Toward a Homiletical Theology of Promise

Promise has a long pedigree in the history of Christian understandings of the gospel. This volume gathers together leading homileticians to consider the breadth of its understanding today in light of the struggle to reconcile God's grace with God's justice. Assuming that promise is a core sense of the gospel, how does this relate to the variety of contexts in which homiletical theology is done? In this final volume in the series, six homileticians from a variety of contexts and perspectives try to move specifically toward a homiletical theology of promise as a way to articulate the central theological gift and task that is preaching the gospel today.Each chapter of this compelling book teaches a vital aspect of the promissory nature of preaching: as a lure to new forms of human dwelling and action, as a unique way of liturgically embodying eschatology, as a key to homiletical genre, as God's unique way of acting and speaking in sermons, and as the way preaching becomes provisional good news in difficult situations. Highly recommended for all serious students of preaching.--John S. McClure, Vanderbilt Divinity SchoolContinuing the 'turn to theology' in contemporary homiletics, this thoughtful and wide-ranging collection of essays explores preaching as a theological expression of divine promise that embodies and empowers our human response. Jacobsen is to be congratulated for bringing this important project to completion. --Michael P. Knowles, McMaster Divinity CollegeThese final six essays of the Promise of Homiletical Theology series proceed from the central conviction that any hope worth preaching proceeds from the world-transforming, justice-making promises of the God revealed in Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord of God's new creation. Strikingly varied in their methodological approaches and rich in theological creativity, these writers urge hope-fueled preaching that is healing and prophetic, poetic and theologically discerning, accompanied by locally embodied, diverse, and hope-infused practices of worship and witness. --Sally A. Brown, Princeton Theological SeminaryDavid Schnasa Jacobsen is Professor of the Practice of Homiletics and Director of the Homiletical Theology Project at Boston University School of Theology. His books include Preaching in the New Creation, Preaching Luke-Acts, Kairos Preaching: Speaking Gospel to the Situation, and Mark.