This collection contains more than information. It reveals McClendon himself: theologian, churchman, and preacher.
~William E. Pannell, Senior Professor of Preaching, Fuller Theological Seminary
Standing in the long line of theologians who understood themselves to be, first and foremost, pastors, Jim preached as though the church really matters. In these sermons, McClendon achieved the pinnacle of sophisticated theological scholarship: he used ordinary words to catalyze for ordinary folks an extraordinary vision of the one true Word who easters with the church in the ordinary.
~Brad J. Kallenberg, Professor of Theology and Ethics, University of Dayton
McClendon salts his preaching with biblical analysis, with historical narration, and with creative theological insights. In this third volume of McClendon’s works, the editors have provided a powerful example of the way that his preaching is deeply rooted in the tradition and narratives of the faith to provide sustenance for the church’s renewal.
~Mikael Broadway, Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, Shaw University
This valuable book, the last in a series of three volumes on the collected works of renowned, twentieth-century Baptist theologian James Wm. McClendon Jr. allows readers to witness McClendon the gifted preacher. Whereas earlier volumes demonstrate his academic scholarship, here is McClendon at his best in the area of pastoral, applied, or practical theology—what he personally referred to as ‘first-order theology’ done in, with, and for the church as community.
~Michael S. Whiting, Baptist History and Heritage Journal
For students of McClendon who wish to be internally coherent to his theology, this is an essential source for interpreting his work. For those interested in homiletics this is a collection which at least poses, if not explicitly answering, questions about the distinctly prophetic and baptist nature of preaching.
~Stuart Blythe, Journal of European Baptist Studies
In these sermons, McClendon weaves the biblical stories, the stories of the preacher, and the stories of the listeners. He steps deftly and imaginatively from to the other and back again.
~Donald J. Brash, American Baptist Quarterly
