Biblical preaching begins with faithful hermeneutics, discovering the truth of the text. It’s not only the nuts and bolts of preaching, it’s also the doing of preaching that’s vital. This is what Julius Kim has done so well in his new book Preaching The Whole Counsel of God: Design And Deliver Gospel-Centered Sermons.
This book has four parts. In part one, the author helps readers discover the truth of the text by learning in chapter one how to pray, select, read, and meditate on the biblical text. In chapter two, the author explains how to interpret the text. Chapter three examines why we should preach Christ, while chapter four, and five look at how to preach Christ from the Old and New Testaments. Part three (chapters six and seven) look at the blueprints of sermon design. Part four considers how to deliver the sermon. In my opinion, this section is the best in the book, as it will help readers understand how people hear and process information which will help pastors to design and deliver sermons that connect with their hearers. The book concludes (chapter nine and ten) with a look at the place of verbal and nonverbal communication in preaching.
Preaching The Whole Counsel of God: Design And Deliver Gospel-Centered Sermons is a much-needed book that contributes much to the ongoing literature on preaching. This book would be good for the new or seasoned preacher, Bible study leader, or seminary student to read. I recommend this book and believe that by reading it pastors and teachers of the Word will learn how to handle the Word in order to help people grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures.
I received this book for free from Zondervan Academic for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
