Review – Why Johnny Can’t Preach

In Praise Of Short Preaching Books

I’ve heard it said from other pastors I admire that a worthwhile goal is to read at least one book on preaching each year. That has been something I’ve tried to pursue myself. 

What can make that task daunting is to see a preaching book that is quite thick and dense. Don’t get me wrong – there are some preaching topics that must be addressed deeply. I don’t mind a longer book at all, if it takes care of business well. However, I can appreciate brevity more and more the longer I live. 

To be able to say a thing succinctly without sacrificing depth is quite the achievement.

That is why Why Johnny Can’t Preach would be an accessible goal for almost any pastor, elder, or Bible study teacher this year. T. David Gordon confronts timely preaching issues in just about 108 pages. 

Just A Complaint?

But is this just another book bashing the church? In the age of “deconstruction” or even post-deconstruction, is this just another public shot at churches, pastors, and Biblical institutions?

No. 

Gordon lays out three questions he utilizes for analyzing sermons/preaching today:

• What was the point or thrust of the sermon?
• Was this point adequately established in the text that was read?
• Were the applications legitimate applications of the point, from which we can have further fruitful conversation about other possible applications?

From there, he lays out his case for why “Johnny” isn’t satisfactorily meeting those questions in the majority of sermons.

He also broadens the scope to consider other issues such as: the “Contemporary” church, evaluations, seminaries, and a host of other things worth considering. 

Problem Solver

My father coined a phrase in our house growing up: Don’t be a problem-stater, be a problem-solver.

That is, by and large, a wise proverb. Anyone can point out the problem. Who can and will solve it? That is where true value is found.

Gordon spends the rest of the book laying out his vision for how Johnny can improve. I will refrain from spoiling that content here, but I believe Gordon lays out some key solutions that would be wise for most pastors and churches to consider.

Two pieces he highlights that I agreed with strongly are: improved reading and writing skills. I think anyone who preaches would benefit from his arguments for why those matter, how they are deficient in today’s world, and what can be done about it.

Overall, a short little preaching book that packs a punch and gives good material to think on.

Thanks for reading. Your comments and insights are always welcomed. If you enjoyed this, please share it. Want more content? Check the archives, my youtube channel, or listen to me on the Cross-Cutting Culture Podcast. Follow if you want to subscribe and always get the latest.