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
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”
“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
Here are more of the endorsements that have come in for Leaps of Faith:
“Much North American preaching is anemic—at best. Robert Dean demonstrates that a robust alternative is possible: gospel-shaped, theological, liturgical, pastoral preaching. Those who want to preach, and those who desperately need to hear, such sermons will be encouraged and enlightened by this significant collection. And if some readers learn to preach in similar ways, the church in North America (and elsewhere) might just be spared both bland sermons and a correspondingly feeble witness.”
I have been greatly encouraged by the warm initial reception that my new book, Leaps of Faith: Sermons from the Edge, has received. Here are some of the endorsements that have come in:
“In one of these sermons, Dean remarks that the Gospel is simple but not simplistic. That insight also describes these well-wrought sermons. Dean has a gift for helping us see our lives storied by the story of the Bible. It is by no means clear in our time what a sermon should be but Dean’s sermons are clearly examples of what sermons should be–that is, serious but avoiding all forms of sentimentality. May these sermons find a wide readership.”
I am pleased to announce the publication of my new book, Leaps of Faith: Sermons from the Edge (Resource Publications). The book includes sermons that I have preached over the course of my ministry as a pastor at Good Shepherd Community Church in Scarborough, as an itinerant preacher speaking throughout Southern Ontario, and as a professor of theology at Tyndale Seminary. The sermons are prefaced by a short introductory essay where I theologically reflect upon the task of preaching and an insightful Foreword by Fleming Rutledge that may be worth the price of admission by itself. Continue reading Announcing “Leaps of Faith”