My heart for your cause

When asked to take charge of some meetings at a conference for pastors, the revered preacher and theologian — Professor John Murray — said: "If Al Martin is to be there, I truly think that he should be asked to take charge of the three evening services that were proposed to me. He is one of the most gifted and moving preachers I have ever heard... I haven't heard anyone who can compare to him."

When Al Martin preaches around the world, he draws crowds who want to understand what the Word of God has to say to them. Even those who are considered gifted preachers in their own right take time to listen to him.

How is it that someone excels in this way? Pastor Martin would be the first to direct our attention to the grace of God; however, is there any other element that we can learn from and apply to our own lives? Is there such a thing as "a theology of preaching" that we can adopt?

Brian Borgman has painstakingly researched precisely this question. The result is a book that will help preachers everywhere be more used for the glory of God.

"His preaching is profound, passionate, exegetically sound, balanced, clear in its structure, penetrating in its application. I have seen him touch audiences of various nationalities, of all ages and social backgrounds, ranging from well-instructed believers to pagans." (Edward Donnelly, Reformed Theological College, Belfast, Northern Ireland).

"Albert Martin's preaching is very clear, direct, articulate... He has an excellent mind and a masterful grasp of Reformed theology in its Puritan-pietistic mode." J. I. Packer, Regent's College, Vancouver, British Columbia.

"Consistency and simplicity in his personal life are among his characteristics; he is in daily life what he is in the pulpit." (Ian Murray, Banner of Truth, Edinburgh, Scotland)

"His goal is to bring the whole Word of God to the whole man for the whole of life." (Joel Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan).

Brian Borgman is pastor of Grace Community Church in Gardnerville, Nevada. He holds degrees from Biola University, Western Baptist Seminary, and Westminster Seminary in California.