(Part 1)

JBTM Book Reviews
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or taught by God’s Holy Spirit, in order to alter or strengthen their attitudes and beliefs
toward God, His Word, and other individuals, resulting in their lives being transformed into
the image of Christ” (14).
With such a perspective, persuasive preaching is by definition a counter-cultural effort
due to the lingering influences of modernism and postmodernism on the worldview of many
individuals. To seek to persuade anyone to do anything, not to mention making a truth claim
that one way is the only way, is anathema in virtually every quadrant of western culture.
However, Overstreet underscores that such is the task for those called to proclaim the gospel,
irrespective of whether the cultural winds are hostile toward such an approach.
In Part 2, which includes chapters 3–7, Overstreet offers a valuable study of the biblical
text. In chapters 3–4, he presents linguistic, rhetorical, and theological reasons why persuasion
is biblically appropriate by establishing that it was widely practiced in the ancient world and
was integral to the preaching and teaching of the New Testament. The author includes a
helpful study of how New Testament writers used the word peithō, concluding that the usage
was consistent with the idea of being fully persuaded.
In chapters 5–7, Overstreet describes how the Aristotelian rhetorical principles of
persuasion—namely logos, pathos, and ethos—are evident in New Testament preaching and
ministry. A reminder of these pillars of rhetorical principle is helpful. Logos, the logical
argument of a message, is represented clearly in Paul’s preaching. Pathos, which includes
emotional engagement of both the speaker and the audience, also is evident in apostolic
preaching. Ethos, which refers to the character of the speaker as it impacts the ability to
persuade, is seen in the New Testament requirements for those who would serve as spiritual
leaders in the church.
Part 3 of this text includes chapters 8–11. In this section, Overstreet provides practical
application on how to structure persuasive messages and presents examples of how to
sharpen one’s homiletical skills. Four specific patterns of persuasion are delineated: motivated
sequence, problem-solution, refutation, cause-effect. The author provides sermon examples
to show how these patterns can be used when preaching to contemporary listeners.
In Part 4, which included chapters 12–14, Overstreet provided a vital discussion on three topics
of application for one considering persuasive preaching. In chapter 12, Overstreet discusses
the difference between persuasion and manipulation. With the present cultural trends giving
strong opposition to truth claims and the exclusivity of Christ, persuasion is lumped wrongly
into the category of manipulation. In this very important chapter, Overstreet differentiates
between persuasion, which has biblical warrant, and manipulation, which is unethical and
out of order for a minister of the gospel.
Overstreet writes this book from an evangelical perspective, which he observes especially
in the final chapters when he addresses the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching, along with