After the horrors and violence of the twentieth century, words can seem futile, while mass communication tends to keep our thinking and talking at a flat mediocrity. In "The End of Words," noted author Richard Lischer examines how preaching — speaking Christian truth — compares to other linguistic vocations of our day. Along the way he opens a path from language's disappointments and dead ends to its true end. "The End of Words" shows how faithful reading of Scripture rather than flashy performance paves the way for effective preaching, and it challenges conventional storytelling with a deeper and more biblical view of narrative preaching. The ultimate purpose of preaching, Lischer argues, is to bring about God's reconciliation in the world; more than ever Christians need to speak words of peace. While Lischer's "End of Words" will surely be invaluable to pastors and preachers, his open, readable style will appeal to anyone concerned with speaking Christianly.