The Homiletical Question: An Introduction to Liturgical Preaching

The Homiletical Question offers preachers, from beginning students to the most experienced, a concise introduction to lectionary-based preaching in liturgical contexts familiar to Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, and others. The book demonstrates how, by answering a single, simple question each time a sermon is prepared, preachers can respond fully and faithfully to the biblical text, the needs and issues of the audience, and the challenges of a changing world. Chapters explore the practice of homiletical exegesis, creation and illustration of the moves that shape the sermon, crafting introductions and conclusions, and preaching baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other special occasions. As Thomas G. Long writes in the foreword, "That the homiletical question should yield answers that are beyond the reach of the preacher, answers that manifest preaching as an event of surplus and abundance, answers that point toward the mystery that is the Holy Spirit, answers that take us to our knees in prayer before they take us into the pulpit, would come as no surprise to Brosend. That very mystery, that very abundance, is at the heart of Brosend's theology of preaching, and, therefore, at the heart of this book."

William Brosend is Professor of New Testament and Preaching at the School of Theology, the University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. He is the author of The Preaching of Jesus, Conversations with Scripture: the Parables, and James and Jude.