Journeys toward Narrative Preaching

James L. Heflin  |  Southwestern Journal of Theology Vol. 33 - Summer 1991

Journeys toward Narrative Preaching. Edited by Wayne B. Robinson. New York: Pilgrim Press, 1990. 134 pages.  

The six contributors to this volume are well known as preachers and teachers of preaching. The materials collected here are the outcome of the Narrative and Imagination working group of the Academy of Homiletics. In it, the authors present a variety of models for narrative preaching. They share the conviction that narrative is not just the latest trend in preaching but is “a way to do preaching. . .” (p. 1). Their commitment is based on two affirmations. The first is that there is a narrative quality to life—life as we live it and the life of faith. The latter is reflected in the worship experience of Isaiah in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-8). The second affirmation is that Jesus used narrative forms for his own preaching.  

One of the most helpful sections in the book is the one in which the editor distinguishes between narrative and story, a distinction made by Eugene Lowry, one of the contributors (pp. 3-5). Story refers to a basic literary form. Narrative refers to a basic underlying framework “which moves from opening disequilibrium. . . through escalation… to surprising reversal. . . into closing denouement” (p. 4).  

Each author presents his or her understanding of narrative preaching, in narrative form, then includes a sample sermon. The understanding of narrative ranges from biblical narrative as a model for sermons to narrative as storytelling.  

This volume offers much to help clarify the issue of narrative preaching. The authors provide good models. This book is easy to read and stimulates the reader’s thoughts about the essential nature of the sermon.  

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