Preach Magazine Issue 2- Spring 2015 Feb. 2015 | Page 41

REVIEWS 41 Eco-theology Preaching Matters Celia E Deane-Drummond, Darton, Longman & Todd (2008) Jonathan Lamb, IVP (2014) In her 2008 book, Eco-theology, Celia Deane-Drummond provides a solid overview of global eco-theological thought and discourse. With a brief introduction to a few of the issues addressed by the environmental movement and a conclusion on church praxis, the strength of the work lies in its theology chapters. In these Deane-Drummond lays out a wide variety of theological positions on creation care, some of which might be considered marginal or even heterodox by those in certain camps. However, her goal is to orient the reader rather than present a specific position or case for the care of creation. In what can be a ‘preaching-lite’ culture, Jonathan Lamb offers a timely challenge for those in the pulpit to persist in faithful, expository preaching from the Bible. Using a passage from Nehemiah 8 as an anchor text, the author details three sections: ‘the heart of preaching’, ‘the work of preaching’ and finally, the ‘congregation and the purpose of preaching’. This book will particularly appeal to those training for – or beginning – their preaching ministry, and includes a useful appendix with worksheets. There are also some valuable insights, quotes, and helpful nuggets for those more seasoned in the pulpit. The author’s fervor for preaching the Word, and its significance in spiritual renewal was encouraging, and I loved his statement that preaching ‘is not intended solely to provide a meal; it is also to demonstrate how to cook’. While it is impossible to flesh out the nuances of all the positions in concise chapters averaging 15 pages, a point she acknowledges, Deane-Drummond succeeds in capturing their complexity and offering thoughtprovoking assessments of their value in the global conversation. Salient sections of the text include her treatment of ecology and theodicy, and the Holy Spirit’s work in creation. She gives considerable space to the Eastern Orthodox tradition throughout the book, which may be an unfamiliar but welcome addition for many readers, as it presents a strong and clear voice on matters of the creation, bringing great richness to the topic. Eco-theology is intended for a wide audience, including lay persons. However, readers will find it to be more technical and dense than a popular book, and would benefit from familiarity with theology. As an overview packed with additional reading suggestions, this is a helpful work that should incline the reader to explore the topics in more detail: further up and further in. JENNIFER LUEDTKE LWPT8462 - Preach Magazine - Issue 2 v2.indd 41 On the whole however, the book was a little dry to read, perhaps lacking in humour, anecdotes, and the kind of memorable creativity you might expect from a book on how to preach well. Whilst the use of a single passage from Nehemiah 8 was helpful at times to justify expository preaching, I felt that assumptions were made that do not automatically translate to many present-day churches. For example, submitting to the authority of Scripture; biblical literacy; and a hunger for God’s word. Furthermore, the author too readily dismissed the type of thematic, ‘by-allmeans’, apologetic-style preaching that we see so evident from the apostle Paul and others in the book of Acts. If you are new to the world of preaching, or want a helpful refresher to steer you back on track and be reminded of t