Princeton and Preaching

Princeton and Preaching

Archibald Alexander and the Christian Ministry

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Princeton and Preaching

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Weight 0.45 kg
Dimensions 22.3 × 14.3 × 2.0 cm
ISBN 9780851518930
Binding

Cloth-bound
format

Book
page-count

304
Original Pub Date

2005
Banner Pub Date

Jan 1, 2005

ENDORSEMENT

‘From Dr. Garretson comes a first-class account of a first-class delineation of the preaching ministry by a firs-class theologian, mentor, and minister of the gospel – the versatile Archibald Alexander, who for its first generation virtually was Princeton Seminary in both its academic and its practical aspects, and who laid the foundation for all its future greatness. Alexander is a neglected figure, and it is high time for someone to begin to do him justice, as Dr. Garreston does. Enrichment and enjoyment in equal parts await the student of this excellent book.’– DR. J.I. PACKER

Book Description

How does one know whether God is calling a man to the pastoral ministry? Are we aware of the moral, intellectual, and physical qualifications needed for the Christian ministry? What are the best methods of sermon preparation and should the preacher pay as much attention to preparing his own heart as to preparing the message he is to preach? On what kinds of subjects should a pastor preach, and how should such preaching be done? What is really involved in being a shepherd of Christ’s flock? Do we know what kinds of discouragements and encouragements face the pastor in his ministry?

These are some of the issues this book addresses. Dr. James Garretson has drawn together wise, practical, and relevant insights into the call, qualifications, and work of the Christian pastor from the extant lecture notes of one of Princeton’s best loved and most respected teachers, Dr. Archibald Alexander. As you read this book you will feel as if you were sitting at the feet of this ‘first-class theologian, mentor and minister of the gospel’, alongside the many students of ‘Old Princeton’ whose lives and future ministries were moulded by Alexander’s inspiring classroom instruction. You will also discover to your lasting profit that Alexander’s wise counsel on pastoral theology, drawn as it was from the ever-fresh spring of Holy Scripture, remains of continuing value for today’s preachers who seek to walk in the sound and fruitful paths of their godly forefathers.

Table of Contents Expand ↓

FOREWORD by Sinclair B. Ferguson ix
PREFACE xiii
INTRODUCTION xv
1. THE MARKING OF A SERVANT 1
 2. THE CALL TO THE MINISTRY 31
Elements of a Call to the Office of Christian Minister 32
The Necessity of Piety 39
A Strong Inclination to Preach 41
Practical Considerations for Determining a Call to the Ministry 43
The External Call to the Ministry 48
Conclusion 52
 3. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY 55
Moral Qualifications 57
Intellectual Qualifications 64
Natural Talents 64
Learning 65
Eloquence 73
Physical Qualifications 77
Conclusion 79
 4. SERMON PREPARATION 81
Principles Underlying Careful Sermon Preparation 85
The Role of Logic and Rhetoric and the Function of ‘Truth’ in Sermon Preparation 94
The Introduction or Exordium 98
Arrangement and Division of the Parts of a Sermon 99
Sermon Goals 104
The Conclusion or Peroration 107
 5. THE PREPARATION OF THE PREACHER’S HEART 111
 6. THE MINISTER AS SHEPHERD 123
 7. THE ‘MATTER’ OF PREACHING 133
Some Preliminary Considerations 134
Confronting Controversy in a Christ like Manner 134
Knowledge of the Scriptures 137
Preaching the Truth 139
Categories and Subjects for Biblical Preaching 141
Biblical Apologetics and the ‘Truths’ of Natural Religion 141
Avoiding Human Philosophy and Metaphysical Speculation 146
The Importance of Fundamental Truths 148
A Christ-centred Model for the Interpretation of Scripture 149
A Biblical Theology for Redemptive Preaching 153
Preaching the Gospel from the Old Testament Scriptures 156
Preaching Doctrinally and Systematically 158
Demonstrating the Proper Interrelationship between Law and Gospel 160
Applying the Promises and Threatenings to Their Proper Recipients 167
The Benefits of ‘Characteristical Preaching’ 169
Conclusion 173
 8. MINISTERIAL DEPORTMENT AND THE PROPER MANNER OF PREACHING
Characteristics of a Biblical Manner of Preaching 185
Solemnity 186
Sincerity 186
Affectionate Earnestness and Tenderness 189
Persuasiveness 190
Evangelical Content 193
Authority 194
Impartiality 194
Seasonableness 195
Prayerfulness – Dependence on God 195
 9. THE DIFFICULTIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Difficulties in Preaching the Truth to Others 201
A Heart of Unbelief 202
Other External Difficulties 203
The Biggest Difficulty: Self 204
Learning 207
Eloquence 207
Authority and Sanctity 209
 10. THE ENCOURAGEMENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
 11. ‘A SCRIBE WELL INSTRUCTED’ 219
Factors That Shaped Alexander’s Approach to Preaching 220
Alexander’s Style and Manner of Preaching 223
His Natural, Conversational Style 225
His Simplicity in Person and Presentation 227
His Sympathy for His Fellow Men 228
His Gratitude of Heart 229
His Persuasive Proclamation 231
His Spiritual Integrity in the Activity of Preaching 233
His Spirit-Anointed Preaching 235
His Extemporaneous Preaching 236
His Personal Method of Sermon Preparation 239
His Preaching Methods: Experimental Preaching 243
His Preaching Methods: Descriptive and Graphic Preaching 245
His Preaching Methods: ‘Characteristical’ Preaching 247
Important Principles from Alexander’s Model of Preaching 249
A Classical Foundation 249
The Form of Alexander’s Sermons 253
The Importance of Theology for Experimental Preaching 254
Using the Principles of Rhetoric to Deepen Fellowship with God 256
The Importance of Eminent Piety 257
Affection for Christ 258
Preaching as an Act of Worship 258
The Role of Seminaries in Ministerial Preparation 260
Suggestions for a Contemporary Model of Ministerial Instruction 264
BIBLIOGRAPHY 267
INDEX 275

1 testimonial for Princeton and Preaching

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  1. Matthew Sullivan –

    This book is simply a masterpiece. It is a wonderful gem that needs to be more widely known and celebrated today. In the first place, getting a glimpse into the life and ministry of Archibald Alexander is refreshing and invigorating in and of itself. But to also have an organized study of his understanding of pastoral ministry (preaching in particular) is a wonderful treat. Alexander’s perspective and convictions regarding the work of pastor-preachers appears to be on the same level as our most gifted leaders today, and in many ways, this book provides more insight than some contemporary titles; particularly, what “pastoral” preaching looks like.

    Garretson has packed it all in with Alexander’s thoughts from how to expound a text to sermon preparation, heart preparation, the preacher as a shepherd, evangelical preaching, Christ-centered preaching, Law and Gospel, Biblical Theology in preaching, doctrinal preaching, pastoral preaching, confronting controversy in a Christlike manner, sincerity, tenderness, authority, dependence on God, eloquence, simplicity and naturalness in presentation, the place of rhetoric, and much more. …It covers nearly all the bases and is written in a style that is very interesting and enjoyable.

    Having picked up a number books on preaching over the years, this easily ranks in my top 3. And I suppose that if a guy were left with only one book on preaching and had this book, it may very well suffice. There is little that it leaves out, and above all, it presents a refreshing example of what a godly man and servant of the Word and Church looks like.

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