Reviewed by Efrain Agosto

This involved study of Paul and “grace-as-gift” invites the reader to approach the topic carefully and over a rich, rewarding period of study, reflection and analysis. Barclay leaves no stone unturned. The working preacher, in particular, might find this study one she or he will return to often, whether to review key theologians in church history and biblical studies and their take on Pauline theology, or to explore, again and again, the careful exegesis of passages in Galatians and Romans, Paul and the Gift will be the “gift that keeps on giving.”

by Neal D. Presa

Ronald Byars gives us in this present volume a treasure and an invitation. It’s a treasure because as a pastor-professor-theologian, Byars is adept at describing the theology and history of the Lord’s Table, specifically, and sacramental theology, more generally. Even as he belongs to the Presbyterian tribe, he and his writing are ecumenical through and through. He presents actual case studies of pastoral leaders and their congregational communities in living into and living out frequent Eucharistic celebration.

by Neal D. Presa

The pioneering publication of “Preaching the Presence of God” by Korean American homiletics scholar and Iliff School of Theology professor, Eunjoo Mary Kim began a necessary conversation and important consideration of Asian/Asian American preaching, churches, scholarship, and pastoral leadership on the American Christian ecclesial landscape. Churches and the academy are playing catch-up with Asian/Asian American immigration trending as the fastest growing demographic community in the United States. It highlights to the majority culture the distinctive character of a segment of Asian/Asian American cultures and traditions, and the contribution that Asian/Asian American ethos and pathos bring to the table and to the pulpit.

by Keith Russell

One of the challenges facing the church today is the topic of climate change. There has been a variety of new works published on the issue that relate to teaching and preaching. I want to offer three recent works which can be of help to those of those who are called to teach and preach.

selected by Darla Turlington

Here are quotations from the Bible and from secular writings that pastors and others may find useful in sermons, essays, or other venues.

by Jin Hee Han

For the winter issue of 2016, we present a collection of articles and book reviews focused upon the theme of “BREATHING.” This year we were presented with a series of challenges, but the Lord provided for us exactly what we needed to continue this important ministry. Help from the Lord came through like the precious supply of breath in ways that we could recognize right away as God’s gracious intervention.

Our authors highlight God’s mysterious and wondrous work we encounter in the Bible, the life of the church, and the world in modern days. As the Johannine Jesus points out, “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes” (John 3:8). Commentators immediately add that the Greek word for the “wind” is pneuma, and that it also means “spirit” (as in the Holy Spirit). The Spirit of the living God takes us where we may not have anticipated, but the upshot of the journey is always the manifestation of God’s goodness.

by Moses Biney

This is not a simple question. It is profound as it is perennial. Theologically, it points to the nature of God—God’s transcendence, immanence and omnipresence. It raises questions such as, “Is God present in all places at all times?” “How do we know this?”

by Reginald Brantley

If we believe that God’s heart is a dwelling place for justice and grace big enough for us who were once estranged from God, then surely we know our expression of God must include making our hearts dwelling places of justice and grace for those whom we would call strangers.

by the Editorial Team of The Living Pulpit

The story of cosmic and Earth evolution drawing on the latest scientific knowledge, in a way that makes it both relevant and moving. What emerges is an intensely poetic story, which evokes emotions of awe and excitement, fear and joy, belonging and responsibility.

by Mark C. Johnson

The notion of sacred places generally makes for good religion but poor theology. Great stories such as the one of the burning bush, Peniel, and the Mount of Olives, offer wonderful and metaphors, but what do they draw us toward? What makes a conference center hosted library for example, or a sanctuary, a dwelling place, sacred spaces?

by Johannes Unsok Ro

The concept of YHWH’s dwelling in the Deuteronomistic History seems to focus on His immanent and communicating presence among His people. The authors and editors of the Deuteronomistic History seem to show a yearning desire for God “dwelling among us” just as we do in the 21st century.

by Donna Schaper

When it comes to God’s dwelling place, most of us lead with ourselves and our involvement with the matter of God’s house. We lead materially. We know we can’t house God but we’d love to try to make God feel more comfortable in the places where we live. For God to dwell in a place, the place has to understand itself as holy.