Books on preaching
Must have
Please! No More Boring Sermons: Preaching for Australians – Contemporary Insights and Practical Aspects (ed. Keith Waller, Acorn Press, 2007)
A collection of articles by highly credentialed Australian preachers covering topics such as the importance of preaching, the preparation for preaching, preaching a series, occasional preaching, preaching OT narrative, preaching evangelistically, sample sermons including one on suffering.
Speaking God’s Words: A Practical Theology of Preaching, by Peter Adam (IVP, 1996)
Peter is Principal of Ridley College, Melbourne, and here lays a solid theological foundation for confidence in preaching
How to Speak at Special Events (ed. Christian Focus, 2007)
An excellent resource. A collection of articles on every aspect of the process of understanding a passage of Scripture, and of preparing a Bible talk, sermon, bible study, occasional talks for funerals and weddings and more.
Should have
Preach or Perish: Reaching the hearts and minds of the world today (ed. Donald Howard, 2008).
An excellent resource. A collection of very practical and useful articles by gifted Australian preachers and teachers, including Donald Howard, John Chapman, Kel Richards, Donald Robinson, David Cook, Margaret Rodgers, Elizabeth Foord, D. Broughton Knox.
Christ-Centred Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon, by Bryan Chapell (2nd Ed, Baker Academic, 2005)
An excellent tool for students of preaching. Includes chapters on the principles and preparation of expository sermons and on the theology of Christ-centred messages. Also lots of appendices on topics including preaching length and style, wedding, funeral and evangelistic messages.
The Supremacy of God in Preaching, by John Piper (Revised Ed, Baker Books, 2004)
A refreshing and passionate call for preaching to be an act of expository-exultation: that in our preaching we would see and savour God.
Could be useful
Biblical Preaching: The Development & Delivery of Expository Messages, by Haddon Robinson (2nd Ed, Baker Academic, 2007)
Setting hearts on fire: A guide to giving evangelistic talks, by John Chapman (Matthias Media, 1999)
This book is the fruit of John’s 40 years experience as an Australian evangelist. Here he passes on the skills and passion of understanding the Word accurately and explaining it clearly. A step by step guide on preparing and delivering a talk that clearly explains the gospel.
Preaching to a Postmodern World: A Guide to Reaching Twenty-First Century Listeners, by Graham Johnston (Baker Books, 2001)
Preaching With Power – Dynamic Insights from 20 Top Communicators (ed. Michael Duduit, Baker Books in 2006)
Other helpful books for biblical preachers
On the historical reliability, etc. of the New Testament
Must have
Making Sense of the New Testament, by Craig L. Blomberg (IVP, 2004)
Is the New Testament History?, by Paul Barnett (Revised Edition, 2003).
This book is something of a classic, covering questions such as: were the NT writers eyewitnesses, what do non-Christian writers tell us about Jesus, have the original writings travelled unaltered across twenty-one centuries?
General resource books
Must have
New Bible Dictionary
New Bible Commentary (fourth edition, 1994)
A commentary on every book of the Bible in one volume. An excellent first chapter by D A Carson dealing with the dual nature of the Bible: the Words of God through the words of human beings, the canon of Scripture, the inspiration and authority of Scripture, and how to rightly interpret the Bible. Another excellent chapter by R T France on ‘Reading the Gospels’ that covers topics such as ‘what is a Gospel?’, the similarities and differences between the four Gospels.
New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (IVP, 2000)
An excellent aid to understanding the parts and themes of the Bible in relation to the whole. Among some very helpful articles are The Canon of Scripture, Scripture, Biblical history, Exegesis and hermeneutics, unity and diversity of Scripture, Relationship of the Old Testament and New Testament.
Lion Handbook of the Bible(Completely Revised & Expanded, 3rd Ed)
Very helpful background to Old and New Testament. Contains lots of photographs, diagrams, charts and timelines to aid understanding of the biblical context. E.g. charts integrating Old Testament narrative and prophetic writings with the wider historical context of the ancient Near East.
Should have
Dictionary of New Testament Background (Four-volume series)
Sets out the wealth of Jewish and Greco-Roman background that should inform our reading and understanding of the New Testament and early Christianity.
Dictionary of Jesus & the Gospels
In-depth treatment of select topics ranging from cross-sectional themes (such as faith, law, Sabbath) to methods of interpretation, key events in the life of Jesus to each of the four Gospels as a whole, to preaching from the Gospels today.
Dictionary of Paul & his Letters
In-depth articles on Pauline theological themes (such as law, resurrection and Son of God), broad theological topics (such as Christology, eschatology and the death of Christ), methods of interpretation, background topics (such as apocalypticism, Hellenism and Qumran), other subjects (such as Paul and his interpreters, the centre of Paul’s theology), and articles devoted to each of the Pauline letters, to hermeneutics and to preaching Paul today.
Dictionary of the Later New Testament & its Developments
Articles on the book of Acts, the general epistles of Peter, James, Jude and John, and the books of Hebrews and Revelation, and preaching from these books. Extended coverage of developments in early Christianity through AD 150, including the writings of the apostolic fathers and the continuation and development of orthodox Christianity. Also articles on the Christian pseudepigraphal writings, Gnosticism, and Judaism post AD 70.
New Testament – General
Must have
Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (second edition, 2005).
Very helpful for doing any work in any NT book. Presented in a very readable and user-friendly format. Excellent chapters on ‘Why Study the NT?’, ‘The World and Identity of the Earliest Church’, ‘The Modern Study of the NT’, in addition to a survey of every NT book.
The Message of the New Testament, by Mark Dever
Surveys the historical context, organization, and theology of each NT book in light of God’s OT promises, showing the message of the NT as one of hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Old Testament – General
Must have
Encountering the Old Testament: a Christian Survey (1999)
A very helpful survey of the Old Testament, presented in a very readable and user-friendly format. Lots of pictures, graphs, and tables. An excellent first chapter on ‘What is the OT and why study it’, covering the formation of the OT canon, its inspiration, transmission and interpretation.
The Message of the Old Testament, by Mark Dever (2006)
A collection of over 100 of Mark’s sermons on the OT that functions as a magnificent overview of the OT, demonstrating the ‘big picture’ of the majesty of God and the wonder of his promises, and showing how they perfectly anticipate and are fulfilled in the NT testimony of Jesus Christ (960 pages!)
On reading & interpreting the Bible
Must have
How to Read the Bible for all it’s Worth (Third Edition, 2003), by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart
Covering everything from translation concerns to different genres (literature types) of biblical writing. In clear, simple language, it helps you accurately understand and interpret the different parts of the Bible – their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today.
Should have
How to Read the Bible book by book, by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart (Zondervan, 2002)
A companion volume to their ‘How to Read the Bible for all its Worth’. Helps people read the Bible as a whole; and even when the whole is narrowed to whole books, helps readers to see how each book fits into the grand Story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
Gospel and Kingdom: A Christian Interpretation of the Old Testament, by Graeme Goldsworthy
A classic landmark in Australian text that aims to help the Christian read the Bible as a living whole, recognizing its unity in diversity and its progressively unfolding message of God’s Kingdom and King – Jesus.
Theology – General
Must have
Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief, by B Milne (Second Edition, 1998)
An excellent introduction to the great themes of the Bible.
Pocket guide to Christian beliefs, by I. Howard Marshall
A very helpful brief outline of the fundamentals of Christian belief, grounded in scripture.
Christian Theology: an introduction, by Alister E. McGrath
A comprehensive introduction to Christian doctrine. Includes an excellent glossary of theological terms.
Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs, by J I Packer (1993)
As the title suggests, concise bite-sized chapters on the nature of the Bible, God as Creator, God as Redeemer, End things.
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, by Wayne Grudem (1994)
Should have
Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion (Two volumes, edited by John T. McNeill, translated by Ford Lewis Battles)
Theology – Pauline
Must have
Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, by FF Bruce.
Another classic text by a renowned biblical scholar. Examines the life and theology of Paul – main themes in Pauline thought, set in their historical background and illustrated from his letters. Among important subjects discussed are the Mosaic Law, the flesh and the spirit, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the life to come.
Commentaries
Must have
Complete set of Tyndale Bible Commentaries
Complete set of Bible Speaks Today Bible Commentaries
Focus on the Bible Commentaries – on selected Old and New Testament books
Teach The Bible series – published by Proclamation Trust Media, Great Britian.
This series of commentaries is for the preacher, Bible study leader or youth worker, written specifically with the preacher or Bible teacher in mind, and with the sermon or Bible study as the point of reference. Each book in the series includes:
- an overview of the biblical book
- key themes
- suggested preaching outline of book
- suggested sermon outline of each passage
- notes on context, structure and meaning of each passage
- suggested application
- separate Bible study for each passage
Books in the series so far: Teaching Amos, Teaching Matthew, Teaching John, Teaching Acts, Teaching 1 Peter, Teaching the Christian Hope (using key passages of Scripture, sets out to enable us to teach with clarity and with purpose what will happen in the 'End Times'), and Spirit of Truth (clarifies the Holy Spirit's character and work).
Quality second-hand books
Theological books can be quite expensive as they are often published in the UK or USA. We are therefore very pleased to let you know about an excellent second-hand Christian book ministry that is accessible online. Foundation Books specialise in good second-hand Christian books at very reasonable prices. You can browse and order online and have the books sent to you.
Contact details
P (02) 9894 8524
E sales@foundationbooks.com.au
W www.foundationbooks.com.au
Trading hours: Thursday and Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 9am – 12.30pm.
See also the Book Network in Melbourne – loads of second-hand Christian books, Dictionaries, Commentaries, Sermons, Devotionals, etc.. Contact them for an extensive book list on CD:
P (03) 9801 5440
E ablok@bigpond.com
Tip: When purchasing second-hand books, check if the book has been revised, and ensure you are ordering the one you want: the original or the revised version.