The six contributors to this interesting book tell how they developed their skills in narrative preaching. With each essay they also provide an illustrative sermon. As a pastor, your appreciation of the book will depend on your initial position. If you are determined to avoid narrative preaching and stick to "rational exposition of truth," then you probably won't read it. Yet this might be the book you need to broaden your style.
Robinson makes a good overture in the introduction, but his recognition of narrative form in the Bible, faith, worship, and the liturgical year is not developed in the rest of the book.
In an excellent essay, "Retelling Biblical Narratives as the Foundation for Preaching," Richard L. Thulin reflects on his surprise at the effects of narrative preaching: "I found myself worried about the fact that I may have discovered the nonbiblical story only to lose the Bible's. Such a trade might make for enthusiastic listening, but it would not necessarily provide for Christian proclamation." The writers clearly point out that storytelling as preaching is fundamentally biblical; otherwise much of the Old Testament and the Acts of the Apostles would be meaningless. Thulin's sermon demonstrates very well how a nonbiblical story can cast new light on the biblical text. Seeking to define the parameters of the style, Lucy Rose tells the story of "Christina." But the result is disappointing--a rather forced mix of theory and story.
Robert G. Hughes's essay "Narrative as Plot" is not uninteresting, but his sermon "From Ashes to Alleluia" is compel ling.
Eugene L. Lowry, writing about personal experience with narrative preaching, brings in many fresh ideas. For example, he says that, like a jazz musician, the Black preacher "understands that for the sermon to happen, it must move to a final celebrative event--a denouement." Lowry proceeds with a commanding and poetic sermon on Nicodemus.
Robinson (the editor) writes the fifth essay. His example of the Samaritan par able is unimpressive. But he does make some useful comments on good moralistic preaching and the need for careful biblical scholarship in these types of sermons. I wish he had developed both of these topics more.
The last contribution, Michael E. Williams' "Preaching as Storytelling," is interesting but unoriginal. He provides another sermonic interview with Job.
The book contains a reasonably full bibliography, though I noticed some re cent publications missing. I found the volume worth studying and would recommend it for use in ministerial work shops.
