225 - The Witness Of Preaching

The Witness Of Preaching
By Thomas G. Long
Louisville, Westminster/ John Knox, 1989. 216 pp. $13.95.

Long's comprehensive introduction to preaching is organized around the image of the preacher as witness. The witness testifies to what that one has seen of God.

The book focuses in innovative ways on the usual areas covered by general homiletics textbooks: exegesis (especially good on literary approaches); establishing focus and function for the sermon; developing a form (no less than fifteen approaches are discussed); beginning, connecting, and ending; delivery-a sanguine but sketchy discussion. A little "preaching lore" concludes.

The book gives an excellent overview of the main lines of current homiletical discussion. In each arena of homiletical interest, Long states his own approach, but then offers alternative models. "Here's my way, but if you don't like it, here's another."

As I was preparing this note our older son (age 9) picked up the book. The cover contains a cross in a maze. "Look, dad, there are five different ways to get through the maze to the cross." That is precisely Long's point vis-à-vis the witness of preaching.

Ronald J. Allen
Christian Theological Seminary
Indianapolis, Ind.