Preaching Christ in All of Scripture

by Edmund P. Clowney

Voicing one theme for the entire Bible and structuring all sermons around that idea may seem to be an impossible challenge. For veteran pastor and preaching professor Edmund Clowney it will not do to preach a text from either the Old or New Testaments without fully preaching its ultimate and primary focus-the person and work of Jesus Christ. He writes, "To see the text in relation to Christ is to see it in its larger context, the context of God's purpose in revelation." Clowney's rationale for emphasizing Christ's presence in the Old Testament rests on the purpose of the Hebrew Scripture. The Old Testament follows God's one great plan for human history and redemption, and the plan is not only from him but centers on his presence in his incarnate Son. The witness of the Scriptures to Christ is the reason they were written, so it is appropriate to emphasize this element in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. By offering numerous full-length examples of his own sermons that emphasize Christ as the principle theme of Scripture, Clowney illustrates for those who will never have the privilege of being his students how they can craft sermons which present Christ as the primary consideration of the text. He also offers specific instructions on preparing such a sermon. He discusses the personal habits of prayer and Bible study that prepare pastors to seek out Christ's presence. Clowney emphasizes the importance of including a specific application in every sermon so that Christ is presented both in what he says and does to reveal himself in the biblical text and in what he says and does to direct Christians' lives today. Students preparing for the pastorate, pastors desiring to increase their emphasis on Christ in their sermons, and those seeking Christ's presence in all of Scripture will find a help in Clowney's writings.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Biblical Studies

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2003

About the author

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in 1939, a Bachelor of Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1942, a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in 1944, and a Doctor of Divinity from Wheaton College in 1966.

Reviews

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a great deal of respect for the late Ed Clowney, but this book isn't great.

In part 1 the author deals with the ins and outs of his subject. But he shies away from addressing the topic directly, instead meandering all over the place in order to interact with a few scholars on the subject. For the nuts and bolts of Christ-centered preaching, perhaps consult Chapell's Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon.

Then the final ten chapters are (dated) sermons, mostly from the OT, in which Clowney seeks to demonstrate the art of preaching said sermons. Unfortunately, the examples here are not very good. Exposition is nearly non-existent. Application is almost always to "believe harder." Connections to Christ are a bit fanciful, which unfortunately merely provides ammunition for those critical of Clowney's claims. For better sermons of this ilk, check out Heralds of the King: Christ-Centered Sermons in the Tradition of Edmund P. Clowney.

That's not to say the sermons were worthless (although I was especially disappointed by an editor who evidently had never heard of the Big Red Machine). Clowney's best insight involved Paul's statement that the rock struck by Moses from which water flowed "was Christ." Clowney shows the significance of this reality at various points of the exodus narrative, especially Moses' disastrous decision to strike the rock again at a different juncture.

Unfortunately, other presuppositions (such as the claim that every OT appearance of Yahweh is in fact Jesus the Son) made the sermons sketchy, to say the least. I don't think I'd recommend this book.

[Paul Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really good read. I think I got a lot more out of the first few chapters when Clowney speaks about how Christ permeates ALL of Scripture and not just the New Testament. The later chapters I believe, were adapted from sermons Clowney gave and they were things I was already familiar with so I didn't get as much out of them.

The first few chapters were REALLY good though. A lot of people tend to dismiss the Old Testament as "Old" and not important but Clowney makes a good case in showing that the Old Testament is about Jesus and Gods plan of redemption is ALL of the Bible and not just the New Testament. Its important also to distinguish between Biblical Theology and systematic theology. Biblical Theology is understanding the Bible as a whole cohesive unit starting from beginning to end (Gods story of redemption) and how all the pieces of Scripture fit together in that story. Systematic theology is thinking about a particular doctrine such as sanctification and then gathering all the passages with the bible to formulate a system to explain that doctrine and support it.

Clowney is teaching Biblical Theology here which I think is very important because we can get "bogged" down in minute details when focusing only on systematic theology. Both are important but we need to avoid leaving one out.

All in all, it was a good read!

-Paul

[Andrew Hageman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clowney is the man who taught Tim Keller how to preach to postmodern people. Having read this book, I can see why. He's a master class on Christocentricity. This book can function both as a "how to" and as a devotional since that majority of the book is a collection of Clowney's Christ-centered sermons

[Troy Solava · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two chapters are very instructive regarding what makes a sermon “Christ-centered.” Then the rest of the book are sample sermonettes that show how naturally clowney preached Christ! You’ll be a better reader of the Bible and preacher!

[Jake Rainwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is evident why this book has been a staple text for both the methodological study and act of preaching since its publication in 2001. By the middle of the second chapter it becomes clear that Clowney’s gift of communication was not reserved to just the pulpit. Clowney writes clearly and effectively, and organizes his two methodological chapters for optimal reader comprehension.

Though the actual mechanics of Clowney’s writing are superb, it is what he is writing that is a breath of hermeneutical and homiletical fresh air. Too often, sermons from the Old Testament end up sounding like a baptized self-help speech. In his opening sentence in chapter one, Clowney attempts to correct this by saying, “Preaching Christ from the Old Testament means that we preach, not synagogue sermons, but sermons that take account of the full drama of redemption, and its realization in Christ” (99). Indeed, Clowney is adamant throughout the volume - both in his methodology and in his examples - that Christians are to preach Christian sermons. To teach a Christian sermon necessarily involves preaching Christ; thus, a sermon from the Old Testament must necessarily have Christ as the center and the goal. What Clowney has produced is a thoroughly Christ-centered approach to reading the Bible and crafting sermons.

There are, however, a few concerns with Clowney’s suggestions. The first is that it would be easy to over-spiritualize the text so as to miss the immediate context of the text in its relationship with the Old Testament. While Clowney provides a safe-guard for this by emphasizing that understanding the text’s Old Testament truths is a part of the interpretive journey (and noted in the previously mentioned hermeneutical diagram), the method makes this easier than other methods for this particular error (which is not to say that other methods are not in danger of other errors).

A second concern comes from reading Clowney’s sermon examples. Clowney does not provide “three points and a poem,” and while it is refreshing to see his method played out, there is a reason why three points and a poem is such a popular preaching style. The fact of the matter is that Clowney’s methodology requires imagination and story-crafting skills, two qualities that every pastor may not have. While this should not stop a pastor from at least attempting Clowney’s redemptive-historical method, a pastor should serious evaluate whether Clowney’s method works with his skill set.

Despite these mild concerns, Preaching Christ in All of Scripture is an incredibly helpful book on preaching. Every preacher should read it and be encouraged that Christ is indeed found on every page of Scripture, and that Christ should be made much of in the sermon.

[David J. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this in appreciation of the preaching of Timothy Keller, who was largely shaped in his Christ-centered approach by Clowney. It’s solid, meat and potatoes theology and hermeneutics that will help you preach the Old Testament in such a way that Christians will be drawn to it and less confused by it.

[Don Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the preface to Preaching Christ in All of Scripture, Edmund P. Clowney recalls his reading in Jonah where he came across the line, “Salvation is of the Lord.” It was this line that revealed to him that Scripture was not a history of Israel but a history of salvation with Jesus at the center. He writes this book to preachers urging them not to ignore the Old Testament or to preach it without Christ. He says, “Preachers who ignore the history of redemption in their preaching are ignoring the witness of the Holy Spirit to Jesus in all the Scriptures.” (p. 10) In order to show why and how this is done, he lays out the structure of his book. The first chapter shows that Christ is truly present in the Old Testament, the second chapter presents how a preacher can preach Christ in the Old Testament, and the final 13 chapters are sermons exemplifying how this can be done.

When looking at the Old Testament, Clowney shows that Christ is presented as both Lord and Servant. He begins by noticing the title kurios given to Jesus throughout the New Testament. This Greek word translated “Lord” is the same word used in the Septuagint whenever the title YHWH was used. New Testament writers often attribute passages referring to YHWH as referring to Jesus, and figures such as the Angel of the Lord show how one can be distinguished from God yet identified with Him. (p. 12) This Angel speaks to the Patriarchs, to Moses, and throughout Israel’s history. The activity of Jesus is also present as Christ is seen leading the people out of Egypt (1 Cor. 10:1), it was the Spirit of Christ who spoke through the prophets (1 Pet. 1:10-12), and it was the glory of Christ that Isaiah saw (John 12:41). With a biblical theology that traces the history of redemption, it can be seen that the coming of Christ as Lord is the climax of the redemptive story. Christ is seen secondly as Servant. Clowney points out the important aspect of this saying, “Jesus Christ consummates the covenant relation from both sides.” (p. 19) When a servant of the Lord fails in the history of God’s people, a perfect servant is promised. Rather than the Messiah returning the people of God to a past time, Christ fulfills the servant role typified by Israel’s servants, saviors, prophets, kings, priests, and judges. (p 20.) These two roles can be seen in different sorts of symbolism. There is ceremonial symbolism where the temple symbolizes Christ who makes the unclean clean. There is official symbolism where the offices of prophet, priest, and king find their fulfillment in the Christ. There is historic symbolism where events symbolize the work of God in salvation such as Abraham offering up his only son. The preacher must take the symbolism, find its fulfillment in Christ, and bring it into his preaching.

In preparing a sermon that does this, Clowney reminds the reader that gospel preaching presents Christ. (p. 45) This begins with Scripture and being drawn by God through His Word. In preaching this Word, Clowney urges the preacher to structure his sermon in a way that presents Christ. The “preaching” of the Bible in the history of redemption always shows God saving in His own presence, and so our preaching must also present Christ as Savior. This is done by preaching Christ in the presence of the Lord. Preparation in prayer, believing and acknowledging what we know to be true, and preaching in a way that places the focus on Christ rather than the preacher or the illustrations is how this is done. The remaining chapters put this into practice. Chapter 4 notices the historical symbolism of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham must totally commit in his faith, yet he will not have to pay—rather God provides. This event presents Christ who is the ultimate provision of God and our substitute. Chapter 8 notices the official symbolism of the Angel of the Lord who appears to Joshua and shows his rule over the nations. (p. 103) Christ rules the nations now by drawing them to repentance until He returns as King with his consummated Kingdom. Chapter 12 presents Christ in both official and ceremonial symbolism. Jesus is the suffering servant like David who feels forsaken by God but is ultimately delivered. He is also the one who, as our substitute, bares our damnation on the cross.

Clowney accomplishes what he sets out to do. By presenting a case for a biblical theology that shows Christ to be Savior throughout all of Scripture, clear grounds are given for preaching Christ in all of Scripture. While very few would argue against Christ being present in the Old Testament, many would admit the difficulty in properly preaching Him in the Old Testament. It is here that Clowney does a wonderful job showing the different types of symbolism. He does this by also showing how to guard against preaching both moralism and baseless allegory. The way do to so is to see how the symbolism is fulfilled in Christ so that Christ can be presented to the hearers. While the following sermon examples do put these principles into practice, it might have been helpful for Clowney to explicitly show where these principles are being applied. With that said, by reading the sermons with his principles in mind, seeing where they were used is not difficult.

In conclusion, Preaching Christ in All of Scripture is a great help to the preacher who desires to preach the Old Testament but is unsure how to faithfully do so. Throughout the history of the church, the Old Testament has been analogized to the point of confusion or largely ignored in some cases. In every generation Christians need to be taught the Old Testament in the way the New Testament authors saw it. Clowney reminds his audience that a solid biblical theology that understands the history of redemption is the best way to present Christ to the church so that in all of Scripture Christians say, “Jesus saves.”

[Joe Koehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

My desire is to, as the title suggests, preach Christ rightly and faithfully in all of Scripture. And so I wanted to rate this book more highly, but I just don't think I'm smart enough to fully appreciate it. While there are some treasures in here, to be sure, I just had a really hard time following his flow of thought. It felt all over the place, and the connections between one thought and another were difficult for me to track.

That said, he rightly elevates the "presence of Christ" and its central role in preaching. That can be something easily and quickly forgotten.

He also had a helpful chart on p.27 about symbolism, redemptive history, typology and preaching that makes a complicated concept more understandable

One of his examples, about Moses striking the rock, "who is Christ," was really helpful in making sense of why Moses was punished for striking the rock 2 times.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clowney’s main argument (found in the first two chapters) is that faithful preaching from any portion of Scripture must be set in its historical-redemptive context, ultimately culminating in the cross of Christ. Not really a hermeneutics nor a preaching textbook, it feels more like an exposition of general principles. Clowney probably writes to readers that hold to at least a basic covenantal theological understanding of redemption. I get the sense the content would’ve been much better heard in a lecture vs. read in a book.

The rest of the book is a handful of sermons that demonstrate the principles. These were great and kinda reads like a Jesus Storybook Bible written to grown ups.

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion it's like this; if I was new to the idea of Christ being preached throughout all of Scripture, then this would be helpful.

Helpful because Clowney explains why, and helpful because he provides some examples of his own sermons.

What's not so helpful is that he doesn't explain how to do it for people new to this concept.

For those to whom this idea is not new, there is little progress to be found here.

[Harold Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Voicing one theme for the entire Bible and structuring all sermons around that idea may seem to be an impossible challenge. For veteran pastor and preaching Professor Edmund Clowney it will not do to preach a text from either the Old or New Testaments without fully preaching its ultimate and primary focus-the person and work of Jesus Christ. He writes, "To see the text in relation to Christ is to see it in its larger context, the context of God's purpose in revelation."

"Clowney's rationale for emphasizing Christ's presence in the Old Testament rests on the purpose of the Hebrew Scripture. The Old Testament follows God's one great plan for human history and redemption, and the plan is not only from him but centers on him: his presence in his incarnate Son. The witness of the Scriptures to Christ is the reason they were written, so it is appropriate to emphasize this element in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament.

By offering numerous full-length examples of his own sermons that emphasize Christ as the principle theme of Scripture, Clowney illustrates for those who will never have the privilege of being his students how they can craft sermons which present Christ as the primary consideration of the text. He also offers specific instructions on preparing such a sermon. He discusses the personal habits of prayer and Bible study that prepare pastors to seek out Christ's presence.

Clowney emphasizes the importance of including a specific application in every sermon so that Christ is presented both in what he says and does to reveal himself in the biblical text and in what he says and does to direct Christians' lives today.

Students preparing for the pastorate, pastors desiring to increase their emphasis on Christ in their sermons, and those seeking Christ's presence in all of Scripture will find a help in Clowney's writings.” (From the Crossway Publishing Company Website)

About the Author:
The late Edmund Clowney was Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where he served for over thirty years, sixteen of those as president. He authored several books, including The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament.

My Thoughts About The Book: Preaching properly and effectively is an art; it’s a science…it is both an art and science as the matter of preaching is most serious and needs to be thoroughly studied as a fine painting or work of art and researched as one would research how fossils came into existence or how water evaporates. The only difference between art, science and the matter of preaching is that through preaching men learn of Christ, salvation and their eternal destination from God’s Holy Word so that it can be understood and the hearer can come to a right and proper decision about where he or she wishes to spend eternity. And that is of far greater significance than the smile of Mona Lisa or watching as water evaporates into air.
Preaching Christ in All Of Scripture is a book that is first and foremost written by a preacher and a master of preaching at that. Edmund Clowney taught and lived preaching. It was in his blood if you will and he lived and loved to teach others how to do it rightly as well as preach it to others in the same manner. And his book offers invaluable insight as to how to preach Christ from all of Scripture – from both the Old Testament and the New.

Author Clowney writes that Christ is truly found in all the Scripture and thus can be preached from all of Scripture without any hesitation or apology. He also reveals how to prepare sermons that present Christ so that the hearer will see Jesus and be forced to make a decision regarding what they are going to do about following Christ. Drawing from the deep well of the Scriptures as well as the writings of a variety of individuals who have in some way been involved in the ministry and preaching throughout the centuries, he reveals what a preacher must know to prepare a sermon that presents Christ. And he offers examples in the remainder of his book. It is one thing to behold a beautiful work of are but it is another to be informed how to create the piece. Author Clowney both teaches us how to create a sermon and then shows us what truly good ones look like such as his sermon “See What it Costs” from Genesis 22;1-19, “Sharing the Father’s Welcome” based on Luke 15: 11-32, our “Intentional Anthem” based on Psalm 96:3 or “Jesus Christ and the Lostness of Man.” He gives examples of well crafted sermons that present Christ from using both the O T and N T texts.

If you are studying to be a preacher or are a preacher already there is much insight and wisdom to be gained from reading author Clowney’s book. And if you do you will not be just a better Christian for it but also a much more effective and powerful preacher of the Word of God thereby allowing God to use and bless you in the way he intends as a preacher of His Holy Word.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book at no cost from Crossway Books for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. This is especially so with the first two chapters, where he gives some theory and theology behind the how and why of distincively Christian preaching. I would have liked to have seen more of these kinds of chapters. It's not that the sermon example chapters weren't any good, I just wanted more from Clowney on method.

[Matt Moran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great.
I am sure Clowney was an incredible professor and you can see his influence on Keller in this book. There are some great Biblical theology insights.
Most of this book felt disorganized, dated, and each chapter was hard to follow. Most chapters were more like essays rather than sermons and nothing was expositional.

[Sarah Blount · Rating 3 out of 5]

“If you are preaching in the energy of the flesh, you will feel exalted and lifted up. If you are preaching in the power of the Spirit, you will feel awe and humility.” -MLJ

First two chapters were really instructional and helpful. The remaining chapters are more like mini messages or devotionals- great examples of the previous instruction.

[Anthony Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introductory materials (ch. 1-2) are excellent and may make my annual re-read list. Example sermons were also good - good to see how he writes out his notes and how he thinks through exegesis, preaching Christ, and application.

[Javier Andres]

Edificante

Es un muy buen libro que abre la mente del lector a visualizar al redentor en cada libro de la Biblia. Es evidente que el autor tiene una suprema reverencia por el Señor Jesucristo, y que cada capítulo busca que el sea glorificado. Super Recomendado!

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clowney makes preaching Christ in all of Scripture approachable (so you don't feel like you have to be the most gifted person ever) as well as not some sort of formula to just plug in Jesus at the very end of the sermon and then... Walla! Now, it's Christocentric! Super helpful.

[Michael Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read not just for the preacher but for anyone in Christ.

[Lal Bahadur · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has shown how Jesus is in every book of bible

[Byron Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Con un estilo antiguo de escritura pero basado en la Palabra De Dios, es una buena lectura

[Noah Gwinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful. More example sermons than I anticipated, but the content was really great.

[Earl Pestano · Rating 3 out of 5]

good guide. well-researched but I don't know. Something is missing. its just OK.

[Tengxiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can one not love Clowney?

[Benedict Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clowney says in the preface that the chapters are ‘[…] sermons are offered as messages to be heard as preaching, not as footnoted theses for study’ (p. 10). Thus, the book is not so much about how to preach Christ in all of Scripture, but a few examples of how one can go about it. The first two chapters do provide some kind of theoretical framework, but I thought the content could have been organised better.

So here are the chapters:
1) Christ in all of Scripture.
2) Preparing a sermon that presents Christ.
3) Sharing the father’s welcome (Luke 15: 11-32).
4) See what it costs (Genesis 22: 1-19).
5) When God came down (Genesis 28:10-22).
6) The champion’s strange victory (Genesis 32).
7) Can God be among us (Exodus 34:1-9)?
8) Meet the captain (Joshua 5:13-15).
9) Surprised by devotion (2 Samuel 23:13-17).
10) The Lord of the manger.
11) Jesus preaches liberty (Luke 4:16-22).
12) The cry of the God-forsaken saviour (Psalm 22:1).
13) Our International Anthem (Psalm 96:3).
14) Jesus Christ and the lostness of man.
15) Hearing is believing: The Lord of the Word.

These sermons are written to elicit praise, and so his language is beautiful and his points quite easy to follow. Almost every chapter ends with a call to see afresh God’s grace to His people in Christ throughout redemptive history, and as such, the book can be read as a devotional.

The aspect of the book I find most helpful is Clowney’s ability to draw lines of connection from Old Testament events, figures or objects to Christ. He does so quite carefully, although I found some of his readings somewhat arbitrary, and leaning slightly towards allegory. But overall, he models good interpretive practices, always paying careful attention to the redemptive-historical character of the Bible.

All in all, the book is not an academic treatise on the topic, but a pastoral exhortation to see and savour Christ in all of Scripture.

[Demetrius Rogers]

The best part of this book was chapters 1 and 2, where the author goes into his thesis for seeing Christ in the OT. But, even this section seemed a bit disjointed and hard to follow. The rest of the chapters comprised example sermons and they, for me, were just tough going. Heavy on explanation, light on illustration and application. I don't see how these (in the given format) would would fly before a live group. Then the sermons were so focused on the redemptive-historical component that it was hard to remember what the main text was. Wasn't too impressed overall. Too much was assumed; not enough was argued for.

[Anthony Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Clowney. I can see why Keller loves him so much as well. The first two chapters are focused more technically on seeing Jesus in all of the Bible and how to walk through the OT especially. The rest of the book are selected sermons that are simply stirring. Clowney is so academic in Chapters 1 and 2 but his preaching is so accessible and helpful. The last 2 chapters will press you mentally but stick it out.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preaching Christ in All of Scripture is a short master class in Christocentric preaching. In 2 long and packed chapters Clowney lays out the "how" and then gives 13 examples, one chapter each, of Christ centered sermons from a variety of Scriptures. I expected this to be a book comprised of the "how" material in the first 2 chapters but profited probably as much from seeing how Clowney executes his principles as I read his examples. Solid book on preaching. I recommend it without hesitation.

[Todd Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clowney provides a number of sermon manuscripts that model preaching Christ from all of Scripture, but there is really little guidance on how do to it - outside of the examples. The sermons are very good - particularly those from the OT narratives.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though some of the topics drag a bit, Clowney's knowledge of the Bible and more importantly, his understanding of the Bible is well worth every second of your time.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't just for preachers. It's a great guide for how to read the Bible with its intended meaning.