Aug 30, 2013

Seven Propositions for Preaching Ezekiel


I am making my way through Daniel Block’s new book By the River Chebar: Historical, Literary, and Theological Studies in the Book of Ezekiel. In the opening chapter entitled, “Preaching Ezekiel,” Block offers sevenpropositions* for preaching the book with authority and clarity (pp. 2–21). The propositions are as follows.

Proposition 1: In order to preach from Ezekiel with authority and clarity, we need to understand the prophet—his character (ethos), passion (pathos), and argumentation (logos).

Proposition 2: In order to preach from Ezekiel with authority and clarity, we need to understand his audience.

Proposition 3: In order to preach from Ezekiel with authority and clarity, we need to understand the nature and structure of the book.

Proposition 4: In order to preach from Ezekiel with authority and clarity, we need to understand the message that Ezekiel proclaims.

Proposition 5: In order to preach from Ezekiel with authority and clarity, we need to understand Ezekiel’s rhetorical and homiletical strategy.

Proposition 6: In order to preach from Ezekiel with authority and clarity, we need to plan carefully.

Proposition 7: In order to preach from Ezekiel with authority and clarity, we need to link his message with that of the New Testament resposibly.

*The heading in the book states that there are four propositions but Block goes on to enumerate seven so the heading must be in error (see. p. 2).

Aug 29, 2013

Latest Issue of Review of Biblical Literature

The latest issue of Review of Biblical Literature is out. Reviews can be accessed by clicking the links below.
 

Dominique Barthélemy
Studies in the Text of the Old Testament: An Introduction to the Hebrew Old Testament Text Project
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8630
Reviewed by John Engle

Matthew D. Jensen
Affirming the Resurrection of the Incarnate Christ: A Reading of 1 John
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8792
Reviewed by Toan Do

Jon D. Levenson
Inheriting Abraham: The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8721
Reviewed by Sara Koenig

William Loader
The New Testament on Sexuality
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8643
Reviewed by Lawrence DiPaolo

Paul L. Redditt
Zechariah 9–14
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8813
Reviewed by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer

Adele Reinhartz
Caiaphas the High Priest
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8952
Reviewed by Thomas Bergholz

Günther Schwab
Echtheitskritische Untersuchungen zu den vier kleineren Paulusbriefen
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9344
Reviewed by David Trobisch

Walter F. Taylor Jr.
Paul: Apostle to the Nations, An Introduction
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8644
Reviewed by Matteo Grosso
Reviewed by Jason Weaver

Barry G. Webb
The Book of Judges
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8809
Reviewed by Trent C. Butler

Aug 28, 2013

Problematic Pastoral Statistics

Richard J. Krejcir reports on some problematic statistics related to a survey of 1050 pastors. Here are a few of the troubling findings.

Of the one thousand fifty (1,050 or 100%) pastors we surveyed, every one of them had a close associate or seminary buddy who had left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.

Nine hundred thirty-five, (935 or 89%) of the pastors we surveyed also considered leaving the ministry at one time. Five hundred ninety, (590 or 57%) said they would leave if they had a better place to go-including secular work.

Eight hundred eight (808 or 77%) of the pastors we surveyed felt they did not have a good marriage!

Three hundred fifteen (315 or 30%) said they had either been in an ongoing affair or a one-time sexual encounter with a parishioner.
 

You can read the rest here.

HT: Rob Bradshaw

Aug 27, 2013

Twelve Church History Myths

Michael Svigel has a great post entitled, "Twelve Myths of Church History Unraveled" here.

Aug 26, 2013

Psychological Secrets to Public Speaking

Bryan Kelly has some interesting observations about public speaking in a post entitled, "Six Psychological Secrets to Public Speaking." Those of us who preach and teach might do well to consider what he has to say.

HT: Brandon