Preaching and Teaching With Imagination is a book whose goal is to help preachers so proclaim the Word that the people who hear them will experience the power of God’s truth changing their lives. It argues that biblical preaching must be accompanied by a vivid imagination. It rejects the “conveyor-belt” mentality of dispensing knowledge which merely fills minds and notebooks. Dr. Wiersbe writes, “We have forgotten that the bridge between the mind and the will is the imagination, and that truth isn’t really learned until it’s internalized.”
The book includes three major sections. The first addresses imagination and life. Here the author contrasts the communication styles of Hushai and Ahithophel. Hushai is presented as one who speaks in pictures and addresses the imagination. Ahithophel, on the other hand, is seen as a left brained, analytical thinker who communicates to the mind alone. The argument is that preaching must help put pictures into the gallery of their minds which reveal the beauty of the Lord.
Section two deals with the numerous ways that Scripture communicates by way of imagination. Word pictures are presented from Genesis to Revelation and give the preacher a better idea of how to use words creatively. The key according to this section is to balance images with concepts.
Section three discusses the role the imagination can have on a variety of preaching settings including biographical and evangelistic preaching, funerals, holidays and special occasions.
Preaching and Teaching With Imagination is a very helpful book. It encourages creativity and imagination without dismissing the crucial disciplines of exegesis, hermeneutics and biblical theology. The irony is that many times in graduate school, students are discouraged from doing what Wiersbe is prescribing. This book is balanced. It encourages the preacher to present images along with concepts. It emphasizes using words to turn ears into eyes so that people see the truth and in turn want their lives to change. The documentation and extensive footnotes are extremely helpful. Finally, Dr. Wiersbe’s book is about transformation. It seeks to use preaching as a means of life change.
Veritas et Lux 