Wilson, Paul Scott

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Preaching in the new creation: the promise of New Testament apocalyptic texts

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 26Issue 2 Apocalyptic Article 2211-1-2000Preaching in the new creation: the promise of NewTestament apocalyptic textsPaul Scott WilsonFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationWilson, Paul Scott (2000) "Preaching in the new creation: the promise of New Testament apocalyptic texts," Consensus: Vol. 26 : Iss. 2 ,Article 22.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol26/iss2/22Book Reviews 137Ralph E. and Norma E. Peck Professor of Preaching and Communications at IliffSchool of Theology, Denver, Colorado. But the interested lay person can alsogain new insights into the challenges facing the church and the hope that calls tous through the “God-shaped hole”.Richard A. ThriftHope Lutheran Church (LCMS, English District)Kitchener, OntarioPreaching in the New Creation: The Promise of New TestamentApocalyptic TextsDavid Schnasa JacobsenLouisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999144 pages, $31.50 softcoverThis is a fine book on a difficult and timely subject for the beginning of a newmillennium, the recovery of New Testament apocalyptic texts for the pulpit. Somuch apocalyptic discourse today seems manipulative and destructive. DavidSchnasa Jacobsen, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Waterloo LutheranSeminary, presents in a lively way an intriguing road map for readers to negotiateapocalyptic biblical terrain. If they follow his route, they will better appreciate thisdifficult genre and be better equipped to preach the new age that God is creatingand has begun in Christ.The clear organization of Jacobsen’s book contrasts the chaotic possibilitiesof apocalypse. Apocalyptic texts often resist close historical-critical scrutiny,partly because their language is symbolic; instead of expecting exegesis to openthe world behind the text, preachers should focus on the world the text opens inthe foreground. He offers three exegetical steps: first, do a rhetorical analysis ofthe text to assess what the text is trying to accomplish. Mark 13:24-37 is tryingto move its hearers from one kind of “watching out” to “watching for” the newthing God is doing. Second, learn to analyze apocalyptic form. Whereas Hebrewapocalypses commonly move in a fearsome manner from divine action to cosmicconvulsion and sometimes also to eschatological judgement, the apocalypse inMark 13 moves to eschatological salvation. Third, consider what social reality thesymbols employed by a text disclose in front of it, as opposed to trying todetermine what they refer to, or what feelings they generate. They may functioneither to construct, maintain, or delegitimize the world. The symbols in Mark13:24b-25 (“The sun will be darkened...”) are from Isaiah where they delegitimizeBabylon and thus stand as a promise for Israel that again is not to be feared.Preachers ought to avoid the swamp of discussing what the symbols in the text138 Consensusliterally mean (if that could be determined) and instead use the symbols as a lensto reinterpret the present world.Jacobsen devotes a chapter each to how apocalyptic symbols construct andmaintain social worlds, but he only mentions the third possibility, how theydelegitimize worlds, claiming that these are “the rarest of the three stancestoward world for the preacher” (64). Perhaps another chapter is needed toexplain this, or to explore if the opposite is not the case - apocalyptic texts by theirimagery of nature in convulsion seem to call into question all powers andprincipalities. Even in Mark 13, where Jacobsen convinces me that what seemsfearsome is in fact hopeful, the symbols seem to function initially to delegitimizethe powers of this world - which is exactly how he uses them in the first half of hissermon on this text. One of the functions of apocalypse is to pronounce asentence upon the current age.1 was pleased that Jacobsen includes three of his own sermons. Apart fromtheir inherent interest as strong sermons, they afford an opportunity to see thistheory in practice. He really does mean that preachers should not discuss theliteral meaning of symbols in apocalyptic texts; in fact one strains to hear anydirect discussion of his texts. He does what he advocates, he uses the symbolsas a lens to view our world. He also does something he does not discuss: eachsermon has five parts and moves in similar ways. Readers may be left wondering,(a) if something other than apocalyptic texts is governing his homiletic, and (b)whether the demanding nature of his exegetical proposals will not leave thepreacher too far short of a completed sermon. Still, what is offered here is anexcellent roadmap for a journey not to be missed.Paul Scott WilsonEmmanuel CollegeUniversity of TorontoThe Church MusicianPaul WestermeyerMinneapolis: Augsburg-Fortress Press, 1997159 pp., $22.95 SoftcoverAlas, the “worship wars” in our churches continue to claim individual andcongregational victims! Often pastors and church musicians do not know whereto turn for clarity and support. This is a book for all who worship, sing, andappreciate good music in the church, but especially for pastors, churchmusicians, and members of parish worship or music committees.

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Preaching in the new creation: the promise of New Testament apocalyptic texts

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