The Path to the Pulpit: Four Ancient Questions for Faithful Preaching by Andrew Hébert and Mitchell L. Chase offers a practical framework for sermon preparation that helps pastors and ministers view every Scripture passage from all angles. This book connects to the enduring wisdom and ancient questions in the history of interpretation, in order to show what writers and theologians have asked about Scripture throughout Church History. Preachers will learn to ask four essential questions of each text:
- What does it say?
- How does it connect to the gospel and exalt Christ?
- How does it shape me as a disciple?
- How does it stir hope for the future?
By exploring these questions, ministers can uncover the historical richness of each passage, relate it to God's redemptive work, apply it clearly to listeners' lives, and guide their congregation toward hope rooted in Christ's promises.
About the Author :
Andrew C. Hébert (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the lead pastor of Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, Texas.
Mitchell L. Chase (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor of biblical studies at THe Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Review :
"A fresh book on preaching is rare, but that's what Hébert and Chase have given us! Here, historical hermeneutics meets modern homiletics. It is refreshing to learn from the great preachers of the past and challenging to incorporate their wisdom in the present. The approach is new, the concept creative, and the application bold!"
--Brian J. Arnold, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Paducah, Kentucky
"The act of preaching is profoundly trinitarian, for it is an activity that involves leading sinners to God the Father, through Christ, by the Spirit. To execute this sacred task well, the preacher must experientially know the triune God, as well as his own heart, the sheep in his flock, and the Word of God. With the burden of this high calling much upon their minds, Drs. Hébert and Chase provide concrete and actionable directions for expounding Scripture, finding Christ in Scripture, applying Scripture, and growing in hope through Scripture. Drawing from the deep wells of church history, the authors provide a rich and detailed account of the Christian homiletical tradition throughout the centuries and show how the well-crafted sermon is grounded in both hermeneutics and experiential piety. This manual is a significant contribution to the field of homiletics."
--Joel R. Beeke, Chancellor of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; pastor, Heritage Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan
"Andrew Hébert and Mitchell Chase provide church leaders with a practical guide on how to preach faithful sermons using timeless principles. The Path to the Pulpit is a gift to every preacher who longs to handle God's Word with both historical accuracy and modern relevancy. Their four guiding questions capture the essence of faithful exposition by leading readers along the ancient yet relevant path from the study to the pulpit. This book will strengthen the preacher's craft while simultaneously developing the preacher's soul."
--Daniel Dickard, senior pastor of Shandon Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina
"Why another book on preaching? Hébert and Chase provide us with a compelling example. They achieve the singular balance of a fresh vocabulary for shopworn homiletical terms and place these within a historic framework of two millennia of practice. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses in the variegated company of preachers since Peter stood at Pentecost. Yet Hébert and Chase do not leave us in the parched past. They provide a fresh discussion defining explanation, illustration, and application with up-to-the-minute language applicability for that always coming and ever looming very next Sunday. I suggest you turn off your cell phone, get away from the church office, find a quiet place with a cup of coffee, and marinate yourself in this book."
--Joel C. Gregory, emeritus professor of preaching, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
"Anyone who regularly preaches can easily identify the great challenges of task: it requires hermeneutical sensitivity, cultural awareness, historical rootedness, homiletical skill, and ecclesial theology. It's common for preachers to hone their skills in one of these areas but to be weak in others. In this contribution, Hébert and Chase provide a valuable tool to call preachers to understand with more depth and clarity the wholistic nature of proclaiming God's Word and call the pastor to use the skills required to proclaim the fullness of God's counsel."
--Joel Lawrence, president, The Center for Pastor Theologians
"The journey from the study to the pulpit is daunting, and none of us are meant to take it alone. Hébert and Chase walk preachers down the well-trodden path to the pulpit using our fathers in the faith as guides, connecting history, hermeneutics, and homiletics. Whether the reader is a young seminarian in need of direction or a seasoned pastor in need of encouragement, this book is required reading for all who mount the sacred desk."
--Dustin Messer, vicar, All Saints Dallas, Dallas, Texas
"Blending historical insight with practical wisdom, this book offers an engaging way to read Scripture. The authors present four ancient questions that help readers understand Scripture in ways that point to Christ, nurture spiritual growth, and strengthen hope. Whether you are a pastor, teacher, or student of Scripture, this holistic approach offers a time-tested pathway from the biblical text to a deeper life with God. I hope many others join the authors on this journey."
--Stephen O. Presley, senior fellow for Religion and Public Life at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy; associate professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"When retrieving the past, there is a temptation to gaze backward at what used to be and to long for a time machine. But in God's providence, we live in the here and now, so retrieval should be a longing to learn from--not return to--the past. I am grateful for this providence-respecting book that draws from the past to serve the church today."
--Brandon D. Smith, chair, the Hobbs School of Theology & Ministry, Oklahoma Baptist University; and cofounder, Center for Baptist Renewal
"The Path to the Pulpit is a timely gift to every preacher who longs to connect the original depth of Scripture to God's message to his church today. Hébert and Chase guide readers back into the world of the text and then powerfully and faithfully lift them forward into applicable life-giving proclamation. This book is both rooted and refreshing, scholarly and deeply practical. I wholeheartedly encourage you to add this resource to your library. Your study and your spirit will be better for it."
--Robert Smith Jr., distinguished professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
"This book will keep your preaching sharp, your Christology clear, and your hope strong. Chase and Hébert give every pastor a powerfully simple, unforgettable framework for feeding God's people week after week as well as a breathtaking view of the place every faithful pulpit holds in a long line of faithful proclamation through the centuries."
--Hershael W. York, Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching; dean of the School Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
