Book Review: The Christ of the Empty Tomb, by James Montgomery Boice

The printed sermon is not only a genre of literature unique to Christianity, it is also one of the most potentially useful of genres, both doctrinally and practically, for Christians of all kinds, whether doctors or janitors, pastors or laymen. In a good, manuscripted sermon, there is the potential for skilled exegesis, a more detailed and cohesive explanation of redemptive history, systematic theological instruction, pointed and practical application, devotional and heart-stirring exhortation, gospel-comfort and rousing calls to perseverance – in short, everything Christians may have need of at any point on their journey home. Preached sermons are, in fact, the chief method of instruction that Christ left for his Church to be nourished and sustained by until he returns; and a good book of printed sermons takes some of that unique value and spreads it throughout the rest of the week, to those Christians who feel the need for a “mid-week snack” after the weekly feast of the Lord’s Day. For these reasons, I am always eager both to read and to recommend to a wide audience any good, solid books of sermons prepared by doctrinally sound ministers with shepherds’ hearts for the flock of God.

Anyone who is familiar with James Montgomery Boice’s book of Christmas sermons, The Christ of Christmas, will already be acquainted with the skillful way in which he makes use of the remarkable genre of the printed sermon, and will doubtless rejoice to be made aware of another such book, on another equally blessed topic: the resurrection of the Savior. Boice’s sermons, while demonstrating a competent grasp of the subject and texts involved, are not overly given to exegesis or erudition. He writes simply, to the common person, with overflowing confidence in the great love and saving grace of the Lord. It takes little exertion or mental labor to read him, and it is virtually impossible for any true believer to come away without a renewed satisfaction in the gospel. This may not be the book to extend academic knowledge, although the meditations it sparks may well lead to deeply intellectual development; but it is most certainly a book to provide a lavish meal for the little, beloved sheep of Christ. It will not demand much of you, in the way of strenuous thought, but it will give much in the way of worshipful joy in the greatest event in history.

I detected two outstanding features of this group of sermons, collected from Easter messages throughout Boice’s pastoral ministry; the first is the utter certainty of the historical reality of the resurrection of Christ. Boice never tires of proving beyond the merest shadow of a doubt just how historically certain the physical, literal resurrection of Christ really is. The claim is often made that “the resurrection of Christ is the best attested fact in history” – and in a multitude of ways, Boice demonstrates the veracity of such a claim.

Second, the utter centrality of the historical resurrection to Christianity is oft repeated and emphasized throughout Boice’s sermons. Christianity is utterly absurd, inexplicable, and meaningless without the resurrection of Christ; it is based not upon a system of teachings, as other great religions, but upon a historical event which, if ever proved false, would utterly destroy the very heart of the Christian religion. And not only is the resurrection the non-negotiable foundation of Christianity, it is also the certain guarantee of an astonishing and delightful variety of rich gospel blessings – everything from comfort in the face of bereavement to supernatural power over sin, and a thousand more delightful promises both in this life and the life to come. The Resurrection of Christ is the central cause for the celebration of the Church every single Lord’s Day that she meets together to worship him; and Boice makes clear just why that is so.

In short, the sixteen brief sermons reproduced in this volume will be undemanding and yet eminently rewarding devotional reads. Whatever else he does, Boice consistently reminds us that our trials and struggles are light and temporary, but the resurrection of Christ promises a reward of glory which surpasses them by far. “We will have to grieve as long as we are here in this world,” he candidly admits; and yet, there is still good news, for he goes on to proclaim, “But not always! Not as those who have no hope! And not at Easter! At Easter we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, and we rejoice with Mary, whose tears were turned to joy. How can we weep? Once we had a dead religion, but now we have found a living person. Once we had a martyr, but now we have found a Savior. Once we had a mortal, or so we thought. Now we have a reigning Lord.” And in that reigning Lord Jesus is all that we need both in this life and the next.

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