What is your favorite book of the Bible to preach from and why?

In the most recent issue of Credo Magazine, “What’s the Big Story?”,  we asked four pastors the question, “What is your favorite book of the Bible to preach from and why?” Here is what they had to say:

Steve DeWitt, Senior Pastor of Bethel Church, Crown Point, IN, and author of Eyes Wide Open: Enjoying God in Everything.

“My straight up answer is that my favorite book to preach is whatever one I am currently preaching!  That would make 1 John my current favorite book to preach.  My favorite book in memory would probably be Ruth.  It tells a wonderful story of love and hope that highlights God’s sovereignty and Christ’s loving redemption.”

Greg Gilbert, Senior Pastor, Third Avenue Baptist Church, author of What is the Gospel?

“I have loved preaching through the book of Matthew over the past four Autumns.  Jesus’ kingship in that book is so glorious and so compelling, and it is often surprising, too.  I am constantly amazed at what I learn and see in Matthew’s story—things I have never seen before, even though I’ve read the book dozens of times.  God’s Word is inexhaustible, and the deeper you dig, the more that becomes apparent.”

Terry Johnson, Senior Minister of Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia, author of Galatians: A Mentor Expository Commentary

“I have followed Calvin’s example of preaching from the gospels and Acts on Sunday morning. Because of Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, with beatitudes, exposition of the Law, Lord’s Prayer, etc., it is my favorite of the gospels.”

Todd Wilson, Senior Pastor, Calvary Memorial Church, author of Galatians: Gospel-Rooted Living

“A year ago I would have said Galatians because I love Paul’s letters and find myself at home in his thought-world. But having recently preached the Gospel of John, I have a new appreciation for the gospel stories and their accessible yet exalted vision of Jesus.”

View other fun contributions in Credo Magazine today!

To view the Magazine as a PDF

What’s the Big Idea Story?

Why Biblical Theology Should Matter to Every Bible-Believing Christian

When the sixteenth-century Reformation erupted, one of the alarming dangers that became blatantly obvious to reformers like Martin Luther was the pervasiveness of biblical illiteracy among the laity. It may be tempting to think that this problem has been solved almost five hundred years later. However, in our own day biblical illiteracy in the pew continues to present a challenge. Many Christians in our post-Christian context simply are not acquainted with the storyline of the Bible and God’s actions in redemptive history from Adam to the second Adam.

With this concern in mind, the current issue of Credo Magazine strives to take a step forward, in the right direction, by emphasizing the importance of “biblical theology.” Therefore, we have brought together some of the best and brightest minds to explain what biblical theology is, why it is so important, and how each and every Christian can become a biblical theologian. Our hope in doing so is that every Christian will return to the text of Scripture with an unquenchable appetite to not only read the Bible, but comprehend God’s unfolding plan of salvation.

Contributors include: Justin Taylor, Darian Lockett, Edwards Klink III, David Murray, Stephen Dempster, James Hamilton, T. Desmond Alexander, Stephen Wellum, Peter Gentry, G. K. Beale, Graham Cole, and many others.