The Word Became Fresh by Dale Ralph Davis is a guide for how to preach from Old Testament narrative sections (places like 1 & 2 Kings, Judges, parts of Exodus, etc.). Davis has an easy-going style to a topic that befuddles and frightens many would be expositors.
My opinion on this book is mixed. First the bad - it is hard (at least for me) to find a way forward in going from OT narrative to sermon from Davis. He tends to give some vague, general direction, provides a partial example, and then leaves it. There are portions where Davis seems more concerned about being humorous or provocative rather than helpful.
The good, but with some caveats:
(1) A strength of the book is the use of vivid (non-biblical) illustrations to highlight certain points. (While one could almost purchase this book his illustrations, I didn't, but it is a nice bonus.)
(2) Davis has a high view of Scripture that includes reading and preaching the text on it's own terms. Davis' example of Jael (Judges 4-5): Jael kills Sisera in a very deceptive way, but rather than condemning her actions, she is praised in the following chapter in Deborah's song. Therefore, while it may seem quite harsh, we must deal with her assassination of Sisera in a positive light (Judges 5:24-27) (pp 71-74).
(3) Davis does a good job of looking at specific passages and showing how he would preach parts of them. Unfortunately, he leaves most of the tension he creates unresolved, letting the reader wonder how to go forward.
(4) It is a nice read; Davis has an easy style that is very accessible.
(5) The section on Quirks (noticing features of the text) was short and quite helpful. Davis gives some big picture thoughts on specific books that are insightful too. There are good nuggets throughout the book, but again, they must be mined.
If you are looking for some real help on preaching OT narrative, I would suggest Steven Mathewson's The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative. Davis' book is a good primer or supplement, but not a one-stop book on the subject. Davis sums the book up nicely when, in explaining why he using Genesis 12 as the basis for his entire section on theology, says, "I'm writing the book and should be allowed to do what I want." (p 31) Indeed, he takes this liberty throughout. Also, this book could have used a Scripture reference at the end, since that would have emphasized the book's real strong point - Davis' own (albeit partial) expositions of particular texts. In the end, I would travel to hear Davis speak; I bet he is quite engaging. But adjust your expectations when you purchase this book.
2 comments:
Preaching the Old Testament is secondary to one's hermeneutic. That is the crux of the issue. I'd love to dialog with you some time on OT hermeneutic (I am pretty set in my ways). I blogged about this recently.
Good stuff.
Glad I found your blog.
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