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Evangelical EloquenceEVANGELICAL ELOQUENCE Fashions in book titles change with the times, and American Baptist R.L. Dabney's book was first published in 1870 as Sacred Rhetoric. In 1979, the first Banner of Truth edition was R.L. Dabney on preaching, now we have this low-cost paperback edition with the explanatory sub-title: 'A course of lectures on preaching'. The text of the book is, of course, unchanged, so the real question is whether these more than 100 year-old lectures have anything to say to preachers struggling to be faithful to the Word of God at the dawn of the 21st century. First impressions are perhaps not encouraging. The writing style of the 19th century is sometimes less attractive than those that went before it - I, for one, often find the Puritans more accessible than, say, Andrew Jukes. Then discussion of the various departments and divisions of rhetoric has long fallen out of use in an age when the emphasis seems so often to be placed on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And, of course, there is our passion for friendliness and informality which we feel might be hampered by the constraints of a classical approach. If these are your initial reactions, prepare to be surprised. It is true that Dabney takes a classical approach to his subject, and the presence of untranslated Latin footnotes reinforces that, but the style is easy and accessible and the subject comes alive in his hands. From the basic question of what the preacher is called to do, through wisdom in the choice of subject and text, the main requirements of the sermon and the principles of argument and style, Dabney is a wise and interesting guide. Along the way, modern readers will find many preconceptions challenged and plenty of sound principles highlighted. Don't miss the closing chapter on public prayer - it is a fine antidote for what Geoff Thomas has called the 'um . . . yeah . . . really . . . only want to . . .' school of praying. Highly recommended for all who preach or would like to. Graham Hind,
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