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Meet the Authors of The God Who Goes Before You

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In the newly released The God Who Goes Before You: Pastoral Leadership as Christ-Centered Followership by Michael S. Wilder and Timothy Paul Jones, the authors establish a foundation for Christian leadership that draws not from human assumptions, but from the wisdom of God. By considering the whole canon of scripture as their authority, they present both pastors and laity with a Christ-centered, kingdom-focused vision of godly leadership.

In this video, Wilder and Jones sit down together to discuss what it means to redefine leadership as “Christ-centered followership,” and how this radically countercultural perspective can impact leadership practices in the church today. Click to hear more!

 

Together on God’s Mission – A Review

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By Andrew Spencer

The Cooperative Program is one of the most effective funding mechanisms for worldwide gospel ministry in the history of Christianity. Annually, autonomous local congregations give millions of dollars to support the advancement of the Great Commission at state, national, and global levels. Hundreds of pastors, missionaries, and lay people graduate from the six Southern Baptist Seminaries each year, better equipped for ministry and less financially burdened that would be possible if millions of people did not give to the Cooperative Program through their local churches. Missionaries go to language school, are transported to the field, and sustained in thousands of international locations because the gifts of small congregations are pooled with those of large ones to enable men and women from any sized church to dedicate their lives to getting the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Some might say the Cooperative Program is a wonder of modern missions. It serves as a catalyst for the spread of the gospel and offers a bright future for engaging the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ. Tragically, sometimes the purpose and fruit of Cooperative Program giving are invisible to people in the local churches. If Southern Baptists are going to continue to function in a collaborative manner to fund gospel ministry in the years to come, we must work diligently to celebrate the positive impact our cooperation can have and explore the shared theology that enables congregations who differ in their understanding of some doctrines to work together to advance the Great Commission.

The SBC has needed an updated simple, brief, and theologically informed case made for continued cooperation for several years. Together on God’s Mission: How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Commission, which released in early 2018, is a resource that fills that need.

Scott Hildreth’s recent book on cooperation in Southern Baptist life offers a concise history of the convention, with an emphasis on the Cooperative Program, and outlines a theological foundation for the ongoing collaboration of SBC churches in advancing God’s mission on earth. In less than one hundred pages, Hildreth significantly updates previous histories of the CP and makes explicit the ecclesiology that has for generations been assumed by cooperating Southern Baptists.

Part One of this volume consists of three chapters. The first chapter of Together on God’s Mission gives an overview of the early history of the Southern Baptist Convention as they shifted from mission society to a convention cooperating in ministry on multiple levels. Chapter Two traces the evolution of the early convention to a robust network of churches joined together to efficiently fund Great Commission activities. The third chapter helpfully informs readers how the Cooperative Program works.

In Part Two Hildreth shifts from history to theology. Chapter Four succinctly outlines a theology of mission. The fifth chapter offers a basic Baptist ecclesiology for cooperation which unites the many autonomous local congregations of the Southern Baptist Convention and enables them to work together with the other churches in the convention. In Chapter Six Hildreth outlines some of the ways the local congregations of the early church—that is, those documented in Scripture—cooperated, pooled funds for ministry, and sent personnel to accomplish the common mission of advancement of the gospel.

Part Three of the volume contains a single chapter. In the seventh chapter, Hildreth summarizes his arguments and offers some proposals for continued cooperation among Southern Baptists in the future. He commends churches to consider the theological implications of the Cooperative Program, evaluate cooperation in broader, non-financial terms, and celebrate the ability to participate in CP giving rather than viewing it as membership dues.

Together on God’s Mission was published by B&H Academic because it contributes to the academic conversation within the SBC about ecclesiology and history. However, the volume is written in plain English, with short chapters, and clear argumentation. These make the volume suitable for a popular audience. This book would be helpful to pastors who are not sure exactly what the Cooperative program does. It will also make a useful resource for prospective members of SBC churches who wonder what makes Southern Baptists distinct and unites them. As tensions continue to simmer over differences in ministry methodology, political persuasions, and doctrinal debates, this book can help recall to mind the good things that keep Southern Baptists working together. Together, the local churches of the Southern Baptist Convention can do a great deal more than we can do working alone.

This is a book that fills a void for the SBC at a time when a call to unity and recognition of the powerful way God has used the Cooperative Program to get the gospel to the ends of the earth. Together on God’s Mission deserves to be read broadly and discussed carefully as the convention marches toward two centuries of cooperative missions.

Andrew J. Spencer is a member of CrossPointe Church in Monroe, MI. He regularly writes at EthicsAndCulture.com.

Now Available: Preaching for The Rest of Us

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Preaching for the Rest of Us: Essentials for Text-Driven Preaching

Robby Gallaty & Steven Smith

Description

Preaching for the Rest of Us serves as a starter’s guide to text-driven preaching. Driven by the conviction that pastors hold the weighty and honorable responsibility of explaining Scripture to their congregations, Gallaty and Smith present a clear step-by-step process for re-presenting Scripture in compelling text-driven sermons. This unique type of preaching is the interpretation and communication of a text of Scripture driven by the substance, structure, and spirit of the text. It’s not the presentation of a sermon, but the re-presentation of a text of a Scripture. For those who don’t feel trained for text-driven preaching, whose preaching template is tired and predictable, or need a preaching restart, Preaching for the Rest of Us provides a compelling reason and method for preaching texts of Scripture.

Endorsements

“Robby Gallaty and Steven Smith are both teachers and practitioners of faithful biblical exposition. What a delight it is to have their thinking on this important subject put to writing for the benefit and blessing of others. I am happy to commend this work to anyone who desires to rightly divide the Word of truth.”

—Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Gallaty and Smith are two popular preachers who have produced an excellent book on text-driven preaching that defines it, theologically grounds it, and gives a methodology under the two key headings of interpretation and communication—all in less than 200 pages. The content here is simply superb. Here is how to do it from two men who do it well! Highly recommended!”

—David L. Allen, dean, School of Preaching, George W. Truett Chair of Pastoral Ministry, distinguished professor of preaching, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“There are a lot of great books on preaching, but this one is the most straightforward and accessible one I’ve come across. In this book, Gallaty and Smith provide a clear primer for text-driven preaching, reminding us why this kind of preaching is important and how to go about crafting a faithful sermon. This is such a helpful tool to anyone desiring to preach!”

—Matt Carter, pastor of preaching and vision, The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin, TX

“Robby Gallaty and Steven Smith’s book breaks down the process for preaching text-driven sermons in a way that ordinary church members can get their minds around. In this book, you have a chance to learn from the best. Every teacher, bi-vocational pastor, and seminary student should check out this book.”

—J. D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC

“Here’s a very helpful book for those that desire to faithfully preach the Word. Gallaty and Smith write as pastor-scholars who love Christ’s church. Both men can articulate the philosophical and methodological components of expository preaching clearly, and they can also deliver engaging expositions practically. All of us who handle the word of truth can improve, and this book will surely help us make progress in the pulpit.”

—Tony Merida, pastor for preaching and vision, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC, and associate professor of preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Preaching has fallen on hard times. An open debate is now being waged over the character and centrality of preaching in the church. At stake is nothing less than the integrity of Christian worship and proclamation. In this book, Robby Gallaty and Steven Smith provide a biblically-grounded manual for faithful proclamation of God’s Word. Their commitment to the authority of Scripture and the centrality of preaching in the life of the church is a faithful witness in the age of entertainment-driven ministry. Preaching for the Rest of Us is a practical and theologically rich resource to help you grow in more faithful proclamation of God’s word.”

—R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“It wasn’t until well into my pastoral ministry that I realized that we aren’t going to fulfill the Great Commission solely with preachers like me—seminary-trained, vocational and westernized. It’s going to take preachers who earn a living by their ministries and preachers who go to secular jobs every day. It’s going to take preachers who’ve been to seminary and preachers who haven’t. It’s going to take preachers in America and preachers abroad. Gallaty and Smith get that. In Preaching for the Rest of Us, these two effective and experienced pastors ‘put the cookies on the bottom shelf’ where all of us can grab and eat. They cull down the principles and processes of biblical exposition to the basic essentials. If you’re looking for a trustworthy ‘quick-start guide’ (xvii) to preaching that’s driven by both the theology and the text of Scripture, look no further.”

—Jim Shaddix, director, Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching, W. A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“I know these men and respect them. Without mentioning me, they have described much of my own life and work. Would you preach well? Read this book and profit.”

—Mark Dever, senior pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC, and president, 9Marks

 

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Eschatological Discipleship: A Review

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by Andrew Spencer

Trevin Wax is one of the most incisive cultural commentators in the evangelical community. He has a talent for moving past pearl clutching about trends in pop culture by asking foundational questions about the ideas that animate to moral activity in entertainment and society. His recent book, Eschatological Discipleship is an overt presentation of the theological analysis that is evident in the background of Wax’s popular books and blogs.

Eschatology is the oft neglected and frequently abused topic in Christian systematic theologies. As Wax notes, discussions of the end times in seminary courses tend to be stuck on the end of the course syllabus and often are the first to get axed when discussions of soteriology and ecclesiology run long at the beginning of the semester. More often, the term eschatology is understood to mean endless debate about the nature and timing of the rapture, the intrigue of the mark of the beast, and various theories on the millennium.

This book gets beyond the most common pitfalls of eschatological debate to focus on the core issue of eschatology as it is woven throughout Scripture. In particular, Wax emphasizes the idea of eschatology as a source for telos; it is the theological topic that provides the best evidence for the meaning of life. In other words, eschatology is not primarily about charts and timing, but about providing a lodestar of eternal purpose to navigate life in ever-changing times.

In Eschatological Discipleship: Leading Christians to Understand their Historical and Cultural Context, Wax does something few treatments of the topic do: he offers an analysis of the eschatologies of worldviews that compete with Christianity. His analysis of the eschatology of the Enlightenment, the Sexual Revolution, and Consumerism are unique in their revelation of the unspoken, but evident meaning encoded in those rival systems of meaning. This book provides a framework for discussing the often-obscured theologies of those movements.

Wax begins the book with a chapter defining the term eschatological discipleship. He argues, “eschatological discipleship is spiritual formation that seeks to instill wisdom regarding the contemporary setting in which Christians find themselves (in contrast to rival conceptions of time and progress) and that calls for contextualized obedience as a demonstration of the Christian belief that the biblical account of the world’s past, present, and future is true.” (p. 41) This definition makes clear Wax’s aim, which is to present a theological argument that unquestionably leads to obedience.

In three chapters, Wax presents a biblical theology of eschatological discipleship, beginning with the Old Testament, then focusing on the Gospels and Acts, and concluding with a survey of the topic in Paul’s letters. It becomes evident through this survey that all of Scripture encourages Christians to ask, “What time is it?”, so they can understand their culture and how they should live in their particular context to the glory of God.

Chapter Five presents the idea of eschatology within non-Christian thought, which leads the way into the helpful analysis of the next three chapters. In the sixth through eighth chapters of the book, Wax performs a critical analysis of the eschatology of the Enlightenment, the Sexual Revolution, and Consumerism, which all compete with Scripture to dominate the worldviews of Christians in our age. In the final chapter, Wax shows how his presentation of eschatological discipleship can enhance the practice of evangelical theology and equip every church member to better respond to the confused theologies around them.

Trevin Wax is one of the most gifted writers among evangelicals. This academic book is no exception. The prose is clear and the arguments careful. He manages to raise concern about the real problems within the dominant culture of the West without calling for withdrawal or reflexive combativeness. Eschatological Discipleship is a specimen of Christian scholarship in its most helpful form: theologically precise and readable.

Those who have read other books by Wax will likely see the connection between another of his recent books, This is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel, and this volume. Eschatological Discipleship makes clear the theological framework that This is Our Time presents in a practical, popular format. The close connection between the two books offer an example for Christian scholars for how to translate scholarship for broad consumption and how to most efficiently steward their research by pitching their arguments to multiple audiences.

Eschatological Discipleship is a useful resource for pastors and scholars seeking to understand the contours of contemporary culture better. Theologically informed laity will likely find this book an accessible and informative volume, too. This is a book that will have enduring value for its analytical content and exemplary argumentation.

 

Andrew J. Spencer is a member of CrossPointe Church in Monroe, MI. He regularly writes at EthicsAndCulture.com.

Now Available: From Hermeneutics to Exegesis

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From Hermeneutics to Exegesis: The Trajectory of Biblical Interpretation

Matthew Malcolm

Description

Interpreting the Bible requires theoretical discernment and practical know-how.

A book that focuses solely on interpretive methods or deals exclusively with the philosophical underpinnings of interpretation fails to provide a full picture of how to read and study Scripture. Beginning with hermeneutics, Matthew Malcolm surveys the history of the discipline, engages with important theological issues, and arrives at a memorable depiction of what happens when fruitful interpretation takes place. After covering these foundational elements, Malcom focuses on exegesis. He helps readers understand the issues at stake in interpreting biblical passages, and provides a straightforward guide to writing an exegesis paper.

Academically solid without being overwhelmingly detailed, this is a reliable guide to the important path from hermeneutics to exegesis.

 

Endorsements

“In this helpful volume, Matthew Malcolm moves with great facility between philosophical hermeneutics and the practice of exegesis. His attention in practice to interpretive location is a particularly welcomed contribution. I heartily recommend From Hermeneutics to Exegesis for any who want to take the next step in their exploration of biblical hermeneutics.”

—Jeannine K. Brown, professor of New Testament and director of online programs, Bethel Seminary

“In books about biblical interpretation, it is easy to lose sight of the canonical and Christological forest for the weeds of steps, methods, and tools. From Hermeneutics to Exegesis is a welcome exception to this tendency in hermeneutics texts. Matthew Malcolm eruditely sets the tools of exegesis in the larger context of Scripture’s Christological purpose, reminding us that reading the Bible is done in order to see Christ with his Church, by his Spirit. This book will help train the next generation of Christian ministers and interpreters to exegete God’s Word carefully and theologically. I highly recommend it for use in the classroom and the church.”

—Matthew Y. Emerson, Dickinson associate professor of religion, Oklahoma Baptist University

“Hermeneutics is not just a long term designed to confuse those interested in the Bible. As Mathew Malcolm clearly illustrates in this surprisingly complete introduction to hermeneutics, interpretation, and exegesis, hermeneutics is the essential beginning to understanding that culminates in acts of interpretation and then useful exegesis. Malcolm emphasizes the location of the text and of the reader and how they must enter into an essential dialogue with each other. As a result, Malcolm bridges the gap between general and special hermeneutics and arrives at an informed and workable approach to interpretation of the Bible. I recommend this book for its timeliness, currency, and helpfulness.”

—Stanley E. Porter, president and dean, McMaster Divinity College, Canada

“I am delighted to commend this book without reserve. Matthew Malcolm combines academic expertise with exceptional down-to-earth common sense. He is equally competent in biblical studies, theology, and broader questions about interpretation. I am especially impressed by his thoughtful questions addressed to readers, which are stimulating, relevant and thought-provoking. He discusses many topics, including openness, expectation and multifaceted interpretation. We shall doubtless hear more of Malcolm as an able biblical scholar and theologian.”

—Anthony Thiselton, emeritus professor of Christian Theology, University of Nottingham, U.K.

“This is a helpful proposal about how to reach understanding of the Bible that will stretch and perhaps transform the horizons of both biblical exegetes and theologians. Malcolm here retrieves the broader tradition of hermeneutics, which is less a matter of following particular steps or using particular methods than it is a study of what is happening when readers attain understanding. The result? A general hermeneutics with an important theological twist, in which located interpreters interview the biblical text as an “other” while inquiring into its distinct mission, namely, its witness to the God of the gospel and the gospel of God.”

—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Matthew Malcolm’s new book on hermeneutics provides an accessible and informative contribution to a very complicated subject. Readers will learn much about the field of biblical interpretation, even when/if they disagree with Malcolm’s analysis.”

—Jarvis J. Williams, associate professor of New Testament interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 

“Matthew Malcolm offers the most lucid, engaging, theologically informed evangelical appropriation of the hermeneutical circle for biblical studies to date. Combining a history of interpretive approaches with practical exegetical examples, this book, written by an experienced New Testament scholar, shows anyone willing to look the way beyond the artificial conflict between theological and historical-critical models of reading the Bible that still cripples many evangelical seminaries today. This work should be in every seminary bookstore!”

—Jens Zimmermann, Canada Research Professor in Humanities, Trinity Western University, Canada

 

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Now Available: Superheroes Can’t Save You

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Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies

Todd Miles

Description

Comic superheroes embody the hopes of a world that is desperate for a savior. But those comic creations cannot save us from our greatest foes—sin and death.

Throughout the history of the Church there have been bad ideas, misconceptions, and heretical presentations of Jesus. Each one of these heresies fails to present Jesus as the Bible reveals him. In Superheroes Can’t Save You, Todd Miles demonstrates how these ancient heresies are embodied in contemporary comic superheroes.

Miles compares something everybody already knows (who the superheroes are) with what they need to know (who Jesus is), in a book that makes vitally important Christian truths understandable and applicable to a wide audience.

Endorsements

“Superheroes Can’t Save You is creative, engaging, funny, and both biblically and historically accurate. Who could ask for more? Todd Miles takes familiar characters (especially for those of us who grew up on comics or watch movies) and skillfully uses them to help us better understand who Jesus is—and isn’t. If we get it wrong about Jesus, in the end it won’t matter much what else we get right. I’m happy to recommend this important and enjoyable book.”

—Randy Alcorn, founder and director, Eternal Perspective Ministries

“Superheroes Can’t Save You is the most brilliantly creative Christology text I’ve ever read. By comparing each major Christological heresy to a familiar comic book superhero, and then contrasting them to the biblical Christ, Miles shows that each heresy presents a Jesus who is unable to do what the Bible claims Jesus did. As a result, the reader is given a lucid and memorable picture of the biblical Christ.”

—Bruce Ashford, provost and dean of faculty, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“In a world that is in desperate need for clarity on issues of faith, Dr. Todd Miles illuminates the truth about who Jesus is in a creative and compelling way. By combining his love for superheroes and his passion for the gospel of Christ, this book will engage a broad spectrum of readers as they journey through historic heresies that have plagued the church and are presented with the truth of who Jesus is. This is a fun read!”

—Aaron Coe, executive director, Passion Global Institute, and assistant professor of world missions and intercultural studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

“There are not many books that combine deep theology with insightful creativity, but Superheroes Can’t Save You does, and does so brilliantly. In a world searching for something bigger and better with every movie ticket, Miles shows us how each superhero undersells what only the Son of God can truly provide. This is a book you will want to read for yourself, read with your kids, give to your youth minister, then to your pastor, and then to your friends. You will want to because it is a timely and accessible work and, more importantly, it offers us a Savior bigger and better than anything Marvel and DC has to offer—a Savior who can truly save us.”

—J. Ryan Lister, associate professor of theology, Western Seminary, and director of doctrine and discipleship, Humble Beast

“Superheroes Can’t Save You is a book that is culturally relevant, theologically astute, and capable of providing the reader with smiles as well as solid biblical knowledge. Youth and youth workers who disciple them will find this to be a very accessible book to promote the knowledge of our beautiful Savior.”

—Ron Marrs, associate professor of youth and pastoral ministries, Western Seminary, and director,  Portland Youth Workers Network

“I like superheroes. I love Jesus a lot more. It’s not often that I’m able to bring the two together. In Superheroes Can’t Save You, Todd Miles deploys some of the most iconic figures from the Marvel and DC universe to help us think rightly about the true story of history’s greatest hero. This book teaches big truths in a fun way.”

—Russell Moore, president, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

“Who is Jesus? And who have people made Him out to be? In this engaging and insightful volume, Todd Miles clearly and faithfully unpacks the historic and biblical Christian understanding of Jesus, and compares it to familiar superheroes. Creative, fresh, and thoroughly biblical.”

—Christopher W. Morgan, dean and professor of theology, School of Christian Ministries, California Baptist University

“Speaking both as a theology professor and a self−professed comic geek, I can’t say enough good things about Superheroes Can’t Save You. This is a brilliant example of contextual, pedagogical theology expressed in the vernacular of pop culture. Miles takes the content of historical theology that is so often prone to boring exposition and makes it accessible to students of all ages in an entertaining and engaging way. Highly recommended!”

—Rhyne Putnam, associate professor of theology and culture, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and pastor of preaching and vision, First Baptist Church, Kenner, Louisiana.

“It is rare to find someone who can take complex concepts and make them simple to comprehend. Yet it is here that Dr. Miles shines. One of the most central doctrines of Christianity is the nature of the second person of the Trinity, and this book makes it accessible to all. This book will also move your heart to love and worship Jesus Christ. As an added bonus, Dr. Miles’ childhood stories and wry sense of humor will keep you captivated all the way through. The comic book metaphor is not just for kids—it’s the key to understanding Christology for all ages and walks of life. I consider it a ‘must read’ and will highly recommend it to the women who attend our events.”

—Katherine Roberts, co−founder and co−director, The Verity Fellowship

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Now Available: Eschatological Discipleship

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Eschatological Discipleship: Leading Christians To Understand Their Historical and Cultural Context

Trevin Wax

Description

Discipleship is eschatological in nature, because the church that makes and receives disciples is eschatological in nature.

Often eschatology is thought to refer only to “last things” doctrines. However, eschatology in its broader sense encompasses the Christian view of time and the future of the world, informing both one’s evangelism and ecclesiology. Failing to relate the eschatological dimension to discipleship leaves one with an incomplete worldview, imbalanced discipleship, and eventually, a tragic inability to model the Christian way of life.

By answering questions like “What time is it?” and “Where is history going?” Trevin Wax helps Christians view the past, present, and future biblically, and shapes their understanding of following Jesus.

Endorsements

“Eschatological Discipleship is a brilliant book. In it, Trevin Wax argues that Christian discipleship cannot be reduced to the transmission of timeless truths that float above history and culture. Instead, Christian discipleship always and necessarily involves confronting the ideologies and rival eschatologies of our own contemporary context. In our own era, he argues, we must confront the Enlightenment, the Sexual Revolution, and modern Consumerism as rival eschatologies, exposing them as frauds and offering the gospel as our one-and-only hope.”

—Bruce Ashford, provost and dean of faculty, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Trevin Wax’s Eschatological Discipleship is a much needed book that teaches that followers of Jesus are shaped in their thinking and actions by Jesus’s kingship, and by the coming kingdom. God’s future—including our future in it—constructs a worldview and supplies us with wisdom for living in the current age. Ultimately, every worldview, whether secularist or Islamic, has a view of the ‘end.’ By knowing God’s plan for the end, we will be better equipped to work for the kingdom here on earth.”

—Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia

“With the publication of Eschatological Discipleship, Trevin Wax has solidified his role as an important Christian voice for the next generation. The call to biblical faithfulness, serious cultural engagement, careful worldview thinking, and long-term eschatological discipleship is masterfully and winsomely presented. Wax has provided us with a clearly written, insightful, well-researched, and illuminating work that will be essential reading for thoughtful Christian leaders in the church and in the academy. It is a genuine joy to recommend this outstanding work.”
—David S. Dockery, president, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Discipleship and eschatology are not often thought of in tandem. Discipleship is about following Jesus here and now, while eschatology is about what happens then and there. But in this important book, Trevin Wax shows the coinherence of these two biblical themes. An impressive theological study written with an eye for Great Commission reflection and praxis.”

—Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University

“It is not a matter of whether eschatology will shape the church’s life but only a matter of which one. Discipleship, a burning need in the syncretistic American church, surely needs to be re-envisioned in terms of equipping God’s people to more and more live out of a biblical eschatology of the kingdom. In this book Trevin Wax takes up this challenge and encounters the two most powerful rival eschatologies of our day—the Enlightenment notion of progress and Consumerism. I pray that God will use this book to enable the American church to reimagine discipleship in its missionary setting.”

—Michael W. Goheen, director of theological education, Missional Training Center, and adjunct professor of missional theology, Covenant Theological Seminary

“The philosopher Martin Heidegger famously defined human existence as ‘being-toward-death,’ a posture that generates anxiety in view of our limited time. Trevin Wax does him one better: the Christian life is a matter of being-towards-discipleship, and discipleship is a matter of being-towards-end-time. Disciples take their bearings from the story of Jesus, especially its end: the hope of resurrection. Wax convincingly sets out the biblical basis for ‘eschatological discipleship’, which means the importance of waking up (and staying awake) to the reality that our citizenship in heaven begins now.”

—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

 

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Now Available: Preaching By The Book

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Preaching By The Book: Developing and Delivering Text-Driven Sermons

R. Scott Pace

Description

Preachers communicate God’s word by fully considering their context and their congregation.

Preaching by the Book is a practical handbook offering fundamental guidance for preachers beginning to explore their gifts, and fresh insights for seasoned veterans desiring to refine their craft. R. Scott Pace challenges preachers to develop their style and their substance by considering their unique personality and gifts, the work of the Spirit, and the particular audience on a given occasion.

Endorsements

“Preaching by the Book is a simple, concise, and faithful resource on how to prepare text driven sermons from Holy Scripture. It is clearly laid out and touches on all the essentials for faithful and engaging exposition. Scott Pace is a superb writer. This gift is put on marvelous display in this fine work on preaching. It is a joy to commend its wide use among students of homiletics.”

—Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“When I’m asked about a good introductory preaching book to put into the hands of a preacher, Preaching by the Book is one of the first books I will reach for. Scott Pace has produced a biblically and practically sound volume that is eminently readable. Especially important is his emphasis on calling people to faith in Christ in preaching. His content, clarity, and conciseness make this volume a helpful contribution and welcome addition to any preacher’s library.”

—David L. Allen, dean, School of Preaching, George W. Truett Chair of Pastoral Ministry, distinguished professor of preaching, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“There cannot be too many good books on preaching, and I am glad to see Dr. Scott Pace’s Preaching by the Book: Developing and Delivering Text-Driven Sermons added to that list. Every preacher, and everyone who desires to know more about preaching, will benefit immensely by working through this book. Every preacher and the churches they serve will be strengthened by this book.”

—Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Scott Pace has provided a resource for preachers that is concise, accessible, and relevant. His brief theology of preaching provides the What and the Why before jumping into How to preach. He does, however, proceed to set forth a practical step-by-step model for preaching. This resource will help preachers at every level of experience and education. I thank God for the way this book will help shepherds feed the flock of God.”

—Hance Dilbeck Sr., pastor, Quail Springs Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, OK

“I wish someone would have given me a book on preaching like this one when I first started preaching! Dr. Pace has served (aspiring) preachers and teachers well by describing some of the foundations for expository preaching. His process for preparing and delivering text-driven sermons is very readable, clear, and to the point.”

—Tony Merida, pastor for preaching and vision, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC, and associate professor of preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“R. Scott Pace understands that preaching reflects a preacher’s personality, but is fundamentally a theological endeavor. Thus, God’s scriptural revelation must form the presuppositions of every faithful preacher about the task of sermon preparation and preaching, as well as, shape his method and blood-earnest passion. Preaching by the Book focuses on the nuts-and-bolts of solid sermon preparation that lead to faithfulness in the pulpit. Too often, the basics for preaching fidelity are precisely what many homiletic texts neglect. Pace’s volume pursues clarity over cleverness and usefulness over trendiness, which means that this book will have a long shelf life.”

—David E. Prince, assistant professor of Christian preaching, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and pastor of preaching and vision, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Lexington, KY

“Simple, clear and substantive. Those are the qualities I think of when I read Scott Pace’s Preaching by the Book. He hasn’t attempted to over-analyze the sermon preparation and delivery process, but to boil it down so we can focus on the essentials. His simple and clear description of each component makes his work easy to read, and his substantive treatment of biblical exposition is faithful to a right understanding of what preaching is supposed to be. This is a delightful and helpful resource for both the weekly practitioner and the student-in-training.”

—Jim Shaddix, director, Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching, W. A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching, professor of preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

 

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Now Available: SBC FAQs

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SBC FAQs: A Ready Reference

Keith Harper & Amy Whitfield

Description

SBC FAQs provides a general overview of the Southern Baptist Convention in the format of frequently asked questions. Covering details of basic history, polity structure, entity functions and more, this ready reference seeks to answer the most common inquiries about how America’s largest Protestant denomination functions. The topics range from the founding of the SBC to how officers and committees work, what individual entities do, movements in modern denominational history, common terminology, and more. It is designed for first-time messengers and longtime messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting, as well as students, church members, and those in full-time ministry. Whether one is new to the denominational family and wants to learn the big picture or a lifelong Southern Baptist who wants to refresh his or her knowledge about a specific detail, SBC FAQs offers clear and concise explanations. Cooperation begins with an informed commitment to participation. This resource will not only help readers find information, but also inspire them to find their place in the process.

Endorsements

“I love the SBC. I’ve studied how she functions since I was a child. I recognize that understanding the SBC can be confusing. Keith Harper and Amy Whitfield have done a great service by making the SBC easy to understand for those who want to learn more. You should take advantage of this easy-to-read volume and enjoy!”
—Micah Fries, senior pastor, Brainerd Baptist Church, Chattanooga, TN

“The Southern Baptist Convention was founded for the sake of the Great Commission. It has always existed to facilitate churches reaching the nations for Christ. Harper and Whitfield’s new resource provides background to our convention’s history and vision, helping us engage in the mission with our heads, our hands, and our hearts. The question and answer format makes it an easy, readable, and engaging resource. Every member of the SBC needs to have this at their side.”
—J. D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh/Durham, NC

“This book is a must read for any person that desires to know who Southern Baptists are. It’s written with knowledge and passion about a denomination that exists to be a difference maker.”
—Johnny Hunt, pastor, First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA

“I commend to you this new book, SBC FAQs, by Keith Harper and Amy Whitfield. Most people outside the Convention do not understand how we operate and, unfortunately, that is also true for most inside the Convention. Harper and Whitfield do a masterful job of simplifying what is a complicated system and process. You will appreciate this primer on Southern Baptist Convention polity and processes.”
—Frank S. Page, president and chief executive officer, Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention

“Keith Harper and Amy Whitfield know Southern Baptists. They are Southern Baptists. They know us on paper and in real interaction. You can trust their answers.”
—Kevin Smith, executive director, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware

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Exalting Jesus in Isaiah – A Review

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By Andrew Spencer

As we recently celebrated the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, we have also been celebrating the recovery of the authority of Scripture within Christianity. Technology and scholastic influences combined to create a cocktail of circumstances that enabled the spread of Scripture in common languages and an eruption of preaching of the Word of God in the church. To read the history of the early Reformation is to read a love story of Christ’s bride for the Bible.

That fervent affection for Scripture is alive and well in our day, particularly among those who practice expositional preaching. The Christ-Centered Exposition Series of commentaries from Holman Reference is both the product of and a contributor to the renaissance of expositional preaching. The series also encourages the conviction that all of Scripture tells about Christ: He is anticipated in the Old Testament and more clearly revealed in the New Testament. The whole Bible is a story of redemption, with Christ as the central hero.

The latest volume in this series – Exalting Jesus in Isaiah – is by Andrew M. Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church of Durham, NC. Davis is well-known for his love of Scripture, most clearly demonstrated by his faithful practice of memorizing whole books of the Bible. He has even previously memorized the entire book of Isaiah, which is the subject of this volume. Davis has also recently completed the arduous task of preaching through Isaiah in his local church; those sermons help give shape to this volume.

All of the volumes in this series of commentaries are intended to be preaching commentaries. That is, the authors emphasize the sorts of information that are most helpful to the pastor as he is shaping his sermons. For example, instead of a lengthy introduction about the various theories of scribal interjections and textual composition of Isaiah, Davis jumps right into illustrations, background, and textual outlines that are helpful for giving a congregation a sense of the main point of the text.

Davis wrote this book in approximately sixty short, easy to manage chapters. Each chapter is designed to cover a passage of Scripture that is about the right length for a sermon. Within each chapter, Davis highlights a key verse, provides a textual outline, and then offers commentary according to that outline. This makes it an invaluable resource for someone preparing a series of sequential expository sermons or those preaching a stand-alone sermon from the book of Isaiah. The chapters are self-contained, making it useful for a consecutive preaching through the book or occasional sermons on a particular text.

Although this volume is closely connected to Davis’ own preaching of the book of Isaiah, it is not a collection of his sermons. Davis habitually manuscripts his sermons, and the page total would be much greater had he simply compiled those manuscripts into a single volume. Instead, the reader is given the gift of a distillation of Davis’ careful study of Scripture, with insightful examples and illustrations scattered liberally throughout.

The greatest strength of this volume are the intertextual connections that Davis makes as he outlines the contents of Isaiah. Since he has memorized so much Scripture, his mind is alive with allusions and cross-references in and to books through the entire canon. For example, in his commentary on Isaiah 6, Davis explains how Christians can know that Isaiah’s vision of the glory of God in the throne room of heaven is, in fact, a vision of Christ himself. John 12:41 makes this plain. Other commentaries may make the connection, but Davis shows how that revelation fits into the exegetical flow of a sermon on the passage.

Davis also provides a number of helpful illustrations throughout the volume, which are insightful for sermon preparation, and also reflect Davis’ unique personality. Readers are offered references to Luther, Calvin, Bunyan, and even poets like Robert Frost to illuminate points. Davis, a former engineer, even uses the recycling of metal from the World Trade Center into the keel of an amphibious transport ship, the USS New York, to illustrate how redemption can come through destruction to introduce Isaiah 3-4. Or, perhaps more characteristically, Davis cites a report on port activity to make a connection between the vanity of seeking economic domination and God’s judgement, which helps bring Isaiah 23 into focus for the modern reader. These detailed, fact-based illustrations are useful resources for sermon preparation.

This entire series of commentaries is an excellent tool for pastors. The structure of these volumes makes them easy to use as a reference during sermon preparation. The tone of the volumes is formal, but not stuffy, which makes them accessible to pastors with a wide range of academic preparation. The content has been adequately resourced to be reliable, but does not fall into the trap that some academic commentaries do of engaging with every divergent perspective to the detriment of clarity and flow. These volumes are preaching commentaries as they are meant to be: tools to assist the people on the front lines of exposition as they seek to rightly divide the word of truth.

Andrew J. Spencer (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) writes regularly at EthicsAndCulture.com. He lives with his family in Monroe, Michigan.

Now Available: Together on God’s Mission

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Together on God’s Mission: How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Great Commission

Scott Hildreth

Description

Together on God’s Mission investigates Southern Baptist history, showing how and why the Southern Baptist Convention came to embrace the vision of a cooperative denomination. It also explores how this vision has shaped denominational identity and structure. This historical study is followed by a discussion of the biblical description of how the mission of God determines the mission of the church. This study shows that God’s mission is not simply furthered by churches working together, but rather that cooperation between churches makes up a key component of God’s mission. Finally, the study concludes that the Southern Baptist Convention is uniquely positioned to enable churches to fully participate in God’s mission to redeem the nations and restore creation from the effects of the Fall.

Endorsements

“When Southern Baptists voluntarily work in partnership through the Cooperative ministries of the SBC, we are following a pattern found in Scripture. It is a pattern that allows us truly to do more together than we could ever do apart. It is pattern that is biblically justified, theologically sound and practically wise. It involves the sacrificial giving of our financial resources to be sure, but it is so much more than this. This is the argument my colleague and friend Scott Hildreth makes in Together on God’s Mission: How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Great Commission. He is quite successful in his assignment.”
—Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“The cooperative partnership of Southern Baptists may not be perfect but it is proven and profound. In Together on God’s Mission, Scott Hildreth provides a timely resource that not only advocates for the financial wisdom of the Southern Baptists’ Cooperative Program but also advances the theological foundation of this cooperative partnership for a new generation. As an experienced missionary and seminary professor, Hildreth provides a concise and helpful orientation of how churches unite to form a mighty Great Commission coalition as they join together on God’s mission.”
—Brian Autry, executive director, SBC of Virginia

“From their earliest days, Baptist churches have cooperated together for the sake of kingdom priorities such as missions, education, and public engagement. As Southern Baptists, we cooperate through our structures and strategy, which are linked together in the Cooperative Program. Every generation brings new challenges and fresh opportunities, and as this happens, pastors and other leaders need to be reminded anew of the importance of gospel-centered cooperation among churches of ‘like faith and order’ (as old-fashioned Baptists used to say). To that end, Scott Hildreth has written a book for such a time as this. Together on God’s Mission gives us the perfect combination of Baptist history, sound biblical exegesis, missional theology, and constructive application.”
—Nathan A. Finn, dean, School of Theology and Missions, and professor of Christian thought and tradition, Union University

“Scott Hildreth has done Southern Baptists a great service by providing this book. Of particular help, in my mind, is his commitment to help the SBC ground their partnership in theology rather than pragmatics. If you are Southern Baptist and care about cooperative mission, you should read this book.”
 —Micah Fries, senior pastor, Brainerd Baptist Church, Chattanooga, TN

“The perfect primer for getting your mind around the Cooperative Program—its unique opportunities, current challenges and the way forward. Dr. Hildreth brings to this book an understanding that comes from years of working ‘inside’ the system and the passion from having depended on the Cooperative Program while he served on the front lines of global missions.”
 —J.D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC

“In this informative book, Scott Hildreth shares from the rich knowledge he has gained as an IMB missionary and a professor of missions at a Southern Baptist seminary. With a succinct overview of how the Southern Baptist Convention came into being and grew to become the strongest Protestant missionary force in existence, Hildreth champions the benefit of a missions funding system that Southern Baptists know as the Cooperative Program. Together on God’s Mission explains why cooperation and personal involvement in missions is the heartbeat of who Southern Baptists have been and still remain. Hildreth’s work also reveals how those who hold to Baptist distinctives along with their personal convictions can work together in fulfilling the Great Commission. He reminds us that we can function most effectively in reaching the nations when we seek unity under our common statement of faith and around our common cooperative vision. Readers will benefit greatly from Hildreth’s book, whether or not they grew up in a Southern Baptist church.”
—Milton A. Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer, Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

“In the backward horizon of the Southern Baptist Convention, we can see dark clouds of human sin, but we can also see the lightning of God’s grace. In Together on God’s Mission, Scott Hildreth shows us how to spot such grace, and how to respond with gratitude. The book will help a new generation of Baptist Christians learn from our past in order to forge a future of cooperation for mission.”
 —Russell Moore, president, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

“I am always excited when I read a resource that accurately portrays the ‘better side’ of Southern Baptists as we try to cooperate together. Scott Hildreth does a great job of doing just that in this book. Strong scriptural foundations of Cooperative Program ministry are presented. An accurate, historical rendering of how Cooperative Program came about is included in this new work. My prayer is that Southern Baptists will continue to see this as yet another great resource to help people know about the gift that God gave us many years ago— the Cooperative Program.  As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program, I pray that generations yet to come will see it as a truly great tool to assist us in fulfilling the Great Commission.”
—Frank Page, president and CEO, Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention

“In Together on God’s Mission, Scott Hildreth demonstrates that our convention priorities and our Cooperative Program are not only practical, they are biblical. This book tells the story of the development of Southern Baptist cooperation and shows how our structure and vision fits within God’s global mission. It is well researched and accessible. I commend this book as a valuable tool for students, missionaries, pastors, as well as the masses of Southern Baptists across our convention who are called to share in God’s mission of making disciples of all nations.”
—Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham Professor of Church, Mission, and Evangelism, and executive director of The Billy Graham Center for Evangelism, Wheaton College.

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Now Available: The Story of Scripture

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The Story of Scripture: An Introduction to Biblical Theology

Matthew Y. Emerson

Hobbs College Library, Volume 1

Description

Although the Bible contains sixty-six books, written by forty authors, it is one book written by one author, the Holy Spirit, with one subject: Jesus Christ. How do these books, from Genesis to Revelation, fit together? The Story of Scripture guides the reader through the four major themes of the Bible—Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation—showing how each individual book of the Bible tells a cohesive story centered on Jesus.

Endorsements

“It takes a courageous author to write an introduction to biblical theology, and Matt Emerson has written a careful and compelling work. The Story of Scripture is thoroughly biblical and immensely helpful, showing how all the parts of the redemptive narrative point to Jesus. This work helps us see the striking beauty of the story of Scripture, and leads us to respond in worship of the Savior.”
—Matt Boswell, hymn writer; founder, Doxology and Theology; and pastor of ministries and worship, Providence Church, Frisco, TX

“I believe it’s a sign of spiritual health that so many evangelicals have become interested in biblical theology. You hold in your hand (or see on your screen!) the best brief introduction to the discipline. In The Story of Scripture, Matt Emerson expertly translates technical concepts for general readers and thoughtfully applies biblical theology to life and ministry. The result is an indispensable resource and an excellent first entry in a promising series that will do much to equip pastors, strengthen churches, and advance Christ’s kingdom.”
—Nathan A. Finn, dean of the School of Theology and Missions and professor of Christian thought and tradition, Union University

“The Story of Scripture provides a robust perspective that speaks to the coherency and the unity of God’s redemptive narrative. This book vigorously testifies to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the central theme of the Bible in a way that is informative and encouraging. Matthew Emerson has given us a resource that will serve both the pulpit and the pew well. It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend this work.”
—Earon M. James Sr., lead teaching pastor, Relevant Life Church, Pace, FL

“If you have any interest in the Bible, then I encourage you to take up and read this little book! Many people know stories in the Bible, but they don’t know the story of the Bible. Emerson has provided an easy-to-read introduction of biblical theology, showing the marvelous unity of the Bible, of which Jesus is the hero. The Story of Scripture will help you understand the redemptive drama of Scripture better, and will also build your faith, as you consider the divine nature of Scripture. I will be using it for years to come.”
—Tony Merida, associate professor of preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and pastor for preaching and vision, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC

“If you are looking for a primer that combines a predictable evangelical high view of scripture with an unpredictable historic/Christocentric read of the Bible, you are holding it in your hand.  Emerson has provided a faithful and helpful volume: broad enough in scope to grasp some of the principal points of biblical interpretation, yet readable enough for the curious beginner.”
—D. Jeffrey Mooney, professor of Old Testament interpretation and theology, California Baptist University, and senior pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church, Riverside, CA

“This first volume of the promising Hobbs College Library is an insightful, solid, faithful, and edifying introduction to the biblical story and biblical theology. It will strengthen pastors, students, and church leaders alike.”
—Christopher W. Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries and professor of theology, California Baptist University

“The Story of Scripture masterfully demonstrates the continuity in the storyline of the Bible. Matthew Emerson offers a vivid, yet accessible, description of how biblical theology has been conducted throughout the course of church history, and traces the essential theme of redemption through the biblical narrative. The volume culminates with an invitation to participate in God’s story, which it masterfully tells.”
—Walter R. Strickland II, associate vice president for kingdom diversity and assistant professor of systematic and contextual theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Matt Emerson’s The Story of Scripture maps the theological unity of Scripture. The terrain of Scripture is presented through an insightful, close reading of the Bible. Emerson contributes to one’s understanding of the biblical storyline by connecting how many sub-plots of the story connect to its main plot. He also adds brief, perceptive explanations of the underlying theological themes that construct the contours of the Bible. Emerson believes knowing how to apply biblical truth to our lives depends on recognizing the biblical story and where one is in the story. He persuasively illustrates this in his discussion on preaching, doctrine, biblical counseling, the Christian life, and the church’s mission.”
—Keith S. Whitfield, dean of graduate studies, vice president for academic administration, and assistant professor of theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

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