Conversations with Barth on Preaching

by William H. Willimon

One of today’s greatest preacher-theologians engages one of the twentieth century's greatest teacher-theologians on the meaning of preaching.Readers of William H. Willimon’s many books have long found there the influence of Karl Barth, probably the most significant theologian of the twentieth century. In this new book Willimon explores that relationship explicitly by engaging Barth’s work on the pitfalls and problems, glories and grandeur of preaching the Word of God. The Swiss theologian, says the author, expressed one of the highest theologies of preaching of any of the great theologians of the church. Yet too much of Barth’s understanding of preaching lies buried in the Church Dogmatics and other, sometimes obscure, sources. Willimon brings this material to light, introducing the reader to Barth’s thought, not just on the meaning, but the practice of preaching as well.

Genres: Theology

329 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

The Reverend Dr. William H. Willimon is Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at the Divinity School, Duke University. He served eight years as Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, where he led the 157,000 Methodists and 792 pastors in North Alabama. For twenty years prior to the episcopacy, he was Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Kyle]

I was destined to enjoy this book. Lets see: it was written by Will Willimon, a pastor, preacher, teacher, and person I admire and respect. His writings never fail to both challenge and encourage me in theory and praxis as both a church leader and a theologian who wishes to think worthily of God's revelation in Christ; and to do this for the benefit of the Church to the glory of God.



Second, it is about preaching and proclamation. As someone who steps into the pulpit from time to time, I know what it means to have to speak the Word of God using my human words. It is truly a terrifying and imposssible task and I crave all the help and encouragement I can get.



Third, it interacts specifically with my hero Karl Barth. People often forget that Barth's Dogmatics is called Church Dogmatics for a reason. It is written to the Church and for the Church. Theoloy finds its place in the Church. Further, the Church, while constituted by Christ, is commited to the task of proclamation. Thus it was great to hear all that Barth spoke about the task of homiletics.



My only complaint is Willimon tried to mimic the structure of Dogmatics. (Complete with small print excursions that supported the main argument.) This was a fun gesture but didn't work well as Willimon isn't Barth and it made some of the chapters difficult to follow.



Still a worthy effort. It's a good read for anyone involved in the Church and especially the preaching ministry.

[Bob]

Very dense reading...laborious at times, but a good understanding of Barth's views on preaching. This seems to contrast with Willimon's work in preaching, as Barth thought that we were powerless -- preaching only works when God decides to show up. We can do nothing to enhance it.

[Demetrius Rogers]

Much to digest here. I will be back again.