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Princeton and Preaching: Archibald Alexander and the Christian Ministry (Garretson)

Princeton and Preaching: Archibald Alexander and the Christian Ministry (Garretson)

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SKU:
9780851518930
Publisher:
Banner of Truth Trust
Pages:
304
Binding:
Hardcover

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: 

  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 Ext
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