Text-Driven Preaching: An Interview with David Allen

David Allen is Dean of the School of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and one of the editors of the new book Text-Driven Preaching (B&H Academic). Preaching Editor Michael Duduit recently spoke with Allen about the book and the challenge of biblical preaching today.

Illustration: Denominations

A Baptist preacher and his wife decided to get a new dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be a Baptist. They visited kennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally, they found a kennel whose owner assured them he had just the dog they wanted.

Illustration: Adversity

More than 2,000 years ago, a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a respected tutor. After several years, the teacher's efforts seemed to have paid off when Timanthes painted an exquisite work of art.

Have Americans Abandoned Theology?

In his Dec. 30, 2003, New York Times column, David Brooks observes, "Nearly 200 years ago, Alexis de Tocqueville was bewildered by the mixture of devout religiosity he found in the United States combined with the relative absence of denominational strife, at least among Protestants. Americans, he observed, don't seem to care that their neighbors hold to false versions of the faith."

Bringing Focus to Staff Meetings

Rick Warren explains that in preparing for weekly staff meetings, "For years I asked my team to bring me a brief weekly report on a small 3-by-5 card. This kept the reports short and to the point. Then those cards became our weekly meeting agenda. Today we use email. Here are the four things you want to know as a leader: