Alive to the Word. Stephen I. Wright

      

      Alive to the Word

      Alive to the Word

      A Practical Theology of Preaching for the Whole Church

      Stephen Wright

      © Stephen Wright 2010

      Published in 2010 by SCM Press

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      British Library Cataloguing in Publication data

      A catalogue record for this book is available

       from the British Library

      978-0-334-04201-3

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      Contents

       Acknowledgements

       Introduction

      Part 1 Introduction

      1 The Historical Phenomenon of Preaching

      2 Contemporary Functions of Preaching

      Part 2 Introduction

      3 Language, Medium and Rhetoric

      4 Insights from Sociology and Psychology

      Part 3 Introduction

      5 The Biblical Grounding of Preaching

      6 Continuing the Story: Preaching in the Ongoing Purposes of God

      7 Ethical Guidance for Preaching

      8 Patterns and Practices for Preaching

      Part 4 Introduction

      9 Tasks for the Church

      10 Tasks for the Preacher

       Bibliography

       Index of Names and Subjects

       Index of Biblical References

      Acknowledgements

      I was honoured to be approached by Natalie Watson on behalf of SCM Press to write this book. I am most grateful to them for the opportunity, and thank Natalie especially for her encouragement, advice and patience.

      I could not have written this book without the wonderfully supportive atmosphere I have enjoyed in what have been the three main dimensions of my life over the last couple of years.

      First, in my place of work, Spurgeon’s College, London, which has been an environment of rich Christian fellowship and intellectual stimulation. I am grateful for the continued encouragement of the Principal, Nigel Wright, and all my colleagues. I would like especially to mention Peter Stevenson, Roger Standing, Chris Voke, Richard Littledale and John Woods, with whom I have been privileged to share in the teaching and discussion of preaching. In addition, Tim Grass read a draft of Chapter 1 and Pieter Lalleman a draft of Chapter 5, and I am indebted to them for their willingness, care and correction, while of course retaining full responsibility for the chapters as they now stand.

      It has been a great privilege to work with a number of postgraduate students on dissertations and theses in the area of preaching over the last decade. They have stimulated my thinking in many areas. Although I have only been able to refer by name to a few in the footnotes, I acknowledge my debt to them all.

      It has been a joy to get to know groups of undergraduate students as well, and I am continually refreshed by their love for Christ and for others. I would like especially to mention the two pastoral groups which I have been privileged to lead over the last year or more. I have greatly appreciated their friendship and support, not least as ‘the book’ has regularly featured in my personal prayer requests.

      Second, in my local church, St John the Divine, Selsdon, where I have been continually grounded in the great tradition of faith and spiritually nurtured through regular worship and fellowship. I would like to thank particularly the Rector, Ian Brothwood, for his supportive friendship and thoughtful, biblical, imaginative preaching.

      Third, in my family, both immediate and wider, which continues to offer such a secure framework for life and work, which I hope never to take for granted. As always my wife, Linda, has been exemplary in her love and longsuffering.

      I write this on Good Friday. Pragmatically, the reason for that is that I have stretched my ‘deadline’ to breaking point. But as a preacher, I cannot help thinking of Paul’s words: ‘We preach Christ crucified’ (1 Cor. 1.23). Far be it from me to boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Gal. 6.14). Thanks be to Him.

      Lord, how can man preach thy eternall word?

      He is a brittle crazie glasse:

      Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford

      This glorious and transcendent place,

      To be a window, through thy grace.

      But when thou dost anneal in glasse thy storie,

      Making thy life to shine within

      The holy Preachers; then the light and glorie

      More rev’rend grows, & more doth win:

      Which else shows watrish, bleak, & thin.

      Doctrine and life, colours and light, in one

      When they combine and mingle, bring

      A strong regard and aw: but speech alone

      Doth