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The Joy of Preaching
A source of instruction and encouragement for all ministers of the gospel. Highly recommended by Warren W. Wiersbe.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 1989
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About the author
Phillips Brooks
398 books24 followersPhillips Brooks (December 13, 1835 – January 23, 1893) was an American Episcopal clergyman and author, long the Rector of Boston's Trinity Church and briefly Bishop of Massachusetts, and particularly remembered as lyricist of the Christmas hymn, "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
In the Episcopal liturgical calendar he is remembered on January 23.
Born in Boston, Brooks was descended through his father, William Gray Brooks, from the Rev. John Cotton; through his mother, Mary Ann Phillips, he was a great-grandson of Samuel Phillips, Jr., founder of Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts). Three of Brooks' five brothers – Frederic, Arthur and John Cotton – were eventually ordained in the Episcopal Church.
In 1877 Brooks published a course of lectures upon preaching, which he had delivered at the theological school of Yale University, and which are an expression of his own experience. In 1879 appeared the Bohlen Lectures on The Influence of Jesus. In 1878 he published his first volume of sermons, and from time to time issued other volumes, including Sermons Preached in English Churches (1883) and "The Candle of the Lord" and Other Sermons (1895).
Brooks also introduced Helen Keller to Christianity and to Anne Sullivan.
In the Episcopal liturgical calendar he is remembered on January 23.
Born in Boston, Brooks was descended through his father, William Gray Brooks, from the Rev. John Cotton; through his mother, Mary Ann Phillips, he was a great-grandson of Samuel Phillips, Jr., founder of Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts). Three of Brooks' five brothers – Frederic, Arthur and John Cotton – were eventually ordained in the Episcopal Church.
In 1877 Brooks published a course of lectures upon preaching, which he had delivered at the theological school of Yale University, and which are an expression of his own experience. In 1879 appeared the Bohlen Lectures on The Influence of Jesus. In 1878 he published his first volume of sermons, and from time to time issued other volumes, including Sermons Preached in English Churches (1883) and "The Candle of the Lord" and Other Sermons (1895).
Brooks also introduced Helen Keller to Christianity and to Anne Sullivan.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 18, 2022
It's probably been too long since I've read a book-length treatment of preaching. There are probably too many blog posts about it these days, and while they are fine, they are not always as well vetted. It compares to the productivity bloggers who write up their *exhaustive* thoughts after one whole week trying a new system/app.
Brooks' book comes from lectures he gave at Yale University (in 1877) after almost twenty years of preaching. While I don't think he and I would be doctrinal twins, I certainly appreciated his homiletical observations.
For what it's worth, Brooks wrote "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and was a contemporary of the well-known evangelist, D. L. Moody (from whom my father-in-law and brother-in-law were named).
Here are just two of my (many) underlined quotes, both tagged in my system as #emergency for when I need some vocational encouragement:
> “And so the first business of the preacher is to conquer the tyranny of his moods, and to be always ready for his work.” (p. 63)
And:
> “A man’s first wonder when he begins to preach is that people do not come to hear him. After a while, if he is good for anything, he begins to wonder that they do” (p. 60)
Brooks' book comes from lectures he gave at Yale University (in 1877) after almost twenty years of preaching. While I don't think he and I would be doctrinal twins, I certainly appreciated his homiletical observations.
For what it's worth, Brooks wrote "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and was a contemporary of the well-known evangelist, D. L. Moody (from whom my father-in-law and brother-in-law were named).
Here are just two of my (many) underlined quotes, both tagged in my system as #emergency for when I need some vocational encouragement:
> “And so the first business of the preacher is to conquer the tyranny of his moods, and to be always ready for his work.” (p. 63)
And:
> “A man’s first wonder when he begins to preach is that people do not come to hear him. After a while, if he is good for anything, he begins to wonder that they do” (p. 60)
October 28, 2025
This is one of the books that most engaged me this year. Brooks is such a poetic pastor and a magnanimous man, The Joy Of Preaching both refreshes and challenges, it exhorts to faithfulness in the ministry and glories in the work. So many golden nuggets of wisdom spread across each page for young and old preachers alike.
"Truth through personality" is Brooks' definition of preaching, and the rest of the book essentially unpacks that, particularly the "personality" point, which is his great contribution to the subject. The doctrine that undergirds Brooks' whole idea is in the incarnation. Just as the Lord came as a "whole person" human, so we in our whole person must also come to the work of preaching. And just as the Scriptures were truly human and truly divine, so we must also approach preaching as true humans. The whole preparation of the preacher, therefore, is not merely head education or emotionalism or legalism, but the making of a man in all his parts, opening his heart to God and to those around him.
I highly recommend for any preacher or minister of the Word.
"Truth through personality" is Brooks' definition of preaching, and the rest of the book essentially unpacks that, particularly the "personality" point, which is his great contribution to the subject. The doctrine that undergirds Brooks' whole idea is in the incarnation. Just as the Lord came as a "whole person" human, so we in our whole person must also come to the work of preaching. And just as the Scriptures were truly human and truly divine, so we must also approach preaching as true humans. The whole preparation of the preacher, therefore, is not merely head education or emotionalism or legalism, but the making of a man in all his parts, opening his heart to God and to those around him.
I highly recommend for any preacher or minister of the Word.
January 2, 2019
An excellent work on the preacher and preaching. A necessary read for any who wish to do the work of ministry well.
March 22, 2020
Startling insights offered in clear, well-organized writing. Occasionally long-winded, but a gem, for sure! (PS. you don't have to be a preacher to appreciate this book!)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews