The Bible and the New York Times

This collection of vividly illustrative sermons by a leading contemporary Episcopalian preacher eloquently heralds the Christian call to faith in the face of modern challenges.

Widely known for their up-to-the-minute relevance to modern life, the sermons of Fleming Rutledge are always out on the edge, challenging the boundaries of contemporary thought and experience. No issue is too threatening, no event too shocking, no question too impertinent to be addressed. Following Karl Barth's dictum that sermons should be written with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, Rutledge weaves the changing events of the daily news together with the unchanging rhythms of the church seasons. Her book leads readers through the liturgical year, from All Saints to Pentecost, showing how the biblical story intersects with our own stories.

Will D. Campbell
"How quaint! A preacher so revolutionary as to be heard by many as reactionary. But those who have ears to hear . . . "
Annie Dillard
"This is beautiful, powerful, literary writing. Fleming Rutledge writes as a person who knows she is dying, speaking to other dying people, determined not to enrage by triviality."
The Bible Today
"Noted evangelical preacher Fleming Rutledge collects here a number of her sermons that have a thoughtful and strong spirit. She takes seriously the biblical message and delves deeply into the text, all the while relating the biblical message to contemporary experience. Preachers may find here some good inspiration for their own work, while most readers will appreciate these sermons as solid spiritual reading."
The Christian Century
"When sermons are lifted from the pulpit . . . and put into a book, they can easily lose their impact. Fleming Rutledge's sermons do not. They carry into print the fervor and reverence that inform her spoken words. Read thoughtfully, they possess what Eugene Peterson calls a 'subversive' quality: they get into one's heart and mind and change one from within. What is most distinctive about these sermons is their preoccupation with the holiness of God. . . With disarming matter-of-factness, Rutledge preaches as if nothing could be more crucial than our coming to grips with the reality that 'God is holy, and we are not.' The sermons are also distinguished by their bright clarity. . . Well phrased and carefully written, they make for engaging reading. With a wonderful combination of humility and irony, Rutledge presents the sermon as a meeting place for the holiness of Almighty God and the varied hopes and fears of humanity. . . Preaching as eloquent, incisive and passionate as hers cultivates and builds hope that, in the words of Handel's"Messiah," 'the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of God, and of his Christ."
The Covenant Companion
"Carefully crafted, theologically sound, and literate. . . The sermons read very well as, in effect, a collection of essays. They show that preaching is alive and well in the Episcopal Church."
Episcopal Life
"Well-written, easy to read and wise.""

Will D. Campbell "How quaint! A preacher so revolutionary as to be heard by many as reactionary. But those who have ears to hear . . . "Annie Dillard "This is beautiful, powerful, literary writing. Fleming Rutledge writes as a person who knows she is dying, speaking to other dying people, determined not to enrage by triviality."The Bible Today "Noted evangelical preacher Fleming Rutledge collects here a number of her sermons that have a thoughtful and strong spirit. She takes seriously the biblical message and delves deeply into the text, all the while relating the biblical message to contemporary experience. Preachers may find here some good inspiration for their own work, while most readers will appreciate these sermons as solid spiritual reading."The Christian Century "When sermons are lifted from the pulpit . . . and put into a book, they can easily lose their impact. Fleming Rutledge's sermons do not. They carry into print the fervor and reverence that inform her spoken words. Read thoughtfully, they possess what Eugene Peterson calls a 'subversive' quality: they get into one's heart and mind and change one from within. What is most distinctive about these sermons is their preoccupation with the holiness of God. . . With disarming matter-of-factness, Rutledge preaches as if nothing could be more crucial than our coming to grips with the reality that 'God is holy, and we are not.' The sermons are also distinguished by their bright clarity. . . Well phrased and carefully written, they make for engaging reading. With a wonderful combination of humility and irony, Rutledge presents the sermon as a meeting place for the holiness of Almighty God and the varied hopes and fears of humanity. . . Preaching as eloquent, incisive and passionate as hers cultivates and builds hope that, in the words of Handel's"Messiah," 'the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of God, and of his Christ."The Covenant Companion "Carefully crafted, theologically sound, and literate. . . The sermons read very well as, in effect, a collection of essays. They show that preaching is alive and well in the Episcopal Church."Episcopal Life "Well-written, easy to read and wise.""