Preaching Through Luke

Description

Luke wrote this Gospel so "that you [Theophilus] may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught [i.e., catechesis]" (1:4). It proceeds with a barrage of questions. The first comes from Zechariah: "How shall I know" (1:18). This is a question of knowledge. The angel Gabriel answers that we shall know by the word of God (1:19). The second comes from Mary: "How will this be" (1:34). This is a question of agency, of how the Son of God can become human. Gabriel answers that it will be by the power of God (1:35). The third comes from Elizabeth: "Why me" (1:43). Why should the gospel of Jesus Christ come to her? Mary answers that it has to do with God's choice, election, mercy, and salvation (1:47-55). The fourth has to do with John: "What then will this child be" (1:66). Zechariah answers that he will be a prophet (1:76-79). John is not the Christ, but he will go before the Christ. Thus begins the catechism according to Luke, a series of questions in order that we may have certainty concerning the things we have been taught. ** From the Back Cover "This was the way of the early church fathers, revived in the Reformation and rediscovered by a distinct and identifiable number of Presbyterian preachers today. Goodloe, who is among their forefront, shows in these lively and engaging sermons this recovery of systematic scriptural expository preaching at its best. They are edifying as catechism and sound as doctrine." --William T. Stuart Jr., elder, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia "For eighteen years I preached the lectio continua and found that it was very well appreciated by my congregation. Since then, a number of my colleagues have had the same experience that I have had. They were encouraged by the response of their listeners. . . . I have been asked by my colleagues if there were any books which could serve as a model for lectio continua preaching. The book before you can serve just that purpose." --Hughes Oliphant Old, professor, Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, South Carolina "Those looking for clever introductions or illustrations, laced with psychological points of contact supposedly to 'reach people where they are,' will be disappointed. But those looking for serious theological exposition that is attentive to details and the subtleties of the soul will rejoice and be edified. These sermons are refreshingly respectful of both text and hearer. Disciplined, focused, and modest, they remind one of Calvin's preaching and overflow with penetrating insights deep from the well of the Reformed tradition." --Richard Burnett, professor, Erskine Theological Seminary, South Carolina "Jim Goodloe brings to Preaching through Luke the keen insight of one who has ably served the church as a pastor and scholar. His insight into the catechetical nature of Luke's Gospel makes this work an essential and helpful contribution to preachers and laypersons alike." --William P. Wood, former pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina About the Author James C. Goodloe IV (PhD, University of Chicago) is a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), having served churches in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. He is now the executive director of the Foundation for Reformed Theology (www.foundationrt.org), working to reform and build up the church, especially by helping ministers to be better preachers, better teachers, and better pastors.