Journal of European Baptist Studies, 2017

by a variety of authors who accordingly bring a range of individual perspectives to this task. It is the second volume of an intended series on Homiletical Theology based around a consultation on the theme. Following on from the above, one of the particular features of this book is methodological. It seeks to treat the whole task of preaching as thoroughly theological. In doing so it approaches preaching from the perspective of practical theology. In turn the contributions are organised according to the methodological approaches of the writers: Descriptive, Confessional, and Analytical respectively. This interaction between methodology and theology is interesting for those who consider methodology to be a theological matter, and to dismiss this feature would be to somewhat miss the point of the collection. In the descriptive mode there are chapters on sermon preparation in the light of different theological horizons, street art, and the phenomenological method of Edward Farley. In the confessional mode, there is a chapter which argues for a greater priority to be given to the Spirit and another which argues for the gospel of promise as the starting point for homiletical work. The contributions in the analytical mode engage with the very project of Homiletical Theology and explore the limits of this unfinished task in relation to the bible and ‘uncomfortable’ themes such as judgement. There are some very thought provoking chapters in this book, although those with a more evangelical theology will struggle with some of the undergirding theological assumptions. At times some of the contributions have the feel of an ‘insider’ conversation. This said, the emphasis on preachers as those who are participants and producers of meaning, rather than simply those who apply such meaning, requires thoughtful engagement by preachers in all traditions. Reviewed by Stuart Blythe