All posts by Robert Dean

Bodybuilding

A Guest Post by Marian Nacpil

This is the third  in a series of posts engaging with the sermons in Leaps of Faith: Sermons from the Edge.  This post is a reflection upon a sermon  entitled “Bodybuilding,” which was preached to a cohort of pastors and ministry-leaders studying in the MDiv In-Ministry program (now called “Church in the City”) at Tyndale Seminary (pp. 179-188). The Scriptural text for the sermon was Ephesians 4:1-16. Continue reading Bodybuilding

Mary and Martha, Lucia and Lazarus

A Guest Post by Joseph Mangina

This is the second  in a series of posts engaging with the sermons in Leaps of Faith: Sermons from the Edge.  This post is a reflection upon a sermon preached at the funeral of Lucia Metella Robinson, entitled, “‘Mary and Martha, Lucia and Lazarus” (pp. 165-170).  The Scriptural text for the sermon was John 11:1-3, 17-44. Continue reading Mary and Martha, Lucia and Lazarus

“My Daddy Was a Pimp!” and Other Skeletons from the Closet

A Guest Post by Ian Scott

This is the first in a series of posts engaging with the sermons in Leaps of Faith: Sermons from the Edge.  This post is a reflection upon the first sermon in the book, entitled, “‘My Daddy Was a Pimp!’ and Other Skeletons from the Closet” (pp. 3-9).  The Scriptural text for the sermon was Genesis 12:10-20. Continue reading “My Daddy Was a Pimp!” and Other Skeletons from the Closet

Upcoming Series of Guest Posts on “Leaps of Faith”

To celebrate the publication of Leaps of Faith: Sermons from the Edge, some of my friends have graciously agreed to write responses to the various sermons in the book.  It is humbling that such an accomplished collection of pastors, professors, and leaders in the Christian community have deemed my sermons worthy of their time and attention.  I hope their reflections, which will be posted in the days to come, will prove to be a blessing to all who read and serve to stimulate good conversation. Continue reading Upcoming Series of Guest Posts on “Leaps of Faith”

Marilynne Robinson on Preaching

“The great importance in Calvinist tradition of preaching makes the theology that gave rise to the practice of it a subject of interest.  As a layperson who has spent a great many hours listening to sermons, I have an other than academic interest in preaching, an interest in the hope I, and so many others, bring into the extraordinary moment when someone attempts to speak in good faith, about something that matters, to people who attempt to listen in good faith. Continue reading Marilynne Robinson on Preaching

Repentance as Resistance: Ash Wednesday

Those in attendance at the Wycliffe College Annual Preaching Day this past Monday were treated to multiple courses of rich fare as Fleming Rutledge spoke throughout the day on the theme of “Preaching the Cross in Our Rapidly Changing World.”  Wycliffe College has posted the video of her presentations on their YouTube channel here.  At one point, I believe it was in response to a question, Rutledge suggested that we dare not underestimate the importance of repentance in our resistance to the Powers. Continue reading Repentance as Resistance: Ash Wednesday