Richard Allen Bodey, Inside the Sermon: Thirteen Preachers Discuss Their Methods of Preparing Messages (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990), 214 pp., paper.

Though preaching is a public activity, sermon preparation is not. Few preachers have the opportunity to observe other preachers at the task of sermon preparation. Richard Allen Bodey addresses this lack of opportunity with the publication of Inside the Sermon.

As Bodey comments, "Nothing fascinates preachers -- and students of preaching -- quite as much as learning how other preachers ... go about the task of preaching." Inside the Sermon offers a unique glimpse into the homiletical methods of thirteen notable preachers.

Each of the contributors is an established evangelical preacher. Diversity of denominational pedigree is matched with a combination of older and younger preachers. Together, the volume represents a cross-section of evangelical Protestant preaching in the English-speaking world. Each contributor submitted a chapter detailing his homiletical method and a sermon illustrating the method at work.

J. Sidlow Baxter is a household name in many evangelical households. Born in Australia, Baxter served churches in England and Scotland before moving his ministry to the United States. Baxter describes his homiletical method as "reading till captivated by the text." As Baxter notes: "My usual procedure is to let a text or a passage capture and compel my own heart and mind."

Baxter roots his method in the continual reading of Scripture, though he warns that such reading must not look only for sermon suggestions "as a hunter stalks deer." From the text Baxter moves to organization and presentation of the message. He warns against "over-elaborateness or intricacy," but also levels criticism at the sermon "which is merely like an unwinding ball of string." Such sermons can end up as a "meaningless ramble."

Direction and purpose are important components of Baxter's homiletical method, and he states clearly that "From the opening sentence onwards we should give the impression that we are going somewhere worthwhile and that we are going there by the best route." Likewise, illustrations should "illuminate," not just "decorate."

Several of the contributors gave attention to the definition of preaching. This definitional process is all the more important in contemporary preacher for much of what happens in pulpits today is something other than preaching, as classically defined. Baxter defines the sermon as "a message from God, derived from his written Word, under his guidance, through meditation, prayer, study, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit." As such it differs from essays, poetry, dramas, and lectures, each of which has a different form and purpose.

Should the preacher use notes? Baxter proposes that the use of notes should depend on the type of sermon preached and the content of the message. "My own experience," he relates, "is that I must be free enough from notes to maintain eye contact with my audience, yet have just enough memos to ensure that I do not omit any link in the argument." Other contributors reveal radically diverse opinions and practices on this issue.