562 - The Preacher as Jacob: A New Paradigm for Preaching

The Preacher as Jacob:
A New Paradigm for Preaching
By Kenneth L. Gibble
Minneapolis, Seabury, 1985. 136 pp. $8.95.

This book is a happy addition to the recent preoccupation of homileticians with the form and style of the sermon. The culture yearns to receive the Word in something other than the old three point, so-called propositional form and style. The challenge has been to discover a route to the source of those creative and new forms and styles that also allow for the richness of the preacher's unique personhood. Gibble makes an interesting and helpful contribution to the meeting of the challenge. He wants to do more than help the preacher in "creativity in terms of preaching method." He asks: "But what happens inside the preacher to help or hinder creativity?," His route to the source of one's personal creativity is the "daimonic" or "shadow" as explored by Carl Jung,

563 - The Preacher as Jacob: A New Paradigm for Preaching

Rollo May, and others. A courageous confrontation with that shadow side of the self can, the author believes, add excitement, authenticity, and relevance to a preacher's sermon.

I agree, and I strongly commend Gibble's effort. To improve his book would require a clearer handling of that "daimonic." His definitions are not always consistent; hence, at a place or two, he borders on offering yet another "how to" or "preaching method" book, muting his essentially fresh voice and perspective.

John Stapleton
Trinity United Methodist Church
North Myrtle Beach, S.C.