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From Pulpit to Public Square
By Richard W. Voelz
Westminster John Knox Press, 2025
This book offers a lot more than I had assumed it would. On the surface, it is as it describes: a book about preaching that speaks into the context of life outside of the church. Voelz makes a convincing case for preaching to proclaim God’s authority and God’s new world order, as inaugurated in Christ.
In a world where proclamation comes from many quarters who claim to ‘tell it as it is’, preaching has the potential to learn from (and offer a counterpoint to) the public proclamations made by others. Voelz summarises his overall argument that preaching can be public proclamation, explaining that preaching is ‘communication that is intended for the public sphere, grounded in hope, and employing faith-rooted language, with the purpose of working towards strategic goals of offering witness amid trouble, uniting in solidarity, and/or working towards justice and healing’ (page 9). These strategic goals are explored in the main body of the book. In chapter one, Voelz explores different approaches to public theology. Ultimately, he is trying to challenge preachers to explore their theological tradition to reacquaint themselves with the core reasons why they have something to say in the public square.
Despite the apparent influence of Walter Brueggemann on his work, Voelz tracks a different course by focussing on communication and public engagement and by laying aside the terminology of preacher as prophet – not because it is incorrect, but because the preacher as prophet has been interpreted in unhelpful ways.
One of the strengths of this book is the way it invites preachers to reflect on their call to preaching and their preaching practice including how they bring themselves to preaching, use power well, and cultivate moral courage. This is developed in later chapters into guidance for better reading context and culture. Furthermore, Voelz offers some useful tools for preachers to use to explore their own ministry contexts.
I found chapter four to be particularly informative. In this chapter Voelz explores the nature of the theological claims that we make in public proclamation. He helpfully identifies these four types of theological claim: theological judgment, theological warrant for action, theological explanation of the situation, and theological permission giving. As earlier, his insights are offered to preachers to consider their own practice.
Although it may appear to be quite a niche book, Voelz’s broad approach invites readers to explore many of the core principles of preaching – naturally, through the lens of proclamation in the public square. For those more familiar with homiletical literature, it will prompt you to consider how Voelz has contributed to the conversation in a number of the areas related to the interface between practical theology and homiletics whilst keeping the gaze firmly on the role of being a preacher. Overall, this is a stimulating book that’s thoughtful, sensitive, drawn from both research and ministry, and ultimately underpinned by faith that God is at work in God’s world beyond the confines of our churches and the limits of our imagination.
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