Why Johnny Can't Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers

by T. David Gordon

Overview

Why is preaching ineffective? Gordon shows how the way preachers study means that they are not speaking the language the congregation understands and needs to hear. Includes solutions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596381162
Publisher:	Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing
Publication date:	02/13/2009
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

T. David Gordon was professor of religion and Greek at Grove City College for more than twenty years. Previously, he was an associate professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and, for nearly a decade, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He is the author of several books and numerous theological articles.

Editorial Reviews

"Every preacher who believes that the Bible is the infallible Word of God should read this book. Its lucidity and conciseness makes that possible in he midst of a busy pastorate. Dr. Gordon is saying things that no one else has said, perhaps because no one dares to. Dr. Gordon brings two very important perspectives to bear on the serious business of preaching: finely tuned literary sensibilities—especially attention to literary structure—and media ecology. Electronic media alter perception and rearrange social space. They have dramatically transformed the sensibilities of preachers along with the rest of the culture. Serious attention to texts—especially the text of Scripture—the ability to distinguish the significant from the insignificant, and focus on the ability of Jesus Christ to save sinners, these are being radically eclipsed in our day. But Gordon’s analysis offers us hope that Johnny can learn to preach well. Preaching rooted in a close reading of the biblical text and centered on the Christ of Scripture is the crying need of our day. I highly recommend it.

Dr Gregory Edward Reynolds

An insightful diagnosis of a serious problem in the life of the church. For this we should be grateful as we should for the way out of the crisis to which this book ably points.

David F. Wells

No, it's not just you. There's a lot of really disappointing preaching today and it's not entirely due to explicit departures from sound principles; it's also affected by the media culture in which we have been formed. While there are helpful studies of popular culture and important books on proper biblical interpretation and theology, this book does both. I couldn't help but wince as I recognized myself in Gordon's descriptions, but he writes so clearly and convincingly that I couldn't help but be grateful. Why Johnny Can't Preach should be read by anyone who cares about preaching.

Michael Horton