Biblical Preaching on the Death of Jesus

How can one preach effectively on the death of Jesus to a world jaded by stories of suffering and violence? This exegetical book — written collectively by six authorities on Scripture — sheds new light on the tremendous power of preaching to challenge and enlarge the world of the listeners. By probing the accounts of Jesus' death in the Gospel of Mark and in Paul's letters, 'Biblical Preaching on the Death of Jesus' uncovers a vision of divine power and justice that calls us to become partners in God's struggle to overcome suffering and injustice in the world. In the cross, the authors demonstrate, we as Christians are given a symbol of both weakness and defeat and of power and victor. This symbol is a magnificent reminder of the redemption and transformation of lives and situations through Christ's identification with suffering. With unusual success, the six authors have written the entire book as a group undertaking. The result is a testimony to the interrelatedness that is central to the vision of process theology. 'Biblical Preaching on the Death of Jesus' will be of immense help to preachers and to students and scholars of New Testament interpretation and systematic theology. This is a well-conceived volume that presents a challenging vision of biblical preaching. In Part One, the authors discuss the aims and ends of preaching, which they conceive of as service to the Spirit. In Part Two, they focus upon the theme of Jesus' death as it is presented in the Gospel of Mark and the letters of Paul. This section contains (1) descriptions of Jesus' death as narrated by Mark and as interpreted by Paul, (2) theological reflections of Mark's story and Paul's interpretation of Jesus' death, and (3) two sermons, based on Mark 8:34 and Galatians 1:1-5 intended to illustrate the methodology proposed in this volume. The book is a joint effort of William Beardslee, John Cobb, David Lull, Russell Pregeant, Theodore Weeden, and Barry Woodbridge. A theological work rooted in the biblical text, it will be useful for those who seek a deeper understanding of their preaching ministry. — Frank J. Matera The Catholic University of America Washington, D.C. William A. Beardslee taught at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and the School of Theology in Claremont, California. John B. Cobb Jr. is Professor Emeritus at Claremont School of Theology and Claremont Graduate School. David J. Lull is Associate Professor of New Testament at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Russell Pregeant is Professor of Philosophy and Religion Emeritus at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. Theodore J. Weeden Sr. is a former Methodist pastor and taught at Colgate Rochester Divinity School and St. Bernard's Seminary. Barry A. Woodbridge is the former Adjunct Professor of Theology at the Claremont School of Theology.