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Recognizing the growing marginalization of the Old Testament in the pulpit, Preaching the Old Testament addresses the problem and supplies solutions with a series of first-rate essays by respected evangelical scholars.

The contributors, attempting to render the Old Testament relevant and user-friendly, demystify the various genres and guide the reader from exegesis to application—and, in some cases, to sermon craft.

By incorporating chapters dedicated to New Testament quotations of the Old, brushing up on one's Hebrew, and preaching the Old Testament evangelistically, editor Scott M. Gibson aims to tackle the issue from every conceivable angle.

Although this volume—which doubles as a festschrift for Old Testament scholar Walter C. Kaiser Jr.—is generally successful in providing "seminary students and pastors the tools they need to preach from the Old Testament," two concerns arise: Why did Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, avoided by all but the most intrepid preachers, remain untouched? Likewise, a discussion of apocalyptic material (e.g. Daniel) would have been helpful.

Minor deficiencies aside, this timely and readable work should serve as a useful addition to the library of every minister committed to preaching the whole counsel of God—including the Old Testament.

Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Preaching the Old Testament is available from ChristianBook.com and other retailers.

Baker Books has more information about Gibson and Preaching the Old Testament.

Gibson is the Haddon W. Robinson professor of preaching and ministry, director of the center for preaching, and director of the Th.M. program in preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

He has also written for Leadership Journal.

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March 2007, Vol. 51, No. 3