Al Fasol, associate professor of preaching at Southwestern Seminary, has furthered his prodigious reputation as one of Southern Baptists’ most prolific writing homileticians with his latest contribution. Designed as “a primer to introduce the beginning preacher, whether professional or lay, to basic instruction in biblical preaching” (p. 9), Essentials for Biblical Preaching seeks to challenge preachers to base their sermons on the biblical text, and then give an authentic exposition of the text itself.

Fasol begins by developing his presuppositions for legitimate preaching: “The Bible is authoritative for preaching” (p. 21) and “Biblical truth should be proclaimed by a spiritually prepared person” (p. 22). He proceeds to assist the preacher to be relevant in the pulpit by targeting congregational needs and illustrating the biblical response insightfully.

Fasol’s major focus is upon the central problem of preaching, the development of the message of a biblical passage into an appropriate sermon. Beginning with an insightful introduction to the measured value of diverse critical approaches, the author surveys both historical and contemporary hermeneutics as a window on proper interpretative method. Following his examination of numerous hermeneutical issues, the writer introduces the problem of shaping an authentic sermon from the text.

It is in this section of Essentials for Biblical Preaching that the author makes his most important contribution by guiding the preacher along the treacherous path from biblical text to sermon. Fasol compels the preacher to identify the “Central Idea of the Text” (CIT), the “Major Objective of the Text” (MOT), the “Thesis,” and the “Major Objective of the Sermon” (MOS) (pp. 56-59, 90-101). The CIT corresponds to what is commonly viewed as the text’s interpretation, while the MOT classifies the text’s purpose, whether evangelistic or stressing the Christian life. Fasol’s concept of a sermonic thesis reflects the shift from the text’s function in general terms to a specific application to the present, clearly representing this step as a bridge between yesterday and today. The specific present application of the evangelistic purpose is clear, but the writer subdivides the Christian life objective into four categories: consecrative, ethical, doctrinal, and supportive (in times of distress). Finally, the MOS is a single sentence describing the preacher’s intent in preaching the sermon. Fasol, encourages the novice preacher to be patient and faithful in employing this methodology, recognizing that it might seem cumbersome at first. However, the author assures the reader that with time the approach will become less taxing, and will ensure that the preacher will be biblical and relevant.

The author also treats such diverse topics as argumentation, styles of sermonic presentations, delivery, plus handling challenging situations such as visits from pulpit committees and preaching with an interpreter, to name a few. The book includes sample applications of the author’s methodology in addition to recommended reading lists and bibliography.

For any preacher or preacher-to-be who longs to communicate more effectively, Essentials for Biblical Preaching will prove a valuable guide to mastering the skills “for this highest of vocations” (p. 11).