Books in the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute of Preaching series

Description:Joseph A. Sittler (1904-1987) was one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century, distinguished for his pioneering work in ecology and for his preeminence as a preacher. He gave both the Beecher Lectures at Yale and the Noble Lectures at Harvard. As the "preacher''s theologian," Sittler approached the interpretation of Scripture with a clear understanding of current critical scholarship, but also in the freedom of the gospel at the center of Scripture and with the humility of a theologian of the cross. In following the trajectory of the text into the preaching situation he gave a lively, timeless, and eloquent expression to the fact that the interpretation of texts is in the service of proclamation.This collection of readings from Sittler''s rich legacy contains a great many presentations and sermons that have never before appeared in print. Theologically serious preaching, close attention to language, engagement with the best of sacred and secular culture, and a deep respect for the text, all characteristics of Sittler''s work, are the sort of features that continue to edify. They remain as benchmarks for good preaching even as styles and contexts evolve.Endorsements:"This book is a trove for discerning preachers. The text comes from one of the premier American theologians of the twentieth century. His vast work has been sifted for us by two similarly significant theologians of the present century: Richard Lischer and James M. Childs. Through their careful editing, we see three great minds at play in the field of homiletics and theology. After reading all the how-to books on preaching, read this one for the ''why to'' of preaching. It will fund both beginning and experienced preachers with theological purpose through a preaching career."--Clay Schmit, Provost, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary"A problem with the legacy of a life like Sittler''s, devoted as it is to the spoken word, is it disappears when its sound waves have died. . . . Yet, this book by its very existence demonstrates, ironically, how valid and valuable written rhetoric is, can be, and as books like this one live on, will be."--From the foreword by Martin E. MartyAbout the Contributor(s):Richard Lischer is James T. and Alice Mead Cleland Professor of Preaching at Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina. He is the author of The Preacher King: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Word that Moved America (1995) and The End of Words: The Language of Reconciliation in a Culture of Violence (2005).James M. Childs Jr., formerly the Joseph A. Sittler Professor of Theology and Ethics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, now serves there as Senior Research Professor. He is the author of Ethics in the Community of Promise: Faith, Formation, and Decision (2nd ed., 2006) and The Way of Peace: Christian Life in the Face of Discord (2008).

Description:Trygve Johnson invites us to consider a new metaphor of identity of The Preacher as Liturgical Artist. This identity draws on a theology of communion and the doctrine of the vicarious humanity of Christ to relocate the preacher''s identity in the creative and ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ. Johnson argues the metaphorical association of the preacher and artist understood within the artistic ministry of Jesus Christ frees the full range of human capacities, including the imagination to bear upon the arts of Christian proclamation. The Preacher as Liturgical Artist connects preachers to the person and work of Jesus Christ, whose own double ministry took the raw materials of the human condition and offered them back to the Father in a redemptive and imaginative fashion through the Holy Spirit. It is in the large creative ministry of Jesus Christ that preachers find their creativity freed to proclaim the gospel bodily within the context of the liturgical work of God''s people.

Teaching preaching, like preaching itself, is a noble endeavor. After nearly four decades of teaching, Richard Lischer has sent legions of preachers across the world to preach gospel. This volume pays tribute to his faith-filled life of preaching and teaching. The contributors, some of whom were taught by Lischer, have received many laurels themselves, so readers will find in these pages wisdom for preaching from many quarters. Some authors include sermons with helpful commentary about the preaching exercise; some offer essays to illuminate the task of sermon writing; all acknowledge the influence of Richard Lischer on their preaching and teaching endeavors.""This fascinating book is so much more than an academic tribute to a retiring professor, although Rick Lischer certainly deserves that as one of our premier theologians of homiletics. This is a collection of some of the finest essays I''ve seen about the weight and high calling to proclaim gospel, and it has been written by some of the best scholars on the subject we have."" --M. Craig Barnes, President, Princeton Theological SeminaryCharles Campbell is Professor of Homiletics at Duke Divinity School. He is the coauthor with Johan Cilliers of Preaching Fools: The Gospel as a Rhetoric of Folly (2012). Clayton J. Schmit is Provost of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University. He has authored books on preaching and worship and is founder of the Lloyd J. Ogilvie Institute of Preaching Series at Cascade Books. Mary Hinkle Shore is the pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brevard, North Carolina.Jennifer Copeland is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches and an adjunct instructor at Duke Divinity School. She is the author of Feminine Registers: The Importance of Women''s Voices for Christian Preaching (2014).