Preaching Like the Prophets

The Old Testament prophets are a neglected treasury of biblical examples for pastoral preaching. Too often the prophets are misunderstood as focusing on future or social justice issues. This book shows that the prophets are essentially preachers--very good ones--whom we must learn from. By comparing recent rhetorical analysis of the prophets to some of the best of current preaching literature, this book shows that the prophets preached the way that we ought to preach. It will help you to hear the prophets the same way that a pastor benefits from listening to a seasoned and exceptionally gifted preacher. We can benefit not only from what the prophets say but how they say it. By seeing how the prophets grab and keep their listeners, how they enhance clarity and relevancy, how they make truth come alive and how they persevere in their ministry, you too can learn to preach like the prophets. ""While acknowledging that modern preachers are not prophets in the technical sense, Carlson demonstrates that preachers can benefit from studying both the content and style of the Old Testament prophets. This book will be both challenging and encouraging to contemporary pastors and, if taken to heart, can make a positive contribution to contemporary evangelical preaching."" --Robert B. Chisholm, Dallas Theological Seminary ""Carlson helps us see the prophets as they are--not primarily as those who rail against social injustice or predict the future, but, as preachers today, those who are empowered by the Spirit to bring God's word of correction, redemption and hope to a covenant community, fashioning their messages with rhetorical skill, creativity, and relevance. You'll find yourself wanting to preach Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, and Micah after Carlson shows you their artistic brilliance!"" --Donald R. Sunukjian, ThD, PhD, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University ""This volume provides an anatomy of a prophetic homiletic addressing the already-ness of prophetic foretelling. Today there is the dire need for the voice of the prophet who can utter the thus says the Lord because the preacher knows what says the Lord! The Spirit and the Word are inextricably connected in the author's treatment within this work. This book will greatly assist pastors, preachers and seminarians in the reclaiming of the prophetic mantle."" --Robert Smith, Jr., Beeson Divinity School, Samford University ""Preaching Like the Prophets is an excellent book for preachers seeking greater audience impact. Through integrating rhetorical analysis of the prophets with current homiletical scholarship, Carlson shows how the prophets model for us relevance and creative style. His careful scholarship also unpacks the major messages of the prophets for relevant application today."" --Roger M. Raymer, Dallas Theological Seminary Robert A. Carlson is the Lead Pastor of Brush Prairie Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington. He also has significant teaching and preaching experience in southern Africa as a missionary, pastor, and lecturer. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) and Western Seminary (DMin).