A Reader on Preaching: Making Connections (Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology)

A Reader on Preaching: Making Connections (Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology)

by David Day (Author), David Day (Author)

Synopsis

Every Sunday all over the world people rise up and claim to speak in the name of God. It is an astonishing thing to do and an astonishing claim to make. It is small wonder that the sermon has been the focus of debate, discussion and investigation. It has been dismissed as irrelevant in today's culture and has become the butt of numerous jokes and caricatures. Yet the claim persists that these human words in some way can become God's message to these hearers. This collection of twenty-nine articles by international experts in the area of homiletics coincides with the revival of interest in preaching over the last twenty-five years. It is practical without being merely tips for preachers; and it offers the necessary theoretical discussion for anyone who wants to take the art of preaching seriously. No important issue has been omitted and, taken as a whole, the book constitutes a first class introduction to the principles, processes, context and theology of preaching. Contributors include: Walter Brueggemann, David Buttrick, Fred Craddock, Edward Farley, John Killinger, Richard Lischer, Thomas Long, Elaine Lawless, Jolyon Mitchell, Cheryl Sanders and Thomas Troeger.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Edition: 1
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 08 Feb 2005

ISBN 10: 075465009X
ISBN 13: 9780754650096

Media Reviews
Those whose theology avoids the sharp edges of Calvary and Easter don't want to give the sermon more than grudging admission; those who have made Christianity comfortable allow the sermon to decline into a spiritual pep talk or a vaguely Christianised comment on current affairs. But those who take seriously their calling to listen with every fabric of their being to the living God, and to speak with all their skill of his love and grace in the gospel, find it exhausting but exhilarating. My hope and prayer is that this book will be of real help in challenging the first two approaches, and in encouraging and directing the third.' From the Foreword by the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Dr N. T. Wright 'One of the things that both fascinates and terrifies preachers is advice from other preachers. The fascination comes from the recognition of a common call. The fear comes from our sense of inadequacy in the face of great responsibility. This reader is an outstanding and unique collection from preachers and theologians, which is both fascinating and liberating in showing how the call to preach can be developed in astonishing diversity. It is both practically and theologically stimulating for all who are called to preach good news'. Dr David Wilkinson, Fellow in Christian Apologetics and Associate Director of the Centre for Christian Communication, St Johns College, University of Durham 'This volume skillfullysamplesseminal resourcesoffered to preachers in the last several years for vocational discernment and renewal. Nourished by insights fromdistinguished colleagues,homileticians andpastors alikewillgain strength for the journey.' Revd Dr David J. Schlafer, Homiletical Formation, Washington, DC. 'At last! Distilled wisdom about preaching today by 'A' list writers and practitioners.' Martyn Atkins, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Cliff College, UK '... a welcome addition to my bookshelf and, I expect, several other preachers and homiletic professors will find a comfortable home for it as well.' Worship 'The book is [...] more than a handbook. It is a guide to the intense debate which has taken place in homiletics over the past thirty years... The quality of the articles is high, and that gives them universal application... The editors have completed their difficult task with great skill, and have given us a most valuable anthology.' Theology 'This is a seriously good book...this volume is well conceived and well compiled: it has an outstanding introductory chapter by David Day which allows the reader to get their bearings and see how the various parts fit together into the whole, and the collection stands as a very fine introduction to the current literature and thinking on preaching. It deserves to be in the library of every preacher who takes their task seriously...I have rarely read a collection of pieces where the standard is as uniformly impressive. It is a bonus that none of them is too long, and all are thoroughly digestible...My description of this book doesn't do justice to the richness of the collection. It has found its way quickly on to our reading lists in college, but will also provide great stimulus to pastors and preachers. A section at a time it could be a useful focus for ministers' study groups, or be used in other ways to aid personal reflection and development. Highly recommended.' Regent's Reviews 'This book, which is a collection of twenty-nine papers on preaching, is very welcome. It brings together articles that are mostly worth rescuing from the obscurity of transient journals and presents them in a thematic way for a new audience.' Evangelical Quarterly '... the volume will be helpful to all preachers whether they are just starting or have been called for many years. This book is not one to be read and then put away on the shelf, rather, it is a book to keep on the desk and use to support fresh thoughts and ideas as the preacher's calling grows and matures.' Rural Theology 'The articles are practical without being merely a collection of tips for preachers, and no important issue has been omitted. ' Mission Studies
Author Bio
David Day was Principal of St John's College with Cranmer Hall, Durham, where he established the Centre for Christian Communication and taught preaching and communication to Anglican and Methodist ordinands. He is the author of A Preaching Workbook. Jeff Astley is Director of the North of England Institute for Christian Education, and Honorary Professorial Fellow in Practical Theology and Christian Education in the University of Durham. He is the author of Ordinary Theology. Leslie Francis is Professor of Practical Theology in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Wales, Bangor. His series of books on 'Personality Type and Scripture' apply personality theory to exploring the Gospel readings in the Revised Common Lectionary.