FIRM FOUNDATIONS
By Peter Grainger
Christian Focus. 156 pages. £10.99
ISBN 1 85792 678 1
In this book Peter Grainger (for ten years pastor of Charlotte Baptist Chapel, Edinburgh) has published 150 sermon outlines, with a little help from others who have occupied this famous pulpit in recent years.
Old and New Testament subject areas are organised into eminently preachable expositions which may prove very useful to an overworked pastor lacking inspiration by 10.00 pm on a Saturday evening!
So why another book of sermons? Well, these are probably better than many you hear on a Sunday, and any book which can help preachers preach better is to be welcomed. So their congregations may want to buy them a copy. It may also help listeners to listen better as the text of Scripture is made accessible and practical.
However, this book must be used with care by those of us looking for new sermon material. A slavish copying of the outlines will short-circuit the very process which Peter Grainger wants to encourage the preacher to pursue - bringing together the truth of the Bible and the issues of today. This requires the hard work of double listening. I, for one, am glad of any help I can receive in this challenging task.
Peter Baker,
senior pastor of Highfields Church, Cardiff
