for christ and his church

Christ-Centered preaching

ISSUE 161

september/october 2013 from the editor

table of contents FAITHFUL, CHRIST-CENTERED PREACHERS NEEDED! Christ-Centered DEAD OR ALIVE! preaching As a minister of the gospel, Sadly, there is a dearth of preaching in there is no subject that interests our day. Many are the pulpits which me more than the preaching have been severely afflicted and inflicted by this terminal disease. We do not lack from the editor 3 of God’s Word. I am not just “preachers” capable of giving interesting interested in a “fanciful” talks, moral advice or motivational preaching christ from all the scriptures Dennis E. Johnson 5 manner, but I am captivated speeches. There are plenty of those 12 brothers, train up the next generation Mike Bullmore by this subject because it sums around – everywhere you turn! But pointing to chris: ezra 7:1-10 Bryan D. Estelle 16 up God’s call upon my life this faithful, Christ-centered preachers! Oh, no! Those are scarce! Only a few of them the importance of preaching Robert Godfrey 20 side of heaven. are still standing! I think the sign below outsourcing our job description? W Michael Horton 22 needs to be hang on just about every But it’s not just preaching in general 28 church door today. him we proclaim Massimo Lorenzini that interests me. Rather it is Christ congregational details 32 who is to be the Grand Theme and William Still in his book entitled, The Subject of all faithful preaching! I am Work of the Pastor writes: ”…If the hope not only called to preach. I am called to of the world is Christ, it is Christ in all “preach Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. the Scriptures, and that hope can only 1:23). ”…We do not preach ourselves, be fulfilled by men pouring out the riches but Jesus Christ as Lord…” 2 Cor. 4:5). of Christ’s saving grace upon the Lord’s All true preaching is Christ-centered, people through the Scriptures” (p. 93). and all Christ-centered preaching is true preaching. There are no two ways Why then is there such a dearth of about it! Those who are committed to faithful, Christ-centered preaching in our the faithful exposition of Scripture will day? Well, that’s a very good question. necessarily preach Christ because all of Many reasons can be given as to why this ISSUE the Scriptures testify about Him (Luke is the case. But one thing is for certain, 24:25-27,44-48; John 5:39). 161 there has been a great loss of confidence

2 3 FAITHFUL, CHRIST-CENTERED PREACHERS NEEDED! DEAD OR ALIVE! featured article

Preaching Christ from in Scriptures among both preachers and Secondly, pray for your pastors that by hearers as Alistair Begg points out in his God’s grace and the working of God’s All the Scriptures book, Preaching for God’s Glory (pages Holy Spirit they may be kept faithful and 18-19): true to their calling. In my view, that by Dennis E. Johnson, Ph.D. The absence of expository preaching is the best way to keep your ministers is directly related to an erosion of accountable before God and their confidence in the authority of and congregations. sufficiency of Scripture. At the beginning of the nineteenth the battle Thirdly, pray for me also that whenever lines were drawn against the forces of I open my mouth, words may be given Should we preach Christ WHY PREACH CHRIST FROM ALL liberalism. Liberals were challenging me so that I will fearlessly make known every time we enter the pulpit, THE SCRIPTURES? the miraculous, questioning the divine, the mystery of the gospel…that I may whether our text is in Mark or Why must we preach Christ from all the and opposing the historicity of the New proclaim it clearly and boldly, as I should Romans, Judges or Proverbs Testament documents. Evangelicals (see Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 4:3-4). Scriptures? First, Jesus taught his disciples weathered that storm, and empty or Nahum? Doesn’t such a that the whole Old Testament testifies to liberal churches testify to the futility of Thank you! focus run the risk of twisting him. Teaching them after his resurrection, the liberal quest for a demythologized the meaning of individual Jesus said that all three sections of the Christ. But today the battle is more passages, or of homogenizing Hebrew canon—the Law of Moses, the subtle. The Scriptures are neglected the Bible’s rich diversity into a Prophets (including the history in the and debased and are used only as a books of Samuel and Kings, as well as single and repetitive theme? springboard for all kinds of “talks” later prophets’ preaching, indictments and that are far removed from genuine predictions), and the Writings (with the These are honest reservations. Let me biblical exposition…There is little, if Psalms at their head)—foretold his death, respond by addressing two issues: (a) why any, sense of either the preacher or the resurrection, ascension, outpouring of the every Christian preacher—and especially congregation bowing under the majestic Spirit, and forgiveness to believers of all those of us who embrace Reformed authority of God’s written Word. nations (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47; see John covenant theology—must show our hearers 5:46). how every text connects to Christ, the I couldn’t agree more! Let me end by mediator of the new covenant; and then asking you to do three things in light of The way that the inspired authors of the (b) how we can preach Christ from every what I have shared here: New Testament interpret Old Testament passage in the Old and New Testaments, passages shows that they took very and do so with integrity that displays both First, pray with me that the Lord will seriously Jesus’ insistence that the ancient the uniqueness of each text and its proper raise up a new generation of preachers Scriptures given to Israel were all about place in the biblical tapestry that displays who will not be afraid or ashamed to himself. In 1 Corinthians 10, for example, the glory and grace of God in Jesus his Son. preach the “whole counsel of God” and Paul rehearses the sad history of Israel’s point people to the Lord Jesus Christ in idolatry and immorality in the wilderness, every sermon. despite the fact that God had rescued them

4 5 Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures

miraculously through the Red Sea, guided Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). From his the transformation of lives. We are well us to the purifying power of his Holy Spirit, them gloriously by the cloud of his glory, imprisonment in Rome he summed up not aware that the forgiveness can take place by which we begin to “walk in newness of and nourished them with manna given by only his own but also other Christians’ only on the basis of Christ’s innocent life,” finding our pleasure now in becoming his Spirit and water gushing from the Rock. message as “preaching Christ” (Phil. 1:15- sacrifice on the cross, his bearing the pleasing to our Redeemer, reflecting his Israel’s destruction for such treachery was 18). He told the Colossian believers about penalty that God’s righteous wrath rightly purity and love (Rom. 6:1-14). Just as “written down for our instruction, on whom his privileged responsibility to make God’s imposes for our covenant treachery. But Moses’ face “absorbed” and then reflected the end of the ages has come” (1 Cor. 10:11). word fully known, unveiling the mystery it is equally true that it is only through God’s splendor from his audience with And those events were written not simply that God had kept hidden for centuries, Christ—his substitutionary death, his the Creator on Mount Sinai, so our hearts to be sober warning examples (though that Christ was now, at last, revealing mighty resurrection, his life-imparting Holy are changed to display the beauty of his they were that); but also because salvation his glory among the Gentiles. Christ was Spirit—that our corrupt and crooked hearts holiness as we all, with unveiled faces, through the sea by the cloud of God’s the one whom Paul proclaimed in his can be changed, rescued from God-defying behold the glory of Christ through the presence was a preview of the salvation exhortation and his teaching, since his aim and self-destructive appetites and set on preaching of the good news of his grace symbolized in Christian baptism (10:2), was to present everyone perfect in Christ a course toward God-glorifying love and (2 Cor. 3:18). Paul sums up the message and because the Rock that bore the blow (Col. 1:24-28). Paul could also assert that purity. by which believers remove the corrupt of God’s rod (which Israelites deserved) in his extended ministry in Ephesus he passions and practices they inherited as and released life-giving water was actually had presented the whole counsel of God, God’s law, of course, reveals his own holy fallen children of fallen Adam and clothe a signal that pointed to Christ himself everything that would benefit his listeners character and discloses the standards themselves, instead, with the renewed (10:4). Peter also insists that the message spiritually (Acts 20:20, 27); and no doubt by which he assesses our hearts and our image of God “in true righteousness delivered by the ancient prophets was not such comprehensive instruction was his conduct as the creatures uniquely made and holiness” in the concise expression: so much to serve their own generation, but goal wherever time and God’s providence in his image. It is, as Paul says, “holy and “learning Christ” (Eph. 4:17-24). rather to serve Peter’s Christian readers, permitted. How can we reconcile Paul’s righteous and good” (Rom. 7:12). But the who have heard the good news preached claim to preach nothing but Jesus, on the law—as divine commandment—cannot HOW TO PREACH CHRIST FROM ALL in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. one hand, and his claim to teach God’s impart spiritual life to those who are dead THE SCRIPTURES 1:12). This is because the Spirit of Christ whole counsel, on the other? Paul knew in trespasses and sins (Gal. 3:21). It cannot who spoke through the prophets was that preaching Christ would meet every empower the obedience that it enjoins, or How can we preach Christ, while treating predicting “the sufferings of Christ and need of any human heart because in Christ evoke the heartfelt motive of grateful love every passage faithfully, doing justice the subsequent glories” (1:11). Both the “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and that is its central demand (Matt. 22:37-40). to its unique message and mission? The historical experiences and the prophetic knowledge” (Col. 2:3). Likewise today, for It suffers from being “weakened” by the simple (though not always easy) answer is words that God gave to Israel long ago focus our congregants to hear Christ preached flesh, the fallen human nature that we have context. We must read and preach every forward on the arrival of the Redeemer in all his richness of glory and grace is for inherited from our first ancestor, Adam text in its appropriate contexts: not only who would arrive in the fullness of time to them to receive all that they need to live (Rom. 8:1-4). the paragraph around it, not only the book defeat Satan, sin, and death (Gen. 3:15). and thrive before the face of God. in which it appears and the era in which it Only Christ’s death for us—and therefore was given, but also the flow of redemptive Second, Paul summed up the gospel that Third, only through Christ—not through our death with Christ—can shatter the history, moving from God’s original he preached as “proclaiming Christ.” He the Bible’s commands or examples isolated tyrannous grip of sin on our hearts. Only covenant with humanity in Adam to his reminded the Corinthians of his resolve from him—can our listeners receive not Christ’s resurrection for us—and therefore gracious covenant with his special people to preach nothing to them except Jesus only the forgiveness of their sins, but also our resurrection with Christ—can introduce in Christ.

6 7 Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures

The Westminster Confession of Faith Hosea 6:7). But our Confession is correct Old Testament passage (or New Testament, every passage in the Bible in light of its rightly observes that God voluntarily to see in Genesis 1-2 all the essential for that matter) in its appropriate historical context…its covenant context. condescended to bridge the infinite gap components that would appear in later context means approaching it in terms of that sets him apart from his creatures, covenants: interpersonal commitment, its location in this series of covenants that Jesus is the Lord who came to keep all engaging his human image-bearers “by commandments, and consequences. In structure the Lord’s relationship with his God’s covenant promises. Jesus also became way of covenant” (7.1). Moreover, since speaking of the consequences that would people from the dawn of history, through human to fulfill the obligations of the the Fall, when sin disrupted that original ensue if Adam ate from the forbidden tree the eras of the Patriarchs, the Law, Israel’s covenant servant—to offer the obedience relationship, there has been “one and the (Gen. 2:16-17), God implicitly promised life in the land, exile and return. By means that we have not, to endure the curse that same” covenant of grace, though it has been Adam that perfect, personal, perpetual of these successive covenants God was we deserve, to transform us into the image “differently administered in the time of obedience would be rewarded with eternal, keeping his primeval promise to separate of his faithfulness. Keeping the covenant law, and in the time of the gospel” (7.5-7.6). abundant life (WCF 7.2). But Adam failed; his people from Satan’s minions and to “template” in mind—Lord and servant, Since the Bible is God’s own word defining and because he acted for us, his failure is protect them from Satan’s assaults. Yet promises and commands—gives us a that covenant bond and chronicling its ours too (Rom. 5:12-21). But his and our Israel’s separation (holiness) was always framework for approaching every text in history, this divine-human covenant is the utter destruction did not immediately incomplete and Israel’s rescues were always the Bible and tracing the trail that leads most significant context in which we should ensue. After Adam squandered his short-lived, falling short of the richness of from it to our Savior. Wherever in the read and preach any passage, whether opportunity, God’s curse on the tempter God’s promises. So God kept his people’s Scriptures we see God at work as Lord of in Old Testament or New. These two who lured our first parents into foolish appetites whetted, their hearts athirst, for the covenant—creating, regulating, ruling, main sections of our Bibles, Old and New rebellion implicitly promised that Eve’s the final redemption to be achieved by the rescuing (and, yes, judging too)—, we recall Testaments, reflect the way key Scriptures descendant would someday crush the final Redeemer to come. that Jesus is the full and final revelation of (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-13; 2 Cor. 3:5-18) power of the Evil One (Gen. 3:15). A new the triune God, who executes the Father’s speak of God’s “old covenant” with Israel, covenant, grounded in undeserved divine Jesus is that Redeemer, the mediator of the purposes in creation and redemption in ministered by Moses, and God’s “new grace, replaces the covenant that Adam new covenant (WCF 8.1)—the full flowering history and acts in our experience through covenant” instituted by Jesus himself (Luke breached. God would intervene (“I will put of the covenant of grace (Heb. 9:15; 12:24). the Spirit whom he has sent. Wherever 22:20). enmity”), and he would do so through a He fulfills, in his divine-human Person and the biblical text shows us human beings man, the uniquely-worthy “offspring” of by his redemptive mission, both the Lord’s functioning as covenant servants—whether Biblical covenants unite two parties—God the woman who would in due time bruise freely-promised covenant commitments and in faithfulness or in utter failure, or some the Lord, and his servant-people—in a bond Satan’s head. Later covenants that bear the the servant’s obligations to wholehearted mixture of the two—, they are reflections of exclusive love and loyalty. This bond is “covenant” label—with Noah and earth’s trust and allegiance. The whole Bible is that direct our hearts’ gaze to Christ, the sovereignly initiated and imposed by the creatures after the flood, with Abraham, structured by covenant because the whole Servant of the Lord par excellence. To the Lord. He sets the terms and conditions, with Israel through Moses, with David—are of human history is structured by covenant, extent that other servants of the Lord trust which are not open to negotiation by his all outworkings, expressions, steps forward and Jesus is the complete covenant-keeper and obey and enjoy God’s blessing (for human servant. The covenant is secured in this covenant of grace, leading to its both from the Godward side (as faithful instance, David approaching Goliath “in by the Lord’s promises and structured by fulfillment in the new covenant promised in covenant Lord) and from the man-ward side the name of the Lord,” 1 Sam. 17:25; Ps. his commands. Moses does not apply the Jeremiah 31:31-34. (as faithful covenant servant). This complex 118:26; Matt. 21:9), they preview Christ’s term “covenant” to God’s initial relationship of truths has tremendous implications for flawless obedience and resurrection victory. to humanity in Adam at creation (but see This means that reading and preaching any how we interpret and how we proclaim When they suffer in spite of their integrity

8 9 Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures

(for instance, Ps. 69:7-13; John 2:17-22), righteous rule over his people, defending through them (often in spirte of themselves) This threefold perspective on Christ’s their sorrows foreshadow Christ’s cross. them from foreign aggression, from and that Christ would fulfill in person work helps us discern how Scripture’s When they fall short (as they always do domestic injustice, and from individual at his incarnation. Our Confession and diverse texts and types of literature are eventually: recall David’s sins against insubordination. Priests served in God’s Catechisms express the teaching of God’s connected ultimately to him. The wisdom Bathsheba and her husband Uriah), they holy presence on others’ behalf, offering Word with striking clarity and fidelity of Israel’s sages relates to the king’s royal show that there is only one utterly loyal prayer and sacrifice in worship. when they show how Christ, the complete responsibility of righteous judgment. In Servant of the Lord, and he alone is our and final Mediator, fulfilled all three Christ all God’s treasures of wisdom are hope. His substitutionary suffering absorbs Before sin entered the picture, Adam and offices to perfection: “Our Mediator was found (Col. 2:3). The songs of Israel’s our covenant curse (Gal. 3:10, 13). His Eve, God’s image-bearers, fulfilled all these called Christ, because he was anointed psalmist relate to the priest’s privilege obedient life secures our covenant blessing functions faithfully. As prophets, they were with the Holy Ghost above measure; and in worship. Christ’s sacrificial death (2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). His almighty Spirit to hear God’s word, respond to it faithfully, so set apart, and fully furnished with all makes us fit for God’s holy presence, and is reconfiguring our hearts’ desires and and convey it to each other in knowledge. authority and ability, to execute the offices our risen Savior speaks God’s name in hands’ actions, making us faithful servants As kings, they had “dominion over the of prophet, priest, and king of his church, our midst (Heb. 2:12). Wherever we turn in his image (Rom. 8:3-4, 29; Eph. 4:24; Col. creatures” and were to exercise it with in the estate both of his humiliation and in God’s word, we meet the Lord and 3:10). wisdom and integrity. As priests, although exaltation” (WLC 42; see 43-45; WSC 23- Servant of God’s covenant, the prophet in the absence of sin atoning sacrifice was 26; WCF 8.1). The opening of the Epistle who brings knowledge, the king who works The Holy Spirit’s agenda to conform us unnecessary, they were to guard God’s to the Hebrews (1:1-4) introduces the righteousness, the priest who worships to the image of Christ suggests another garden-temple from any invader who would threefold office of our Redeemer: he is the in holiness. So on every page we meet approach that helps us discover how the defile its holiness. But when sin entered Son in whom God has “spoken” in these last our Christ, and from every page we can Bible’s every passage points to Jesus. the picture, our first parents failed utterly days (prophet), the king who upholds the proclaim his glory and his grace. Our Westminster Larger and Shorter as prophets (believing and speaking lies), universe and sits at God’s right hand, and Catechisms rightly incorporate wording kings (defying God and obeying a creature), the priest who has “made purification for from Eph. 4:24 and Col. 3:10 to explain and priests (hiding the shame of their sins.” Although Christ’s priestly mission is what it means to affirm that humanity is unholiness, and then expelled from God’s the central point of this great epistle (8:1), The Rev. Dennis E. Johnson is Professor of created in the image of God: “God created presence). the epistle also explores his roles as God’s Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary man male and female, after his own image, spokesman (2:1-4; 3:1-4:13) and his people’s California and associate pastor of New Life in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, Through the rest of the Old Testament God ruler and defender (2:5-9, 14-16; 7:1-2). Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Escondido, California. He is the author of Him We with dominion over the creatures” (WSC would call out and give to Israel special Often elsewhere in the New Testament Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the 10; see WLC 17). The three attributes— agents of knowledge/truth (prophets), of we are urged to discover the complex and Scriptures (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2007), in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness— righteous authority (kings), and of holy complete sufficiency of Christ’s saving work which he applies the interpretive paradigms worship (priests). No prophet, no king (or align closely to the distinctive mission through the complementary perspectives presented in this article (covenant Lord and of each of the three mediatorial offices— judge, or sage—roles related to royalty), no of his ministry of truth and knowledge Servant; prophet/priest/king) to a variety of prophet, king, and priest—by which God priest in Israel fulfilled his office flawlessly, (prophet); his ministry of wisdom, warfare, Old and New Testament texts and genres. administered his covenant relationship of course. But through each of them, both and righteous rule (king); and his ministry to ancient Israel. Prophets spoke God’s in their faithfulness and in their failures, of intercession, sacrifice, and sanctification Word, conveying knowledge of the covenant God was foreshadowing the multifaceted (priest). Lord to his people. Kings executed God’s ministry that Christ himself was fulfilling

10 11 featured article So let me say it again. Essential to our Brothers, Train Up faithfulness in gospel the Next Generation ministry is this investment in a succeeding generation

by Mike Bullmore of gospel ministers.

I find there is a persistent passion for, the future, especially if that Disciple Faithful Men So let me say it again. Essential to our temptation in my life and future is beyond our sight. It is easy for faithfulness in gospel ministry is this ministry. It is the temptation me to be passionate about my children’s Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:14, “Guard the investment in a succeeding generation of well-being. And it is easy to extend that good deposit entrusted to you.” Then, a gospel ministers. to just finish my own race passion to their children. But for how few verses later, picking up some of that faithfully. “What’s wrong with many generations out can you maintain same language, he tells Timothy, as part Beware Hezekiah Syndrome that?” you ask. that passion? For me it’s hard to go much of his “guarding,” to “entrust to faithful beyond three generations without falling men” what has been entrusted to him, I believe the greatest challenge to this It actually sounds fairly biblical, almost into abstraction. and part of that “entrusting” is teaching is what we might call the “my lifetime” Pauline. “I just want to finish the race. I them to pass the same thing on to others tendency, a tendency we see exemplified don’t want to be disqualified. I want to be I share that simply to illustrate (2 Timothy 2:2). in a certain Old Testament Israelite found faithful to the end.” Which is well that there is a difficulty, even in our king. Perhaps you remember the story. and good, except if the understanding understanding of something as good as Paul is telling Timothy that an essential Hezekiah is king of Judah. Sennacherib, of faithfulness to the gospel is limited gospel faithfulness, in holding the future part of faithful gospel ministry is this the king of Assyrian, comes to attack. to and concerned only with my allotted clearly and rightly in our minds. This investment in the next generation. It is Hezekiah, with Isaiah’s help, prays three score years and ten, or if by reason can contribute to a tendency to define not some optional add-on. In other words, and prevails. Hezekiah gets sick and is of strength, four score. I don’t know faithfulness to the gospel too much in when Paul tells Timothy to “guard” the instructed by Isaiah to get his house in about you, but with the challenges and terms of our own tenure. gospel, he is not just calling Timothy to order. Hezekiah cries out to God and is weight of pastoral ministry, sometimes I protect the integrity of the gospel from granted fifteen more years. Upon hearing can be reduced to “Lord, just help me to Let me state my point positively: the effects of false teaching. He is also of this, the king of Babylon sends envoys, be faithful to the end.” Necessary to our faithful gospel ministry calling Timothy to fight to preserve the ostensibly to congratulate Hezekiah on is an investment in the gospel ministry continuation of the gospel against the his recovery. Hezekiah in his dim-witted And on the flipside of that temptation that will come after ours. I see this laid effects of erosion over time, even beyond pride shows off the national treasures. is the simple fact that it is very hard to out in the first two chapters of 2 Timothy. Timothy’s time. The envoys return to Babylon. Isaiah be passionate about, and to maintain asks for a report of their visit. Hezekiah

12 13 Brothers, Train Up the Next Generation Brothers, Train Up the Next Generation

“...pray very specifically for God to raise up the next same thing but looking out into the Invest in the Next Gospel generation of gospel ministers. Pray for your replacement, but future. “How will it go with the cause? Generation And what can I do to fuel this cause into pray also for more than that. Pray with an eye, and a heart, the future?” What will this look like? Let me suggest toward the future and the continuing success of the gospel in four possibilities. First, devote yourself the world, until Christ comes.” Let us not be content to simply say, “As to faithful gospel ministry, especially long as all is well in my lifetime.” the ministry of the word. The best way to train men to faithfully preach the tells Isaiah what he did. In response, Avoid Temporal Cultivate Far-Seeing Vision gospel is to faithfully preach the gospel. Isaiah predicts the coming Babylonian Shortsightedness William Perkins wrote, “So, let every captivity. Then this. In contrast to Hezekiah’s myopia, we see minister both in his teaching and in his Richard Baxter brings a wonderful Paul’s far-seeing vision, and it becomes conversation work in such a way that he Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, “The way of addressing this in his book The especially poignant in view of Paul’s honors his calling, so that he may attract word of the Lord that you have spoken Reformed Pastor. He writes, “If you imminent departure. Remember this is others to share his love for it.” is good.” For he thought, “There will be will glorify God in your lives, you must the same letter in which he says, “The peace and security in my lifetime.” be chiefly intent upon the public good, time of my departure is at hand.” Second, pay attention to the young men and the spreading of the gospel through of various ages in your congregation. What makes this account even more the world.” The alternative, according So now he’s asking Timothy to think Notice how they receive your preaching. compelling and sobering as a warning to Baxter, was “a private, narrow soul a certain way about gospel ministry. Notice how they process your preaching. to us is the fact that Hezekiah was always taken up about itself that sees And he’s asking Timothy to train the Notice any deepening affections for God extremely influential in reforming not how things go in the world. Its next generation to think this way about and his word. Keep your eyes open. the spiritual life of Judah: cleansing desires and prayers and endeavors go no gospel ministry. And God is asking us the temple; restoring temple worship; further than they can see or travel.” to think this way about gospel ministry. Third, create contexts for the young men reinstating Passover; reorganizing Necessary to faithful gospel ministry is who catch your eye to practice and grow the priesthood. See the account in 2 Baxter is talking about the possibility an investment in the next generation of in their handling of the word. Chronicles. He made an impressive of a geographical shortsightedness, but gospel ministers. contribution along very important lines. we might also be guilty of a temporal Fourth, and this must not go unsaid, shortsightedness. That was Hezekiah’s This should translate into very concrete pray very specifically for God to raise up But then there is this episode late in his case. realities in our weekly lives. This is the next generation of gospel ministers. life which betrays both his pride and his a responsibility the church shares Pray for your replacement, but pray also myopia. Despite all his zeal, there was, Baxter called his readers to just the corporately, but it will require of you a for more than that. Pray with an eye, apparently, an absence of zeal for what opposite — a largeness of soul that very definite investment of time, energy and a heart, toward the future and the happened after he passed off the scene. “beholds all the earth and desires to and purpose. continuing success of the gospel in the know how it goes with the cause and world, until Christ comes. with the servants of the Lord.” Paul’s words in 2 Timothy call us to the very

14 15 featured article

Pointing to Christ: “You know that Ezra was only a man. He was sinful. Yet, there was another man, not a mere man, that Ezra’s life and Ezra 7:1-10 theology ultimately point forward to. He is Christ.”

by Bryan D. Estelle he must do it with all his energy, and As one British scholar has so adroitly the congregation must encourage him commented, “With study, conduct and to do it. In short, the minister is called teaching put deliberately in this right to be a student of Holy Scripture, a man order, each of these was able to function “Now Ezra had prepared his to the ultimate teacher of God’s people: principally of one book. properly at its best: study was saved heart to study the law of the Jesus Christ. from unreality, conduct from uncertainty, Secondly, notice that the minister is and teaching from insincerity and Lord, to do it, and to teaching Ezra’s Instruction to practice God’s law. Ezra didn’t hold shallowness.” (1) statute and ordinance in the great and sublime verities of God’s Israel” (v. 10) The subject of the genealogy in Ezra truth suspended in his mind with no Ezra’s Eschatology 7:1-5 is picked up in verse 6 with “this consequences bearing upon his own soul. I find myself turning to Ezra 7 again and Ezra.” The text goes on to say that No, he practiced what he studied. He We began by focusing upon the life and again. The treasure and influence of a he “came up from Babylon. He was a allowed his own conscience to be smitten instruction of Ezra. Having examined very godly man is set before us in the life teacher well versed in the Law of Moses.” before he was willing to let the life- this, I’d like briefly to stand back and of Ezra. During the restoration of Israel The real emphasis of the Semitic word, changing Word haunt the souls of those look at the context with respect to the from her Babylonian exile (586 B.C.), he “well versed,” here in this context is to be over whom he was given charge. What he book as a whole. played a crucial role. Yet for all his virtue skilled, which includes both an element studied would become incumbent upon Ezra was but a sinful man. Thanks be to of speed and knowledge. him to apply it to his own life before he If you read through the book of Ezra, you God that Ezra points to another teacher. applied it to others. may notice a lot of concentration on legal There are three things I want you to precision and conscription (e.g., Ezra 3 & Ezra’s life directs our gaze to Christ. He take note of in verse 10: Ezra studied Since Ezra had studied the law of God 10). However, this was not an end in and is what we would call a type of Christ. the law of God; Ezra practiced the law of and practiced it himself, he was ready of itself. Rather, there is here a second- Types in Scripture demonstrate that God; and finally, Ezra taught the law of to teach its statutes and ordinances to exodus motif working towards cleansing Old Testament events, individuals, and God. First, one must study! Ezra needed others. This is the third element that the land and the temple. Let me explain. institutions (the types) often looked to know what the Word said, what it this verse prioritizes: teaching. By beyond themselves for their ultimate taught, and what principles it stated. keeping this right order (when called During this period in Israel’s history, fulfillment and interpretation in the for) the minister saves himself and Judah had been banished from the antitypes (i.e., the things they pointed First, Ezra needed to know God’s word. others from error and injury. Here in Promised Land and lived in exile forward to). In other words, the Old This is also the minister’s first great the Old Testament—in Ezra’s work under foreign rule. The prophets often Testament types prefigured in shadowy task. It will not be an easy one in the and ministry—is an order for ministers borrowed the language and imagery form things to come. For example, Ezra midst of all the pressures of ministry. to follow: first study, then observance from the first exodus (Ex 14-15) and is a type—his teachings pointed forward Nevertheless, the minister must do it, (i.e., practice), followed by teaching. spoke of a future exodus (e.g., Isa 40:3-5;

16 17 pointing to christ: ezra 7:1-10 pointing to christ: ezra 7:1-10

43:14-21; 55:12-13; Jer 50:33-38 etc…). Furthermore, if you take a close look forward-looking nature of God’s plan. In our probation keeper. May God grant They declared that God would lead the at the prayers in the book of Ezra (e.g., other words, the Scriptures look forward to all ministers in our Churches the Israelites out of bondage again, this Ezra 9:8), you will notice, in the midst of to another place, another time, and grace to constantly lay hold of that time from the captivity of Babylon. As reflections on the past, another forward- especially another man. alien righteousness, which Ezra merely a result, when Ezra comes on the scene looking emphasis. The time references shadows and points forward to, which and leads Judah’s restoration in the (e.g., God gives a “little relief” in our You know that Ezra was only a man. He alone can cover all of their deficits and Promised Land, we realize that we have bondage) shows that relief has not come was sinful. Yet, there was another man, demerits. a partial fulfillment of those prophetic in its fullness. It’s only temporary. In not a mere man, that Ezra’s life and expectations. addition, the reference to a “a secure theology ultimately point forward to. He May God grant ministers this grace so place,” (literally “a tent peg”) is meant is Christ. This Christ is a man unlike that they may proclaim with the apostle The purpose of Ezra’s teaching, however, to connote a firm anchor of stability for the Pharisees. This is one, who when he Paul, “We proclaim him, admonishing was not merely to reestablish the the community; however, the notion also taught, caused the people to marvel at and teaching everyone with all wisdom, theocracy in Judah after returning from alludes to something that is transient his teaching and say, “Here is one who so that we may present everyone perfect Babylon as some historians argue. The since it probably refers to the nomadic teaches with authority, not like the other in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling book’s emphasis is not on suppressing practice of staking a tent. There is no Scribes and Pharisees.” with all his energy, which so powerfully the previously mentioned prophetic final satisfaction here that these Israelite works in me” (Col 1:28, NIV). hopes. In fact a close reading of the text travelers have indeed arrived at their Surely here was a teacher who practiced demonstrates that Ezra does not simply final destination, for this rebuilt temple what he preached. Surely here was a Dr. Bryan Estelle is Professor of Old look back to the glory of Solomon’s is not the final temple. Rather, there is preacher who never laid upon people’s Testament at Westminster Seminary in kingdom but also points forward. in the book of Ezra the recognition that conscience an untimely spoken word. California, USA. believers are aliens and strangers here Here was a teacher who spoke only truth Footnotes For example, observe the edict in Ezra on earth: pilgrims pressing towards and never, ever, did a false word issue 1 Derek Kidner, Ezra and Nehemiah: An 7:12 ff. as a starting point. The language a heavenly city “whose architect and forth from his lips. Here was a teacher Introduction and Commentary (TOTC; concerns the house or dwelling of God builder is God” (Heb 11:10). who never failed to practice everything Leicester: IVP, 1979), 62[back to text] which is in Jerusalem. Here is the desire perfectly which he had steeled himself to 2 For a development of this theme and others, for pure and effective worship among Conclusion study in Holy Scripture. see Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, In An Age of the Jewish people over and against Prose: A Literary Approach to Ezra-Nehemiah the worship of foreign gods. There is a Ezra has set forth some fine points for “Who is sufficient for these things?” (SBLMS 36; Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars return to the religion of old; but there is ministers and teachers in the days to we cry out with the Apostle. Not us. Press, 1988).[back to text] First published in something more. For example, holiness come. Only Christ. However, may God grant Evangelium, Vol. 2, Issue 3, May/June 2004 is no longer merely restricted to some to all ministers in our Churches, the special place such as the temple; rather, Ezra has beautifully set the right ability to trust in and depend upon this For more resources on preaching: “Him We holiness is expanded and extends beyond prioritization of duties: first study, then Divine-human teacher, in whom all Proclaim: The Art and Science of Preaching Christ” (a collection of some of our best the temple itself. (2) This anticipates practice, and then—and only then— their shortcomings in their own study, resources on why we preach Christ and how something greater to come (e.g. Jn 4:21; teaching it to others. The book of Ezra practice, and teaching are washed to preach Christ). © Westminster Seminary Eph 2:19-22). also reminds us that he respected the away. Christ is our penalty payer and California All rights reserved

18 19 featured article not always to every sinner directly the Word than that he be “a regular guy.” through the office… For the instruments Some years ago Time magazine reported of the call whether they were persons or the results of a survey that showed that printed books, proceeded from the office.”(1) most Americans wanted a minister who The Importance Preaching stands behind the family and was “open” and “affirming.” The Directory of Preaching friends and small group Bible studies that stresses something quite different: influence so many people today. faithfulness to the Word.

by W. Robert Godfrey One of the central acts of worship is hearing A neglected element of faithfulness the Word preached. Calvin said that where today- often neglected by preachers and the Word is not preached and heard, there congregations- is time. A preacher who is no church. To be the Body of Christ and does not take or have time to study is not to worship God, we need preaching. That is faithful to his calling. A good sermon how important it is. requires time to prepare. John Stott The Westminster Directory of Publick Still, preaching is God’s appointed means in his book for preachers, Between Two Worship has a significant section on of communicating the Gospel. Jesus was The Directory underscores the importance Worlds, suggests that the preacher needs the preaching of the Word. It begins a preacher and so was Paul. Luther and of preaching by discussing the preparation at least twelve hours to prepare a sermon. by stressing the spiritual importance of Calvin gloried in the revival of preaching in of the preacher. He must be “gifted for so Most preachers probably need more time preaching and repeating the words of their day. George Whitefield and Jonathan weighty a service….” Interestingly the gift than that and must insist as part of their Scripture that it is “the power of God unto Edwards and Charles Spurgeon and David that the Directory has in mind are not the pastoral responsibility that they be given salvation” (Romans 1:16). Martyn Lloyd-Jones were great preachers. ones usually thought of today. The first that time. Congregations must not just Do we today still believe that the preaching gift is skill in Greek and Hebrew so that grudgingly grant that time, but must insist of the Gospel is the power of God unto Only in the last forty years or so has the he can read the Scriptures in the original that that preacher take that time. salvation? Do we really believe the centrality of preaching seemed diminished. languages. He must also be gifted in Heidelberg Catechism (question 65): “You Perhaps the weakened state of the church general learning and also particularly in a Preaching is important. It is the power of confess that by faith alone you share in today can be attributed in part to a loss of knowledge of theology and the Scriptures. God unto salvation. It must be valued by Christ and all his blessings; Where does conviction about the spiritual importance of He must have his “senses and heart the Christian community as families value that faith come from? The Holy Spirit preaching. As sermons have gotten shorter exercised” in the Bible. By study and food. Preachers must use the best of their produces it in our hearts by the preaching and evening services have disappeared, prayer he should seek the truth of the Lord time and abilities to nourish their flocks of the holy gospel…”? Christianity seems to have become in the Scriptures and prepare to preach it with the Word of God. Too often we have trouble placing such shallower. publicly to the people of God. a high evaluation on preaching because it does not seem to correspond to our Preaching, however, is foundational The preacher must be mentally and experience. Many Christians today believe even where it does not seem to be so. spiritually prepared. The Directory says Dr. W. Robert Godfrey is President and that they came to faith through the witness The preaching office undergirds and nothing of “psychological” preparation Professor of Church History at Westminster of family or friends or through a small nourishes all the work of the church and which seems to be such a crucial concern Seminary in California, USA. group Bible study. They may have heard of Christians. Abraham Kuyper expressed in some circles today. It was of course relatively poor preaching and find it hard well this point: “And through this office assumed that the preacher would have a Footnote 1. Abraham Kuyper, The Work of the Holy to attribute such importance to preaching the call goes forth from the pulpit, in the Christian character molded by such virtues Spirit, Grand Rapids, Michigan (Eerdmans), in general or in their own spiritual catechetical class, in family, in writing, as love and humility. But it was thought 1966, p. 342 development. and by personal exhortation. However, more important that he know and love

20 21 featured article

Outsourcing Our Job Description? A Plea to Fellow Ministers

by Michael Scott Horton

“Given all the demands on our own circles—have been brought up on dissertation as a web-surfer. You wouldn’t them. Why do some think that it’s fine for my time every day, it’s really charges of “borrowing” sermons verbatim go under the knife of a surgeon who them to do this, especially when—unlike from well-known preachers. I suppose learned medicine from Youtube clips. Why their parishioners—pastors are called to hard to invest a lot of hours in this new service isn’t as bad as outright would you entrust your knowledge of God devote their full time to this work? preparing my sermons.” plagiarism. But what does all of this mean and his truth from someone who didn’t for the ministry? I’ve been asking that actually know how to “rightly handle the The tragedy is that pastors are often I hear this sentiment a lot out there these question as I run into aspiring pastors Word of truth” for himself? overwhelmed even by important things days. It’s expressed in a series of clips who don’t think they need a seminary that are nevertheless subordinate to their for a new service. The ad invites pastors education. After all, there are so many The deeper question is this: What has ministry of the Word and the sacraments. to take advantage of an energetic team on-line resources. Apparently, we’re way become of the pastoral office when many Too often, elders are taken from the of researchers who help do a lot of the beyond that now. who hold it seem to think that they are ranks of leaders in business, industry, legwork for sermon-writing. Explaining too busy to study, pray, read, and deepen and other professions, even if they lack “what we do,” the site offers the following It’s not just that people think they can their own understanding of God’s Word so the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3. Not services: “(1) Research Briefs (stories, teach themselves the languages, the art that they have more to dish out? surprisingly, the church is run like a statistics, quotes, connections to culture, of biblical interpretation and biblical, corporation, with the pastor as the CEO. theological insights, exegetical analysis of systematic, and historical theology, or Do we really believe, as the apostles and Or in other contexts, the pastor is the Scripture)”; (2) book summaries: “content the practical insights from God’s Word in the reformers did, that the church is the young and independent entrepreneur— you need to know but don’t have time how to preach and apply God’s Word. You creatura verbi—”creation of the Word”? more like Mark Zuckerberg than St. to read”; (3) book projects, including can even refer to the Hebrew and Greek That faith comes by hearing the Word of Timothy. He has to keep reinventing “research, editing, and collaboration.” of a passage without ever having actually Christ as it is proclaimed by those who are himself and his ministry and this requires studied the languages. Ironically, we teach sent? That the heart of sanctification is enormous energy. But what really I understand the challenge. There are students to study a passage in the original the renewing of the mind by the Word? matters? many demands on a pastor’s time—even languages without showing their work distractions that are part of the legitimate in the sermon; increasingly, ignorance Pastors would never tell their Amid these obvious extremes there are the calling of a minister. However, are we is being passed off as skill. It’s one congregations to outsource their faithful pastors who are wearied by parts turning to a Wikipedia-style of ministry? thing to Google-search a figure or date; discipleship to others: to pay someone else of their job description that are in fact Some pastors in recent years—even in quite another thing to write a doctoral to pray, read the Bible, and witness for mentioned in Scripture. They may have

22 23 Outsourcing Our Job Description? A Plea to Fellow Ministers Too often, elders are taken from the ranks of leaders in godly elders who rule well and generous that’s a bad illustration, since it’s actually business, industry, and other deacons who look out for the temporal happening today. needs of the sheep. Yet even with such professions, even if they lack blessings it’s difficult to avoid the constant It takes a long time to become a interruptions. craftsman, a skilled expert, and a wise the qualifications in 1 Timothy steward of natural gifts. If pastors expect 3. Not surprisingly, the church What are those “other things” that have Christ’s sheep to “grow in the grace and pastors so busy? Are those other things as knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ,” is run like a corporation, with explicitly mentioned in the job description then are they exempt from first-hand laid out by Christ and his apostles? Or study? Who are these people writing up the pastor as the CEO. Or in are we—even in “gospel-centered” and the quotes, cultural connections, and even “Bible-believing” circles—coming to theological points and exegesis? Are they other contexts, the pastor recast the office in terms more aligned seminary-trained? According to the site to the managerial, entrepreneurial, or I saw, yes—they have Master of Divinity is the young and independent therapeutic styles of leadership that our degrees or more. If so, then why not attend culture prizes? A minister friend recently their church instead of the one where the entrepreneur—more like Mark quipped, “The most embarrassing question heavy-lifting is farmed out? Zuckerberg than St. Timothy. you can ask a group of pastors in our Even after seminary, habits of lifelong circles today is, ‘What’s the latest book study and prayer are essential. Pastors you’ve read?’” are spiritual craftsmen, not the equivalent Isn’t there something a little contradictory of his power. To me, though I am the of busy guys who buy a Home Depot book about shepherds touting the virtues of very least of all the saints, this grace Last week, after explaining my symptoms, to construct their patio. Even the best truth, spiritual maturity, and knowing was given to preach to the Gentiles I asked my doctor about a prescription seminary education can merely equip God through his Word while they the unsearchable riches of Christ, and that I saw advertized. The ad sold me. ministers with tools that they can use and outsource their own study? If a pastor is to bring to light for everyone what Sounded like my symptoms and promised develop in their own ongoing study. too busy to mine Scripture to distribute is the plan of the mystery hidden for to solve them (with the appropriate Christ’s treasures to his people each week, ages in God who created all things, so qualifications at the tail end). My We typically invest our time in things what does that say about the priority of that through the church the manifold doctor said he had prescribed that very that matter to us, things that we’re called “the ministry of the Word and prayer” that wisdom of God might now be made medication many times, but after reading to. And we typically appreciate—and Peter identified as the pastor’s primary known to the rulers and authorities in a ground-breaking report he was taking patronize—those specialists who focus job description (Acts 6:4)? That’s why the heavenly places (Eph 3:7-10). all of his patients off of it. I’m glad he on the quality of their work. Comedians deacons were appointed: to take care of keeps reading. and other entertainers might have other the temporal needs of Christ’s flock. What a calling! people write their material. But if we The prophets actually served those who Imagine your pastor exhorting the farm out our sermons, aren’t we assuming Paul was absorbed in his calling, which he now bring the good news, “in the things congregation next week to stop coming with the world that there is some other defined with laser-sharp focus: that have now been announced to you to church and simply visit websites to story that’s more ultimate than the new Of this gospel I was made a minister through those who preached the good become “self-feeders”? Well, perhaps creation that God is summoning into being according to the gift of God’s grace, news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from by his Word and Spirit? which was given me by the working

24 25 Outsourcing Our Job Description? A Plea to Fellow Ministers

heaven, things into which angels long to He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I look” (1 Pet 1:12). love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, Those who labor in preaching and son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was teaching are especially to be honored grieved because he said to him the third (1 Tim 5:17), though they are also held time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, especially accountable (Jas 3:1). “Until ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I come,” Paul counsels young Timothy, I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my “devote yourself to the public reading of sheep’…And after saying this he said to Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. him, ‘Follow me’” (Jn 21:15-19). Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the To follow the Good Shepherd as his presbytery laid their hands on you” (1 emissaries is to feed his sheep. It’s a Tim 4:14). Don’t get entangled in “civilian calling not to be taken up lightly. If we’re pursuits,” he exhorts. Teach God’s Word going to take it up, we need to prepare for and then “entrust [it] to faithful men who it. And then we need to keep ourselves will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim in his Word and in whatever resources 2:1-4). “Do your best to present yourself to that can help us deepen our own wisdom Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, God as one approved, a worker who has no rather than outsource it to others. Great need to be ashamed, rightly handling the numbers of pastors out there are fulfilling and a light unto my path. word of truth” (v 15). this calling “in season and out of season” Psalm 119:105 today. Nevertheless, there is a troubling Bottom line: “I charge you in the presence proliferation of preachers who are not so of God and of Jesus Christ, who is to much lazy as distracted by expectations— judge the living and the dead, and by either their own or those of others—that his appearing and his kingdom: preach turn the pastor’s study into an office, the word; be ready in season and out building their own ministry rather than of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, serving Christ’s. Here, as always, we all with complete patience and teaching… need to be reminded that Christ is the Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your only head of his church. We didn’t write ministry” (2 Tim 4:1-2, 5). the job description and he knows best what his people—and we ourselves— In his last reported conversation on earth need most. with Peter, Jesus asked solemnly, “‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than Michael Scott Horton is the J. Gresham Machen Professor of Theology and Apologetics at Westminster these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you Seminary California since 1998, Editor-in-Chief of know that I love you.’ He said to him, Modern Reformation magazine, and President and ‘Feed my lambs.’ He said to him a second host of a nationally syndicated radio broadcast in the time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ USA called The White Horse Inn

26 27 book review him we proclaim

Him We Proclaim

by Massimo Lorenzini

In Him We Proclaim, Dennis the Academy is fruitless, so proclamation E. Johnson lays out a very without interpretation in the rootless is thorough case and method for rootless” (14). is to address specific needs people have preaching the Christ from the as defined by the Scripture. Third, the whole Bible. Johnson presents In chapter two, Johnson compares content of what we are to preach is none the reader a model for both three common approaches to preaching: is seeking to make gospel preaching other than Christ. Christ is uniquely 1) Preaching to convert, 2) preaching appealing to theunchurched culture qualified to reveal God to mankind an apostolic hermeneutic and to edify, 3) and preaching to instruct. because the truths of the gospel are and all the Scriptures testify of him, homiletic and applies it to He then suggests a fourth approach counter-intuitive to the unregenerate therefore, all preaching has Christ at preaching Old Testament and that meets the aims of the previous mind. One would have to abandon, or at the center and circumference. Fourth, New Testament texts. three—“the gospel changes everything”: least “hide” the offensive doctrines of the our communication task is warning an approach to evangelistic, edificatory, gospel to maintain a hearing. Biblical (noutheteo) and teaching (didasko). Fifth, Johnson presents a method of redemptive-historical preaching. preaching is inherently counter-cultural there is a price we pay in preaching, interpreting and proclaiming Scripture Preaching must connect with the with its sharp edge of offensive doctrines namely, partaking in the suffering of in a way that demonstrates the unity unchurched, it must aim for change, (total depravity, hell, exclusivity of Christ in our suffering as we struggle of both testaments as bearing witness it must proclaim doctrinal truths but Christ, etc.). Yet gospel preaching with, and toil in preaching Christ. Sixth, the to Jesus Christ. Johnson bemoans the what ties it all together is Christ offered all its offensiveness, is the message that power we rely on is the Spirit of Christ. loss of apostolic proclamation that has to us in the gospel. Both the believer saves. The fact that we rely on the power of resulted from the division of labor among and the unbeliever need to hear the Christ rather than our own leads us to scholars (separating Old Testament preaching of the gospel because not In chapter three, Johnson summarizes prayerful dependence. Seventh, the office studies from New Testament studies) only is justification by faith, but so is Paul’s theology of preaching with we fulfill is that of a steward, called and and the division of scholarship from sanctification (54-55). “[Tim] Keller seven interwoven themes gleaned from answerable to God and gifted by the Holy the church’s task of gospel preaching. insists that the same gospel that Colossians 1:24-2:7. First, the purpose Spirit. Exegesis must not stop short of its introduces people into the family of God of preaching is “to present everyone ultimate aim—proclamation (13). “Just is the power that transforms them as mature in Christ” with Christ as the The rest of the book offers a wealth as interpretation without proclamation in children of God” (59). There is a danger standard of maturity. Second, preaching of information about the history of

28 29 him we proclaim him we proclaim

preaching, how to understand and apply people are spiritually impoverished as diagram of the redemptive-historical This is a very valuable work and one that the apostolic method of interpreting and a result of sitting under a preacher who hermeneutical “map” (231). This I would like to re-read so as to assimilate preaching the Scriptures. Johnson gives majors on one of those three approaches. diagram, with Johnson’s explanation, and apply more thoroughly the principles a great deal of coverage to hermeneutical “The gospel changes everything” gave me a clear picture of how to do presented. I certainly want my preaching approaches to clarify and rightly approach is something I want to adhere redemptive-historical hermeneutics while to be Christ-centered with a balance understand the differences in the various to in my preaching ministry. steering clear of allegory on one extreme of redemptive indicatives and moral approaches. He is sensitive to setting and moralismon the other. For future imperatives that flow from them. his suggested approach, which can be I appreciated that Johnson included sermons I write, I will definitely consult fairly described as redemptive-historical, chapter five “Challenges to Apostolic this diagram and Johnson’s “From Text apart from overly subjective approaches Preaching” where he addressed the to Sermon” outline in the appendix. like allegorical. He also demonstrates concerns and objections to his approach. that a strict grammatical-historical These helped clarify some questions I approach, while valid as a starting point, was having, such as how this approach “GIFT AID – SCOTTISH CONGREGATIONS SUBSCRIPTIONS & RENEWALS FOR APC NEWS does not go far enough as it neglects the can avoid becoming too subjective and The UK tax authorities have asked charities The APC News is published 6 times per year hermeneutical insights to be learned detached from the immediate context to amend the Gift Aid declaration form for beginning with the January/ February issue. from the examples of Jesus and his of Old Testament texts. I do think, those contributors who make offerings to the The cost is £10 per year including postage and is God’s work. The General Treasurer of the considered as a donation. apostles. however, that he should have given Scottish Presbytery, Mr Laurence Mackenzie, more attention to the proper role of the respectfully asks that Congregational I would like to thank everyone who has paid The book includes some helpful grammatical-historical hermeneutic as Treasurers ensure that all contributors have their subscriptions also those who have given signed the new forms and mailed them to him generous donations. However there are still a appendices in putting this Johnson’s a beginning point in studying a text to at the following address: few who have yet to pay their subscriptions. method into practice. Johnson offers ensure that the preacher does not jump 3 Sunnybank Lane, Greetland Therefore, I would like to remind you to please a step-by-step guide to biblical too quickly to how he sees Christ in the Halifax, HX4 8LN. send your subscriptions to the address below at interpretation in sermon preparation passage that he neglects or misreads the your earliest convenience. Thank you. If anyone has any questions, please do contact in the form of a detailed outline. This context. Johnson does address this in Mr. L. Mackenzie at this email address: Clark Walls, Treasurer (APC News) practical tool is followed by two examples chapter seven “Theological Foundations [email protected]. by way of sermon manuscripts he of Apostolic Preaching” and also in his Our ability to continue, financially, as a actually preached. Appendix A: From Text to Sermon. But I denomination is completely dependent on Please send your subscription fee to: fear that Johnson did not give adequate reclaiming the tax you have paid on your I found Johnson’s work extremely explanation and emphasis on the contributions. May the Lord bless you for your Mr. Clark Walls kindness. 2A Stratton Road, Inverness insightful and practical. It is a very grammatical-historical method that some IV2 3XA, Scotland, UK thorough presentation of Christ-centered readers, eager to preach Christ, may slip If you are a UK tax-payer and are not preaching. Chapter one was very into allegory by not seeing the text in its currently contributing through Gift Aid I Telephone: 01463 221597 helpful to me in clarifying the different immediate context. would urge you to prayerfully consider this Email: [email protected] matter; essentially it adds 20% to what emphases in preaching and introduces you give to the work of Christ. A Gift Aid me to one that is a good balance of the I greatly appreciated chapter seven declaration form is available for download on three major approaches (evangelistic, “Theological Foundations of Apostolic our website: www.apchurches.org/gift-aid- scottish-congregations. edifying, instructive). Too often, God’s Preaching,” especially Clowney’s

30 31 CONGREGATIONAL DETAILS

DUNDEE OBAN ABROAD Rev. Donald C Macaskill, BA Rev. Dr. Archibald McPhail 238 Arbroath Road Fernhill, Polvinister Road, NEW WESTMINSTER, CAnada Dundee, DD4 7SB Oban PA34 5TN Rev. Fletcher Matandika Tel Home: 01382 451798 Tel: 01631 567076 #203 – 204 Sixth Street Mobile: 07792 545 243 Email: [email protected] New Westminster, BC Email: [email protected] V3L 3A1 Canada www.apcdundee.org.uk Campbell Street Church Tel/Fax: +1-604-544-5040 www.newwestminsterchapel.org EDINBURGH POOLEWE Rev. John Ross Joint Worship with Free Church, 6 Frogston Grove Inverasdale MODERATOR OF PRESBYTERY Edinburgh, EH10 7AG Rev. John van Eyk Tel: 0131 466 6247 Contact: Kenny MacLean APC Manse, 2 Cameron Gardens Email: [email protected] Dunedin, 42 Strath, Gairloch, Tain, IV19 1NT IV21 2DB Tel: 01862 892199 FORT WILLIAM Tel: 01445 712050 Email: [email protected] Services held jointly with the [email protected] Free Church, High Street CLERK OF PRESBYTERY SKYE AND HARRIS Rev. A N McPhail, MA. MTh Contact: Donald MacNicol, Rev. Dr Wayne Pearce, APC Manse, Polvinister Road 14 Altour Road, Spean Bruach Taibh, 2 Borve, Arnisort, Oban, PA34 5TN Bridge, Inverness-shire, Portree, Skye, IV51 9PS Tel: 01631-567076 PH34 4EZ Tel: 01470 582421 Email: [email protected] Tel: 01397 712405 [email protected] GENERAL TREASURER OF PRESBYTERY INVERNESS STORNOWAY Mr Laurence R. MacKenzie Rev. Dr. John C A Ferguson Interim Moderator 3 Sunnybank Lane Manse: 16 Drummond Road, Rev. Gordon Murray, Greetland, Halifax, Inverness, IV2 4NB APC Manse Saval Road, Lairg, West Yorkshire, HX4 8LN Tel: 01463 223983 IV27 4EH. Tel: 07764 604458 Tel: 01549 402176 [email protected] Kingsview Christian Centre (Church: 07733425498) Balnafettack Road, www.apcstornoway.com PUBLICATIONS TREASURER IV3 8TF Mr. Clark Walls Tel: 01463 716843 TAIN & FEARN 2A Stratton Road, Inverness www.sermonaudio.com/kingsview Rev. John van Eyk IV2 3XA, Scotland, UK APC Manse, 2 Cameron Gardens, Telephone: 01463 221597 KINLOCHBERVIE & LAIRG & ROGART Tain, IV19 1NT Email: [email protected] Rev. Gordon Murray Tel: 01862 892199 Kinlochbervie: Day Care Centre, Email: [email protected] EDITOR OF ‘APC NEWS’ Main Street www.sermonaudio.com/tainfearnapc Rev. Fletcher Matandika #203 – 204 Sixth Street, LAIRG & ROGART WICK & STRATHY New Westminster, BC, V3L 3A1 APC Manse, Saval Road, Rev. Ross Macaskill Canada Lairg, IV27 4EH Tel/Fax: +1-604-544-5040 Tel: 01549 402176 Wick Contact: Mrs Mary Taylor Email: [email protected] Dixonfield, Thurso, KW14 8YN LOCHINVER & STOER & DRUMBEG Tel: 01847 892005 ASSISTANT EDITOR Services held jointly with Rev. Gordon Murray Free Church of Scotland Strathy Contact: Mrs J Jappy APC Manse Saval Road, 113 Strathy Point, Lairg, IV27 4EH. Contacts: Mrs E. MacKenzie, by Thurso, KW14 7RY, Tel: 01549 402176 Church Road, Stoer, Sutherland, Tel: 01641 541316 Church: 07733425498 IV27 4SE

Tel 01571 855279

Mrs I Macauley, Ard Na Mara, Our Scottish Charity No is: Stoer, Sutherland SC 02313 Tel: 01571 855214 APC website address is: www.apchurches.org