Why Johnny Can't Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers

“Adds more to the homiletical conversation than ten books twice its length. Dr. Gordon is saying things that no one else has said, perhaps because no one dares to. He brings two very important perspectives to bear on the serious business of preaching: finely tuned literary sensibilities and media ecology. Electronic media alter perception and dramatically transform sensibilities of preachers and the rest of the culture. Gordon's analysis offers us hope that Johnny can learn to preach well.”

“No, it’s not just you. There’s a lot of disappointing preaching today and it’s not entirely due to departures from sound principles. It’s also affected by the media culture in which we live. While there are helpful studies of popular culture and important books on proper biblical interpretation and theology, this book does both. I couldn’t help but wince as I recognized myself in Gordon’s descriptions, but he writes so clearly and convincingly that I couldn't help but be grateful.”

“An insightful diagnosis of a serious problem in the life of the church. For this we should be grateful as we should for the way out of the crisis to which this book ably points.”