This book review of Walter Kaiser‘s Preaching and Teaching from the Old Testament 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.
Walter C. Kaiser is the Colman M. Mockler distinguished Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Old Testament Ethics. He is also President Emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, from where he retired as president June 30, 2006, after serving nine years. Prior to serving at Gordon-Conwell he taught Bible and archaeology at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, and taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in several capacities. In addition to teaching in the Old Testament Department, he was Senior Vice President of Education, Academic Dean, and Senior Vice President of Distance Learning and Ministries. He is a graduate of Wheaton College with an A.B., Wheaton Graduate School of Theology with a B.D. and Brandeis University with a M.A. and Ph.D. He is the author of numerous books and publications. He resides in North Hampton, Massachusetts, with his wife, Marge.
Dr. Kaiser’s main focus in writing the book is to address the absence of preaching from the Old Testament in the modern church and specifically how to do just that. Building from John Bright’s foundational work, The Authority of the Old Testament, in which he argues for why one should preach from the Old Testament, this book turns our attention to how one should preach from the Old Testament. Dr. Kaiser begins with the same argument that Dr. Bright set forth. “He declared: “Let us say it clearly: the text has but one meaning, the meaning intended by its author; and there is but one method for discovering that meaning, the grammatical-historical method.” In response to opponents of this method, Dr. Kaiser responds that this most often leads to the practice of eisegesis, reading into the text, and creates a flat Bible that makes all similar ideas in Scripture equal. He asserts, “We must first establish what the text of the Old Testament is asserting, and only then should we draw in additional information on that subject, which God has seen fit to give us in the later progress of revelations.” Genre will become a basic clue for determining how to understand the original meaning of the author.
This book is written primarily with students and pastors in focus. The structure of the book and the writing style directs it toward those studying the issue of preaching the Old Testament. The basic premise is simply to set forth a need to preach the Old Testament and a model for how to do so. This sets the primary determinant of the focus audience. Lengthy technical or scholarly arguments are not set forth in the chapters. The content flows to facilitate an ease of understanding, smooth reading, and argument in explanation for the method being introduced. However, a generous section of notes recorded for further study makes this book a sufficient resource for deeper study.
The author is firmly established as an evangelical. His teaching resume shows a long tenured ministry as an evangelical and his influence is well known for the same. His writing demonstrates a strong conviction and trust in God’s Word, with a focus to train others in understanding and properly handling the Bible in study.
The unique contribution of this book is the comprehensive treatment and approach given to preaching the Old Testament. A foundational argument for preaching the Old Testament begins the book, which encompasses a consideration of both benefits and challenges. The second portion of the book works systematically through each genre in the Bible and gives broad consideration for how to study, address, understand, and preach it. This provides an excellent consideration of each genre and their relationship to the others, helping to bring understanding to the whole of the Old Testament.
This book is an instructional exercise through the entirety of the Old Testament by genre that all argues for strong preaching of the same. The chapters of the first section establish the primary points and issues for the specific chapter topic. The second section works through each specific genre addressing unique and major points of understanding, how to move toward the sermon, and ending with an exemplary passage to demonstrate what has just been taught. This systematic flow of the book and each chapter makes it extremely practical for the reader.
The first section establishes the need to preach and teach from the Old Testament. The author begins with the value of the Old Testament for today. This chapter sets forth four basic theses for this argument:
- The Old Testament is the powerful Word of God is the first. Most compelling is the author’s statement regarding the Old Testament, “It presents itself as possessing divine authority with a sufficiency that transcends what mere mortals can create or expound for their contemporaries or for later generations.” He also reminds that the New Testament church leaders understood it as God’s Word.
- The second thesis is that it leads us to Jesus the Messiah. “The Messiah is at the heart of the message of that neglected portion of the Bible.” He points to Peter’s use as early as Pentecost to show that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were clearly anticipated by early writers and Jesus’ own testimony that pointed to him from the Old Testament.
- The third thesis is that it deals with the questions of life. The Old Testament is both broad in scope and practical in nature. It is helpful as it teaches us how to live.
- The fourth thesis is it was used as the exclusive authority in the early church. Two points are made that are particularly helpful here. The early church used the Old Testament to understand the plan and purpose of God and the New Testament gives no evidence of any other source used by the early church to understand the Messiah. In conclusion, the author simply states that reading the Bible backward is incorrect historically and procedurally. The Old Testament stands on its own in terms of value for all believers.
Chapter two addresses the problems of the Old Testament for today. This chapter is framed by five questions:
- “Is the Old Testament the master problem of theology” is the first. The author is emphatic that this is the problem. It is not one singular issue, but rather the whole of theology.
- The second question is, “Does the Old Testament have a center or a Mitte?” He points to the later writers referencing earlier writers as the initial argument for unity. He uses the “promise-plan” of God to establish his argument. This is found in 1 Peter 1:3-12 as he speaks of “so great a salvation.” This is helpful to show the reader a common thread of unity.
- The third question is closely aligned with the second as, “Does the Old Testament exhibit such a unity?” The author points to Genesis 12:3 as a central unifying verse for the organizing plan of the whole Bible.
- The fourth question is, “Does the Old Testament exemplify Legalism or Grace?” In response the author simply states that the giving of the law was an act of God’s grace in itself.
- The fifth question is, “Is the Old Testament to be made over into the New Testament?” The author offers six answers that the church has been taught that concern the continuity or discontinuity found between the testaments. These are very helpful to frame how many have understood the relationship between the testaments.
Chapter three addresses the task of preaching and teaching from the Old Testament today. This chapter sets forth a clear rationale for why the church should hear the Old Testament, why the church lost the Old Testament in its preaching, and why the Old Testament helps one’s preaching. This chapter is very helpful and practical in preparing the reader to articulate their own rationale and strategy for regular preaching from the Old Testament. It concludes with a listing of articles and resources to help the reader expand their research and study in this area.
Chapter four addresses the art and science of expository preaching. The author gives his definition for an expository sermon and briefly discusses how to find the literal meaning of the passage and to consider the genre. The real help of this chapter rests in the six lenses that he offers for viewing the passage to determining the unity of the sermon. These lenses provide a basic but helpful path to walk the reader from study to sermon formation.
Part two of the book leads the reader through how to preach and teach from each genre of the Old Testament, including narrative, wisdom books, prophets, laments, torah, praise and apocalyptic. Each chapter identifies and discusses the elements and unique characteristics of each genre, explaining how they determine the meaning of the passage. An illustration is offered in each chapter to show what is being explained and help the reader to put it into practice. These chapters are very helpful to introduce the reader to the practice of reading understanding and interpreting each genre.
Preaching and Teaching from the Old Testament is an excellent introduction for the Bible student or pastor to learn to correctly approach and handle each Old Testament genre. The book is succinct and direct without being laborious in explanation. The author has written a very readable introduction to genres as well as a helpful resource for quick future reference. The style and organization of writing flows well and is easy to reference. I found this style to be easy to follow and fitting for the content and purpose of the book.
The first aspect of the book that I found to be most beneficial was the chapter on “The Art and Science of Expository Preaching.” I appreciate the direct path used by the author to bring unity to the sermon from study. This resonated well with me. I find it most helpful to be able to capture a mental outline in study process. This section was full of practical ideas and direction to best understand and communicate the meaning of the text.
The second aspect of the book that I found to be most beneficial was the design and flow of each chapter in Part Two. Each genre is identified, explained, and discussed. An illustration is given for preaching and offers the reader the opportunity to practicing what is explained with the quick and ready reference solidifies the process more firmly in my mind.
This book is extremely beneficial and helpful for the church. The Bible student and pastor alike with only a minimum amount of familiarity with these Old Testament issues can read, understand, and use it to grow in the practice of expository preaching from the Old Testament. I would agree that the author accomplished his purpose set forth in the book.
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