Preaching to a Shifting Culture: 12 Perspectives on Communicating That Connects
Overview
The church in America is part of a changing culture and today’s preachers must be prepared to engage the unique issues of our postmodern age.
Editor Scott M. Gibson has skillfully combined the works of many well-known preachers, including Haddon Robinson and Bryan Chapell, into one practical guide written for present and future church leaders. Including questions for reflection and suggestions for further reading, this helpful resource addresses important topics such as preaching to a postmodern audience, pluralism, and the intersection of preaching and psychology.
The Logos edition of this work on preaching is fully searchable and easily accessible. Scripture passages link directly to your English translations and to the original language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the wealth of resources in your digital library.
- Presents perspectives from a variety of church leaders on preaching in the postmodern age
- Addresses common issues in contemporary preaching
- Includes reflection questions and suggestions for further study
- “Dusting Off the Old Testament for a New Millennium,” by Ray Lubeck
- “The New Testament in the New Millennium,” by Vic Gordon
- “The Necessity of Preaching Christ in a World Hostile to Him,” by Bryan Chapell
- “The Relevance of Expository Preaching,” by Haddon W. Robinson
- “Connecting with Your Congregation,” by Keith Willhite
- “The Shape of the Sermon,” by Donald R. Sunukjian
- “Who’s Listening Out There?,” by David Hansen
- “Preaching to the Whole Church,” by Alice P. Mathews
- “The Psychology of Preaching,” by Rodney L. Cooper
- “The Postmodern Mind and Preaching,” by Jeffrey D. Arthurs
- “Evangelical Preaching in the Global Context,” by Timothy C. Tennent
- “Biblical Preaching in an Anti-authority Age,” by Scott M. Gibson
Top Highlights
“The Bible is oral literature written to be read to an audience. You cannot read effectively without involving your whole person.” (Page 92)
“preachers need to reclaim the historic commitments of preaching an unmitigated adherence to the authority of the Bible” (Page 224)
“Preachers need to cultivate theological discernment. Evangelicals are pastoral people.” (Page 225)
“Evangelicals need to reclaim a biblically based theology of preaching” (Page 226)
“the primary meaning of kingdom is ‘reign’ or ‘rule.’ The kingdom of God thus means the reign of God or the rule of God.” (Page 45)
A stimulating potpourri of evangelical insights for changing times. A spirited group of essays. It’s like listening to friends in round-table conversation with each providing good questions to help you interact in an important debate.
—Michael Quicke, C.W. Koller Professor of Preaching and Communication, Northern Seminary
Timely and relevant, this collection of essays thoughtfully explores the issues facing today’s preacher and calls today’s preacher to thoughtfully face the issues. Its chapters are filled with the wisdom of well known preachers and teachers who practically apply their understanding of biblical preaching through the use of solid and helpful examples. The discussion questions and suggested reading list found at the end of every chapter assist students and pastors to delve deeper into the topic. Scott Gibson’s book is a must read for any responsible, biblical preacher and student.
—Patricia Batten, adjunct assistant professor of preaching, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
An excellent resource for preaching an uncompromising message in a compromising world. This book will help the modern preacher proclaim the historic truth.
—Stephen Sebastian, pastor, New Ipswich Congregational Church, New Ipswich, NH
Scott Gibson has given preachers and their churches a wonderful gift in this fine collection of essays by contemporary scholars and practitioners. Each chapter, though relatively brief, is poignantly related to a topic crucial to informed preaching in the contemporary scene. Strongly evangelical in their theological presuppositions, the contributors have thoroughly researched the subjects they explore and have reflected thoughtfully on a broad range of insights and viewpoints. The result is that the reader is given much more than an initial casual glance might indicate. This volume is sure to nudge preachers who have slipped into a homiletical comfort zone back toward a realization of the singular importance of their task. It also will give them some helpful ideas for honing their communication skills for more effective pulpit ministry.
—Donald L. Hamilton, director, Doctor of Ministry Program, Columbia International University
Essential reading for anyone committed to proclaiming the ancient Scriptures in the twenty-first century. This book issues a mandate for biblically grounded preaching which is not only responsive to a culture adrift in pluralism but to the accompanying changes occurring in our congregations. If you are serious about communicating the Gospel, Preaching to a Shifting Culture will engage your thinking and energize you to take your homiletical skills to the next level.
—John Tornfelt, professor of preaching and ministry, Evangelical Seminary
Scott M. Gibson is the Haddon W. Robinson Professor of Preaching and Ministry, director of the Center for Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and one of the founders of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. He is the author or coauthor of several books on preaching and lives in Massachusetts.