"Roger Van Harns startling message must be heard by everyone who listens to or preaches sermons: listeners have rights. And it's about time they claimed what they have coming to them the good news compellingly and authentically preached. . . . A sharp, pungent, painful, hopeful word for pew and pulpit."

-- Lewis B. Smedes
"Fuller Theological Seminary

"This book provides a fresh angle on preaching by examining it from the perspective of the hearer. It evidences wide reading, responsible scholarship, insightful discussion, honest facing of problems, clarifying examples, stimulating suggestions, and an easy reading style. Highly recommended for preachers, worship committees, adult study groups, and anyone who seeks greater insight from listening to biblical sermons. "

-- Sidney Greidanus
"Calvin Theological Seminary

"An insightful, splendidly written book by a gifted pastor who knows and loves preaching. At once richly theological and profoundly practical, this book gently guides us away from a preoccupation with the preacher toward a rediscovery of preaching's true measure: what people in the pews hear. Roger Van Harn encourages preachers to become pioneer listeners, those who listen before they talk. More important, he teaches us how to do so. "

-- Thomas G. Long
"Princeton Theological Seminary

"On target, sympathetic, and clearly written, Pew Rights is the plainest statement I've read of what really matters in the hearing and the preaching of the gospel. Congratulations to Roger Van Harn for a fine piece of work."

-- Clyde E. Fant
"Stetson University

Preaching pastors, ministers, and priests know how quickly Sundays come and go. "The Lectionary Commentary" will not slow the pace of the weekly calendar, but it will help assure that sermon preparation begins with a solid engagement with Scripture. Designed to "jump start" the difficult task of sermon preparation, this indispensable three-volume work gathers exegetical essays on biblical texts from the Revised Common Lectionary. Covering every Sunday of the three-year liturgical cycle, as well as Christmas Day, Epiphany, and Ascension Day, the readings are arranged in canonical order so as to be of use to all preachers.

Seventy-eight pastors, priests, and teachers from a variety of Christian traditions have contributed their insights to "The Lectionary Commentary." Designed to answer the question "What does the preacher need to know about this text in order to preach a faithful sermon from it?," each of their essays closely considers its specific biblical text, all the while remaining alert to the contemporary context in which the sermon will be spoken and heard. The result is an invaluable resource that will aid in the difficult task of facilitating a meaningful encounter between Holy Scripture and our modern world.

This volume, "The Third Readings: The Gospels," provides exegetical commentary on the lectionary readings for the witnesses to Jesus Christ written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Also unique to this volume is an excellent essay by C. Clifton Black on Augustinian preaching and the nurture of Christians.

Consulting Editors: Richard A. Burridge
Thomas W. Gillespie
Colin E. Gunton
Robert W. Jenson
James F. Kay
Hughes Oliphant Old
FlemingRutledge
Marguerite Shuster

Doctrinal preaching has fallen on hard times in recent years. "Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed" seeks to stimulate renewed interest in -- and provide useful models of -- Christian proclamation that is truly rooted in the central tenets of the faith. Using the Apostles' Creed as a template for doctrinal, confessional preaching, this book draws together an ecumenical cast of respected biblical scholars and preachers who explain the creed and demonstrate its preaching possibilities. Each of the book's fifteen chapters consists of an essay that explores and illuminates one of the creed's articles of faith, followed by a scintillating sermon that models how that article can be preached as good news today.

Contributors: Walter R. Bouman
Richard A. Burridge
Philip W. Butin
Gabriel Fackre
David F. Ford
Colin Gunton
Richard B. Hays
Craig C. Hill
Scott E. Hoezee
Leslie J. Hoppe
George Hunsinger
Scott Black Johnston
James F. Kay
Richard A. Lischer
Thomas G. Long
Lois Malcolm
Daniel L. Migliore
Richard A. Norris Jr.
Steven D. Paulson
Cornelius Plantinga
Cynthia L. Rigby
Fleming Rutledge
William M. Shand III
Marguerite Shuster
Wm. C. Turner
Robert Louis Wilken
Ralph C. Wood
Susan K. Wood
Frances M. Young
Robin Darling Young

Psalms for Preaching and Worship -- a key addition to the critically acclaimed three-volume Lectionary Commentary / "Despite the rich resources available for studying the Psalms, few are as focused on their place in worship and preaching as is this volume. The responsorial Psalms of the Revised Common Lectionary are here taken up in careful and often illuminating interpretation with attention also to their interaction with other lectionary texts. The many ways that psalms can function meaningfully in the liturgical life of congregations are explored especially in John Witvliet's concluding section. I know of no work that combines practice and substance better than this lectionary commentary." -- Patrick D. Miller / Princeton Theological Seminary / "A fascinating book -- well organized, well written and edited, thorough, and informative. . . . An excellent resource not only for preachers using the Revised Common Lectionary but also for those wishing to preach a series of sermons on the Psalms. In addition, worship leaders and worship committees will appreciate the many excellent ideas for using the Psalms in worship. Highly recommended." -- Sidney Greidanus / author of Preaching Christ from the Old Testament and Preaching Christ from Genesis / "Here is something even better than a simple completion of The Lectionary Commentary, which would be cause enough for gratitude. . . . Serious attention paid to this one book could go a long way toward remedying the scandalous neglect of the treasure of the Psalms in too much contemporary worship." -- Marguerite Shuster / Fuller Theological Seminary / Contributors: Nancy R. Bowen, William P. Brown, Walter Brueggemann, Richard J. Clifford, Nancy L. deClaiss -Walford, Jennifer S. Green, Karl N. Jacobson, Rolf A. Jacobson, Melody D. Knowles, Eunny P. Lee, Joel M. LeMon, James Limburg, J. Clinton McCann, James K. Mead, Carol A. Miles, Luke A. Powery, Stephen Breck Reid, Sandra L. Richter, Cynthia L. Rigby, Kathryn L. Roberts, Brent A. Strawn, Beth LaNeel Tanner, Roger E. Van Harn, Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, J. Ross Wagner, Gerald H. Wilson, John Witvliet, Christine Roy Yoder.