Throughout the centuries of the Christian church, there have been many different approaches and applied methods in the field of apologetics. Yet only one approach, presuppositionalism, is truly compatible with expository preaching, each sphere relying principally on God the Preacher and Apologist. The twin concepts of biblical exposition in the pulpit, and presuppositionalism in the marketplace, must start and end with (and maintain throughout) a consistent and abiding reliance on the sufficiency and superiority of Holy Scripture. Apologetic approaches other than the presuppositionalist approach often start with arguments other than Scripture for their defense of the faith, thus blunting the impact God’s Word can powerfully and effectively have in the apologetic encounter. This is no less true for the expository preaching method too, given powerfully to those who profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and collectively gather to hear God’s Word. To bring maximum impact to both believers and unbelievers alike, expository preaching and presuppositional apologetics should be closely tethered, as each method starts, and consistently provides throughout, the God-intended response for all mankind.
Apologetics and preaching share more in common than you might think. Both, at their most basic level, represent the believer’s responsibility to speak on behalf of God amid a fallen world. That is why it makes so much sense for the content of our preaching and apologetics to come directly from the Bible. This is exactly the case the Lance Quinn convincingly makes in God the Preacher and Apologist. This exceptional resource demonstrates that the church must speak on behalf of God in this world in the same way that God himself has spoken in this world—that is, through Scripture. To put it another way, Quinn makes it clear that expository preaching and presuppositional apologetics are the good and necessary ministry consequences of a right understanding of Scripture. For those who are familiar with the literature on the subject, you will find Quinn’s analysis to be insightfully fresh as he appeals to the revelation and mission of God to make his case for expository preaching and presuppositional apologetics. Additionally, those familiar with their Bibles will find Quinn’s writing to be unmistakably biblical as he shepherds people to do God’s business God’s way. Every believer who listens to preaching or speaks with unbelievers needs to read this book—which is to say, everyone needs to get a copy today!
– Dr. Paul Shirley
Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church Delaware
The terms expository preaching and bible exposition have been so broadly construed in the church today that they have become mere clichés. Preachers are hailed as “expositors” who only hover over texts or wander quickly from a passage to offer their opinions. Churches advertise an expository ministry, but no one seems able to define it in simple terms. And scores of seminary graduates are convinced that expository preaching is just one option among several approaches to the pulpit. We desperately need bedrock clarity on this issue. With precision and pastoral heart, Lance Quinn takes us below the clichés and confusion to the cornerstone truth on which all preaching must be built: God is the preacher of His own Word. Every faithful expositor will find his heart re-energized as Quinn shows the essential link between expositional preaching and a robust presuppositional defense of the truth. And this book is not only a defense of exposition but an example of how it is done. Quinn has brilliantly woven sermon material into the book to anchor us to its thesis. This will be every diligent expositor’s “go-to” volume for helping the church get back to real preaching.
– Dr. Jerry Wragg,
Pastor-Teacher, Grace Immanuel Bible Church,
Jupiter, Florida
God the Preacher and Apologist is in the following collections:
