The Sermon Without End: A Conversational Approach to Preaching

A New Model for Post-Apologetic Preaching in a Pluralistic World. The relationship between preaching and the public sphere has long beendebated. Three different theological approaches tend to dominate thediscussion. In different ways these approaches take into account themovement from the modern mindset of the mid-to-late 20th century to theemerging postmodern worldview. In The Sermon without End authors Allen & Allen thoughtfullyoffer a fourth option one that in their view has not received muchattention but which offers a distinct and especially helpfulperspective. It is a new and dynamic conversational model reachingbeyond the earlier work of Tillich and Tracy. In this homileticalframework conversation takes place in multiple directions between thetext or tradition and the world today. It is preaching in conversationnot just toward but with voices from the public sphere. The book provides a solid foundation for understanding thispost-apologetic approach but it importantly goes on to offer practicalreal-pulpit guidance for implementation in a preaching ministry. It is abook for both scholars and practicing preachers who wish to reachpeople in meaningful and significant ways and in ways that make sensefor today.This book deserves to be widely applauded. It provides a post-apologetic lens to illuminate the history of various modern homiletical discourses even as it envisions a postmodern one. ... I strongly recommend this book for homileticians preachers and lay people alike. - Duse Lee Boston University School of Theology - Reviewed in Homiletic