This is not a dictionary, although the similarities are clear. 144 terms are stated and defined succinctly. Then explanation with quotes from key figures in the area follow in anything from one paragraph to four page explanations of the definition, and then a brief bibliography.

For the author, these terms make up the “building blocks of homiletics” (p.xii) However, the extent to which you resonate with his confidence will depend on your theological stance. The words chosen reflect the diversity of ‘key’ concerns in the broader realm of homiletics – from feminist preaching and gender, via deconstruction or Nommo, to kinesics and embodiment.

There is a good amount of helpful content mixed in to this volume, including some helpful summaries of various writer’s works. If your preaching library already includes several good texts on expository preaching, Biblical interpretation/hermeneutics and so on, then this book would offer a helpful introduction to homiletics beyond the more evangelical sphere. If you want an introduction to preaching, despite McClure’s confident introduction, this is not the book for you.

A collection of building blocks for preaching? No. When key blocks like “hermeneutics” do not even include the possibility of interpreting the Bible as we would affirm, a building constructed with this block would be at risk of crumbling under any weight. These are not building blocks, but windows – helpful and easy to see through, some of which open into areas of homiletical study many of us seldom consider, or even know exist.

This succinct book is very helpful, if you are looking for an introduction to homiletics in its broader forms. There is real benefit here, but look carefully, you would not want to fall through some of these windows.