Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures—Dennis Johnson

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the Church has deviated from the foundations of expositional preaching. The focus has often been on conveying practical Christian principles rather than faithfully proclaiming the very Words of God. However, authors like Dennis E. Johnson have been calling Christian preachers back to a text-based, expository homiletic. Indeed, this correction is a gift from God. Nevertheless, every correction must be cautious of an overcorrection. Like a pendulum swinging from one extreme to another, a Christ-centered correction in preaching can lead to imaginative applications for finding Christ in the text. Without proper guidance, overactive imaginations can result in hermeneutical eisegesis. An interpretive method that says more than what the text says, or worse, saying things that the text does not say. Professor and minister Dennis E. Johnson’s book, Him We Proclaim, aims to equip those who handle God’s Word with the tools necessary to find Christ in Scripture while maintaining integrity to the Author’s intended meaning.

there is a distinctly apostolic way of being Christ-centered

Expository preachers who approach Scripture systematically have long recognized the Christocentric nature of Biblical theology that unifies the Bible. Sharing this Christ-centered conviction, Dennis Johnson in Him We Proclaim acknowledges the New Testament authors as the pioneers of this interpretive principle. Johnson explains that “there is a distinctly apostolic way of being Christ-centered” (16). Sharing the same convictions as “historical-redemptive,” or “Christ-centered” preaching, the author validates his proposed method of preaching Christ from the Old Testament by grounding it in the authority of the New Testament authors, the Apostles. Apostolic preaching, which aspires to preach the Bible in the manner of Peter and Paul, becomes a commendable objective for every aspiring homiletician.

APOSTOLIC PREACHING

After making the case for apostolic hermeneutics and homiletics in chapters two through five, Johnson provides constructive lessons outfitting a theoretical-framework with a practical strategy for apostolic preaching in chapters six through ten. In part one, the author surveys the Apostle Paul’s theology of preaching. Paul declared that the preaching goal of the apostles was to present believers perfect, or mature, in Christ (Col 1:28). The New Testament author’s ministry of the Word included evangelism but aimed ultimately at sanctification. The Apostles believed that the Scriptures were for needy people. Johnson explains this apostolic conviction stating, “Apostolic preaching addresses human needs in all their diversity and depth. It does not just apply bandages to ‘felt-needs,’ which are symptoms of secret infection” (71). When Paul declared “Him we proclaim,” he confessed that Christ’s grace continued to be central to the apostle’s proclamation.

Illustrating the profound significance of the Gospel in Apostolic preaching, Johnson begins the second part of his book by demonstrating how the New Testament letter to the Hebrews epitomizes an apostolic sermon. According to the author, the book of Hebrews functions more as a sermon than a typical letter. Through a thorough examination of the “preaching paradigm” within the epistle, Johnson argues that the message presented in Hebrews serves as a sermon directed towards Christian believers. This sermon echos the same Christ-centered emphasis and focus on grace as the apostles’ sermons in Acts, which the apostles preached to unbelievers.

Apostolic preaching addresses human needs in all their diversity and depth.

Johnson’s exploration of the unity between the Old and New Testaments is central to what he refers to as “Apostolic” preaching. In chapters seven and eight, the author analyses the typological themes that our first mentioned in the Old Testament but find there fulfillment in the redemptive work of Christ. Johnson argues that Peter, Paul, and the Apostles exemplify a model of Christ-focused preaching through the “biblical pardaigms” of covenant and (new) creation (20). Indeed, modern Bible students do not share the Apostle’s divine inspiration. However, the author contends that preachers should interpret the typological themes and connections regarding Christ in the Old Testament in the same manner that the Apostles modeled in their New Testament writing.

Him We Proclaim concludes with a valuable exercise that demonstrates the practical application of its principles. Johnson provides eleven examples of genre-specific applications for preaching Christ, which allow readers to see the principles put into practice. Since principles can sometimes be abstract and unclear, this hands-on approach aids the propositions made in Him We Proclaim by showcasing the usability of its principles. The inclusion of these truncated sermons adds length to the book, but they are a valuable addition that demonstrates the practical application of the principles discussed.

CRITIQUE

While the reviewer found Johnson’s insights regarding the “apostolic” methodology for Christ-centered preaching important and insightful, Him We Proclaim could be better. For example, Daniel Johnson presents his work with clearly Reformed theological leanings. The author is especially harsh on Christians who hold a Dispensational view of Scripture. Because Johnson does not attempt to include those outside the camp of confessional reformed theology, some readers may feel inadvertently alienated, or unwelcome for not sharing the author’s theological position.

Furthermore, Johnson’s writing style is characterized by its density and lacks beneficial clarity. While the substance presented in Him We Proclaim undoubtedly warrants the attention of developing expositors, the author could have enhanced accessibility by using shorter sentences and reducing the overall length of the book. Regrettably, some readers may find Johnson’s work difficult to complete, primarily due to the book’s extensive size and the stylistic shortcomings of the author.

CONCLUSION

In the genre of homiletic writing, Him We Proclaim distinguishes itself for the substantive and comprehensive exploration of the hermeneutic philosophy and homiletic practice of the Apostles. Dennis E. Johnson not only establishes the validy of his propositions by linking them to the authority of the New Testament authors but also he provides contemporary readers with the necessary tools to practice the apostolic model for Christ-focused exposition. Due to the extensive development of principles and illustrative examples, the book requires readers to commit themselves to completing the reading. However, for those who preserver, valuable insights into expository preaching await.