In a previous article, I advocated for preachers reading the greatest books ever written. I argued that a preacher who reads great literature can develop his moral imagination, his appreciation for beauty, and his sense of empathy. Great literature is a lens through which we look at life through perspectives different than our own. Reading is a foundation of personal development. But what about sermon development? What can reading classic novels do for your preaching? In this article, I’ll discuss three benefits of reading for preaching.
Illustrations that Zing
Eugene Peterson wrote a book about the parables of Jesus. He titled the book Tell it Slant, because Jesus’ parables describe the kingdom of heaven from slightly off-center. Jesus’ stories come alongside the propositional truth of God with experiential truth. Thus, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, or a seed, or a woman cleaning her house. Peterson, a prolific reader of great books, took his title from a poem by Emily Dickinson. Here’s the poem:
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —¹
Great preaching requires strong sermon illustrations. Illustrations shine the light of imagination and experience on the biblical text. They “tell the truth, but tell it slant”, helping the audience to understand and apply Scripture through the lens of something more immediately accessible and familiar.
Great books are great because they portray human experience, and these human experiences are rich fodder for shining light on Scripture. Edgar Alan Poe’s stories lay bare the darkness of the human heart, plotting revenge and being consumed by guilt. William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies depicts the human condition when the trappings of civilization are stripped away. Harper Lee’s Atticus Finch is the strong, quiet, steadfast man of character we would all like to be. If you want to preach about self-sacrificial love, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry shows it beautifully and memorably.
Reading great books gives the preacher stories to tell. Used wisely, these stories about what it means to be human can resonate deeply with your audience and illustrate the teachings of the Bible, the greatest book about what it means to be human.
Stronger Command of English
Paul warns in I Corinthians 2:4 against reliance on “persuasive words of wisdom” in preaching, and argues that his own ministry is conducted “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” As preachers, our goal is not to simply master the art of rhetoric. We are not politicians or sophists. We speak the truth because it is true. However, our words can be beautiful and powerful, and indeed they should be. Our arguments should be clear and persuasive. Our words of comfort should go beyond mere cliché. Words are the tools we use to communicate the gospel, and we can learn from those who use them best. Do you want to describe a scene so your audience feels they are there? Read Willa Cather’s descriptions of Nebraska and New Mexico in My Antonia and Death Comes for the Archbishop, respectively. Do you need to describe the deepest longings of the soul to find God in the chaos of life? Tolstoy and Kafka are masters. Looking for irony and wit? Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde, right this way. Need to learn terse, succinct speech that packs a punch? Hemingway would like a word. You owe it to your audience to be the greatest communicator you can be. There are no better teachers than the greatest books ever written.
Conclusion
As pastors and preachers, we dedicate ourselves to excellence in the art of preaching. We study the Bible, theology, and preaching itself to hone our craft. Learning to enjoy great literature will deepen our preaching by shaping our own development toward greater imagination, appreciation of beauty, and empathy with others. We will learn to craft stories that drive our sermons home, and use language like a storyteller, not just like a theologian. Add a classic novel to your reading schedule and see the benefits for yourself.
¹Tell all the truth but tell it slant — (1263) by… | Poetry Foundation
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