HOW TO PREACH THE PROPHETS PB

The Old Testament prophetic books play a key role in revealing God’s plan of salvation. They occupy a significant portion of the biblical canon, similar in size to the entire New Testament. Yet most believers stay clear of this part of Scripture. They avoid traveling through this forest of oracles and visions. Many preachers also struggle to navigate this unfamiliar territory. Preachers feel much more at ease unpacking the intricate arguments of the Pauline epistles or following the thrilling adventures of biblical narratives rather than exploring the prophetic books. The church, however, needs to hear and respond to the beauty, depth, and relevance of the prophetic message. This book not only provides convincing reasons for preaching the prophets today but also offers concrete guidelines to empower preachers (small group leaders, youth workers, etc.) to communicate the message of the prophets with hermeneutical precision, theological depth, genre sensitivity, and pastoral pulse. This book motivates and equips preachers to travel with confidence through this uncharted territory and to help God’s people enjoy the scenery of this part of God’s word.

This book not only provides convincing reasons for preaching the prophets today but also offers concrete guidelines to empower preachers (small group leaders, youth workers, etc.) to communicate the message of the prophets with hermeneutical precision, theological depth, genre sensitivity, and pastoral pulse. This book motivates and equips preachers to travel with confidence through this uncharted territory and to help God’s people enjoy the scenery of this part of God’s word.

About the Author
Andrew G. M. Hamilton is professor of preaching and Old Testament at the Italian Evangelical Biblical Institute. He is a pastor and is on the leadership team of the Bible Teachers & Preachers Networks at the European Leadership Forum. Andrew is originally from Northern Ireland but has lived most of his life in Italy. He is married to Ruth, and they have three children.

As reviewed by GLO Europe General Director Stephen McQuoid-
'Preaching the Old Testament prophets for all their worth by Andrew Hamilton. Anyone who has been preaching for any length of time will know that the Old Testament prophets are not only wonderful material for preachers, but they carry with them their own challenges. For those who are up for the challenge, this book is a great place to start. It is both scholarly and practical and a very helpful guide to preaching this genre.

The first part of the book (chapters 1-3) covers the ‘why’ of preaching through the prophets. While chapter 1 deals with the obvious reasons as to why we should preach the prophets, it is followed by two wonderful chapters that argue for the prophets immense value and their brilliance as communicators of God’s message. These chapters are also full of insight as to the character and message of the prophets and also contain tips on how to preach them. Whether or not you agree with the notion that each sermon should have one main thought, the guidance given is very useful.

The next section, which is actually the larger part of the book, is the ‘how to’ of preaching. It unpacks the genre, looks at the wider picture, reflects on time spans in prophetic literature, and shows how the prophetic messages ultimately lead to the person of Christ. If you are a young preacher you will greatly benefit from the wisdom that this book provides. Preaching through a book like, for example Isaiah, is a privilege but a pressure. This book will steer you away from basic errors and its accessibility will make it highly usable. If you are a seasoned preacher, the sheer enthusiasm that Andy demonstrates in this book will warm your heart and encourage you to delve into the prophetic books again. Every preacher’s library should have a copy, it is a very good investment. It is a book by a preacher for preachers.'

Publisher: Wipf and Stock (24 May 2022)
Language: English
Paperback: 252 pages