Calvin Miller, Spirit, Word, and Story: A Philosophy of Preaching (Dallas: Word Books, 1989), 237 pp.

Evangelical publishing houses have experienced a renaissance of vitality in recent years, and Calvin Miller has become an industry unto himself. His many works cover the waterfront of genres and literary forms, from lyrical retellings of the gospel to volumes on marriage and the Lord's Supper. Indeed, most casual readers of his popular narrative works are probably unaware that Miller fills a pulpit week to week -- and takes preaching as seriously as he takes his writing.

The members of Westside Church in Omaha, Nebraska are well aware of Calvin Miller's dedication to preaching. He has been their pastor for over two decades, and has seen the church grow from ten to over two thousand members in that period. He preaches across the nation, is a Contributing Editor of Preaching, and recently delivered the prestigious Mullins Lectures on Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Spirit, Word, and Story is intended as a "philosophy of preaching," not as a comprehensive text on the preaching task. Given the large number of current books in the field, Miller was initially reluctant to offer his own. Gladly, he overcame this reluctance and Spirit, Word, and Story is the promising product.

Preaching, he suggests, is "the subject which both intrigues and embarrasses our world." Preachers are those who want to be ever better practictioners of this divine foolishness. Miller acknowledges the first question addressed to any book on preaching: Can great preaching be taught? Though he grants the importance of talent and ability, Miller clearly believes that preaching can be taught. Inbred passion may exist in differing degrees from person to person, but instruction is also key. These two ingredients, he asserts, should not be set against one another, "because good preaching contains both." His conviction is clear: "Whatever our natural bent, all of us are under obligation to refine our craft."

Before leaving introductory matters, Miller deals with the sensitive issue of time in preaching. "Churches," he avers, "will seldom grow hardy on fifty-five minute worship services." Later, in discussing the function of the Spirit, he identifies waiting for power as "the grand allurement of the Spirit in preaching." The clock can never rule this kind of preaching.

Miller insists that he is not calling for tedious sermons, but indicating the inhibiting role time-consciousness can play in the preaching event. As he states: "It is time that preachers confess the sin of pampering restless congregations with speedy sermonettes."

The title of the book indicates the structure of Miller's presentation. His "philosophy of preaching" is based upon the three cardinal pillars of the Spirit, the Word, and the power of Story in the service of the sermon.

The reader will discover quickly the author's distinction between story preaching and precept preaching. The former tells the biblical story and relates the message to contemporary life. Precept preaching is identified by Miller as the content-oriented, authority-focused form of preaching based in a "notebook theology." This, he admits, is the standard pulpit fare in many of the largest and fastest-growing churches. This distinction, though discussed in detail only deep within the volume, frames much of the early material in the book.