The Strangest Books in the Bible: Preaching from the Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther

"The Strangest Books in the Bible presents for Christians the five biblical books: the Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. These books are among the most neglected literature in the Bible for Christians.

Readers will find information necessary to study or prepare sermons based on each book. Brief sermon â startersâ suggest approaches for preaching on each book as a whole, as well as individual passages within the book, including passages found in the Revised Common Lectionary. Each chapter contains a sermon based on the book under discussion.

Church members, pastors, priests, seminarians, and lay ministers will find in The Strang-est Books a surefooted, contemporary guide for studying and preaching these neglected books of Scripture.
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JERRY GLADSON is Adjunct Professor of Old Testament Language, Literature, and Exegesis at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; Adjunct Professor of Religion at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta; and Senior Minister Emeritus of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Marietta, Georgia. He holds a B.A. from Southern Advent-ist University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. He is a contributing editor for Sharing the Practice, the journal of the Academy of Parish Clergy, a field editor for Edwin Mellen Press, and has served as theological editor for the Journal of Psychology and Christianity. A lifelong student of preaching, he is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, and has served congregations in both denominations. He is the author of ten previous books.