Sidney Greidanus. Preaching Christ from Leviticus

Abstract

In 2016, Greidanus noted in the forward of his volume on Psalms it would be his last; all homeliticians should be grateful that unbeknownst to Greidanus, his work and contribution to the kingdom in the field of interpreting and preaching the OT was not yet complete. This volume on Leviticus now stands as the final volume in the illustrious writing career and ministry of Sydney Greidanus.The volume does not disappoint. After laying out reasons the Christian preacher should cover Leviticus, Greidanus launches into the work, functionally dividing it into two parts: (1) hermeneutical considerations and homiletical methodology needed to preach Leviticus effectively (pp. 1–33) and (2) pragmatic examples of homiletical preparation sampling all parts of Leviticus (pp. 34–270). The book concludes with lagniappe for the reader—three appendixes providing a simplified outline for moving from text to sermon (pp. 271–73), an expository sermon model (pp. 274–75), and three sermon manuscripts demonstrating the covered techniques of the work (pp. 276–302).As Greidanus begins, he notes the difficulties of preaching Leviticus. From there, he moves to the necessary reasons and helpful approaches for doing so. Ultimately, Greidanus argues the importance of Leviticus by demonstrating its relational purpose (pp. 7–8) and presents a hermeneutical approach that utilizes the “discontinuity and continuity” of Leviticus to demonstrate the Israelites’ need for it in order to have relationship with a holy God and the modern reader’s same need, which is fulfilled in Christ. He summarizes this approach in four dimensions: literary interpretation, historical interpretation, theocentric interpretation, and Christocentric interpretation (pp. 16–26). These dimensions become the foundation for the second section.The second section demonstrates this quadra-dimensional approach. Throughout each chosen pericope, Greidanus consistently applies the proposed principles and invites the reader to follow his train of thought easily. Unlike his work on Genesis, which seemed to gloss over challenging portions such as genealogies, this volume demonstrates a plausible and realistic approach for covering both easier and more difficult passages for a Christian preacher.Greidanus follows his approach consistently even as he demonstrates how to prepare and preach what many would consider the easiest passage to preach from Leviticus—Lev 16. Nonetheless, this passage contains a minefield for the Christian preacher of balancing the text’s meaning with its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus. This minefield Greidanus navigates expertly. From an OT studies perspective, Greidanus fairly handles the text for what it says, not obfuscating its meaning with outside passages. Yet from a biblical studies perspective, he clearly shows the text’s place in the history of redemption thread that finds its culmination in Jesus. All this produces a workable and user-friendly model for the Christian preacher.However, Greidanus not only addresses the “easier” texts. He also aptly demonstrates how a Christian preacher can and should scholarly and applicably handle a more challenging passage such as Lev 11. In this chapter, Greidanus shows several textual links to the creation narrative as well as other laws concerning sacrifice. Greidanus ultimately lets the literary and rhetorical devices reiterate the purpose of the passage—“Their very diet ought to remind them they are God’s holy people” (p. 139). It is this principle Greidanus builds on, delicately walking the razor’s balance of legalism and antinomianism.In a few places, detailed editing could have improved the clarity of volume. For instance, as Greidanus evaluates approaches to Leviticus, he critiques and discourages the reader from utilizing the threefold division of the law (pp. 5–6). Yet as he summarizes the steps for interpretation, he quotes Averbeck encouraging the interpreter to determine which type of law is used (p. 27).Nevertheless, the book’s overall goal of providing a helpful and applicable guide to preaching Leviticus succeeds; this volume deserves the shelf space for both preachers and biblical studies students alike. And as Greidanus’s final work, it stands as a jewel atop a shining and impactful career.