Pittsburgh Theological Seminary faculty members recently released three new books. They include Preaching Christian Doctrine (Fortress Press, 2008), The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life (Eerdmans, 2008), and Ezekiel (Hendrickson, 2009).

The Rev. Dr. William J. Carl III, president and professor of homiletics, wrote Preaching Christian Doctrine. In this text, Carl confronts the problem of using theological language in preaching through a combination of serious theological reflection, rhetorical criticism, cultural analysis, and practical homiletical advice. He examines the approaches of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Barth, and Tillich to determine how these theologians brought life to the pulpit and what today's preachers can learn from them. Preaching Christian Doctrine organizes and describes the various approaches to doctrinal preaching developed throughout the history of the church and across denominational lines, making this volume a unique systematic homiletics text dealing with the problem of preaching Christian doctrine today.

The Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes, Robert Meneilly Professor of Leadership and Ministry and senior pastor at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, wrote The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Today’s pastors—often expected to be multitasking marvels who can make their churches “successful”—are understandably confused about their role. Barnes contends that the true calling of a pastor is to assist others in becoming fully alive in Christ, to be a “minor poet.” The pastor absorbs the wisdom of major poets—the biblical poets as well as the church’s theological poets—and distills its essence for parishioners. The Pastor as Minor Poet calls pastors to continually search for the deeper, truer understandings of what they see both in the text of Scripture and in the text of their parishioners’ lives.

The Rev. Dr. Steven Tuell, associate professor of Old Testament, has written Ezekiel in the New International Biblical Commentary Old Testament Series. In this text, Tuell has captured the breadth and depth of Ezekiel and his profound recognition of the power and grace of God for a disenfranchised community. The publication provides a clear understanding of a complex book of the Bible that many in the past have found confusing and murky. The text also includes Tuell’s explanation of the visionary closing chapters of the book that center on a new nation and a new center of worship.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. and approximately 380 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

###
 

     

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary faculty members recently released three new books. They include Preaching Christian Doctrine (Fortress Press, 2008), The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life (Eerdmans, 2008), and Ezekiel (Hendrickson, 2009).

The Rev. Dr. William J. Carl III, president and professor of homiletics, wrote Preaching Christian Doctrine. In this text, Carl confronts the problem of using theological language in preaching through a combination of serious theological reflection, rhetorical criticism, cultural analysis, and practical homiletical advice. He examines the approaches of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Barth, and Tillich to determine how these theologians brought life to the pulpit and what today's preachers can learn from them. Preaching Christian Doctrine organizes and describes the various approaches to doctrinal preaching developed throughout the history of the church and across denominational lines, making this volume a unique systematic homiletics text dealing with the problem of preaching Christian doctrine today.

The Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes, Robert Meneilly Professor of Leadership and Ministry and senior pastor at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, wrote The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Today’s pastors—often expected to be multitasking marvels who can make their churches “successful”—are understandably confused about their role. Barnes contends that the true calling of a pastor is to assist others in becoming fully alive in Christ, to be a “minor poet.” The pastor absorbs the wisdom of major poets—the biblical poets as well as the church’s theological poets—and distills its essence for parishioners. The Pastor as Minor Poet calls pastors to continually search for the deeper, truer understandings of what they see both in the text of Scripture and in the text of their parishioners’ lives.

The Rev. Dr. Steven Tuell, associate professor of Old Testament, has written Ezekiel in the New International Biblical Commentary Old Testament Series. In this text, Tuell has captured the breadth and depth of Ezekiel and his profound recognition of the power and grace of God for a disenfranchised community. The publication provides a clear understanding of a complex book of the Bible that many in the past have found confusing and murky. The text also includes Tuell’s explanation of the visionary closing chapters of the book that center on a new nation and a new center of worship.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. and approximately 380 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

###