Elements of Style for Preaching. By William H. Kooienga. The Craft of Preaching Series. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989. 127 pages. Paper, $5.95.  

Kooienga offers a succinct introduction to sermonic style in this brief volume, which is an outgrowth of his D. Min. project at Westminster Theological Seminary in California. Part one touches briefly on key eras in the history of rhetoric: ancient Greek oratory, Pauline theory and practice, patristic and scholastic rhetoric, the influence of Ramus, and the influence of Kant on modern sermon style. Kooienga criticizes the modern emphasis on opaque, evocative style. He says it reflects Kant’s error in believing that God is known only in the shadows and smoke, beyond the limits of human language.  

Part two presents Kooienga’s theory that there are three basic preaching styles, the teaching style, the persuasive style, and the moving style, which correlate with Augustine’s low, middle, and high style. Each style serves a different aim through its mix of the elements of style: clarity, interest, evocation, energy, and emotion. Part three consists of brief chapters on each of these elements and how to cultivate them.  

Elements of Style for Preaching is an introductory book on sermonic style. It reflects the author’s Reformed theology and classical rhetorical theory. It could be helpful to students just beginning their ministry or to more experienced ministers needing a simple refresher course in sermon style.