Preaching

“Sound preaching arises out of two loves – love of the Word of God and love of people…” When I read that on page 14, I knew this book would be good. However as a mere Occasional Preacher I found it heavy going in places and not quite as accessible as advertised.
I thoroughly agreed with the objective in Part 1 of preaching Christ every time – after all Paul tried to preach nothing but “Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23) – but I feel that if one tried to follow the author’s every suggestion, both here and in the Appendix, ...one would get seriously bogged down. Part 2 was the best, taking us inside the minds of the listeners – this should prove invaluable as we struggle really to connect with people. Part 3 was a nod to the Holy Spirit, and I have read better discussions of the integrity of the preacher. Mr. Keller could have usefully expanded this very short section to include the essential part of the Spirit in sermon preparation. Not a definitive work, therefore, but one that every preacher should read.

There are a number of good books available on preaching and Keller's is now among them. In some respects he covers familiar ground, but his focus, rightly in my view, is firmly evangelical and Bible based. The first three chapter headings make it clear: 'Preaching the Word', 'Preaching the gospel every time' and 'Preaching Christ from Scripture'. He not only writes with a passion for Bible truth but with a very practical emphasis on how best to communicate the message - what the second section of the book calls 'Reaching the People'. Keller sets the preaching ministry in the context ...of the real modern world and stresses how, in the end, the gospel call of God to people through preaching is the work of the Spirit and not just the craft of the preacher. The book contains a helpful appendix of nearly 30 pages setting out, for anyone who wants it, practical guidance on constructing an expository message, as well as detailed chapter notes for those who would study further.
This is a book full of insight and experience to help any preacher; new or experienced. Genuinely recommended.

I have read a number of books on different aspects of preaching (some of which Keller himself references in this book), but this goes to the top of the stack for me.

It probably shouldn't be the only book you read - it's not a book that necessarily focuses on the details of communication - but as, in Keller's own words, a "manifesto, not a manual" it is second to none. His emphasis on preaching to the heart, drawing in ...particular on the work of Jonathan Edwards, is brilliant, and his ideas on engaging with culture are, as always, inspired.

Additionally, it is obvious (not least from the copious notes) that Keller has read many books on preaching and is drawing from both his own considerable experience, but also the experience of those before and around him. This serves a dual-purpose of, in many places, summarising some of those works, but also providing the reader with many avenues for further study.

A must for every preacher, and a great read for everyone else too.