About the Author T. Gregory Edward Reynolds M. Michael Horton M. David F. Wells Th. Product Description. About The Author. Product Details. See previous deals. According to Gordon, it is epidemic. At the very least, this guy tells it like he sees it.
He does not allow the preacher to wiggle out by using shortened attention spans as an excuse. In most cases, the inattentiveness in the congregation is due to poor preaching—preaching that does not reward an energetic, conscientious listening.
When attentive listeners are not rewarded for their energetic attentiveness, they eventually become inattentive. The problem is the condition of the typical ministerial candidate when he arrives at the seminary. The reasons he cannot preach are twofold: he cannot read and he cannot write. Each of these receives a chapter-length treatment. In the first, Gordon demonstrates that Johnny has never been instructed in the reading of texts.
Enlarge cover. Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? David Gordon. Details if other :. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Why Johnny Can't Preach by T. An analysis of shifts in dominant media forms and their effects on the sensibilities of the culture as a whole.
Many of those shifts have profound, and unfortunate, effects on preaching. Get A Copy. Paperback , pages. More Details Original Title. Other Editions 2. Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Why Johnny Can't Preach , please sign up.
Hi All I would love to read this book. In fact I need to read it, is there someone who has copy of this book, that can share it with me? Thank you. See 1 question about Why Johnny Can't Preach…. Lists with This Book. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 4.
Rating details. Sort order. Start your review of Why Johnny Can't Preach. Jan 03, Demetrius Rogers rated it it was amazing Shelves: homiletics , ministry. I first read this back in and I can honestly say it changed my life. David Gordon's thesis is basically if you will only learn how to appreciate carefully and closely read literature it will have a formative effect on the way you preach. Until that time I was primarily interested in non-fiction. I wanted information.
But, this guy got me going on poetry and beautifully written fiction for the sake of language formation. And I must say the footnotes are chock-full of super interesting a I first read this back in and I can honestly say it changed my life. And I must say the footnotes are chock-full of super interesting and helpful leads.
I believe in what this book promotes. Excited to keep soaking myself in good language. View 2 comments. Apr 11, Douglas Wilson rated it really liked it Shelves: pastoral-ministry. Very fine. A few insanities here and there, but over all superb. Every pastor needs to read it. May 02, Scott rated it it was ok. While Gordon gets the diagnosis right, his argument is very weak. The book would have been stronger if Gordon's assertions had been qualified by actual evidence.
And I'm saying this as someone who agrees overall with Gordon's hope for Christian preaching! View 1 comment. Jun 21, Alexandru Croitor rated it it was amazing. Not a book for preaching per se - it leans more on exhorting preachers to develop their literary sensibilities for they are crucial for proper expository-preaching. He briefly argues that the technological progress caused a cultural shift which in turn minimized the exposure of preachers, in his case, but it can easily be extened to close-readings of texts he makes a distinction between reading for information and READING a text and thoughtful writing as in hand written letters that forced y Not a book for preaching per se - it leans more on exhorting preachers to develop their literary sensibilities for they are crucial for proper expository-preaching.
He briefly argues that the technological progress caused a cultural shift which in turn minimized the exposure of preachers, in his case, but it can easily be extened to close-readings of texts he makes a distinction between reading for information and READING a text and thoughtful writing as in hand written letters that forced you to be clear and concise ; therefore, that's why Johnny can't preach.
I found his argument compelling and his suggestions and extra notes helpful. Feb 15, Sally rated it it was amazing Shelves: theology-ministry-church. Great, direct book about poor preaching. The chapter "A Few Thoughts about Content" was excellent. This book will make you feel good about time spent reading good literature!
Feb 03, Dave Lester rated it it was ok Shelves: theology , christian-inspiration , social-commentary , theological-issues. David Gordon teaches media ecology and biblical studies at Grove City College.
The writing style is definitely confrontational and it doesn't seem like he pulls many punches while basically stating over and over again that preaching in our day and age sucks. Unfortunately, he does not add any data that backs up his very broad criticisms. One of his main focuses is TV and the inter T.
One of his main focuses is TV and the internet has come along and culture is now more visual. People no longer have the ability to perform sermons with a careful consideration of the words used or with any ability to write well. While people may agree this is generally true, he cites no studies or academic research which would bolster his claims. As I mentioned before, this book reads like a rant and comes across mostly as a cranky old man lamenting on how culture has changed.
That's not to say that there isn't valuable nuggets in the short book. He recommends that potential pastors and current pastors study English literature for one which actually seems like a wise insight.
Otherwise, there isn't much substance here other than Gordon droning on about how much he hates the preaching in our day and age. Jan 23, Michael Beck rated it it was amazing Shelves: pastoral-ministry. Another book that every preacher or preacher-in-training should read.
Highly recommended to the preacher. Oct 17, Daniel Henderson rated it really liked it. Everyone pastor should read this book. Highly recommend for all preachers and teachers! Feb 14, Wesley rated it it was amazing. An absolutely necessary read for any one considering the call to preach in this day and age. With an incredibly concise and focused effort, Gordon addresses the fact that the culture we live in today has corrupted many a pulpit in the American church.
He doesn't address moral issues or bad theology, however, but subpar preaching that has been shaped by the media our culture celebrates.
Read this book and consider the media that is affecting your preaching. Mar 29, Paul rated it it was amazing. Welcome to DashHouse. I also write a column for The Gospel Coalition Canada. Top Ten Quotes In my opinion, less than 30 percent of those who are ordained to the Christian ministry can preach an even mediocre sermon… Kindle Location 48 When something is well done, we do not complain about its length.
Kindle Locations Show me a church where the preaching is good, and yet the church is still moribund. Kindle Locations We are swamped by the inconsequential, bombarded by images and sounds that rob us of the opportunity for reflection and contemplation that are necessary to reacquaint ourselves with what is significant.
Kindle Locations For a minister today to preach a basic average sermon by early-twentieth-century standards would require a lifestyle that is significantly countercultural. Kindle Locations Faith is built by careful, thorough exposition of the person, character, and work of Christ. Kindle Locations Preach Christ, and you will have morality. Kindle Locations Nothing is more important for Christian proclamation than the central realities of the person, character, and work of Christ.
Kindle Locations If those who were preparing for the ministry or those already in it understood how profoundly different they are from people who lived even forty years ago, they could begin the process of cultivating those traits that our culture does not cultivate, by a deliberate and disciplined use of their own time.
Takeaways Develop the discipline to choose the weighty and transcendent in life, rather than the trivial and urgent.
0コメント