Thoughtful Proclaimer
Author: Elizabeth Wright Anderson
Publisher:WestBow Press, Bloomington, Indiana, 2017
This ‘manual’ is a detailed guide to preparing Bible sermons that first transform the proclaimer. Central to its message is that at all times the proclaimer is proclaiming God’s purposes for His Word as a whole, as a book of the Bible, and in the very specific passage under consideration. The author calls this the “Commander’s Intent” – a term taken from the military world. The focus of the approach is that Scriptures should transform the proclaimer while he/she prepares transformative messages for others.
Elizabeth Anderson incorporates much of what many learn in their theology classes when it comes to ‘how to preach’ – classical Bible study style techniques, time-honored spiritual disciplines, step-by-step exegesis, as well as new practices in teaching and sermon planning.
High value is placed on the proclaimer preparing a message asking questions – lots of them as he/she works on the message. These include questions for picking passages, contextual questions, cultural questions, and many more. There is an excellent Glossary defining terms (e.g. canon, exegesis, hermeneutics, and homiletics) in a way that makes sense to a layperson.
The word ‘Thoughtful’ in the title comes from the book’s goal of convincing the proclaimer that it is “just as important for us to allow the Word we preach and teach to transform us.”
I gained many insights from Anderson’s treatment of the subject of preaching. One that I particularly liked was her view that “The Bible is Not a Fortune Cookie”. Well worth taking heed of her position.
The book is full of hints that make sense and are well explained. For example, “Preaching Sequentially Lends More Accuracy of Meaning” and “Look for Christ in Every Passage”. It also goes deeply into what Anderson calls “Tear(ing) the Passage Down to the Studs” with step-by-step instructions on things such as the general principles of interpretation, word structure (including semantic range which I found fascinating), and more.
Anderson reminds us that when we preach ‘redemptively’, we have two audiences – those who have run away from God and those who “have stayed home and kept the faith but whose lives are not victorious.” Keeping both in mind is critical to reaching your audiences effectively.
There are several excellent Appendices as further helps including a “Thoughtful Proclaimer Message Preparation Worksheet” and “Sample of Planning a Biblical Series.” Finally, the book is full of comical one-frame cartoons that drive home the ideas Anderson is hoping we’ll see.
Who is this book for? Well, for starters, anyone who preaches periodically and hasn’t attended bible school will gain much from reading the book. I’m a prime example. But I also think it can be a handy reference to pastors and ministers who need a refresher on the topic. But the most important audience may well be those that are missing out on the personal value of preaching to others. I have always told my audiences, and you hear other speakers say the same, that “no one learns or gets more out of any public talk than the person who researched the material and prepared the message.” Well, this book takes that concept one step further – the Thoughtful Proclaimernot only does that, but it helps the tired, in a rut, proclaimer come alive. Well worth having on your personal shelf as well as in your church library.
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