Preaching: The Centrality of Scripture

by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

Preaching is in a state of crisis, evidenced most seriously by immaturity, confusion and ignorance among professing Christians as a result of the poverty of the pulpit. The remedy, according to Dr. R. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Conventions Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky, is to obey Paul's parting charge to Timothy: 'Preach the word...in season and out of season' (2 Tim. 4:2).

Genres: Theology

24 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2002

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

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do we recognize a crisis in preaching? Is it measured by declining attendance or declining giving in congregations? Those are the usual rubrics, but they are not at the heart of the matter. Is it quantified by immature and ignorant Christians, or worldly churches? Or, as Dr. Mohler reminds us, preachers, the focus is on our faithfulness or lack thereof to "Preach the Word in season and out of season." This comes from a chapel address that Dr. Mohler gave at SBTS in January 1996. I remember being present and the emphasis about "the centrality of scripture" that was proclaimed. I highly recommend this brief but convicting little study.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though only in a very brief booklet containing the text of a message delivered in 1996, Mohler’s admonition to keep Scripture central in preaching remains timely. Mohler points out a disturbing trend to define the Gospel apart from the Word, and rightly discounts any such ideas as both foolish and indefensible. While his message is undoubtedly true and much-needed, the brevity of the format allows for nothing beyond a mere surface-level introduction to this important topic.

[KC McCauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mohler urgently reminds us of the importance of preaching, derived from an exposition of 2 Timothy 4:2, and how it needs to be centered upon Scripture--not on anything else.

[Jon Varner · Rating 5 out of 5]

While only a few short pages, 21, this convocation message turned book is a fantastic read. It is well worth you time to read it and ponder all that it is. Be encouraged by it's contents. Allow it to feed your soul as you go about the business of preaching or being preached too. You will not regret it.