Written by leading scholars from around the world, the articles in this volume range from sin, Sufism and terrorism to theology in the 19th and 20th centuries, Vatican I and II and the virgin birth.

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 First Readings: Old Testament and Acts, provides exegetical commentary on the lectionary readings from Genesis to Malachi, and from the first seventeen chapters of Acts. Also unique to this volume is an excellent essay by Hughes Oliphant Old on preaching as worship. Consulting Editors: Richard A. Burridge Thomas W. Gillespie Colin E. Gunton Robert W. Jenson James F. Kay Hughes Oliphant Old Fleming Rutledge Marguerite Shuster

The Sunday Lectionary examines a key aspect of the liturgical use of the Bible: how the Lectionary puts biblical flesh on the bones of the liturgical calendar and gives paschal shape to the Christian year. Although the current Lectionary has been in use since 1969, its history, purpose, and structure remains relatively unknown to the many who proclaim or hear its readings. The Sunday Lectionary contributes to a theology of proclamation by explaining the principles that underlie the Lectionary's selection of biblical passages and its patterns of reading distribution that structure the Sundays, feast days, and seasons of the liturgical year.

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Fifty liturgical scholars - Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran - have authored these intercessory prayers for each Sunday of the three-year cycle to expand the resources available to local pastors. The authors have been guided by the traditional pattern of prayers of the faithful. All language is inclusive.

Accessible background and insights on each scripture text in the three-year Sunday lectionary cycle. An invaluable resource for preachers, lectors, liturgical musicians, catechists and more.