About the Book
There's no question that the Old Testament is foundational for the New Testament church. But foundational or not, it can be difficult for preachers to pin down useful resources for narrative texts within the Old Testament, much less to skillfully preach those passages to their congregations. Benjamin Walton provides the practical insight pastors need. In one volume, he demonstrates both the interpretive and homiletical skills necessary to preach Old Testament narratives well. Walton guides the preacher through selecting a text which is a complete unit of thought; describing the scene in a coherent way; determining the theological message of the text; and carefully crafting a meaningful take-home truth. He doesn't stop with discovering the core message--the majority of the book focuses on delivering the message drawn from these narrative texts.
Walton's approach is not just theoretical. It has been read and tested anonymously by groups of pastors, and their feedback has been incorporated into the book. This valuable resource will help preachers put all the pieces together, have confidence in what they're imparting, and maximize their preaching potential for Old Testament narratives.
About the Author :
Benjamin H. Walton (D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is president of PreachingWorks, an organization dedicated to helping pastors maximize their preaching potential. A former pastor, Walton has taught at several schools including Grand Canyon University, Arizona Christian University, and Talbot School of Theology.
Review :
"As children many of us were raised on wonderful stories from the Old Testament, but it is rare indeed to hear faithful and relevant exposition of those narratives in today's pulpits. Benjamin Walton's volume, Preaching Old Testament Narratives, offers the sort of clear guidance necessary for all who are serious about discovering and delivering the message of the Old Testament to the church in our age. Walton's work guides the preacher through a series of practical steps and clear illustrations designed to result in messages that are rooted deeply in stories of old while turning toward the Christ who makes all things new. I recommend it highly."--James Hiles, Dean "College of Theology, Grand Canyon University" (6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM)
"Ben Walton honors the Old Testament's narratives by resisting the reductionist tendency to strip them down to bottom-line principles that will rarely do justice to the divinely inspired text. Preaching Old Testament Narratives is a wise, well-conceived book that is very accessible and overflows with practical instruction. Those who take to heart and practice the rubrics and advice provided here will preach the narratives with fresh Spirit-infused, Christ-centered power."--R. Kent Hughes "Visiting Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary" (6/2/2006 12:00:00 AM)
"Everybody loves a story! Perhaps that's why God put so many of them in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. Of course, these stories took place long, long ago in places far, far away. So how do we discover their message and their relevance for modern readers? How do those of us who preach and teach communicate effectively the relevance of these ancient stories to a modern audience? If, like me, you're still thinking through answers to these questions, you need to read Benjamin Walton's Preaching Old Testament Narratives. In this readable, insightful book Walton provides a clear, practical, and well-illustrated guide to discovering the message of the stories and to delivering that message in an accurate, relevant, clear, and inspiring manner. He shows the reader how to select a complete unit of thought, identify its theological and historical contexts, discern its plot, determine its original theological message, and craft its take-home truth. From there he shows how to construct a sermon that will not only inform listeners, but convince them to 'buy' and live out the take-home truth of the passage. As I read through the book, I found myself thinking: Yes, that makes sense! What a good idea! Why haven't I been doing this? This will really enhance my preaching!"--Robert B. Chisholm, Jr. "Chair and Senior Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary" (6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM)
"I've always believed that God's Word is the greatest storybook of all time. While a comprehensive guide to theology and doctrine, its stories highlight the reality of God's work in human lives in colorful and dramatic ways. But preaching the narratives can often be challenging. Preaching Old Testament Narratives by Ben Walton will be a great guide to anyone who wants the stories of the Old Testament to come to life in their preaching without wavering from the true meaning of the text or over-spiritualizing the narrative. All of us who love telling the stories of Scripture will be grateful for Walton's contribution."--Joe Stowell "President, Cornerstone University" (6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM)
"In Preaching Old Testament Narratives, Ben Walton provides a clear, helpful, and thoughtful approach to preaching from this important genre. The book is well designed, enabling the experienced or novice preacher a clear path toward biblical preaching."--Scott M. Gibson "Haddon W. Robinson Professor of Preaching and Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Theologic" (6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM)
"In his encounter with an Ethiopian court official who was reading a passage from the scroll of Isaiah, Philip began at that passage and proclaimed Jesus to the official (Acts 8: 26-35). All who teach and proclaim the gospel should be able to do the same with Old Testament narratives. Ben Walton's book will help that to happen. Preaching Old Testament Narratives is unique in approach and practical in design. Examined and tested by groups of pastors prior to publication, the book gives understandable guidance on narrative interpretation and helpful steps on sermon development from text selection to formulation of the take-home truth. Organized in two main parts, Discover the Message and Deliver the Message, Preaching Old Testament Narratives is not just a quality textbook for personal study or for a course of study; it is a complete course in a textbook, and I highly recommend it as a vital resource for those who preach and teach Old Testament narratives."--Jerry N Barlow "Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Work, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary" (6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM)
"Pastors who have been trained to preach based on Pauline texts are often challenged when facing the task of preaching those fascinating stories found in the Old Testament. So pastors will welcome Ben Walton's new book Preaching Old Testament Narratives as a helpful source of exegetical and homiletical insights. Walton walks us through the process, from selecting and analyzing a narrative text to shaping and then delivering such a message. The book is packed with valuable preaching ideas and tools. This volume will be a welcome addition to many a preacher's bookshelf."--Michael Duduit, Dean "College of Christian Studies and Clamp Divinity School, Anderson University" (6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM)
"The narratives of the Old Testament may be at once the easiest and the most demanding passages in the Bible for preachers--easiest, because they are vivid accounts filled with arresting details that easily hold an audience's interest; demanding, because it's difficult to preach them well, in the sense of getting their theological substance right and communicating their relevance effectively. This is where Ben Walton's Preaching Old Testament Narratives can help. Preachers who are intent on doing justice to the stories of the Old Testament will profit greatly from Walton's counsel on how to navigate the exegetical and homiletical challenges these marvelous passages pose."--Duane Litfin "President Emeritus, Wheaton College" (6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM)
Ben Walton has written an excellent guide for Preaching Old Testament Narratives. Well-versed in biblical hermeneutics and homiletics, he offers an insightful, practical, clear, step-by-step method, illustrated with many examples, for preaching Old Testament narratives relevantly. I highly recommend this book to those who wish to preach Old Testament narratives with divine authority.--Sidney Greidanus, Professor of Preaching Emeritus "Calvin Theological Seminary" (5/1/2016 12:00:00 AM)
