Edited by Michael P. Knowles
Published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company in 2007
Summary and Review: This book is a collection of material regarding preaching in the modern context. It includes sermons preached, lectures delivered and essays written on the subject from some of the world's most renown preachers, teachers and lecturerers. The material is grouped into four categories: the social dimension of preaching, homiletic method, the theology of preaching and finally sermons. The social dimensions are kicked off by David Buttrick and include Tony Campolo's Preaching to the Culture of Narcissism. This section reflects on the nature of preaching today, what we have lossed, what we have gained and the challenges we face in addressing congregations and culture in sermons today.
Homiletics are again kicked off by Buttrick and include Edwina Hunter's Imagination, Creativity and Preaching and Thomas G. Long's Taking the Listeners Seriously in Biblical Interpretation. This section reflects on the nature of Biblical interpretation for preaching and the methods by which we deliver Biblical truths. Theology is kicked off by John R. W. Stott who carries half the section while the other half is covered by Stephen C. Farris. The goal of the section is for the reader to really consider the theological beliefs that drive their preaching. Is there power in preaching? If so, what is the source? How is preaching different than teaching? The final section is a collection of sermons delivered between 1993 and 2004.
The book is well put together in form. It rightly considers some of the real issues facing preachers today as far as social context, method and theology, all topics that we need to spend time considering. The second half of the book is sermons, which while it is nice to read examples of other's work, the preached word reduced to the written page loses some power in translation. On reflection I would have prefered to read more on the three areas presented and less examples. It would also have been nice to have a CD included where we could perhaps listen to the actual sermons while we read along with them. Overall, a book worth reading. It will challenge you and provoke you in ways that will have you considering just how you go about this process of preaching.
Reading Recommendation: Yes, an excellent collection of sermons, lectures and essays on preaching in the modern context.
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