by William R. Edwards, eds.
Book Review
Sinclair Ferguson is known as theologian, preacher, pastor and evangelical encourager. This volume began with the intention of honoring Sinclair Ferguson for his decades of faithful teaching and ministry. Frankly, many books that begin with that ambition end up honoring an individual but with forgettable content. What sets this volume apart is that the chapters brought together in this book will be found of prophet to preachers, not only in the present, but long into the future. In that sense, this was one of the greatest tributes the contributors and editors could make to Sinclair Ferguson. This volume takes theology seriously, the Bible seriously, and the role of the preacher with great seriousness.
Unlike any such book published before, to my knowledge, this book takes as it structure individual doctrines as considered by the pastor and the preacher. That really does establish a different kind of substance to this book and ensures that it will be useful in at least two different ways. The book is tremendously useful as a compendium of essays concerning theology in the ministry. But, at the same time, it’s an incredibly helpful series of essays on individual theological doctrines and themes with application that the preacher will find immediate and lasting. The book is truly helpful, heartwarming, and inspiring–which are the very words I would use of Professor Sinclair Ferguson, colleague and teacher.
“As we explore theology from ministry through these essays honoring a teacher and a friend, we are reminded that theology is important in its own right – in the queen of the sciences, as it has been called – because God himself is the one true and glorious King overall. Theology matters because ‘from him and through him and to him are all things’ (Romans 11:36). And for this very reason, theological reflection is absolutely essential for ministry. While much of this book will focus on how doctrine ought to impact ministry, we are also concerned to show that doctrine ought to impact ministers, especially in view of the many personal struggles as well as external difficulties pastors face.”
