Preaching Resources

The Modern Preacher and The Ancient Text

Interpreting and Preaching Biblical Literature

The Modern Preacher and The Ancient Text provides a holistic approach to the interpretation and preaching of biblical texts. After discussing the form of biblical preaching and examining various historical methodologies for understanding the biblical text, Sidney Greidanus applies general hermeneutical and homiletical principles to four specific scriptural genres: Hebrew narratives, prophetic literature, gospel, and epistle. Thorough and well researched, this volume is a valuable resource both for pastors seeking guidelines for responsible expository preaching and for students wanting to bridge the gap between biblical studies and homiletics.

Please! No More Boring Sermons

Preaching for Australians - Contemporary Insights and Practical Aspects

Not another book about preaching! As preparation for preaching is a solitary, time-consuming and responsible activity, no experienced preacher would buy such a book unless it contained different, contemporary and practical advice and, as illustration of this, some real sermons already preached to real congregations with no thought of publication.

By inviting some highly credentialed preachers to contribute a chapter on a particular aspect of preaching and/or a sermon, the Simeon Association has given preachers a great gift in making this material available to fellow preachers and would-be preachers. Common themes display a variety of insights and aspects reflecting not only the topics under consideration, but the individual perceptions and gifts of the authors.

This collection contains ideas and practical help for experienced preachers who might wish that this wisdom was imparted to them long ago. Those new to preaching will learn skills and habits whose fruit will enrich the spiritual lives of their fellow Christians.

Contributors: Peter Adam, John Chapman, Richard Condie, John Dickson, Harry Goodhew, Michael Gourlay, Adrian Lane, Robin Payne, Keith Rayner, David Williams.

Preaching to Postmoderns

New Perspectives for Proclaiming the Message

Preaching to Postmoderns: New Perspectives for Proclaiming the Message seeks to inform and encourage pastors who want to expand their horizons. Webb and Kysar have addressed the need for pastors to understand the staggering numbers of new approaches to biblical interpretation and the bewildering choices for sermon preparation that they represent. In this book they offer clergy introductions to each of the major types of interpretive methods and point out the implications for each in preparing a sermon. They successfully move the theories of biblical interpretation out of the ivory tower and into the pastor's study. To exemplify how each of the major methods impact the preaching task, they offer a sample sermon for each method. This is a book that will bring pastors up-to-date in biblical interpretation while demonstrating what difference it makes for preachers as they seek to use the various methods.

The Art & Craft of Biblical Preaching

A Comprehensive Resource for Today's Communicators

This is the most complete practical encyclopedia ever on the practice of preaching based on articles from over a hundred respected communicators of Christian truth. The book comes with an audio CD which contains preaching technique examples from the book.

The entries are characterized by intensely practical and vivid writing designed to help preachers deepen their understanding and sharpen their communication skills, while the contributors include a virtual Who's Who of preaching from a cross section of denominations and traditions.

The Homiletical Plot (Expanded Edition)

The Sermon as Narrative Art Form

Now in a reissue with a new foreword and afterword, this edition follows in the same solid tradition of its predecessor. Upon its release, The Homiletical Plot quickly became a pivotal work on the art of preaching. This expanded edition continues to be an excellent teaching resource and learning tool for all preachers from introductory students to seasoned clergy.

Lowry's argument is that instead of viewing a sermon as a bullet chart with three main points filled out with subpoints and illustrations, it is possible to construct sermons with plots. This is not to say that the whole thing becomes a story, but rather that the non-fictional prose takes on a similar shape to a story or a play, displaying the vital elements of continuity and movement.

Speaking God's Words

A Practical Theology of Preaching

There are many books on preaching, but few, if any, on the theology of preaching. Yet, whether it is recognized or not, theology underlies any preaching that claims to be biblical. In Speaking God's Words Peter Adam builds confidence in preaching by laying a firm theological foundation for it. Preaching rests upon three great pillars: God has spoken, his words are now recorded in Scripture and he commissions people "to explain, preach and teach his written words to their contemporaries." Throughout the book, using well-chosen illustrations, Dr Adam encourages preachers to give themselves to the demanding yet thrilling task of "preaching God's words" today.

Paul's Metaphors

Their Context and Character

Paul's writings are laced with vivid images from the bustling New Testament world. To understand these metaphors, David J. Williams delves into that Greco-Roman world and uses ancient sources to explore a wide variety of topics such as architecture, law, commerce, health care, and education. Williams studies this world in chapters with titles such as "Life in the City," "Family Life," "Slavery and Freedom," "Citizens and Courts of Law," "Travel," and "Warfare and Soldiering."

Paul's metaphors, set apart in bold type, are examined in the light of this background information and restored to their original vitality. Well-known metaphors-the Christian as a slave of Christ, the church as a body, Paul's two natures being at war within him, the Christian as an athlete striving toward the prize, Jesus' return as a theif in the night, Christians as adopted heirs of God-and lesser-known metaphors come to life for the modern reader through Williams's careful exposition.