Preaching as the Primary Means of Grace is not merely another preaching book. As indicated by the book’s title, Julius Santiago identifies and addresses a specific aspect of preaching vital to the life of the gathered church yet much neglected in modern treatments. Thus, this book is not about how to preach sermons. Neither is it an isolated theological analysis of the topic of preaching. It covers several theological threads and pulls them together into one coherent case of a biblical view of preaching in its nature, primary function and context as confessed among believers. Therefore, this book considers doctrines such as the character of God, the church, covenants, salvation, Christ, the Holy Spirit, ministerial calling and others. Yet, it exhibits how all of these relate to the awesome task of preaching.
Placing preaching in the context of the gathered body of confessing believers, Julius embarks on a whole-counsel-of-God-approach without exhausting the reader with too much information. In other words, this book is easily digestible. It reads as one who sits next to you in the pew, yet by one whom the church has called to fill the pulpit. Thus, he is well acquainted with both sides of the preaching event while maintaining a spirit of learning. Drawing upon church history and other reformed communities, the author illustrates the confessionally orthodox unity among Christians, especially those who stand within the stream of the Reformation.
Preaching as the Primary Means of Grace is a subject that sorely needs recovering in our day. Julius Santiago has opened a theological door left shut for far too long and behind which more of Christ’s biblical treasures await rediscovery for the glory of our King and the good of his new covenant people.
“For many Christians preaching is considered a wholly irrelevant means for communicating the gospel in the 21st Century. Even worse, preaching is seen as a problem, not the solution to the many weaknesses of the Church. When preaching is considered the poison and not the remedy, then we are in big trouble. How much then this book is needed for all who stand in the pulpit and who sit in the pew, to learn with conviction that preaching is God’s choice chariot which He rides to bring Himself, His salvation and His grace to the hearts of sinners. A must-read for every called Preacher.” - Minister Chris Rees
