler is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (in Louisville, KY) and well-known as a preacher himself. He takes very seriously his responsibility of grooming the next generation of preachers. Mohler is also a student of culture — a voracious reader with an enormous personal library, he hosts a podcast called "The Briefing," a "daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview." Mohler is thus uniquely positioned to help preachers reach today’s world.

Many might imagine this book would advise a change of method to reach today’s visually-based culture; but they would be disappointed indeed! Mohler stands in the tradition of the Reformation in exalting the role of the preacher and the place of preaching. He advocates for expositional preaching that gives the Word of God and its message to the hearers: "…our preaching had better be nothing less — and nothing other — than the exposition of the Bible. Nothing else will do" (p. 63).

The book is a simple explanation of preaching with helpful quotes and historical background thrown in. Each chapter is a sermon itself — with an analysis of a biblical text standing behind the shape of the material. He emphasizes unpacking the big story of Scripture, and also declares that expository preaching is “the only form of authentic Christian preaching” (p. 49). I get the sense that he is talking about preaching through books (verse-by-verse) – but he doesn’t define expositional preaching exactly. His burden is to prevent preaching from devolving into "a series of disconnected talks on disconnected texts" (p. 19).

Mohler also sees a need for pastors to be theologians: "Today’s pastors must recover and reclaim the pastoral calling as inherently and cheerfully theological" (p. 109). His emphasis of this point and assessment of postmodernism were highlights for me. Equally helpful was his cry against "wee little" sermons and encouragement to let the big story of Scripture shape our preaching.

Mohler is eminently quotable, which makes reading the book easy. He packs several one-liners and poignant observations into each chapter. You can almost hear him speaking to preacher boys in a class room as you read these chapters. I highly recommend this helpful little book on preaching. If you are looking for something to encourage or guide you in the preaching task, look no further than "He is Not Silent."

Disclaimer: this book was provided by the publisher for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the Audiobook, unabridged version. Narrator was good (but, alas, not the author)- but onto the book which begins by quoting Dicken’s opening lines in ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’
Mohler doesn’t shy away from asking the questions needing to be asked in today’s evangelical churches: hard questions on preaching and worship we need to ask.
It includes a section on the visual replacing the word in the culture and in the church
The author makes a resourceful use of quotes, including A W Tozer, Jacques Elul and Mohler takes alook at Charles Spurgeon, whose sermons always took one/pointed to ‘the Cross’.
A wise and discerning look for our times - how we arrived here and what’s ahead, as he concludes, is not optimistic but it is hopeful.

[Ben Adkison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Mohler?
For quite some time, I 19ve made it my intention to read a book or two by Al Mohler, but HiNS (He is Not Silent) ended up being my first foray into Mohler-land. I 19ve wanted to read Mohler for a few reasons: Mohler is extremely (and I mean extremely) well read, and well read people have a better perspective on what 19s really going on in the world; secondly, I respect the role Mohler has played in turning Southern Baptist Theological Seminary back towards orthodoxy; and thirdly, Mohler comes pretty highly recommend from some people I trust. I can honestly say that HiNS has encouraged me to dig deeper into Mohler 19s library of works in the future.

Two Criticisms
Having just given the book high praise, I will admit that HiNS initially angered me just a bit. The part that disturbed me was the tone of the chapter on preaching as worship. I whole-heartedly agree with the chapter 19s thesis, 1Cthat preaching should be the center of worship in our churches, 1D but I just felt like the examination Mohler gave of the current worship scene in Christianity was a little over-negative. The worship (musically and preaching-wise) that I 19ve experience from events like the Passion Conferences makes me a little sensitive to negative critique of 1Cthis generation 19s worship. 1D I know that Mohler 19s intent wasn 19t to criticize all modern worship because he states that in book, but none the less, the tone of the chapter made me wince a little.

The only other criticism I have of the book is that I personally feel a little more freedom to switch up preaching style than Mohler does. Mohler defines preaching as follows, preaching is 1Creading the text and explaining it - reproving, rebuking, exhorting, and patiently teaching directly from the text of Scripture 1D (Mohler, 52). According to Mohler, if preachers don 19t simply 1Cread, explain, repeat, 1D then it isn 19t preaching. However, I think it is perfectly appropriate to begin a sermon with a story or attention-getting technique as long as the content of the sermon is focused primarily on a text. I also believe it is ok to sometimes preach topical sermons as long as they are preached in a hermeneutically faithful way (although I don 19t think topical preaching should be the norm).

Having issued these two criticism though (the tone of the worship chapter and the slight rigidity of sermon form) the book as a whole is awesome, amazing, encouraging, definitely worth reading!!!

Quotes I like
I could write a whole lot about the parts of HiNS that I love, but for brevity 19s sake I 19m going to give you 8 quotes that I loved from the book.

1CThe sacred desk has become an advice center, and the pew has become the therapist 19s couch. Psychological and practical concerns have displaced theological exegesis, and the preacher directs his sermon to the congregation 19s perceived needs rather than to their need for a Savior 1D (Mohler, 20).

1CYet theology is by definition not an ivory-tower discipline. it is not merely a form of academic discourse. When rightly conducted, theology is the conversation of the people of God seeking to understand the Lord whom we worship, and to know how He wills to be worshiped 1D (Mohler, 24).

1CThe sermon has not earned its place in Christian worship by proving its utility in comparison with other means of communication or aspects of worship. Rather, we preach because we have been commanded to preach 1D (Mohler, 39).

1CI believe that the central problem in our crisis of preaching today is that 26we no longer believe that hearing and responding to the Word of God is a matter of crucial importance. That is the only plausible reason I can offer for why expositional preaching is in decline, or even absent, in so many pulpits. Before the decline in expository preaching, there was the abandonment of the conviction that the Word of God comes as a matter of life and death 1D (Mohler, 54).

1CIn preaching the biblical text, the preacher explains how the Bible directs our thinking and living. This brings the task of expository preaching into direct confrontation with the postmodern worldview 26we do not want to be told how to think or how to live 26Every text demands a fundamental realignment of our basic worldview and way of life 1D (Mohler, 68).

Speaking of the importance of the meta-narrative of the Bible:
1CEven more, the moralistic fables that many evangelicals hear from their pastors week in and week out will not evoke the kind of burning-in-the-heart awe that these two disciples experienced on the road to Emmaus. If we want our people to feel that kind of excitement about the gospel, then they need to hear and know the same sweeping story that Jesus unfolded to these two disciples 1D (Mohler, 95).

1CThe idea of the pastorate as a non-theological office is inconceivable in light of the New Testament 1D (Mohler, 106).

1CWe will be hard-pressed to define any activity as being more inherently theological than the preaching of God 19s Word, for preaching is an exercise in the theological exposition of Scripture 1D (Mohler, 111).

Fav Two Chapters
Chapter 5: A Steward of Mysteries, The Preacher 19s Authority and Purpose
Chapter 6: 1CDid Not Our Hearts Burn Within Us? 1D, Preaching the Bible 19s Big Story

Verdict
Read it if you preach!

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Mohler is excellent at evaluating the current and historical cultural environment and what it means to pastors who preach every week. He helps us understand why and how people in our postmodern environment react to gospel preaching in the way they do. He also encourages preachers to be faithful, and brings attention to the need for preachers to stand on the Word of God even while the culture around us become more and more confused and refuses to acknowledge truth of any kind.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Back in the day, I tried to read this book... here's what I commented:

"...Dr. Mohler is REALLY intent on grinding the ol' "preaching today is bad, bad, bad" ax - I respect him but the drumbeat is beginning to wear me out."

Since I no longer respect his opinion on many issues affecting pastors and church leaders (not the least of which because he's flirted with nationalist language and attempted to equate voting Republican with being a "good Christian"), I won't be finishing it.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relevant, expositional, bold. This book is not just for pastors, it’s for any Christian who needs a God-fearing, Word-centered pastor. Mohler describes clearly the postmodern air we breathe and he calls the church to repent of being ashamed of God and his Word. Instead of excusing the Word of God out of fear of the incredulous culture around us, he exhorts the church to expound the Word of God all the more boldly. An inspiring read. I hope you pick it up.

[John D. Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Clarion Call To Expository Preaching

This tiny book packs a massive punch. Dr. Mohler does a masterful job in less than 200 pages in reminding us that preaching equals expository preaching!!

My favorite parts of the book are its continual references to the Biblical text, including examples from Ezekiel and Acts to passionately proclaim that the Bible is always relevant and that it should guide the content and conviction of our sermons.

Well done Dr. Mohler!

[Jacob Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Mohler delivers an excellent look into what preaching is and what it means in the cultural milieu of today. What does preaching look like and mean in a postmodern culture? He answers this tactfully and winsomely. Anybody who is interested in preaching or is seeking to be a pastor should read this book.

[Jason Kolar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the importance of expository preaching in our generation. Mohler does not try to go in great detail about postmodernism, nor does he give practical tips on preaching. If you read this book, it is to build confidence in the preaching in God's word. And for that, I'm grateful to have read this book.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the epilogue first. It talks about a man like Spurgeon. We need more of these men. Then read the book. It tells you the characteristics of such men. I enjoyed it and I felt like he was sitting across the room from me having a chat the entire time telling me what I should do

[Ethan Callison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some chapters were extremely helpful and good. My biggest critic is the understanding of what “preaching” entails biblically. This book only presents preaching to be behind a pulpit in a building in a particular day of the week and biblically that just not what preaching is.

[OK Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely the best book I have ever read on the need for expositional preaching and the right philosophy behind expository ministry.

[Elisha Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Mohler book and it was solid. Great arguments for the importance of expository preaching.