Preaching Hard Texts of the Old Testament

Achtemier deals with some tough stuff in OT that rarely gets engaged. This book is a valuable resource for pastors looking to work with the tough stuff, and teach it honestly. While her conclusions are certainly not definitive, they are helpful, open, and really worth weighing against your own conclusions as an insightful counterpoint to the traditional glossing-over that has often plagued difficult passages.

I've been in the pulpit full time for 11 years now, and as I looked for resources that help with Hosea, Joel and Amos, I ran across Achtemeier's name. This book intrigued me and I'm very glad that I ordered a copy to review. I have to say that the style of writing is excellent for pastors who are writing sermons. The book definitely delivers great material that fits the title. She deals with 31 passages that span most of the OT. Looking at Hosea 1:2-9 she titles it "Marry a harlot". The first page or so gives a quick overview of the context and relevant setting of the background of Hosea. Nestled within this context are simple and sweeping rebuttals of some of the counterpoint views from groups of commentaries (she does not name the commentators she interacts with). For example she says that 'attempts have been made to soften the words of Hosea 1:2-9' and goes on to explain why that proposal is unacceptable, but gives no links to help the reader find the relevant sources for her comments. This is nice in that one can just read straight through without all the 'clutter' that most commentaries have. Her stuff is very readable and enjoyable. It's not good if you want to check out the sources to see if she has assessed them accurately...and if you are not a buff on Hosea, which the intended audience definately isn't, then how can you check out anything she says? It reminds me a little of the Bible Speaks Today series and how they handle issues like this (if you are familiar with that series). After the section on Hosea 1 called 'Plumbing the Text' where she goes through a nutshell summary of the exegetical idea, she then goes on to another section called 'Forming the Sermon' where she basically preaches. Her application is Christ-centric with a clear grasp of practical life problems in contemporary American culture as well as a direct linkage to the gospel message of the cross. Honestly, I think the 'Forming the Sermon' section is a gold mine for a pastor develop a sermon on this passage. I guess I would call this little book's section on Hosea, and by extrapolation the rest of the 31 passages she deals with, an exceptionally succinct and helpful tool for pastors who are preaching through the OT. I urge you to pick up a copy.

Elizabeth Achtemeier, a Presbyterian, a seminary professor, and an authority on preaching the Hebrew scriptures, says that if we have a problem with some passages from the Old Testament we should remember that it's our problem not the problem of the Bible.Selecting some 31 readings, half of which come up in the Common Lectionary at some point, she looks at the passage in its context and then suggests ways it could be used as a sermon text.Achtemeier says that the difficulties preachers have with preaching on the Old Testament may spring from not understanding the Old Testament or from not being willing to hear the message the passage brings to our own lives.Using short chapters of six or eight pages, the author digs right into the text to clearly give the situation it addresses. The she discusses the message it carries for the ancient reader as well as the contemporary reader.For example, in her treatment of Genesis 22:1-19, The Sacrifice of Isaac, she points out the intimate relationship the story describes between Abraham and his son, Isaac. Then she goes on to point out that this couple, Abraham, who is no paragon of faith, and is wife, Sarah, who is no model of faith, is nevertheless the slender thread upon which God hangs the promise that they shall be the parents of a great host of people - Israel. Some test is required to establish whether they can do what God wants them to do. Abraham passes the test with flying colors (Sarah is not heard from again until her death). Achtemeier goes on to say that we must not think that "God's test of our trust in him is behind every single affliction that we suffer. In the Scriptures, God tests his servants when his purpose is at stake." She points out that in Gethsemane Jesus passes a similar test and models unwavering faith and witness for persecuted Christians throughout the ages.For me this was an inspiring read and was especially appropriate for devotional reading during Holy Week.Charley Day, retired Episcopal priest and Board Certified Chaplain