Wrestling with the Word: Preaching On Tricky Texts

Many biblical texts seem almost impossible to preach. They may be violent or terrifying or strange or abrasive. They may deal with matters simply beyond human experience. The preacher could well be tempted to choose an easier text on offer! But leaving taxing passages untouched means the Bible is effectively silenced.

In Wrestling with the Word, well-known and accomplished preachers grapple with a range of notoriously difficult biblical Old and New Testament texts. As well as providing sample sermons - in an exhilarating variety of structural styles and voices - they offer ideas to help in the planning process of interpreting and applying such passages.

'A well-constructed and delivered sermon has the potential to inspire people as few other experiences can.'
The Rt Revd John Pritchard, from the Foreword

KATE BRUCE is tutor in preaching at Cranmer Hall on BA and MA courses, holds a PhD in Preaching and Imagination, and is on the executive of the College of Preachers.She is a sought after preacher and teacher of preaching (Reader training, clergy IME/CME, CRE seminar stream, free church training courses, collaboration with other TEI’s). She chairs the successful Durham Preaching Conference and launched The Durham Preaching School in 2015, working with younger preachers in a variety of contexts. She is passionate about imaginative preaching and committed to preaching and encouraging others to preach across the whole of the bible, rather than cherry picking texts. JAMIE HARRISON has been a Reader for over 30 years in a variety of church contexts and is a former Chair of the Ely Diocesan Readers’ Board. He is a lay member of the General Synod and of the Clergy Discipline Commission, a Lay Canon of Durham Cathedral and a Reader at St Nicholas, Durham.

JAMIE HARRISON has been a Reader for over 30 years in a variety of church contexts and is a former Chair of the Ely Diocesan Readers' Board. He is a lay member of the General Synod and of the Clergy Discipline Commission, a Lay Canon of Durham Cathedral and a Reader at St Nicholas, Durham.