Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance (Invitation to Theological Studies Series) [Hardcover]

Donald Sunukjian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2007 | Series: Invitation to Theological Studies Series

Written in a conversational style with profuse examples to illustrate all concepts, this text takes the reader step-by-step through the entire process of preparing a biblical message, from studying a passage with skill and integrity to delivering a message with persuasion, accuracy, passion, and relevance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“If Donald Sunukjian writes something about preaching, I read it. He is a master at understanding how ideas work and how to develop them. If your messages have ever been less than crystal clear, read what he has to say.”

—Craig Brian Larson
Editor, PreachingToday.com

“Filled with examples, appended with helpful samples, and written in the vernacular of the people, Invitation to Biblical Preaching will take its rightful place among the homiletics textbooks of our classrooms and in the stacks of refreshing readings for experienced pastors.”

—G. Charles Sackett
Professor of Preaching
Lincoln Christian Seminary

“Invitation to Biblical Preaching guides readers with proven principles stated in a fresh way. If every seasoned preacher will study this book and every novice take it as a primer, our pulpits would resound with a clear and authoritative, ‘Here is what God is saying . . . to us.’”

—Calvin Pearson
E. Hermond Westmoreland Chair of Preaching
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Provides succinct instruction and numerous concrete examples. . . . The chapter on oral clarity is worth its weight in gold. I heartily recommend this book for serious students who wish to handle God’s Word well.”

—Kenneth E. Bickel
Professor of Pastoral Studies
Grace Theological Seminary

“A practical guide to developing twenty-first century sermons that are biblically faithful, clear, and engaging. This is not ivory-tower theory; Invitation to Biblical Preaching offers down-to-earth insights and enough examples to spark dozens of great sermon ideas for any preacher!”

—Michael Duduit
Editor, Preaching magazine

Invitation to Biblical Preaching takes the reader step-by-step through the entire process of biblical preaching—from biblical study to planning to delivery. Both current pastors and those training for the pulpit will especially appreciate the book’s original content, profuse examples, and clear instruction. Two complete sermons (one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament) reinforce the text’s principles.

Donald R. Sunukjian (Ph.D., UCLA; Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of preaching and chair of the Christian Ministry and Leadership Department at Talbot School of Theology. He is a frequent contributor to various preaching books, magazines, and Web sites, including PreachingToday.com.

About the Author

Donald R. Sunukjian (Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles; Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of homiletics and chair of the Christian Ministry and Leadership Department at Talbot School of Theology. He is a frequent contributor to various preaching books, magazines, and Web sites.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825436664
• ISBN-13: 978-0825436666
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhaustive, but not exhausting - a great book!, August 9, 2007

By 

P. Mead "biblicalpreaching.wordpress.com" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance (Invitation to Theological Studies Series) (Hardcover)

Donald Sunukjian studied under Haddon Robinson at Dallas Seminary, then also taught there. He now teaches at Talbot Seminary in LA. Sunukjian has an ability to think through elements of preaching in minute detail, yet has a communication style that is clear and accessible - both in person and in his writing. These qualities have combined to make this a great book.

This is definitely another book in the Haddon Robinson school of thought. The process is similar, the emphasis on the main idea and the purpose are evident, delivery without notes is encouraged, etc. Incidentally, the reader should not be intimidated by the "zigzag" big idea - if Sunukjian came up with such effective preaching ideas regularly, surely more would be included in the book! He admits that you go with what you have, and only sometimes is the preaching idea a real humdinger.

He defines biblical preaching simply as "Look at what God is saying to us!" Throughout this 370 page book, numerous biblical examples are given to make clear the point being taught. Sunukjian has a large bank of example sermons that show up throughout the book so that the variety is not random and overwhelming, but reinforcing and familiar.

His ability to think through the details comes out in areas such as whether to use inductive or deductive approaches according to the material being covered, or how to preach a chiastic passage so contemporary listeners will understand it.

Sunukjian's speciality is the subject of oral clarity - preaching so listeners can follow. His six elements of oral clarity are detailed in a chapter, but exemplified throughout the book. Sunukjian demonstrates a real awareness of what works for the listener, a concern sometimes missing in other "how to" preaching texts.

After the process is detailed, there are two sample sermons presented in the appendix. These are repeated with helpful explanatory notes to guide the reader through the process.

In a book of 370 pages, it seems strange to point to a section being too short, but the delivery chapter is very short. However, it is fair to say that if a preacher follows the teaching throughout the book, then delivery will be improved. If there were any other negatives, it would be a slight discomfort with one or two of the biblical examples. Again, this is a small point since most are handled very effectively.

Overall this is a very strong book, perhaps even a great book. As I read preaching books, I mark helpful points with post-its. Many books have only a handful sticking out, this one has a forest of post-its! As an introductory text for a preaching class, this would work well. As a supplemental book for those of us who've read other textbooks, this is definitely worth having. It has many definite strengths, is clearly organized and engagingly written. This definitely makes my list of top preaching books.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invitation to Biblical Preaching, May 12, 2007

By 

Lamonte King "Scholarly Pastor" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance (Invitation to Theological Studies Series) (Hardcover)

I have studied preaching under both Drs. Haddon Robinson and Donald Sunukjian and they are both masters at understanding and communicating how to preach well. Dr. Sunukjian's forte as exhibited in Invitation to Biblical Preaching is breaking down and explaining much of what great preachers do intuitively. If you follow the Sunukjian method you will be biblical, clear, and compelling. This book is full of practical instruction in addition to easy to understand examples which you can model. Invitation to Biblical Preaching will teach you how to consistently produce high quality sermons week in and week out, that will cause your congregation to rise up and call you blessed!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll finally know..., June 14, 2007

By 

yukonyucanuconn (san diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance (Invitation to Theological Studies Series) (Hardcover)

I studied under Dr. Sunukjian, and was blown away by the insight gained. I had been doing public speaking/preaching for some time, and knew I could improve, but didn't know exactly how. His insights starting from chapter 5 and onward about shaping a sermon, writing for the ear (and not the eye), transitions, etc. are simply invaluable.