2009 Preaching Survey of the Year's Best Books for Preachers

Finally, preachers looking for assistance in the Minor Prophets will find encouragement in George L. Klein's Zechariah in "The New American Commentary" series (B&H Publishing Group). Klein, who teaches at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, laments the fact that so few preachers give Zechariah careful attention. "It is a tragedy that a biblical book that influenced the Gospel writers so greatly, not to mention other portions of the New Testament, as much as any other Old Testament volume remains a closed book to so many in the church today," Klein remarks.

Other commentaries in the Minor Prophets include Love Divine and Unfailing: The Gospel According to Hosea in the "Gospel According to the Old Testament" series (P&R Publishing). Written by Michael P.V. Barrett, this commentary presents an understanding of Hosea that is richly exegetical and deeply theological. Walter J. Chantry offers an incisive short work in Habakkuk: A Wrestler with God (Banner of Truth). As Chantry reminds preachers, Habakkuk reminds us all of the nature of genuine faith in a time of tremendous distress and trial. Clearly, this book offers rich material for expository preaching today.

In New Testament commentaries, two important volumes on Matthew have appeared. David L. Turner has written Matthew in the "Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament" (Baker Academic). This exegetical commentary series is important as a resource for preachers who are committed to substantial exegetical work in preparation for exposition. Turner's commentary takes the literary structure of Matthew with great seriousness and will be of tremendous assistance to preachers seeking to understand recent scholarship in the first Gospel. Similarly, preachers will welcome Matthew in the "Tyndale New Testament Commentaries" series (InterVarsity Press). R.T. France, the author of this commentary, is a much-respected scholar among American evangelicals. As is true of Tyndale's Old Testament series, this New Testament commentary series deserves the preacher's attention.

Also released in the "Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament" series, Mark, by Robert H. Stein, represents a very significant contribution to evangelical scholarship. Stein, who taught New Testament studies for many years at Bethel Theological Seminary and at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has written a massive and most worthy commentary on the second Gospel. Stein's commentary is an important contribution that should be high on the "want list" of any evangelical preacher.