Why Johnny Can't Preach
by T. David Gordon | Book Summary
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Author: T. David Gordon
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The decisive event that ultimately motivated the writing of this book was a cancer diagnosis. Stage three cancer with only a slight chance of survival resulted in the following conviction: "Before I die, I must express my opinion on this subject" (p. 13). That opinion centers on the thesis that few sermons have any discernible unity, and most sermons lack any recognizable order. This sad state of preaching affects believers in churches who are subjected to sub-par sermons week after week. Additionally, this sad state of preaching has been brought about by massive societal changes. These include the widespread inability to read texts and the widespread inability to write effectively. Simply put, this book aims to answer the following question: "How has the movement from language-based media to image-based and electronic media altered our sensibilities, and how, in turn, has this change in sensibility shaped today's preachers?" (p. 16). |
T. David Gordon is Professor of Religion and Greek at Grove City College where he teaches courses in religion, Greek, humanities, and media ecology. Previously, Gordon taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and pastored at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashua, NH. He is a graduate of Roanoke College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary (in Virginia; now Union Presbyterian Seminary).
Gordon has contributed to a number of books and study Bibles, including the New Geneva Study Bible and the Reformation Study Bible. He has published scholarly articles in journals such as New Testament Studies, The Westminster Theological Journal, Interpretation, and Journal for the Evangelical Theological Society. He has published popular articles in Modern Reformation, Tabletalk, Decision, and Lay Leadership. In addition to Why Johnny Can't Preach, Gordon is the author of Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns.
Why Johnny Can't Preach
by T. David Gordon
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | T. David Gordon |
| Publisher | P&R Publishing |
| Date | 2009 |
| Pages | 108 |
Overview:
"I've always feared to state publicly that, in my opinion, less than 30 percent of those who are ordained to the Christian ministry can preach an even mediocre sermon, lest I appear to be ungrateful or uncharitable. On the other hand, to sit in the kettle as it rises degree by degree toward the boiling point, while doing nothing to alert others, concerns me also." (p. 11)
The decisive event that ultimately motivated the writing of this book was a cancer diagnosis. Stage three cancer with only a slight chance of survival resulted in the following conviction: "Before I die, I must express my opinion on this subject" (p. 13).
That opinion centers on the thesis that few sermons have any discernible unity, and most sermons lack any recognizable order. This sad state of preaching affects believers in churches who are subjected to sub-par sermons week after week. Additionally, this sad state of preaching has been brought about by massive societal changes. These include the widespread inability to read texts and the widespread inability to write effectively.
Simply put, this book aims to answer the following question: "How has the movement from language-based media to image-based and electronic media altered our sensibilities, and how, in turn, has this change in sensibility shaped today's preachers?" (p. 16).
T. David Gordon is Professor of Religion and Greek at Grove City College where he teaches courses in religion, Greek, humanities, and media ecology. Previously, Gordon taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and pastored at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashua, NH. He is a graduate of Roanoke College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary (in Virginia; now Union Presbyterian Seminary).
Gordon has contributed to a number of books and study Bibles, including the New Geneva Study Bible and the Reformation Study Bible. He has published scholarly articles in journals such as New Testament Studies, The Westminster Theological Journal, Interpretation, and Journal for the Evangelical Theological Society. He has published popular articles in Modern Reformation, Tabletalk, Decision, and Lay Leadership. In addition to Why Johnny Can't Preach, Gordon is the author of Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns.