Charles Reynolds Brown (1862–1950)

Subtitled "The Forty-Eighth Series of Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching in Yale University," Charles R. Brown's 250 page treatise on the art of preaching is surprisingly relevant to preachers of the 21st century. It was evidently an assigned text in my father-in-law's homiletics class in Bible college over 50 years ago. Even then it had been in print for three decades since its first publication in 1922.

Brown was dean of the Divinity School at Yale and a seasoned preacher with 33 years' experience at the time of writing. He recounts having regularly heard the preaching of the renowned Phillips Brooks as a young seminarian in the 1880s.

Although dated in writing style, much of its contents are as up-to-date as Andy Stanley. Typical of the topics covered in homiletics texts, Brown discusses the significance, basis, content, measure, lighter elements, delivery, setting and soul of the sermon. He is writing (actually, preaching) to young seminary students--all males in that day, of course. It is heavy in practical considerations and lighter in the theological. It is thoroughly steeped in a pastoral tone.

If you are a young preacher just learning the homiletical ropes--or an older one in need of refreshment--try to find this book. These older texts serve to remind us that the art of preaching is not a new art, and much of what we call "contemporary" today is simply the sound wisdom of the ages dressed up in new clothes.… (plus d'informations)