Charles L. Bartow

Breathing Patterns

Preaching & Worship

“Any one who cares about issues of ecclesial-missional vocation in the teaching and practice of preaching will find in Robert Hoch's Breathing Patterns challenge, encouragement, and wise counsel 'for the living of these days.' Here the church and the academy are made mutually critical partners in proclaiming Christ crucified, the running fire of glory beneath all the faults and foibles that plague their common life. And Hoch's preaching--local church sermons, divinity school chapel sermons, university occasional sermons--leap off the page and sing with tones of prophetic urgency, humor, pastoral care, and passionate goodwill. Hoch spares no one-least of all himself-the throes of divine judgment, but always he finds in that very judgment the mercy that quickens faith, hope, and love. Hoch's biblical exegesis and interpretation consistently are theologically scrupulous, careful, and precise; yet, at the same time, they often prove startling. Read this book and you may find yourself, as I did, laughing, weeping, gnashing your teeth, and crying 'Amen!' all at the same time.”

Bringing the Word to Life

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Bringing the Word to Life is a singularly valuable study of performance as criticism. . . . Ward and Trobisch commend to us a reception of the Holy Scriptures as living literature that moves the human heart to tears and laughter, empathy and compassion, and, not least, faith. Further, they encourage recapture of the nearly lost art of memorization. Scholarly, readable, usable!”

Christian Preaching

Preaching & Worship

“Michael Pasquarello has written a 'must read' book articulating a Trinitarian vision for preaching. His compelling argument is richly informed by traditional biblical hermeneutics, creedal history understood as storied attestation of the witness of Scripture, and liturgical theology and practice considered as embodied performance of the Bible's divine narrative. Here is a clear summons to the church to abandon all lesser homiletic aims and to prayerfully and faithfully proclaim the holy gospel to the glory of God.”

Year D

Preaching & Worship

“Slemmons, a creative and careful scholar, spent years researching, drawing up, collegially testing, and critically assessing Year D, an every fourth-year supplement to the Revised Common Lectionary that encourages preachers to seek for themselves and their congregants the 'whole counsel of God.' Well written and theologically perspicacious, Year D is a superb practical achievement.”