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La predicacion / I Believe in Preaching: Puente entre dos mundos
Finally here is a book that teaches that in order to preach above all profound Scriptural and pastoral convictions are needed. Without neglecting techniques the author definitely demonstrates that the content and relevance of preaching are the two most important elements of homiletics.
341 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
168 people are currently reading
1644 people want to read
About the author
John R.W. Stott
305 books548 followersJohn R. W. Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist, and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages. Whether in the West or in the Two-Thirds World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
November 20, 2023
John Stott is number one on the list of pastors I would like to emulate in public ministry. His instruction on preaching is so clear and so attainable. He avoids being simplistic, has an appropriately deep dependence on God, has high expectations, but does not over complicate matters.
April 22, 2023
From pages 324 & 325: [The preacher is] God's steward, dispensing faithfully to God's household the truths committed to him in the Scriptures, nothing more, nothing less and nothing else. ... The main objective of preaching is to expound Scripture so faithfully and relevantly that Jesus Christ is perceived in all his adequacy to meet human need. The true preacher is a witness; he is incessantly testifying to Christ.
I enjoyed and benefitted from Stott's collection of quotes from the Anglican tradition with which I am fairly unfamiliar. I also appreciate the organization of the book as a whole and the flow of his thoughts/writing.
I enjoyed and benefitted from Stott's collection of quotes from the Anglican tradition with which I am fairly unfamiliar. I also appreciate the organization of the book as a whole and the flow of his thoughts/writing.
January 11, 2024
Very helpful with regards to the “challenges of preaching” today, and great quotes from Spurgeon, MLJ, Baxter, Luther, and Calvin among others. He referenced the Reverend Billy Graham several times, which is the reason I took off a star. I personally think Billy Graham did more damage than good in his ministry even though his intentions may have been good. If I could have rated the book a 3.5 I would have.
November 10, 2014
Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today
John Stott’s Between Two Worlds argues for the supremacy of preaching through historical examples, theological basis, biblical understanding, and personal holiness. This book, in comparison to Piper’s The Supremacy of God in Preaching, addresses a multiple facets within the topic of preaching. I found two subjects in the book especially convicting: the subjects of “Contemporary Objections to Preaching” and “The Call to Study.”
In the objections to preaching, Stott primarily focuses on the “anti-authority mood.” This attitude drives people to resist authority, an attitude that is inconsistent with a belief in holding the Scriptures as an authority. I personally find this attitude prevalent at many different levels. I believe that, although among my peers (and myself) aspects of anti-authority sentiments are present, in the greater realm of humanity people are seeking to seek themselves up as the ultimate defining authority. In conjunction with reading about existentialism in Philosophy class, I believe that an existential mindset has subtly become present within our churches. Although many of us would not claim that we are existential in our thinking, our actions speak otherwise. Many people, my age especially, are seeking to become aware of their own selves and define who they are, and what their purpose might be. This attitude of self-awareness and self-definition can result in an anti-authority mindset, especially as our definition of self begins to contradict Scripture’s definition of who we ought to be.
In the same chapter on objections to preaching, Stott gives several warnings concerning negative effects of television watching. Because of business in school and work, I rarely have time to just “chill out” in front of the television. The absence of spending time with this entertainment has distanced me from it, and I now tend to agree with many of his arguments against excessive television use, such as: excessive use tends to make people lazy, intellectually uncritical, emotionally insensitive, and psychologically confused. Recently, while reading Amusing Ourselves to Death, I have become more aware of the influence that the television has on the thinking of many teens, and I do not doubt that this influence extends to adults as well.
The second subject that I found convicting was the call to study. At the beginning of the book, Stott gave many historical examples of great preachers. Each of their lives were a challenge to spend time studying the Word. He dedicates a chapter to the call to study, which was motivational in making me want to sit down are read a ton of books, and to get up super early every morning to spend many hours a day in study. However, I do find it difficult to understand how some of these men were able to spend so much time in study. I also am not sure how these men were able to balance their extreme amounts of study time with spending time with people and fulfilling other responsibilities. Maybe some of this goes back to transitioning from living in adolescence and moving on to adulthood, but I’m not sure if there is a point where you can become so focused on study that you irresponsibly ignore other areas of life. However, I was convinced that study time should be pursued when approaching preaching, beginning with proper education (seminary and learning from others) as well as reading and studying specific texts of scripture that will be preached.
I enjoyed Stott’s book, and will probably reference it as I continue in my education.
John Stott’s Between Two Worlds argues for the supremacy of preaching through historical examples, theological basis, biblical understanding, and personal holiness. This book, in comparison to Piper’s The Supremacy of God in Preaching, addresses a multiple facets within the topic of preaching. I found two subjects in the book especially convicting: the subjects of “Contemporary Objections to Preaching” and “The Call to Study.”
In the objections to preaching, Stott primarily focuses on the “anti-authority mood.” This attitude drives people to resist authority, an attitude that is inconsistent with a belief in holding the Scriptures as an authority. I personally find this attitude prevalent at many different levels. I believe that, although among my peers (and myself) aspects of anti-authority sentiments are present, in the greater realm of humanity people are seeking to seek themselves up as the ultimate defining authority. In conjunction with reading about existentialism in Philosophy class, I believe that an existential mindset has subtly become present within our churches. Although many of us would not claim that we are existential in our thinking, our actions speak otherwise. Many people, my age especially, are seeking to become aware of their own selves and define who they are, and what their purpose might be. This attitude of self-awareness and self-definition can result in an anti-authority mindset, especially as our definition of self begins to contradict Scripture’s definition of who we ought to be.
In the same chapter on objections to preaching, Stott gives several warnings concerning negative effects of television watching. Because of business in school and work, I rarely have time to just “chill out” in front of the television. The absence of spending time with this entertainment has distanced me from it, and I now tend to agree with many of his arguments against excessive television use, such as: excessive use tends to make people lazy, intellectually uncritical, emotionally insensitive, and psychologically confused. Recently, while reading Amusing Ourselves to Death, I have become more aware of the influence that the television has on the thinking of many teens, and I do not doubt that this influence extends to adults as well.
The second subject that I found convicting was the call to study. At the beginning of the book, Stott gave many historical examples of great preachers. Each of their lives were a challenge to spend time studying the Word. He dedicates a chapter to the call to study, which was motivational in making me want to sit down are read a ton of books, and to get up super early every morning to spend many hours a day in study. However, I do find it difficult to understand how some of these men were able to spend so much time in study. I also am not sure how these men were able to balance their extreme amounts of study time with spending time with people and fulfilling other responsibilities. Maybe some of this goes back to transitioning from living in adolescence and moving on to adulthood, but I’m not sure if there is a point where you can become so focused on study that you irresponsibly ignore other areas of life. However, I was convinced that study time should be pursued when approaching preaching, beginning with proper education (seminary and learning from others) as well as reading and studying specific texts of scripture that will be preached.
I enjoyed Stott’s book, and will probably reference it as I continue in my education.
February 11, 2011
Four stars until the final chapter on "Courage and Humility." An excellent book on the history of preaching, it's theological foundation, it's purpose and how to prepare a sermon. A bit dated in some places, but that usually doesn't matter with Stott. What he lays out as the preacher's task is always relevant. The last chapter struck me like a punch in the face. Preachers love the praise of man. Stott reminds us of the need for courage and to remember that we will be judged by God, not man.
October 16, 2023
2nd time through after at least a decade break. A true classic, and ending on the need for dependency on the Holy Spirit is so right and fitting.
June 15, 2025
Absolutely elite. Amazing comprehensive and yet so readable. I was stunned by how scriptural and historically based it is. He quotes only the best!
The central theme is the preacher as a bridge builder between the two worlds of the Bible and the world of everyday life we exist in.
Very convicting as someone who can be a bit of an escapist. Gotta be a must read for aspiring preachers and even for congregants who wanna grow in their love for the office of the preacher.
The central theme is the preacher as a bridge builder between the two worlds of the Bible and the world of everyday life we exist in.
Very convicting as someone who can be a bit of an escapist. Gotta be a must read for aspiring preachers and even for congregants who wanna grow in their love for the office of the preacher.
April 26, 2020
best book on preaching i have ever read
November 27, 2020
Similar to P&P by MLJ. Expands on some areas. Really hits home the need to make biblically sound doctrine/theology relevant to our modern audience.
I was helped, you will be too.
I was helped, you will be too.
September 27, 2022
A classic for a reason
February 22, 2022
My dad, a gospel preacher since he was a teenager, bought this book for me. He thought it would be beneficial for my preaching. I only hope I was able to get as much out of the book as he and God intended, as I believe both my earthly and heavenly fathers wanted me to read this.
Stott makes the claim that "nothing is better calculated to restore health and vitality to the church... than a recovery of true, biblical, contemporary preaching." He explores objections to preaching in the modern church, reveals patterns in the preparation and delivery of sermons from some of history's most famous preachers, and gives practical advice on how today's preachers can improve their ministry.
My biggest takeaway from this book is that the work of a preacher is an important thing and that proper effort must be spent in doing that work well.
Stott makes the claim that "nothing is better calculated to restore health and vitality to the church... than a recovery of true, biblical, contemporary preaching." He explores objections to preaching in the modern church, reveals patterns in the preparation and delivery of sermons from some of history's most famous preachers, and gives practical advice on how today's preachers can improve their ministry.
My biggest takeaway from this book is that the work of a preacher is an important thing and that proper effort must be spent in doing that work well.
December 27, 2023
Really a classic that is one of the best books on preaching I’ve read. It is a great resource and well done. Definitely encourage y’all to read it!
December 17, 2023
thoughtful, earnest, needed / I think every pastor should read this yearly.
November 2, 2024
Second time reading this but this time for seminary.
Besides The Witness of Preaching (also reading that for seminary), Barth's Homiletics (despite the controversy around it) and maybe Augustine's On Christian Teaching, this is definitely up there as one of the most helpful, well-rounded one volume tomes on preaching.
Of course, Stott has written useful and practical material in his sections on how to preach, how to prepare a sermon and how to engage culturally with your sermons, etc. but I think the unique offering of this book is Stott's first three chapters defending the indispensability of preaching. "Preaching is indispensable to Christianity."
I definitely feel the lack of admiration, respect and "belief" in preaching in our day and whenever I read or remember those opening lines of this book and what follows, I'm always encouraged.
Besides The Witness of Preaching (also reading that for seminary), Barth's Homiletics (despite the controversy around it) and maybe Augustine's On Christian Teaching, this is definitely up there as one of the most helpful, well-rounded one volume tomes on preaching.
Of course, Stott has written useful and practical material in his sections on how to preach, how to prepare a sermon and how to engage culturally with your sermons, etc. but I think the unique offering of this book is Stott's first three chapters defending the indispensability of preaching. "Preaching is indispensable to Christianity."
I definitely feel the lack of admiration, respect and "belief" in preaching in our day and whenever I read or remember those opening lines of this book and what follows, I'm always encouraged.
July 27, 2022
This is one of my all-time favorite books on preaching. Stott writes as a man who knew what preaching is and understood the challenges of the modern world. The book was written decades ago, but the insights here are remarkably timely in the second decade of the twenty-first century. His insights about theological foundations, study and preparation, and courage and humility are great insights for any preacher. Above all, his bridge-building metaphor is incredibly helpful for thinking about the task of study, preparation, and deliver.
February 17, 2021
Good book for reflecting on preaching. I like the historical perspective. Stott definitely seems to have researched the subject a lot. I didn’t find it personally to be a groundbreaking book in terms of new ideas, but rather the type that inspires you to value preaching more. The practical parts were also good. Though sometimes it felt like things could have been written shorter.
February 11, 2023
Still the best book on preaching available. Theological foundations, historical examples, and continued relevance pattern his charge to pastors in the pulpit to bridge the Word and the world. Pastors and churches would be much stronger if more leaders read and practiced Stott’s wisdom found within.
June 9, 2021
Certainly a book I should have read much earlier on in studying expository preaching. Although almost every other book on preaching references this book at least once, it's much better to actually read the words of Stott directly.
March 26, 2020
A must-read for every expositor.
October 16, 2020
Stott is a baller.......this is a must read.
June 17, 2021
An excellent book. Stott is an amazing author and theologian.
July 19, 2022
This is a very good read! I definitely recommend this for anyone considering preaching & teaching.
February 14, 2024
Excellent
April 24, 2024
Stott, drop and roll. This book is supa hot fire.
June 17, 2025
Built for preachers, profitable for laymen. Took me forever, edifying for eternity.
December 21, 2023
Probably the best book on preaching I have read.
December 12, 2012
Fantastic. More diverse content in this book than other preaching books I've read. The key concept is that a preacher stands between two worlds (the Bible and the contemporary world) and must study both to present the unchanging message of the bible to the ever changing world. I loved the 'History of Preaching' chapter plus the many quotes from preachers of previous generations (many of whom I hadn't heard of). Down to earth but intellectual at the same time, with an encouraging call to rigorous study. Realistic and practical regarding sermon structures, preparation etc. I was impressed with how well the content has aged in the 30 years since it was written, even in discussing contemporary issues like the internet. Couldn't go wrong with this as your first book on preaching. Shorter than it's 350 pages would suggest.
October 13, 2010
Excellent. Theological, practical, and very inspiring. Stott begins with a history of preaching in the Christian church and answers some contemporary objections to preaching. He gets into the meat of the book in ch. 3 with his theological foundations for preaching. In ch. 4 he unpacks his title image 'Between two worlds' - Stott pictures the preacher as a bridge between the Biblical world and the 21st century, proclaiming the Gospel faithfully in a contemporary context. His chapters 5-6 on study and sermon preparation were very helpful and things that I will refer back to, and he concludes in ch. 7-8 with a call to sincerity, courage and humility in the pulpit. Great book.
"Sermonettes make Christianettes."
"Sermonettes make Christianettes."
January 15, 2013
Stott writes a cover-everything book on preaching. His theological background for preaching, as well as his appeals to church history were very helpful. He even spent time talking through some of the nuts and bolts of sermon preparation. He does great work on the heart necessary to preach. It could have been shorter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews