“An evangelist is a man who lives in and by and for the Gospel, who lets it master him so completely that he can never be free from it either in waking or sleeping, who lets it saturate his thoughts and feelings and actions, and who therefore confronts men with the Gospel not just when he ascends the pulpit but in all his dealings with them. It burns like a fire in him and from time to time it flashes out and sets other men on fire. (more…)
-
A Long and Winding Word
A Guest Post by Victor Shepherd
This is the fourth 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 “A Long and Winding Word” (pp. 10-17). The Scriptural text for the sermon was Psalm 119:97-112. (more…)
-
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. (more…)
-
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. (more…)
-
“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. (more…)
-
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. (more…)
-
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. (more…)
-
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. (more…)
-
More Endorsements for “Leaps of Faith”
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.”
- Michael J. Gorman (Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, St. Mary’s Seminary & University)
-
Endorsements for “Leaps of Faith”
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.”
- Stanley Hauerwas (Gilbert T. Rowe Professor Emeritus of Divinity and Law, Duke Divinity School)
