They say the film is never tha same as the book. Well I am reading the book (Mark Dever) after the sermons (Gregory N. Barkman). The book came first just in case you were wondering and was used for study at Gregory Barkmans church.
I am amused to find some of the anecdotes from the book (Mark Dever) that I thought were from Gregory Barkman. It is also funny to find myself agreeing with the ommission of some pasages in the sermons.
The book itself is good reading of sound doctrine. It has made me think again about the role of preaching. Firstly the importance and centrality of Biblical exposition - which gives rise to Biblical Theology. Gathering all these points of doctrine this in turn gives rise to Systematic Theology. This seems so clear and obvious and yet it needs saying.
If anyone has read the book I would be particularly interested in your thoughts on expository preaching as opposed to topical (pg 39-42). The former ensures the spiritual growth of both Preacher and congregation, the latter the growth of the congregation to the stature of the preacher. Controversial I know but there it is.
