Today’s post includes links to books on biblical theology that a professor gave me recently, as well as some good resources I ran across online in the last few days. I’ve already shared my professor’s recommendations of books on hermeneutics, the commentary series he suggests for preachers, and also his commentary recommendations on individual New Testament books. Other categories to come will be books on New Testament theology, books on the background of the New Testament, followed by lists of linguistic tools and internet resources.

Books on biblical theology

Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story (Baker)

I read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I used it as my guide for a course I taught last year on The Scheme of Redemption, as well as the basis for a sermon I preached. I think that it’s important for us to show our congregations the overarching biblical narrative so they can see more clearly how the Bible fits together as a unified whole to explain God’s work and our place in his plan. Bartholomew and Goheen will help you do that more effectively.

G.K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New (Baker)

Scott J. Hafemann and Paul R. House, Central Themes in Biblical Theology: Mapping Unity in Diversity (Baker)

Edward P. Meadors, Creation, Sin, Covenant, and Salvation: A Primer for Biblical Theology (Cascade)

 

Other good stuff for preachers:

Five Reasons You Should Do Most of Your Sermon Preparation on Monday by Thom Rainer

Rainer posts some really good material for preachers, and this article has made me recommit to using my Mondays more effectively.

Romans 7 Does Describe Your Christian Experience by John Piper

A couple of weeks ago I linked an article by Thomas Schreiner who argued that Romans 7 does not describe your Christian experience. Piper takes the opposite view.

The Long and Short of Sermons by Hershael York

How long should we preach? York says the answer is simple: “Today, after 35 years in ministry, I have a definitive answer: You can preach as long as you hold their attention.” I don’t know about you, but I’m afraid that’s going to considerably shorten the length of my sermons, especially if I focus on the guy on the left four rows from the back.

Online Resources for Biblical Exegesis by David Murray

You should really check this page out—it’s got a wealth of good links.

6 Advantages of Consecutive Expository Preaching by Derek Thomas

I became convinced quite a few years ago that expository preaching is the best way to feed a congregation over the tenure of a preacher’s ministry. In this article Thomas argues that this expository preaching ought to cover consecutive texts week after week.

What are your favorite resources for sermon prep or other ministry-related tasks?

Please email me—I’d love to share with our readers what’s helped you in your ministry.