Can an understanding of the poetics of the Gospels, together with a reading of poetry inspired by them, make the homily an art form as compelling as a poetry performance? In Preaching the Poetry of the Gospels, Elizabeth Michael Boyle, O.P., offers a preaching guide to the Sunday Lectionary using the insights of poets to enliven and elicit more powerful homilies. Preaching the Poetry of the Gospels demonstrates that not only the Fourth Gospel but also the Synoptics can be read with special understanding when they are interpreted as narrative poetry. For each Sunday, from the first Sunday in Advent through Trinity Sunday, the author offers a poet's reflection on the literary devices in the liturgical texts, and a gathering of poems about the gospel event. Chapters are "Incarnation: Advent to Epiphany, " "Redemption: Ash Wednesday through Holy Week, " "Resurrection: The Sundays of Easter, " "Transformation: Ascension to Trinity Sunday, " and "Reclaiming the Poetry of Ordinary Time."

It is tempting for preachers in this digital age of plurality and diversity to offer quick sound bites and PowerPoint-style presentations. These tend to invite a yes or no response, as in mathematical equations. But if we are to reach Christians across the theological spectrumandinvite non-Christians to seriously consider our faith, we must take a different approach. What is needed is greater attention to poetry and images meant to communicate the beauty of the faith and the wonder and mystery of God in everyday life. We must communicate the unity of our message of faith, the divine as truth, and justice and healing as expressions of God. Preaching as poetry (theopoetic preaching) allows for the bold imagery of scripture and the gentle invitation of art. Sermons can no longer always be neatly tied up, perfectly linear, with complete answers to every question. In Preaching as Poetry Paul Scott Wilson teaches why this new approach is necessary today, and demonstrates with multiple examples how it works in real sermons. He skillfully guides the reader to incorporate the classical values of beauty, goodness and truth in every sermon, and in ways that connect with congregants and listeners today.

This title from Fleer and Bland is again designed specifically for preachers. Combining essays from top scholars and sermons from respected homileticians, Preaching John's Gospel includes contributors from a wide variety of Mainline and Evangelical denominations who value the role of scripture in faith development and preaching. Developed from the Rochester Sermon Seminar, the book is divided into two parts: The first includes essays on preaching the gospel of John, and is structured around the work of Gail O'Day's guiding essay "Preaching with John: Preaching as an Act of Friendship." The second half of the book consists of ten sermons from specific texts that incorporate the theoretical underpinnings of the book's first section. The essays and sermons are bound together by the same question: How can we draw our congregations into the world John has imagined for us? Contributors include: Gail O'Day, Richard B. Hays, Gregory Stevenson, Thomas H. Olbricht, Tom Boomershine, D'Esta Love, Alyce M. McKenzie, David Fleer, Dave Bland, and others.

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.

A practical guide offering helpful reflections, biblical insights, and suggestions for the preacher¿s preparation to assist in preaching on the Gospel of John.