Preaching from the Prophets

by Ward, James Merrill; Ward, Christine

• ISBN13: 9780687002351
• ISBN10: 0687002354
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-11-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

A theological guide to biblical preaching from prophetic texts, Preaching from the Prophets invites preachers to look with imagination at the possibilities of prophetic preaching today. With prophetic and assertive style, James and Christine Ward bridge the chasm between ancient Israel and our modern culture. They show how to choose text and develop sermons that address racism, ecology, and other major ethical issues of our time. Many pastors will refer to this volume again and again for its outstanding exegesis of crucial prophetic texts.

Table of Contents

Preface	9	(2)
Preaching Prophetically and Preaching from the Prophets	11	(6)
Prophetic Preaching and Theological Perspective	17	(9)
Theological Language	17	(2)
Theological Perspective and Historical Context	19	(2)
Who is God?	21	(1)
Who is Jesus?	22	(1)
The Church	22	(1)
The Church and the Jewish Community	23	(1)
Preaching from the Prophets	24	(2)
Choosing Texts and Developing Sermons	26	(9)
Choosing Prophetic Texts	26	(2)
The Form of the Text and the Form of the Sermon	28	(7)
Preaching on the Themes of the Prophets	35	(50)
Beginning with the Text	35	(2)
The Themes of the Prophetic Witness	37	(4)
Preaching on Representative Texts	41	(44)
God's Presence Made Known in Israel's History	42	(8)
The Boundaries of God's Love	50	(6)
God's Reconciling and Healing Grace	56	(6)
God and the Vocation of Faithful Witness	62	(6)
God and the Attractiveness of Other Paths	68	(6)
Faith in God in Times of Perplexity	74	(5)
God's Providential Care	79	(6)
Preaching from the Prophets on Contemporary Issues	85	(42)
Beginning with the Contemporary Situation	87	(2)
Preaching on Contemporary Issues	89	(38)
Exclusiveness in the Church	90	(5)
Christians and the Natural Environment	95	(7)
The Church and the Neediest	102	(6)
God and Religious Language	108	(6)
The Hierarchy and the Laity in the Church's Ministry	114	(6)
The New Covenant and Judaism	120	(7)
Notes	127