The practice of preaching

by Paul Scott Wilson

"Something more is needed to equip students to meet the challenges of this new millennium. A key theme here is whether we preach the text or the gospel ... In the way of thinking presented here, the gospel ought not to be conceived as a mere add-on to an old model of homiletics. New gospel headlights or taillights are not enough. An entire hermeneutic is required from beginning to end, a rethinking that gets at questions such as: What is a text? What does it mean to preach a text? What is gospel? Does the gospel have form as well as content? Is grace the same thing as gospel? What is the role of God in preaching? Are preaching and proclamation mere synonyms? These may be fresh questions for homiletics to ask, but in a way they are old because they address the commission of Christ to preach the gospel. Some of the answers are old, drawing on the best of our preaching forebears, yet adapted to postmodern times. I am hopeful that what is said here might stimulate fresh discussion and open