Steven W. Smith - Recapturing the Voice of God

I have wanted a book like this for much of my own preaching ministry because I sensed something was missing. Steven Smith has filled that void and rendered a valuable service to pastors and churches everywhere in this work. Genre was too long a neglected aspect of preaching, even expository preaching. Walking us through the entire corpus of Scripture, this professor of preaching shows us clearly how the substance and the structure of a text should shape the substance and structure of the sermon. Why we did not see this all along I do not know. With the publication of this book, we no longer have an excuse!

Daniel L. Akin, president,
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Great biblical preachers are rare, and great books on preaching are rarer still. In Recapturing the Voice of God , one of this generations greatest expositors, Steven Smith, helps the preacher know how to let the text shape the sermon outline and the sermon itself. Helpfully, Dr. Smith works through different literary genres, thus bringing the reader a most helpful template of how to truly let the text speak. I highly recommend this book for all who preach and for all who love the art and science of homiletics.

Jason K. Allen, president,
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and College

If you want to preach in a way that is fully faithful to the full expression of Scripture, Steven Smith can help.

Kenton C. Anderson, president,
Northwest Baptist Seminary;
professor of Homiletics at ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University

Recapturing the Voice of God is really about how God presents the message of Scripture and preaching accordingly. Paying attention to genre matters. So read and learn to be sensitive to how God presents his message as you preach.

Darrell Bock, senior research professor of New Testament Studies,
Dallas Theological Seminary

In light of the mountains of new scholarship on the significance of biblical genre, Smith provides a much-needed and very helpful resource for preachers who want the special structure, as well as the specific content, of each biblical text to inform the message communicated to Gods people.

Bryan Chapell, senior pastor,
Grace Presbyterian Church

Steven Smith provides a refreshing and much-needed reminder that our sermons are the most biblical when they not only reflect the message of the text but also mirror the form of the text. In Recapturing the Voice of God, you will find wise and reliable guidance for crafting sermons that are truly faithful to Scripture.

J. Scott Duvall, professor of New Testament,
Ouachita Baptist University

Its no surprise that much of todays church is being fed with spiritual junk food from pulpits across the land. For some, the Bible is just a means to a sermon or, worse, a mere footnote in it. However, when the people of God return to the Word of God, reformation is inevitable. In this book, Dr. Smith has compiled all of the tools a preacher needs to hone his skills in expository preaching. In simple, practical terms, the reader is given a roadmap for preaching through every genre of Scripture. Drink richly from the pages of this book before you stand behind the sacred desk to deliver Gods Word. Your people will be glad you did.

Robby Gallaty, senior pastor,
Brainerd Baptist Church

Steven Smith carefully leads preachers through the territory of preaching various biblical genres. He helps preachers appreciate the contours of these landscapes so that they can develop sermons that respect the shape of the genre itself. This text-driven homiletic is explored in these helpful pagesand preachers will benefit from reading each chapter and applying Smiths words to their preaching.

Scott M. Gibson, professor of Preaching,
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

The Word of God, proclaimed by men of God, remains the lifeblood for the gospel. In Recapturing the Voice of God, Steven Smith effectively articulates the need for the sermons shape to mirror the Scriptures shape, theologically considering genre in text-driven preaching. Steven Smiths experience as a pastor and professor, combined with his prowess as a pulpiteer, creates a reference work for the study and classroom alike. I highly recommend this book for all who desire to reach the world as they preach the Word!

Robert Jeffress, senior pastor,
First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

This is a book that would have saved me from many sub-par and misguided sermons, had I read it in seminary and/or the early days of pastoral ministry. Chapter one alone, in my estimation, is worth the cost of the book. Further, I will most likely come back to the genre-specific chapters (nine in all) each time I begin a new book/series, as I seek to re-orient myself to the unique features and aims of that genre of Scripture. Im so thankful for Dr. Steven Smiths work to help us all grow in recapturing the voice of God.

Ryan Kelly, pastor for preaching,
Desert Springs Church, Albuquerque, NM

Books on preaching are legion. But this one stands out. It discusses preaching the way it should be done, one genre at a time, based on the premise that genre determines the shape of the text and the shape of the text (including its genre) should determine the shape of the sermon. If you long to recapture the voice of God in the Word of God, this book is for you!

Andreas J. Kstenberger,
senior research professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology,
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

One of the great overarching concerns of the preacher in faithfully proclaiming Gods Word must be the genre of the text. Finding the central thrust of a passage of Scripture is a matter of capturing the thunder of the very voice of God. Steven Smiths Recapturing the Voice of God is an excellent tool for students, pastors, and all who seek to discover the larger picture of what God is saying to us through his Word. Use this book often as you recapture the true intent of the biblical text in the confident knowledge that it will not return to you void.

Steven J. Lawson, president,
OnePassion Ministries

When talking with students about preaching with genre sensitivity, I have lacked resources to offer them. Now I have one! Steven Smith helps us understand the need to re-present not just the meaning of the biblical text but also the spirit and the shape of the text in our expositional sermons. If (aspiring) pastors will implement what Steven is saying, I cant help but believe that local churches will be enriched, blessed, and built up as they hear the voice of God from the Word of God. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Tony Merida, pastor for preaching and vision,
Imago Dei Church; associate professor of Preaching,
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Expository preaching is the heart of Christian worship and central to the pastoral task. The Word of God constrains and compels every aspect of preaching. Steven Smith understands this. Recapturing the Voice God helpfully reminds us that the text must drive every aspect of truly expository preaching. In this book, preachers will be encouraged and equipped for the all-important task of rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president,
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Recapturing the Voice of God is a needed resource for sermon prep and discipling the next generation of faithful preachers.

Anthony Moore,
Fort Worth campus pastor, The Village Church