Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry

by Warren W. Wiersbe

About the Warren W. Wiersbe is best known as a Bible teacher, author, and conference speaker. He has ministered in churches and conferences in Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. He has published more than 150 books and was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Theology, Religion, Writing

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, with a lot of good points, but I would criticize it the way Ambrose Bierce reviewed a book one time, by saying that its covers were too far apart. The book felt padded at times, and had it been leaner I think it would have been far more effective. That said, the content here about learning to cultivate imagination for pulpit ministry is very important. Too many ministers do very careful exegesis during the week in their study, and Sunday morning ascend the pulpit to give the coroner's report.

[Jmichaellester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Wiersbe writes with a style that is easy to digest. He is a "lover of words" and I've always appreciated his ability to present profound truth simply. This book has some excess material, IMO, that could be trimmed. Going through every book of the Bible to show metaphors was a little overboard. At times, my antennae were raised as statements seemed to contradict a normal, historical-grammatical approach to hermeneutics. Yet, he was always quick to clarify what he meant. In Wiersbe's own words, this is a primer - an introduction to begin a conversation. With that as the goal, he has succeeded. He has caused preachers to evaluate how the message is packaged. Truth does not have to be dull or dry - nor should it be when we are handling the living Word of God.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some wisdom to glean—yet wordy. Longer than it needed to be.

[Mike Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read this book the more I believe it ranks as one of the most helpful books on preaching, right up there with Robinson's "Biblical Preaching." It's not just a textbook but a handbook, giving plenty of suggestions and examples found throughout Scripture. Wiersbe includes application for not only ordinary preaching, but preaching on special days and funerals. One thing I believe: if the principles found in this book were put into practice, there would be fewer bored people in the pews and many more excited preachers in the pulpit!

[Jeff Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good book on the power of using creativeness in preaching--metaphor, storytelling, etc. The first half of the book was a bit unnecessary--going through the metaphors and imagery in each book of the Bible. But from the halfway point to the end, it was a great tool for anyone who wants to preach and teach.

[Caleb Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all a pretty good read.

[Aaron Hand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree it was wordy but profitable and helpful to consider metaphors and creativity when preparing sermons. A lot of helpful information. Good book

[Ryan Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated but helpful. I skimmed the section looking at images in the Bible, it didn’t feel necessary.

[Tom Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I loved the way he sees faithful biblical teaching and preaching as using imagination and imagery in line with biblical metaphor and imagery.