The good folks at InterVarsity Press (IVPress) sent over a copy of Darrell W. Johnson’s The Glory of Preaching: Participating in God’s Transformation of the World. As a preacher himself for over thirty years and seminary professor training pastors for pulpit ministry, Johnson brings a wealth of experience to the preaching task. But more than experience, he exhibits passionate faith in what God does through the “foolishness of preaching.” Consider these opening words from the preface:
Something always happens. Whenever a human being, Bible in hand, stands up before a group of other human beings, invites the gathered assembly into a particular text of the Bible and as faithfully as possible tries to say again what the living God is saying in the text, something always happens. I know it is a bold claim. Some might say overly bold, even audacious. Some might say too simplistic, even naive. I understand; I often fell the same way myself. Nevertheless, I take my stand in this claim. It is the glory of preaching.
Johnson’s high view of preaching and understanding of what the preacher does, is needed in the church today. To be sure, many pastors today seem to be abandoning the simple proclamation of God’s Word in favor of motivational talks or drama or video presentations of one form or another. But it is the preached Word that God promises to bless (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-25; 2 Cor. 4:1-6). And Johnson’s book goes a long way in reminding us of this all-important truth.
Note: To purchase the book or read the preface and first chapter visit InterVarsity Press here.
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