Preaching in a New Key

Preaching in a New Key, Mark R. Glanville, IVP Academic (ISBN: 9781514010990) 2025.

Summary: A guide to engaging in Christ-centered expository preaching that is culturally resonant in Post-Christian settings.

Mark R. Glanville believes in expository preaching. But he argues that our practice needs to shift in two key ways. First, we need to understand the complexities of believing for people in our culture and communicate both sensitively and effectively. Second, our preaching should focus on nourishing “communities of hope” that extend the healing ministry of Jesus in our neighborhoods. He recognizes that something has shifted in the culture and that preaching needs to be cognizant of that shift. Rather than making authoritative pronouncements from scripture, he argues for the “ironic authority of scripture.” That is, as we exposit the lack of cultural plausibility of the text, it breaks through as a word from God, and not just more Christian culture. In this book, Glanville unpacks approaches that he’s found resonate in Post-Christian settings.

After a prologue studying the nature of preaching in the Bible, he explores the personal awareness preachers need to cultivate in a section titled “Deeper.” This begins with self-awareness and emotional health. We communicate with our whole selves, healthily or not. He then focuses on knowing one’s church, shaping a community pursuing life and the love of Jesus together. Finally, he invites contextually aware preaching–particularly of the doubts and questions people bring. He argues for “reversing the flow.” That is, recognizing these doubts and questions as one opens the scripture and displays the wisdom and beauty of Christ.

Then Glanville gets down to “Craft” in Part Two. He begins with composing, following the structure of the text. He emphasizes identifying the “through line.” Derived from one’s exegetical summary, it is the idea running through the text. He describes artisan skills consisting of eight practices and eight “licks” (Glanville’s a jazz musician) that make an exposition come to life. “Playing with Heart” speaks to the appropriate appeal to emotion–from the heart to the heart. This chapter also includes a very practical schedule for preparation. Glanville concludes the section by explaining his preaching sketchpad, which integrates the various elements he has been unpacking. Here’s the sketchpad:

Part Three turns to “Tradition.” By this, Glanville is referring to representing scripture accurately in all its richness. “Learning the Tradition” focuses on knowing the story, being clear on the gospel, understanding the nature of witness, and what is biblical ethics. “Trusting the Tradition” returns to the idea of authority, and the centrality of Jesus. Finally, “Exegeting the Tradition” offers guidelines for the exegetical work basic to developing a message.

The final part of the book turns from the mechanics of preparation to the artistry of preaching. “Creativity” focuses on how we weave beauty into sermons through the use of imagination and the arts. Then “Posture” creates space for people to explore and consider in safety. This includes intercultural sensitivity and awareness of traumas experienced in the community. Turning to the “Church,” Glanville explores how one weaves together rhythms of scripture, the local congregation, the neighborhood and the wider church. However, beauty doesn’t preclude addressing violence in scripture and texts that teach about justice in society. This is the focus of the final chapter in this section.

In addition, the book includes three appendices on preaching on a theme, preaching a short text, and connecting to the Monday through Saturday vocations of people. Throughout, Glanville uses graphics to explain points, offers a number of lists of practical suggestions, and relates all this to his own work.

In conclusion, Granville offers an approach to expository teaching that exegetes not only the text but the listening community and that moves from head to heart while remaining faithful to the biblical text. Practical considerations are balanced by attention to the health and heart of the preacher, so crucial in a time prizing authenticity. This book distills so much wisdom about preaching that one might call it a shop manual for preachers. This book will not only be read once and set aside. You will find yourself referencing it in different seasons of your preaching life.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.