The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching: Becoming Responsible for the Faith We Proclaim

by Robert Stephen Reid, Lucy Lind Hogan

This ethics of preaching text identifies vices of irresponsible preaching practices. Preachers who fail to develop deep respect for their listeners or drift into a lack faithfulness to the Gospel can end up

· The Pretender (The Problem of In-authenticity)
· The Egoist (The Problem of Self-absorption)
· The Manipulator (The Problem of Greediness)
· The Panderer (The Problem of Trendiness)
· The Crusader (The Problem of Exploitation)
· The Demagogue (The Problem of Self-righteousness)

Just as the church historically derived its Seven Holy Virtues (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, & humility) by naming Seven Deadly Sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, & pride), Reid and Hogan call preachers to turn away from pulpit vices and strive to realize the homiletic virtues of

· Authentic (The Call to Be Genuine)
· Altruistic (The Call to Be Selfless)
· Careful (The Call to Exercise Self-Control)
· Passionate (The Call to Be Honest to God)
· Courteous (The Call to Woo a Reasoned Reception)
· A ‘Namer’ of God (The Call to Reveal an Ineffable God)

The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching explores the difference between the irresponsible practices, unfortunate missteps, and mere unthinking mistakes in preaching. A chapter is devoted to Preaching Missteps (problems that do not rise to the level of being irresponsible) that

· Short Changing the Process
· Waving a Red Flag
· Thou Shall Not Bore the Congregation
· Through the Looking Glass Darkly
· The Mumbler
· TMI―Too Much Information
· Your Cup Do Runneth Over
· Where’s This Sermon Going, Anyway?

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, when I see a book with a canny title, I have an expectation of lightweight content; however, this book offers an in-depth challenge--an unblinking spotlight on the preacher's soul, so to speak--that requires a personal inventory for people engaged in the practice of homiletics. Drawing from classical rhetorical concepts such as ethos, pathos, and logos, the authors explore the ethics of "pulpit practice," and how each of these concepts can be used responsibly to lead to effective speaking, or be contaminated and result in what they call "the six deadly sins of preaching." The book is not a difficult book to read, but it is an unflinching confrontation of common issues that snag most preachers on some level. I think this is an important read for anyone who preaches.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from an academic perspective, The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching is filled with tips on how to and how not to preach. Packed with examples and illustrations, it is easy to understand the authors contentions and follow their trail of thought. With a sympathetic eye toward preachers, the authors help explain not only mistakes that preachers make but why they make those mistakes. Though reading this book might fill preachers with paranoia (Am I making this mistake? Am I committing this 'sin'?) it is well worth reading as a caution against falling into bad preaching habits.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m amazed this book is so good. I imagine I would disagree with the theology of these two writers on many points. Still, it holds we who preach to account and is incredibly convicting.

It will be enough to entice you for me to list these six sins:

The Pretender (The Problem on In-Authenticity)

The Egoist (The Problem of Self-Absorption)

The Manipulator (The Problem of Greediness)

The Panderer (The Problem of Trendiness)

The Demagogue (The Problem of Exploitation)

The Despot (The Problem of Self-Righteousness)

The sad part was that I felt traces of myself in almost every one of these! I suspect churchgoers would love for all of we pastors to read this volume!

[Clint Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

One can't read this and walk away with the same view of one's own preaching. Though the book spends more time focusing on the problems rather than the remedies, it is very helpful and well researched. The additional sources cited in it are also worth finding.