Reading Scripture Well and Seeing Matthew Through Old Testament Eyes

How can preachers help people hear Scripture rather than merely collect information about it?

In this conversation, Mike speaks with New Testament scholar David B. Capes about conversational preaching, the public reading of Scripture, recovering the Old Testament and its language of lament, and recognising the scriptural world that shaped the New Testament writers.

David also explains how Matthew Through Old Testament Eyes helps readers notice Matthew’s use of Israel’s Scriptures. Along the way, he reflects on Christ-centred preaching, faithful listening, friendship across religious differences, and the work of the Lanier Theological Library.

IN THIS EPISODE

David’s first sermon at twelve years old and his early sense of calling

Why effective preaching should sound like a meaningful conversation

The difference between saying something and helping people learn it

Recovering the public reading of Scripture in the church

Why Christians need the Old Testament’s language of lament

How the New Testament writers read and reused Israel’s Scriptures

Reading Matthew with greater sensitivity to its first-century Jewish setting

Christ-centred preaching without forcing Jesus artificially into every isolated verse

Learning to listen carefully to people with whom we disagree

The libraries, lectures, podcasts and study opportunities offered by the Lanier Theological Library

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Matthew Through Old Testament Eyes by David B. Capes (Kregel Academic)

https://www.kregel.com/bible-commentaries/matthew-through-old-testament-eyes/

Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture by Jeffrey D. Arthurs (Kregel Academic)

https://www.kregel.com/jeffrey-d-arthurs/devote-yourself-to-the-public-reading-of-scripture/

Paul’s Use of the Old Testament by E. Earle Ellis (Wipf and Stock)

https://wipfandstock.com/9781592441945/pauls-use-of-the-old-testament/

TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson

(This is the public-speaking book Mike recalled, although its title was not stated during the interview.)

https://www.ted.com/read/ted-talks-the-official-ted-guide-to-public-speaking/

OTHER BOOKS BY DAVID B. CAPES

The Divine Christ: Paul, the Lord Jesus, and the Scriptures of Israel (Baker Academic)

https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9780801097867_the-divine-christ

Old Testament Yahweh Texts in Paul’s Christology (Baylor University Press)

https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481307918/old-testament-yahweh-texts-in-pauls-christology/

Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters and Theology, second edition (IVP Academic)

https://ivpress.com/rediscovering-paul

Slow to Judge: Sometimes It’s OK to Listen (Thomas Nelson)

https://www.thomasnelson.com/author/4083/david-capes/

ADDITIONAL WORKS REFERENCED

Books by Rabbi Stuart Federow

Federow’s writing was discussed, but no individual title was named during the interview.

https://hebrewjumpstart.com/books

LISTEN AND EXPLORE

Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center — Houston, USA

https://lanierlibraryandlearningcenter.org/

Lanier Theological Library — Yarnton Manor, Oxford, UK

https://yarntonmanor.org/theological-library/

Lanier sabbatical opportunities in Houston

https://lanierlibraryandlearningcenter.org/sabbaticals-2/

Research and writing visits at Yarnton Manor

https://yarntonmanor.org/apply-to-visit/research-writing/

The Stone Chapel Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-stone-chapel-podcast/id1537425950

Exegetically Speaking — Wheaton College

https://www.wheaton.edu/listen/exegetically-speaking-podcast

A Show of Faith

https://ashowoffaith.org/

David B. Capes’s website

https://davidbcapes.com/

Calvary Chapel Cooperative

https://calvarychapelcooperative.com/

CONNECT WITH DAVID

Email: [email protected]

For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com 

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective