In a post-Christian culture marked by shifting societal trends and technological advancements, only a stable foundation can sustain the weight of Christian proclamation. The Word of This Salvation in the Mouths of Christ's Ministers meets this challenge through homiletical retrieval within the Baptist tradition. Following the model of historical ressourcement, the study ensures continuity with the Baptist heritage while fostering renewal in contemporary preaching. The book centers on Benjamin Keach, an early English Particular Baptist, whose sermons and writings provide the primary sources for constructing a systematic theology of preaching. By situating Keach within his historical context, his theology of preaching can provide a theo-homiletical framework for contemporary expressions of Baptist preaching. This theology comprises six interconnected elements: epiphanical as its basis, expositional as its object, experiential as its subject, effectual as its means, ecclesial as its context, and evangelical as its goal. Each element is carefully derived from Keach's published works and evaluated against timeless homiletical questions. The purpose is to equip Baptist preachers and teachers with a theologically coherent, historically grounded framework that bridges past convictions with present practice, enabling faithful and transformative proclamation in today's context.
"By connecting Keach's background with an overview of the history of preaching, the distinctive aspects of Baptist preaching, and the influence of the English Reformation, Cooper provides for his readers a thoroughgoing theology of preaching, which is grounded in Scripture and enabled by the Holy Spirit, and which is expositional, experiential, ecclesial, edifying, evangelistic, and evangelical. . . . It is a genuine joy to recommend this outstanding volume!"—David S. Dockery, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
"This new examination of Keach's preaching ministry provides fodder for deeper discussion and encourages even more research. Those who were previously acquainted with Keach will be eager to engage Cooper, and those who are meeting Keach for the first time will surely be blessed by this introduction to the regular ministry of a faithful-but-flawed preacher." —Jonathan Arnold, Associate Professor of Theological Studies, Cedarville University
"Cooper's rigorous study of Particular Baptist forefather Benjamin Keach's theology of preaching reminds us that this emphasis has been ours since the beginning, and for good reason: God reveals himself in Christ through his word. . . . This excellent historical and theological study will spur pastors, students, and professors to mine once again the fields of Scripture in order to bring forth its pearls of great price and proclaim them to God's people." —Matthew Y. Emerson, Professor of Religion, Oklahoma Baptist University
"In a time when preaching often has more in common with therapy or entertainment, Michael Cooper's book is a welcome call to faithful preaching by retrieving the robust, Christ-exalting, Scripture-saturated theology of preaching found in Benjamin Keach (1640-1704). . . . I heartily recommend this work to every preacher and teacher." —Tom Hicks, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Clinton, Louisiana
"It is my privilege to commend this volume. . . . Through careful engagement with Keach, Cooper demonstrates that faithful preaching is far more than a transfer of information—it is God speaking—it is revelatory. . . . Readers who value the glory of God, the authority of Scripture, and the spiritual gravity of expositional preaching in the church will find this work illuminating, invigorating, and restorative." —David E. Prince, Pastor, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church
