Rating: 
Summary: The Best Book on Preaching in many Years
Review: Bryan Chapell, president of Covenant Seminary, is to be congratulated for this excellent book. It is a book that has had a positive impact on evangelical preaching in general, and Reformed preaching in particular. It is warm, exhaustive, practical, and predominately Biblical. It is an important achievement within the arena of practical theology and homiletics, which tends to be a field dominated by books that either argue that preaching is a relic that should be abandoned, or are mainly emotional/hysterical exhortations to revitalize preaching with little practical application.In my view, no seminary student preparing for a preaching ministry should be without this book - nor should even seasoned pastors who are open to good homiletical teaching. It is a book that is truly exhaustive, making it a wonderful resource that can be referred to over and over again. To some readers, the exhaustive nature of the book might be intimidating and might scare someone who does not yet have an appreciation for how much of an art and skill good preaching really is. But in this book are a myriad of tools that have the potential to make otherwise good preachers much better, and to have their messages be truly life transforming. Chapell spends time focusing on the character of the preacher and the necessity of the preacher to rely on the Holy Spirit and not himself - a statement that is obvious but often ignored to the detriment of the preacher and his flock. Chapell also spends a good bit of time discussing the mechanics of preaching, from preparing a sermon, to things as down to earth as preacher posture and sanctuary acoustics. It is here that Chapell drives home a number of his chief points - exegetical sermons are great and shouldn't be discarded, and that exegetical sermons are at their best when a good portion, maybe a third, of the sermon is devoted to application. Chapell also gives the reader an inside look at the weekly routine of a preacher in terms of sermon preparation - what he does, how he does it, what references or sources does he use, how does he organize his thoughts, etc. Extremely informative, and again, something that can be referred to repeatedly for years. Chapell, consistent with his 'Christ-Centered Preaching' book title, strongly advances the view that preaching should be redemptive in character, with Jesus Christ as the climactic focus of the entire Bible. It is here that Chapell gets into some trouble, but not severely. His assertion that Jesus Christ can and should be legitimately brought into any sermon preached from any passage of Scripture is a bit suspect, because contrary to the wishes of the Biblical Theology people, this approach puts the Bible into a systemic grid and flattens it every bit as much as a systematic approach to theology or homiletics - it's just a different kind of system. So while the redemptive historical approach to preaching is good and helpful on balance, the discerning reader will recognize that this approach is every bit as man-made as any systematic approach to Biblical preaching, and is therefore certainly improveable. But this somewhat minor beef aside, this book will equip evangelical preachers, and particularly Reformed preachers, with a wealth of knowledge and information that can transform sermons into life changing events where the Spirit takes our fishes and loaves and multiplies them greatly to feed the flock on a regular basis. There needs to be a revival in preaching, away from the mile-wide inch deep approach that often epitomizes proof-text preaching, and toward substantive and exegetically enriching sermons, and this book lays a great foundation.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book on Preaching in many Years
Review: Bryan Chapell, president of Covenant Seminary, is to be congratulated for this excellent book. It is a book that has had a positive impact on evangelical preaching in general, and Reformed preaching in particular. It is warm, exhaustive, practical, and predominately Biblical. It is an important achievement within the arena of practical theology and homiletics, which tends to be a field dominated by books that either argue that preaching is a relic that should be abandoned, or are mainly emotional/hysterical exhortations to revitalize preaching with little practical application. In my view, no seminary student preparing for a preaching ministry should be without this book - nor should even seasoned pastors who are open to good homiletical teaching. It is a book that is truly exhaustive, making it a wonderful resource that can be referred to over and over again. To some readers, the exhaustive nature of the book might be intimidating and might scare someone who does not yet have an appreciation for how much of an art and skill good preaching really is. But in this book are a myriad of tools that have the potential to make otherwise good preachers much better, and to have their messages be truly life transforming. Chapell spends time focusing on the character of the preacher and the necessity of the preacher to rely on the Holy Spirit and not himself - a statement that is obvious but often ignored to the detriment of the preacher and his flock. Chapell also spends a good bit of time discussing the mechanics of preaching, from preparing a sermon, to things as down to earth as preacher posture and sanctuary acoustics. It is here that Chapell drives home a number of his chief points - exegetical sermons are great and shouldn't be discarded, and that exegetical sermons are at their best when a good portion, maybe a third, of the sermon is devoted to application. Chapell also gives the reader an inside look at the weekly routine of a preacher in terms of sermon preparation - what he does, how he does it, what references or sources does he use, how does he organize his thoughts, etc. Extremely informative, and again, something that can be referred to repeatedly for years. Chapell, consistent with his 'Christ-Centered Preaching' book title, strongly advances the view that preaching should be redemptive in character, with Jesus Christ as the climactic focus of the entire Bible. It is here that Chapell gets into some trouble, but not severely. His assertion that Jesus Christ can and should be legitimately brought into any sermon preached from any passage of Scripture is a bit suspect, because contrary to the wishes of the Biblical Theology people, this approach puts the Bible into a systemic grid and flattens it every bit as much as a systematic approach to theology or homiletics - it's just a different kind of system. So while the redemptive historical approach to preaching is good and helpful on balance, the discerning reader will recognize that this approach is every bit as man-made as any systematic approach to Biblical preaching, and is therefore certainly improveable. But this somewhat minor beef aside, this book will equip evangelical preachers, and particularly Reformed preachers, with a wealth of knowledge and information that can transform sermons into life changing events where the Spirit takes our fishes and loaves and multiplies them greatly to feed the flock on a regular basis. There needs to be a revival in preaching, away from the mile-wide inch deep approach that often epitomizes proof-text preaching, and toward substantive and exegetically enriching sermons, and this book lays a great foundation.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Preaching Book so Far
Review: Have you ever heard what an FCF is? It's what is called by Chapell as the Fallen Condition Focus, and from it, we begin to preach on the Redeeming work of Christ. And every passage of Scripture would have a bearing on Christ because it is written by a Holy God to a fallen humanity.
Christ should be supreme on all preaching. Wow! This book transforms preaching. Buy it. Underline it, use it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for preparing a sermon
Review: The book shows well how to prepare a sermon from preparing to delivering. It also tells why and how a sermon should be Christ-centered. Very excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Christ-Centered Preaching!
Review: The title says it all: Christ-Centered preaching! We live in the age of attention-deficit congregations who are incredibly short sighted and want things in sound bites and to be readily digestible. On the other hand, there are still congregations that hunger for preachers who deliver more substantive sermons. Lost in this culture even amongst many conservative Christian congregations is the value of the expository sermon, which really delves into the Word of God. Chapell makes a case for the value of the expository sermon. Moreover he shows how to effectively deliver expository sermons. He shows how we can learn from the great expositors of the past. He addresses the need for Christ-centered preaching, effective delivery, and he soundly explains components of exposition and offers techniques for effective illustration. He offers some poignant advice on delivery, dress and style, which is important to connecting with the congregation. His exhortation is gentle and understanding, but he reminds the pastor not to lose sight of the Cross or fall into familiar traps of trying to humor the congregation as a constant comedian least the efficacy of one's Gospel message get lost in a sea of worldliness and pride. Chapell really hits the point home that Christ-centered preaching is vitally requisite to the efficacy and power of a speaker's Gospel message. He devotes whole chapters to developing redemptive sermons and taking a redemptive approach to preaching. Looking at notes is not off limits, but eye contact is vital to exhibiting knowledge and preparation and ultimately in effectively communicating the message to a congregation. Finally, he reminds the evangelist or pastor that the efficacy of one's preaching ultimately lies in much contemplation-seeking God through prayer and supplication-and a humble commitment to the Word of God. If we boast in anything we should boast in the Cross!
This book was extraordinarily helpful in preparation for my first sermon this past June and I chose a more substantive expository sermon than a simple topical sermon to kick off my debut, and this book was most helpful in preparation, structuring and planing. Soli Deo Gloria!
Rating:
Summary: Review of Christ-Centered Preaching
Review: This is the first book that shows a great number of findings evidently based on research into the makeup of effective expository sermons and describes the numerous methods and techniques that comprise eloquent ones. It will teach you how to craft effective sermons that are genuinely worth listening and responding to. It's Christ-centered focus is best-reflected in Chapell's statement, "Discover...the redemptive context of every text." (He shows you just how to do it.) Chapell evidently is a skillful teacher of preachers and of preaching. The book delivers in a manner anyone could understand. Some of the book's value derives from its guidelines and detailed advice concerning sermon flow, building, progression, transitions, culmination and climaxes, the use of repetition, parallelisms, constructing main points and subpoints and how to deliver them,personalizing statements in applications, natural delivery, brevity, word-choice and phrasing, and how to "become conduits for God's strength.". He shows how to be all of this and more without minimizing prayer or the Bible itself as a guide. Once more, he is anything but stuffy. Everything Chapell writes in this book originates from a spelled-out, Biblical basis. He just wants every preacher to be able to learn how to preach life-changing sermons that always point hearers to Christ! He reaches this mark, I believe. The book has certainly changed my preaching for the better.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Christ-Centered Preaching
Review: This is the first book that shows a great number of findings evidently based on research into the makeup of effective expository sermons and describes the numerous methods and techniques that comprise eloquent ones. It will teach you how to craft effective sermons that are genuinely worth listening and responding to. It's Christ-centered focus is best-reflected in Chapell's statement, "Discover...the redemptive context of every text." (He shows you just how to do it.) Chapell evidently is a skillful teacher of preachers and of preaching. The book delivers in a manner anyone could understand. Some of the book's value derives from its guidelines and detailed advice concerning sermon flow, building, progression, transitions, culmination and climaxes, the use of repetition, parallelisms, constructing main points and subpoints and how to deliver them,personalizing statements in applications, natural delivery, brevity, word-choice and phrasing, and how to "become conduits for God's strength.". He shows how to be all of this and more without minimizing prayer or the Bible itself as a guide. Once more, he is anything but stuffy. Everything Chapell writes in this book originates from a spelled-out, Biblical basis. He just wants every preacher to be able to learn how to preach life-changing sermons that always point hearers to Christ! He reaches this mark, I believe. The book has certainly changed my preaching for the better.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Every Preacher
Review: This is the most comprehensive book on preaching I have ever read and without a doubt one of the very best. Chapell presents the reader with a thorough analysis of the preparation, development and delivery of expository sermons. Chapell not only tells the reader what to do, he shows him. For instance, the author will not only tell how to write a sermon introduction, he gives several excellent example of good and bad introductions and then explains the strength and weaknesses of both.
Chapell persuasively makes the case that a sermon is much more than imparting biblical information. He succinctly states, "no application, no sermon." I also appreciate that he addresses the issue of pastoral authority. All the sermon preparation in the world will do little good if the pastor does not speak with the authority that God has given him. The author does not try so squeeze the reader into a particular method of sermon preparation, he outlines the necessary steps and then allows the reader to develop his own particular style
So much information was packed into so few pages that I found it very difficult to read this book fast. It took me longer to read it than it id Duduit's Contemporary Preaching that is nearly twice its length. There were two faults I found this book. I was a little confused with the terms. The FCF (Fallen Condition Focus) was a new concept for me. I had trouble separating it my mind from the sermon proposition. Second, his advice on preaching one's doubts needs to be addressed with more clarity. He wants preachers to have a genuine style, but he fails to caution us as H.W. Robinson does on the dangers of preaching your unresolved doubts and conflicts.
This book gave me confidence to develop my sermons first and then look in the commentaries after the message is outlined. It also helped me with the most elementary, but needed advice- that I need to read, read, and reread the text. Nothing will help one develop a sermon more than knowing what the text says. I appreciate his 3:00 a.m. test, that is, if someone woke you up at 3:00 a.m. and asked you what your sermon was about could you respond with a single sentence? How sad it is that for many years I preached sermons with no real focus. Speaking of focus, Chapell explained the difference between biblical preaching and Christ-centered preaching. Sometimes people would complain that I wasn't peach Christ even though I was preaching "biblical sermons." Now I know why. Every sermon on marriage, family, etc. must end at the cross.
Yes, yes, yes. This is truly a great book, one of the few books I feel compelled to read again. It is a treasure chest of practical information for the preparation and delivery of sermons.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Every Preacher
Review: This is the most comprehensive book on preaching I have ever read and without a doubt one of the very best. Chapell presents the reader with a thorough analysis of the preparation, development and delivery of expository sermons. Chapell not only tells the reader what to do, he shows him. For instance, the author will not only tell how to write a sermon introduction, he gives several excellent example of good and bad introductions and then explains the strength and weaknesses of both.
Chapell persuasively makes the case that a sermon is much more than imparting biblical information. He succinctly states, "no application, no sermon." I also appreciate that he addresses the issue of pastoral authority. All the sermon preparation in the world will do little good if the pastor does not speak with the authority that God has given him. The author does not try so squeeze the reader into a particular method of sermon preparation, he outlines the necessary steps and then allows the reader to develop his own particular style
So much information was packed into so few pages that I found it very difficult to read this book fast. It took me longer to read it than it id Duduit's Contemporary Preaching that is nearly twice its length. There were two faults I found this book. I was a little confused with the terms. The FCF (Fallen Condition Focus) was a new concept for me. I had trouble separating it my mind from the sermon proposition. Second, his advice on preaching one's doubts needs to be addressed with more clarity. He wants preachers to have a genuine style, but he fails to caution us as H.W. Robinson does on the dangers of preaching your unresolved doubts and conflicts.
This book gave me confidence to develop my sermons first and then look in the commentaries after the message is outlined. It also helped me with the most elementary, but needed advice- that I need to read, read, and reread the text. Nothing will help one develop a sermon more than knowing what the text says. I appreciate his 3:00 a.m. test, that is, if someone woke you up at 3:00 a.m. and asked you what your sermon was about could you respond with a single sentence? How sad it is that for many years I preached sermons with no real focus. Speaking of focus, Chapell explained the difference between biblical preaching and Christ-centered preaching. Sometimes people would complain that I wasn't peach Christ even though I was preaching "biblical sermons." Now I know why. Every sermon on marriage, family, etc. must end at the cross.
Yes, yes, yes. This is truly a great book, one of the few books I feel compelled to read again. It is a treasure chest of practical information for the preparation and delivery of sermons.
Rating:
Summary: A thorough, Biblical treatment of the preaching task
Review: What a wonderful book! I just finished seminary, and read tons of books...this one is in the top five. Chappell is the president of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis and a former pastor. He preaches all over the country, and is known for his gifts in this area. After reading his book, I can see why. He takes the reader through every step and clearly lays out the "why" of preaching. The thing that sets this book apart is that Chappell forces the preparer of the sermon to find the "Fallen Condition Focus" of the passage to be preached (the FCF). That means, the one preparing to preach must ask, "In every way, the world is broken and God's people are fallen. So why did God choose to put this passage in His Holy Scripture? Since the Word of God makes us complete, to what "incompletion" does this particular text speak? Why does the church need this passage?" And then he takes you from there to construct a sermon that will allow God's Word to minister to the hearts and souls of His people. What a great approach! (at least I think so.)
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