Telling God's Story - by John W Wright (Paperback)

About the Book

John W. Wright presents a new model of preaching that aims to connect the biblical text with a congregation so that they are formed into a true Christian community.

Book Synopsis

Here is Biblical narrative preaching that transforms.John W. Wright presents a new model of preaching that aims to connect the biblical text with a congregation so that they are formed into a true Christian community. Such formation calls for interpretative engagement with both the biblical narrative and the cultural narrative that shapes our society. Wright critically surveys current theories of preaching and the variety of hermeneutical practices, providing clear guidance and practical direction for faithful preaching.

Review Quotes

"Challenging some of the most determinative conceits represented by contemporary American homiletical practices, Wright provides an alternative account of preaching by helping us reclaim a tragic dimension internal to our lives as Christians. Deeply erudite, Wright draws on the work of Hans Frei and George Lindbeck to develop an account of preaching in which the church becomes the subject as well as the agent through which Christians learn again to have their lives narrated by the gospel.

One of the most surprising aspects of this extraordinary book is its ability to help us recognize that current forms of sermon practices can be traced to the Puritan attempt to move the individual from sin to salvation in such a way that it provided reassurance of what it meant to live in God's elect nation. As a result, Wright traces the current accommodated character of American preaching to what people oftentimes associate with a conservative religious movement. This analysis alone makes this an important book, but even more significant Wright provides a constructive alternative to such accommodated forms of preaching by providing us with examples that can shape an alternative imagination."

"The author takes a look at the western style of preaching through historical, cultural and theological lenses and demonstrates how our way of 'doing' church contradicts the biblical model. . . . Pastors and evangelists will find this book helpful for making midcourse adjustments to their styles. Seminary students also will find it a vital tool for shaping their emerging approaches to homiletics."

"The church should be worried about this book. It comes as an invitation to rethink the task of preaching, but three pages into it you'll realize that Wright is not giving us another 'how-to' book for adding to the plethora of 'messages' delivered every Sunday. No, this little book is packed with minor-prophet-like punch, arguing that preaching is the practice by which the North American church has fallen, but also gives us a glimpse of how preaching could help it stand. Providing a brilliant historical and theological diagnosis of the problem with so-called biblically based, need-centered preaching (whether liberal or conservative), Telling God's Story winsomely sketches what authentic 'biblical' preaching looks like: not conscripting the Bible to legitimate the cultural narratives of consumerist individualism or triumphant nationalism, but rather finding ourselves in the biblical story as an alternative to both. If the church is properly said to be a polis, then this book unpacks the 'politics' of homiletics. It should be required reading in seminaries across North America. And we could hope that pastors already immersed in ministry would be willing to risk reading this book. But be forewarned: it will radically change your understanding of your charge to 'preach the gospel.'"

"This book has whetted my historical curiosity. It has confirmed my commitment to expository preaching of the whole counsel of God built not on a theological system but on an understanding of the text of Scripture itself. It has also given some valuable models to help make me a more effective preacher."

About the Author

John W. Wright (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) is professor of theology and Christian Scripture at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. He is the author of Conflicting Allegiances: The Church-Based University in a Liberal Democratic Society and And Then There Was One: A Search for the True Disciple in the Gospel of Mark.