EMQ » July–September 2020 » Volume 56 Issue 3
By James E. Beitler III
IVP Academic, 2019
256 pages
USD $25.00
Reviewed by Glen Osborn, Minister at Large, China Outreach Ministries
Effectively communicating the Christian faith in the intricacies of today’s cultural climates is challenging. James Beitler develops ideas to assist the believer in this obedient pursuit through a unique combination of elements of classical rhetoric, historically dynamic Christian writers, and the Christian liturgical seasons. The focus of the author is to answer the question, “How do we effectively communicate our faith in a persuasive way during the seasons of the Christian year?”
Beitler begins by citing Augustine’s reflections on the relationship between Christianity and rhetoric. An early statement in the book demonstrates the theme throughout, “Truth presented persuasively is sweet medicine” (3). The five sections of the book connect C.S. Lewis with ethos and Advent, Dorothy Sayers with energeia and Christmastide, Dietrich Bonhoeffer with identification and division and Epiphany, Desmond Tutu with constitutive rhetorics of interdependence and Lent, and Marilynne Robinson with ethos in a community perspective and Easter.
The author defines C.S. Lewis’ approach of developing a rapport and understanding with his audience as cultivating and building communities of goodwill (47). Through the medium of drama, Sayers “wants not only to move her audiences but also to confront and disturb them” (74). Tutu emphasizes the importance of repentance in witness, personal and corporate. “To be effective witnesses, churches must admit and take responsibility for their own wrongdoing as well as their complicity in social and institutional sins” (157).
Not being a student of classical rhetoric myself, I initially found some difficulty in grasping the concepts that were cited. But the application and clarification of these became apparent even for one who was not previously aware. I did find myself thinking while reading the book that it may be too big of a stretch to tie all these things together. However, I must say, after reading it all, and with reflection, putting these elements together is a unique and helpful tool to provide insight for the reader desiring to communicate the gospel in the current societal challenges.
I appreciated Beitler’s friendly communication style in his introduction and final chapter, transparently sharing his personal bias as an English professor, and his realization that this book does not address all the topics which should or could be addressed. The concluding chapter is a good summary and application, titled “Speaking in Tongues” and emphasizing “that if the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly to reach the whole world, the church’s witness must go forth in multiple languages through a variety of mediums, by way of different genres and voices, using a host of rhetoric” (212).
This is published by IVP Academic and seems intended for the serious student of Christian Communication, but is also helpful for pastors, evangelists, and anyone interested in being more effective in sharing their faith in Christ in a culturally relevant and appropriate way.
For Further Reading
Newman, Randy. Questioning Evangelism. Kregel Publishing, 2017.
Root, Jerry, and Stan Guthrie. The Sacrament of Evangelism. Moody, 2011.
