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