A Theology of Preaching and Dialectic

In an age when the power and authority of the preached word is in question and the focus has come to be upon human rhetoric and skill, it is vitally important that we consider once again the work and power of God in the preached word. Edwards book calls us back to a theological understanding of the task of preaching, but it does so in a way which takes context and practice seriously. Rigorous, scholarly, demanding and thought provoking, this book deserves to be read by theologians and preachers alike. * Tom Greggs, University of Aberdeen, UK * In this instructive volume, Aaron Edwards engages with the theological aspects of preachingdialectics and heraldic proclamation. He challenges readers to consider the dialectic interaction between proclamation and praxis, all the while anchored in Scripture. * Scott M. Gibson, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, USA * Should preachers feel incapacitated by the apparent lack of unity in the biblical message? In this wide-ranging study, Aaron Edwards urges preachers to shake off their lack of confidence and instead to trust that they have been called to preach with abandon in the power of the Spirit even if the Sunday morning message may seem imbalanced. Edwardss theology of preaching offers solid reasons to proclaim the gospel with authority in the midst of an apparent cacophony of voices. * Hans Boersma, Regent College, Canada *

Aaron P. Edwards is Lecturer in Theology, Preaching and Mission at Cliff College, UK.

Preface Introduction Chapter 1 Canonicity, Clarity, Dialectic: The Problematic Task of Biblical Expository Preaching - Introduction: Preaching and Scripture - The Proclaimed Gospel and Early Canonicity - The Clarity of Scripture as Dialectical Precursor - Dialectic and Scripture - Conclusion: Engaging Dialectic with Clarity Chapter 2 Dialectic, Paradox, Contradiction: The Paradoxical Legacy of Theological Dialectic - Introduction: Towards Terminological Clarity - Dialectic - Paradox - Dialectic and Paradox - The Myth of Synthesis - Distinguishing Primary Dialectical Modes - Conclusion: Dialectical Bases Chapter 3 Dialectic, Proclamation, Correctivity: The Possibility of Dialectical Heraldic Confidence - Introduction: Dialectics, Homiletics, and Preaching - The Necessity of Heraldic Proclamation - Between Herald and New Homiletic - A Brief Theology of Heraldic Confidence - Between Herald and Dialectician - Conclusion: The Contingently Confident Herald Chapter 4 Dialectic, Prophecy, Decisiveness: A Pneumatology of Dialectical Heraldic Proclamation - Introduction: Correctivity and Decisiveness - Preaching as Pneumatologically Prophetic - Attaining Dialectical Decisiveness - Distinctive Purposes of Pneumatological Prophetic Preaching - Pneumatological Prophetic Preaching as Moment - Conclusion: Dialectical Heraldic Proclamation Conclusion Bibliography Index