The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 288 pages
• Published by: Baker Academic April 1, 2002
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0801022967
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0801022968
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 15.2 ounces

Product Description
The power of an intriguing story can not only captivate an audience, but when presented in a familiar and personal way, can communicate important truths. With this realization, Steven Mathewson offers here a guide to applying careful expository preaching methods to popular Old Testament stories.

Mathewson guides students and preachers through a ten-step process from text selection to sermon delivery. Mathewson then provides sample sermons and interviews of five individuals, including Alice Mathews and Haddon Robinson.

This book contains a number of pedagogical features‹diagrams, figures, and two appendixes. Seminary students, professors, and pastors will appreciate this valuable tool for refining their narrative preaching skills.

Back Cover Copy
"Steve Mathewson has a passion for the Old Testament, a passion for the craft of preaching, and a passion for the art of story. This volume doesn't just call the preacher to greater effectiveness, it helps her or him achieve it." -John Ortberg, pastor, Willow Creek Community Church "The Old Testament houses a wealth of powerful preaching material for those who know how to mine its depths and communicate its truth in an effective, relevant way. Steve Mathewson has provided the serious preacher and teacher of Old Testament narrative literature with an awesome guide on how to communicate the truths from the Old Testament to our contemporary generation." -Tony Evans, president, The Urban Alternative "This is a great book for preachers who want to take seriously our obligation to preach 'the whole counsel of God,' including the wisdom of the Old Testament. . . . [This] book is a great resource for biblical preaching from some of the most challenging and revealing parts of Scripture." -William H. Willimon, Duke Divinity School "Too often our narrative sermons consist of 'telling the story' and then offering 'some practical applications' at the end. . . . Steve Mathewson shows how to discern the specific theological truth of a biblical story and then how to apply it to contemporary life in a penetrating way." -Donald R. Sunukjian, Talbot School of Theology "Blessed is the congregation whose pastor can preach Old Testament narrative without allegorizing or moralizing! If you want to mine the riches of the Old Testament and share that treasure with your people, this book will show you how." -Warren W. Wiersbe, author, The Dynamics of Preaching "Steve Mathewson knows why we don't preach Old Testament narratives; he tells us why we should; and he describes how we can. His method is clear and inviting. He displays the highest standards of biblical scholarship without a hint of smugness." -David Hansen, author, The Art of Pastoring

Reader Reviews
Preachings Book of the Year Several weeks ago in PreachingNow (our weekly e-mail newsletter), we ran a survey asking preachers what they are reading these days. The list was long, but I was surprised to see a particular book show up frequently. When we went back to take a look, we werent surprised any more. In a year when many outstanding titles have been published in preaching, one book jumped to the top of the list as our Preaching Magazine Book of the Year for 2002: The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative, written by Steven D. Mathewson and published by Baker Academic. This is a book by a well-trained pastor who preaches in his own local church Sunday after Sunday. (The author is senior pastor of Dry Creek Bible Church in Belgrade, Montana, as well as an instructor in preaching and Old Testament at Montana Bible College.) In contrast to some books which seem better suited to the classroom than the pulpit, this volume combines outstanding scholarship with a passionate and practical heart for ministry. The book has three major sections. In the first, Mathewson takes you through the hermeneutical task of understanding Old Testament narratives. The second part deals with the homiletical task of moving from exegesis to a sermon that bristles with accuracy, clarity, interest and relevance. The final section offers model sermons from Haddon Robison, Paul Sunukjian, the author and others. In the foreward, Robinson calls Mathewson a thoughtful guide to help us get a handle on the great stories of the Bible. William Willimon calls the book a great resource for biblical preaching from some of the most challenging and revealing parts of Scripture. Tony Evans describes the book as an awesome guide on how to communicate the truth from the Old Testament to our contemporary generation. We are proud to recognize The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative by Steven D. Mathewson as our Preaching Book of the Year. Michael Duduit, Editor Preaching Magazine...