Foreword by Geoffrey Wainwright Doctrinal preaching has fallen on hard times in recent years. Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed seeks to stimulate renewed interest in -- and provide useful models of -- Christian proclamation that is truly rooted in the central tenets of the faith. Using the Apostles' Creed as a template for doctrinal, confessional preaching, this book draws together an ecumenical cast of respected biblical scholars and preachers who explain the creed and demonstrate its preaching possibilities. Each of the book's fifteen chapters consists of an essay that explores and illuminates one of the creed's articles of faith, followed by a scintillating sermon that models how that article can be preached as good news today. Contributors: Walter R. Bouman Richard A. Burridge Philip W. Butin Gabriel Fackre David F. Ford Colin Gunton Richard B. Hays Craig C. Hill Scott E. Hoezee Leslie J. Hoppe George Hunsinger Scott Black Johnston James F. Kay Richard A. Lischer Thomas G. Long Lois Malcolm Daniel L. Migliore Richard A. Norris Jr. Steven D. Paulson Cornelius Plantinga Cynthia L. Rigby Fleming Rutledge William M. Shand III Marguerite Shuster Wm. C. Turner Robert Louis Wilken Ralph C. Wood Susan K. Wood Frances M. Young Robin Darling Young

Alister McGrath unpacks the content of the Apostles' Creed and introduces us to the essential truths about God the Father, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

The Apostles' Creed is the oldest, most beautiful succinct summary of Christian beliefs. Though often recited in unison during worship services, the creed begins with the phrase "I believe," making it a deeply personal profession of faith. But when was the last time you examined it closely? In Affirming the Apostles' Creed, an excerpt from Growing in Christ, noted Bible scholar and author J. I. Packer explains the meaning and implications of each phrase of this great creed. Each concise chapter serves as an invitation to dive further into the creed-and as a result, into the essentials of the Christian faith-by concluding with discussion questions and Bible passages for further study.

Acts is the sequel to Luke's gospel and tells the story of Jesus's followers during the 30 years after his death. It describes how the 12 apostles, formerly Jesus's disciples, spread the message of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean against a background of persecution. With an introduction by P.D. James

These rich sermons are rooted in congregational life and steeped in Christian doctrine and the celebrations of the church year. A Kingdom We Can Taste reflects one preacher's effort at leading a congregation through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter. David Davis uses a unique combination of resources -- select Old Testament texts, the Apostles' Creed, lectionary assignments, and more -- in his progression of sermons. Readers who "listen" to these thirteen messages, or preaching conversations, will experience the gospel proclaimed and feel a comforting sense of belonging to the community of faith. This inspiring little volume is perfect for pastors preparing sermons of their own, seminary students looking for a model of good preaching, or laypeople wanting quality meditations to chew on.

Few treatments of the death of Jesus Christ have made a point of accounting for the gruesome, degrading, public manner of his death by crucifixion, a mode of execution so loathsome that the ancient Romans never spoke of it in polite society. Rutledge probes all the various themes and motifs used by the New Testament evangelists and apostolic writers to explain the meaning of the cross of Christ. She shows how each of the biblical themes contributes to the whole, with the Christus Victor motif and the concept of substitution sharing pride of place along with Irenaeus's recapitulation model.