This book review of Dr. Arturo Azurdia‘s Spirit Empowered Preaching was written as part of Pastor Lane’s doctoral course work, and as such, it is written in a more formal, academic tone than the rest of this blog’s posts. Still, we hope the audience will find these academic book reviews useful, which is why we have published them for your reference.
Dr. Arturo Azurdia III is Senior Minister of Word and Worship at Trinity Church and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Director of Pastoral Mentoring at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is a native of the San Francisco Bay area, having attended the California State University at Hayward where he received a B.S. in Music Performance. His M. Div. was earned from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, California, and his D. Min. from Westminister Seminary in Escondido, California. He was the founding minister of Christ Community Church in Fairfield, California, where he subsequently pastored for 19 years. He is a contributing author in The Compromised Church (Crossway) and Reforming Pastoral Ministry (Crossway) and is a frequent speaker at various national and international conferences.
The central theme of the book is that “the efficacious empowerment of the Spirit of God is indispensible to the ministry of proclamation. The neglect of the ministry of the Spirit in the work of preaching has emerged as a result of a failure to see the full-orbed implications of the nature of sinful humanity” (p. 13). The author is contending for a great dependence upon Holy Spirit in the preaching ministry of God’s Word among his target audience of preachers and those who aspire to preach. The only way to accomplish God’s purpose through preaching to open the heart and usher in a saving experience is to actively depend upon the vitality of the Spirit of God in the preaching event.
The theological orientation of Dr. Azurdia is evangelical and decisively reformed as a professor at a reformed seminary.
The principle significant contribution of this book to preaching is a comprehensive evaluation of the work of Holy Spirit in the entire preaching process, from preparation to presentation. As well, this contribution is not only in the Holy Spirit’s role but the basis for which he builds his argument. Whereas many discussions about the Holy Spirit do little more than tell stories and make experiential references to draw conclusions, Dr. Azurdia builds a strong biblical and theological foundation to appeal for and establish preachers in the work of the Holy Spirit. These two contributions naturally lead to a third that this book does an exceptional job at giving priority to, and that is the work through preaching that can only be accomplished by the Spirit, communicating truth to save souls. In his appeal for power in the pulpit, he in no way reduces the necessity for preparation and study, but he elevates the activity of Holy Spirit throughout the process to challenge preachers to depend upon the Holy Spirit throughout to work as only he can.
Spirit Empowered Preaching is a thoroughly theological book that establishes every aspect of the practice of preaching in the Word of God. As a result, many philosophical points are established that shape an understanding of how to approach different aspects of preaching. In addition, many notes are used to supplement the reading with the author’s research work.
The general outline of the book is structured in ten chapters that begins with the distinct role of the Holy Spirit and develops his work throughout the course of the book, outlining how he works on and in the preacher to the congregation. As well, it is established how he has worked in this manner throughout history, beginning with biblical models. The chapters are laid out as follows. First is the Greater Works. This chapter establishes that the extent and influence of the work of Holy Spirit through God’s people will be greater than even what was known in Jesus’ time. This chapter is a great encouragement because it confirms that Jesus’ promise that he will work through and use those who are submitted to him.
Second is the Sacred Communicator. This chapter establishes the principle role of Holy Spirit as he communicates truth to awaken the dead. Acknowledging a lack of power in much preaching, the author is most concerned by the apparent lack of bother over it. This leads to an explanation of how the church has forsaken Holy Spirit’s power by chasing other causes and becoming consumed with other priorities. Against this backdrop the unique action of Holy Spirit as the source of truth, the deliverer of truth and the One who will make truth known is established. This chapter is invaluable for every preacher to study at length and remember the function of Holy Spirit to strengthen one’s dependence upon him. The explanation the author offers of the two ways the Spirit communicates truth is very valuable in understanding how he works.
Third is the Christocentric Spirit. Jesus is the sum and substance of the Spirit’s ministry as he reveals and glorifies Christ through the Word. The author shows the thread of preaching Christ through the Bible from the Old Testament Scriptures as taught by Jesus and the Apostles and the New Testament as the resultant teaching. This chapter demonstrates that the work of the Spirit is to reveal and glorify Christ in every way and that the preacher will only experience the Spirit’s power when we follow this same pattern.
Fourth is the Evangelical Priority. Our priority today must remain committed to the preaching tradition of the Apostles in preaching Christ crucified, a foolish message that God has ordained to work through for salvation. The simplicity of this charge is so powerful and is essential for the church today. We must not preach the Scriptures as a disconnected, disjointed collection, but as a whole, unified body that proclaim one Messiah. It is transformational for a preacher to understand this critical principle in preaching, that the gospel is our grid for understanding.
Fifth is the Decisive Function of the Church. The apostolic ministry is characterized by a determination to appropriate a foolish method. The author does an excellent job of establishing that the method by which they communicated mattered to the Apostles. The method should appropriately honor and represent the message. Preaching is the primary method of communicating the message of the gospel because the spirit of the gospel demands a method that is authoritative. I appreciate the word study used to substantiate his position for this by demonstrating that the word for preaching is used over one hundred times in the New Testament. This stands in such stark contrast to much of what is taking place among churches today that are downplaying the role of preaching in mission. Preaching must remain the central activity of the church because it is the biblical method for communicating the central message of Scripture.
Sixth is the Sine Qua Non of Gospel Preaching. The author dedicates this chapter to establishing the Holy Spirit as the indispensible agent of power in preaching. When the Spirit comes and fills, strong proclamation accompanies it. The Holy Spirit fills in order that the Word might be proclaimed. The seven uses of the phrase “filled with the Holy Spirit” is helpful to see this and understand it scripturally. As well, deepening ones understanding of what Spirit-filling means both helps to create a desire for and a dependence upon the Spirit’s work in preaching.
Seventh is the Occupational Vulnerability of Preaching. Our aim is that the faith of sinners be a real and saving faith, resting entirely upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. The author said, “When the Holy Spirit powerfully attends the preaching of the word of God there is an ease of speaking, a holy authority, an other-worldly kind of courage that can compel an ordinary man to invade the domain of darkness and demand the deliverance of people enslaved to that realm.” It is true that when the Holy Spirit fills a man there is an exceptional vulnerability that befalls him, but this places him more fully into the hands of the Spirit to be used more powerfully. What a blessed honor to be used in this way. This is surely one of the most challenging places to reach as well, for the preacher must fight in every way against himself in order to become completely vulnerable in this kind of way.
Eight is Preaching and the man of God. The author outlines three responsibilities of a preacher: to have a consistent pattern of fervent intercession, that he must prepare himself by a diligent study of the Scriptures, and that the preacher must realize and revel in his own human inabilities. Extending from the last chapter, this one outlines the regular disciplines that a preacher must remain committed to in order to submit himself to the Spirit control in every step of the preparation to presentation process. I cannot hear or read this chapter too many times. This is by far the most challenging aspect for me to remember, as a “doer” by nature. I feel more validated on the go and must fight to stop and pray. The Spirit is so faithful in prayer and study to speak. What a difficult process this is for me, and especially to revel in my inabilities. Praise God that he is magnified in weakness, for if not there would be no other hope.
Ninth is the Sensitive Spirit. The congregation is responsible to receive the message. In order to be able to do so, they must constantly and continually learn to refrain from any kind of attitude or activity that might contribute to a withholding of the effects of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing and what a difference it makes when the congregation is ready to receive and has covered the preacher in prayer. A noticeable difference among the people is evident. What a joy to preach to people who come with an expectation and an anticipation of Holy Spirit to move in power.
Tenth is Pray Me Full. When the congregation takes responsibility to make intercession for the effects of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Word of God, greater works are always abundant.
Spirit Empowered Preaching is a great read on the power of that always accompanies the preaching of God’s Word by Holy Spirit. The flow of the book is strategic and intentional to tie the full effect of the preaching event all the way back to the promise of Jesus. That’s powerful! In reading the entirety of this book, I was challenged, strengthened and reminded to grow in my understanding, practice, and absolute dependence upon Holy Spirit to work in and through the preacher, as well as lead the church in this as well, for the most potent preaching and most effective mission. I did struggle at times with the writing style, finding it somewhat tedious in detail. But after a review of the material, I have gained a better grasp of the overall content of the book. I do believe this book achieved its purpose for the preacher and the preaching event.
The concepts I am most enthusiastic about are the seventh and eight chapters of growing in my vulnerability to the complete control of the Spirit in the preaching event as well as the continued growth of my life in developing a stronger closet of prayer, a more confident rhythm of study and a reveling in my human inabilities in order that I might boast all the more in Christ.
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