Playing with Fire
Preaching Work as Kindling Art
📘 About This Book
Offering a fresh approach to homiletics, David J. Schlafer provides an invitation to preaching by way of metaphor. Starting with the fire of Scripture, and engaging in the work of preaching as play, Schlafer offers new ways of approaching the preaching moment. Taking into account the preacher's call, the stages of preparation, the role of the congregation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of it all, we discover that playing with fire is a sacred act indeed. Two metaphors dance together across the pages of this book: fire and play. Two metaphors, plus a hunch: that texts of the Scriptures, the grounding voices of inspiration for Christian preaching, offer more than just truths to be interpreted and transmitted. What we call the Scriptures are the work of a great company of preachers. The Bible is a treasure lode of imaginative insights regarding how the mystery of preaching might be entertained. -from the Introduction
📖 Summary
David J. Schlafer invites readers into a transformative and imaginative exploration of homiletics in his 2004 book Playing with Fire. Rather than treating preaching as a rigid, purely academic exercise of decoding and delivering information, Schlafer proposes a fresh and vibrant approach centered around two intertwined metaphors: fire and play. The book spans one hundred eighty-five pages, guiding preachers to view Scripture not merely as a collection of static truths to be analyzed and transmitted to a congregation, but as a dynamic and living source of inspiration born from a great company of voices. By pairing the intense, transformative heat of biblical fire with the liberating, exploratory spirit of play, the author reimagines the entire homiletical process. He walks the reader through every major facet of ministry communication, starting with the fundamental calling of the preacher and moving thoughtfully through the various stages of sermon preparation. Along the way, Schlafer examines the vital role that the congregation plays in the shared worship experience, emphasizing that preaching is fundamentally relational and communal rather than a one-way lecture. Furthermore, the book places a heavy emphasis on recognizing and inviting the active presence of the Holy Spirit right in the midst of study, writing, and delivery. Through this unique methodological lens, Schlafer demonstrates that engaging with sacred texts and standing before a congregation to proclaim the Word is not a mundane or purely administrative duty, but rather a deeply sacred act of playing with divine fire. Preachers at all stages of their careers will find themselves rethinking their sermon preparation routines, discovering new pathways for creativity, and breathing fresh life into ancient texts as they learn to embrace both the reverence of holy fire and the holy joy of creative play.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Offers a highly creative and imaginative alternative to traditional homiletics.
Brings fresh energy and inspiration to the sermon preparation process.
Highlights the vital communal role of the congregation.
Deepens the preacher's awareness of the Holy Spirit's active presence.
⚠️ Cons
Metaphorical approach may feel abstract to readers seeking strict, step-by-step technical guides.
May challenge traditional expectations of formal preaching styles.
❓ FAQ
Who wrote Playing with Fire? +
David J. Schlafer authored the book.
When was Playing with Fire published? +
The book was published in 2004.
How many pages are in the book? +
The book contains 185 pages.
What are the core metaphors used in the book? +
The book utilizes the dual metaphors of fire and play.
What subject does the book focus on? +
The book focuses on homiletics, offering a fresh approach to Christian preaching.
