Letters to My Students, by Jason K. Allen, is meant to equip pastors and missionaries for their ministries.
Content
As President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Allen has more than enough expertise to back up his points from the book.
Allen focuses the most on expository preaching, which isn’t bad in of itself, but as a previous Bible student myself (different college), I don’t agree with him.
Narrative preaching has it’s place, to help us understand the biblical people as people. People mentioned in the Bible are not just characters in a story. However, I do agree narrative preaching is not meant to be the main form of preaching and teaching Scripture.
I do think, however, Allen does a good job at instructing his students to be prepared for careers as preachers or missionaries. It is not a calling to be taken lightly.
Review
I might recommend this book to other Bible students, as a resource or point of reference, as far as the sermon style debate goes. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for the average Christian.
About the Author
Jason K. Allen is the fifth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo.
Since coming to Midwestern, he has led the institution to become one of the largest and fastest growing seminaries in North America.
In addition to his role as president, Dr. Allen serves as an associate professor for preaching and pastoral ministry.
More broadly, he serves the church through his preaching and writing ministries.
He is the author or editor of several books, including The SBC and the 21st Century, Discerning Your Call to Ministry, Being a Christian, and Portraits of a Pastor.
Dr. Allen regularly posts essays on his website, jasonkallen.com, and hosts a weekly podcast, Preaching and Preachers. He and his wife, Karen, are both from Mobile, Ala., and have five children: Anne-Marie, Caroline, William, Alden, and Elizabeth.
