This is a book that all who preach and teach God's word should read. Being confident that the Spirit of God is at work when the Word of God is taught will make us work hard in our preparation and will make us more dependent on God in our prayers.

Ralph Cunnington is an excellent guide. With careful and incisive scholarship, and writing that is both clear and cogent, he steers a sure and reliable course...

... helpful contribution, cutting through contemporary rhetoric to the actual teaching of the reformers, in its historical context ... a model for those engaged in polemics, and a stimulating study of God's Word.

... brings to this helpful study a clear mind, scholarly thoroughness and deep pastoral concern... the implications for our understanding of Calvin and also for our practice of preaching are significant.

... the first book-length treatment of an important issue that has been simmering just under the surface of British Evangelicalism for a number of years... I hope this will not lead to a full-blown controversy, but to a closer examination of the Scriptures.

... stimulating, challenging and timely. It is of great importance that our doctrine of preaching is robust and biblical and I found this volume's careful assessment of Calvin a great help in achieving these aims.

... provides a most careful analysis in some depth of the historical data concerning Lutheran and Reformed views of the subject and thereby takes the debate forwards in a very helpful manner.

This is a fascinating historical look at a subject of vital importance for preachers. It stimulated me to think, then think again, about the relationship of word and Spirit.