Book Review: Preaching OT Narratives

Preaching Old Testament Narratives

Benjamin H. Walton [Grand Rapids MI, Kregel, 2016]

You hear very few sermons on the Old Testament anymore. Here is a book that will help a Pastor to feel more confident in doing so.

Walton begins where preaching should begin with hermeneutics. This is fundamental to preaching, specially to preach with authority. He is correct that preaching with authority is to preach the Word. However, he seems to overlook the job of the Holy Spirit and what used to be called the unction of the Spirit in preaching. He emphasizes genre as an essential unit the Old Testament text and must be preached in that light. He is correct in indicating Old Testament text differs from the New Testament epistles, not being as direct or as understandable. Be careful. Walton, uses his own jargon in this book (example: “CUT,” meaning complete unit of. “THT” take home truth, “OTM;” original Theological message, among others). These are generally useful.  He uses this jargon in giving an overview of the steps of his hermeneutical process.

The second part of the book is on delivering the message. He starts this with the four pillars of excellent preaching—Accuracy, relevance, clarity, and inspiring. He briefly writes on the common ways of preaching text (verse by verse, alliteration, principlization, etc., but does not appear to be a fan of any of these). He rather gives his own method, explaining it section by section, which takes up most of the book. This is the heart of the book, where he gives the nitty-gritty of putting together the sermon. In a nutshell, his method involves:

·         Create an Introduction (Chapter 5). Included in this is what I call the basic ingredients of an introduction that he brings out—identification, relevance, and setting the stage. Somewhat simple, but necessary ingredients.

·         Preach through the CUT (compete units of thought) movement (Part 1: Chapter 6). He says these movements are effective and illuminate the text. He warns not to make these main points; they are only to keep the sermon on focus. Make the connections to real life.

·         Preach through the CUT (Part 2: Chapter 7). This is a continuation of chapter 6. He says the CUT movements can simply be summarized, read and explaine, or used as lead-ins. Movements are not the same as main ideas.

·         State the Take-Home truth (Chapter 8). What he refers to Take-Home truth, I would classify as application. He defines it as a timeless or contemporary expression of the OTM (the original Theological Message).

·         Help listeners “buy” the Take-Home truth (Chapter 9). This is to overcome objections listeners may have with the Take-Home truth. This is a helpful chapter.

·         Develop Picture-Painting Applications (Chapter 10). He states preaching is about life. Painting life pictures from the sermon gives it added meaning.

·         Move to Christ (Chapter 11). He deals with the meaning of preaching Christ in the Old Testament narrative that the sermon must reflect New Covenant reality about by Christ (a definition not all will agree with).

·         Finishing well in the conclusion (Chapter 12).

·         From good to excellent (Chapter 13). He gives us elements both outside the pulpit and inside to makes us better.

 In an appendix, he gives some example sermons.

My overall evaluation is that this will be helpful in preaching the Old Testament. Preaching from the Old Testament is a common struggle among preachers, in which this can help. He gives good detail of this method of preaching, which some would equally apply to other types of sermons. However, everyone will not agree with the overall method which is presented in a rigid manner. At times, he seems too narrow. However, these will be overlooked by most experienced preachers. This is a good solid work that will be a benefit to preachers on Old Testament narratives.

Thanks to Kregel for the free provision of work for my review.