Key Books on Preaching

Preaching from the Old Testament
By Achtemeir, Elizabeth, Westminster. 1989.

An interpretation of the Old Testament showing that the Word of God in the Old Testament is also the Word to the present-day church. Deals with the power of revelatory language in the Old Testament, why the Old Testament is necessary, and how the one story in the canon creates community in the church. Elizabeth Achtemeier was adjunct professor of Bible and Homiletics at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.

Preaching Mark in Two Voices
By Blount, Brian K. & Gary W. Charles, Westminster John Knox. 2002.

Sermons and reflections on the Gospel of Mark by two diverse preachers, one African-American, the other white. Highlights the process from text to sermon from the angle of two differing cultural contexts. Brian K. Blount is associate professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey. Gary W. Charles is senior pastor at Old Presbyterian Meeting House, Alexandria, Virginia.

The Foolishness of Preaching
By Capon, Robert Farrar, Eerdmans. 1998.

Discusses the importance of the preacher's passionate belief in the Good News of salvation in Christ. Suggestions for those who listen to preachers for words of grace and hope. Emphasis on preparing and delivering the sermon. Robert Farrar Capon is an Episcopal priest.

Christ-Centered Preaching
By Chapell, Brian, Baker, 1994.

A perspective on expository preaching aims and methods, with sections on wedding, funeral, and evangelistic messages. Shows the redemptive aim of scripture while teaching an expository preaching method. Brian Chapell is President and Professor of Practical Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.

As One Without Authority
By Craddock, Fred B., Chalice Press. 2001.

An approach to inductive preaching. Challenges preachers to think again about issues of structure, movement, image, and suspense in sermons. Presents a creative use of narrative. Fred B. Craddock is Bandy Professor of Preaching and New Testament, emeritus, at Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, Georgia.

The Sermon as Symphony
By Graves, Mike, Judson Press. 1997.

Examines ten literary forms in the New Testament and illustrates their use in sample sermons from: Eugene L. Lowry, Barbara Brown Taylor, Thomas G. Long, William H. Willimon, Frederick Buechner, Thomas H. Troger, and Donald W. Musser. Mike Graves is associate professor of homiletics at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text
By Greidanus, Sidney, Eerdmans. 1998.

A fusion of biblical hermenuetics and homiletics. Offers a contemporary approach to the interpretation and preaching of biblical texts. Uses scholarly tools and focuses especially on literary features. Sidney Greidanus is emeritus professor of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament
By Greidanus, Sidney, Eerdmans. 1999.

A guide to preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Argues for the need both to preach Christ in every sermon and to preach regularly from the Old Testament. Combines contemporary hermeneutics and practical suggestions. Sidney Greidanus is emeritus professor of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Proclaim the Wonder
By Hoezee, Scott E., Baker. 2003.

A proposal that the pulpit can be a vehicle for celebrating science's contribution to the understanding of creation. Explores theological interpretations of scientific facts. Offers strategies for integrating science into preaching and provides sample sermons based on key biblical texts. Scott E. Hoezee is the director of the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary.

Getting the Word Across
By Jacks, G. Robert, Eerdmans. 1995.

The basics of speech communication for ministry. Discusses practical techniques of oral interpretation, voice, and diction. Provides tools for self-analysis. G. Robert Jacks is associate professor of speech communication in ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey.

Just Say the Word!
By Jacks, G. Robert, Eerdmans. 1996.

Practical, hands-on approach to writing sermons that considers first the listener. Gives samples of writing that capture and hold a congregation's attention. Practical suggestions intended to help preachers find a style and voice of their own. G. Robert Jacks is associate professor of speech communication in ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey.

The Heart of Black Preaching
By LaRue, Cleophus James, Westminster. 2000.

Argues that the character of black preaching derives from a distinctive biblical hermeneutic that views God as involved in practical ways in the lives of African Americans. Explains how this hermeneutic has remained constant since the days of slavery. Cleophus James LaRue is the Francis Landey Patton Associate Professor of Homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Power in the Pulpit
By LaRue, Cleophus James, Westminster John Knox 2002.

Brings together the voices of twelve influential African-American preachers. Each preacher describes his or her method of sermon preparation and includes a sample sermon for illustration. A how-to manual for pastors and students. Cleophus James LaRue is the Francis Landey Patton Associate Professor of Homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Korean Preaching: An Interpretation
By Lee, Jung Young, Abingdon. 1997.

Primer for learning the about the workings of Korean-American churches, the way that preaching can respond to the changing cultural needs of this community, and the reasons behind the explosive growth of the Korean Church in America. Offers a perspective and vision of Korean ministry in America. Jung Young Lee was professor of systematic theology at Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, New Jersey.

The Company of Preachers
By Lischer, Richard, ed., Eerdmans. 2002.

A collection of essays on preaching from the history of the church. Presents historic voices on the topics of what is preaching, the preacher, proclamation, biblical interpretation, rhetoric, the hearer, and the setting of the church. Richard Lischer is James T. and Alice Mead Cleland Professor of Preaching at Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina.

Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible
By Long, Tomas G., Fortress Press, 1989.

Long incisively summarizes various forms of biblical literature (psalms, proverbs, narratives, parables, and epistles) and suggests ways to model sermons on these various genre so that the sermon form matches the text itself.

The Witness of Preaching
By Long, Tomas G., Westminster John Knox. 1989.

A development of a theology of preaching as "bearing witness." Offers the understanding that preachers come from within the church, not to it from the outside. Integrates theory and practice of homiletics. Thomas G. Long is the Bandy Professor of Preaching at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Confessing Jesus Christ
By Lose, David J., Eerdmans. 2003.

An investigation and critique of postmodern thought relevant to Christian proclamation. Explores the practical implications of a confessional homiletic and provides methods for bridging the gap between the biblical text and contemporary congregations. David J. Lose is assistant professor of homiletics at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Homiletical Plot.
By Lowry, Eugene L., Expanded edition. Westminster John Knox. 2001.

Suggests that the sermon follow a narrative form that moves from beginning to end, as with the plot of a story. A teaching resource and learning tool for beginning and seasoned preachers. Eugene L. Lowry is William K. McElvaney Professor of Preaching Emeritus, Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Missouri.

Preaching That Speaks to Women
By Mathews, Alice P., Baker. 2004.

Invites preachers to consider how gender affects the way sermons are understood and calls them to preaching that relates to the entire congregation. Delineates principles of communication applicable to both men and women. Alice P. Matthews is Lois W. Bennett Distinguished Associate Professor of Educational Ministries and Women's Ministries at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Black Preaching: The Recovery of a Powerful Art
By Mitchell, Henry H., Abingdon. 1990.

Demonstrates how Black culture and preaching style are vital for the empowerment of Black congregations and have much to offer to the preaching method of all preachers. Focuses on the use of story telling, imagination, and a style of preaching rooted in Black culture. Henry H. Mitchell has taught at the School of Theology at Virginia Union University and Colgate Roger Divinity School.

Preaching to Every Pew
By Nieman, James R. and Thomas G. Rogers, Augsburg Fortress. 2001.

An approach to culture from four perspectives: ethnicity, class, displacement, and beliefs. Based on extensive field research. Recommends practical strategies for improving communication in culturally diverse settings. James R. Nieman is Associate Professor of Homiletics at Wartburg Theological Seminary. Thomas G. Rogers is Associate Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

The Woman in the Pulpit
By Noren, Carol M., Abingdon. 1994.

Discussion of how women proclaim the Word. Includes advice about self-disclosure, language choices, textual interpretation, and approach to liturgy. Carol M. Noren is assistant professor of homiletics at The Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

The Supremacy of God in Preaching
By Piper, John, Baker. 2004.

Explores the theology, strategy, and spirituality of pulpit ministry. Includes a study of Jonathan Edward's preaching ministry and offers practical suggestions by the author. John Piper is the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

360-Degree Preaching: Hearing, Speaking, and Living the Word
Quicke, Michael J., Baker Academic, 2003.

Brings expository preaching to a postmodern world. Offers principles for biblical preaching and analysis of the current cultural situation. Examines the effects of the preacher's spirituality upon preaching. Michael J. Quicke is Charles W. Koller Professor of Preaching and Communication at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois.

Biblical Preaching
By Robinson, Haddon W., 2nd edition. Baker Academic. 1980, 2001.

A homiletical method for preparing and delivering expository sermons. Historical-grammatical approach to biblical interpretation. Includes practical exercises. Haddon W. Robinson is the Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, Massachusetts.

Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today
By Stott, John, Eerdmans. 1982.

Perspectives on recovering confidence in the Word for preaching. Contains an historical outline of preaching and examines contemporary objections. Reflection on the preacher's responsibility to live the message through sincerity, earnestness, courage, and humility. John Stott is rector emeritus of All Souls' Church, Langham Place, London, and founder of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.

The Practice of Preaching
By Wilson, Paul Scott., Abingdon. 1995.

An appraisal of the breadth and depth of the homiletical field. An analysis of rhetoric, hermeneutics, poetics, and oral presentation. Fosters a love of preaching and a love of language. Paul Scott Wilson is professor of preaching at Emmanuel College of the Toronto School of Theology.

The Four Pages of the Sermon
By Wilson, Paul Scott, Abingdon. 1999.

An approach to sermon composition and presentation using the metaphor of filmmaking. Illustrated with sermons from a broad spectrum of the Christian Community. Encourages preachers to preach theocentric sermons. Paul Scott Wilson is professor of preaching at Emmanuel College of the Toronto School of Theology.

Preacher, Can You Hear Us Listening?
By Van Harn, Roger E., Erdmans, 2005.

A revision of "Pew Rights," this volume reminds preachers to bear in mind the kinds of questions people often ask.

The Lectionary Commentary (3 Vols.)
Edited By Van Harn, Roger E., Erdmans, 2001.

A comprehensive set of sermon "jump starts" on Common Lectionary text from the Old Testament, the Gospels, and from Acts and the Epistles. An invaluable resource loaded with good ideas for preaching.

Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed
Edited By Van Harn, Roger E., Erdmans, 2004.

Includes one essay and one sermon on every article in the Creed. A great resource for preachers.