A Peculiar Prophet: William H. Willimon And The Craft Of Preaching [Paperback]

William H. Willimon (Author), Michael A. Turner (Editor), William F. Malambri (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

There is no more trusted mentor of preachers in North American Christianity today than William H. Willimon. The author of over sixty books, a frequent preacher and teacher in pastors' schools and events, Willimon has earned a following as one of the peopl

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 161 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687000610
• ISBN-13: 978-0687000616
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,788,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William H. Willimon is Presiding Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, Birmingham, AL area, and Visiting Research Professor, Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC. Prior to his current position he served for twenty years as Professor of Christian Ministry and Dean of Duke University Chapel. He is the author of fifty books, and over a million copies of his books have been sold. His articles have appeared in many publications including The Christian Ministry, Quarterly Review, Liturgy, Worship, and Christianity Today. His Pulpit Resource is used each week by over eight thousand pastors in the U.S.A., Canada, and Australia. He was selected in a Baylor University survey as one of the "Twelve Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars a good learning tool!, April 29, 2011

By 

Billy Kilgore - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Peculiar Prophet: William H. Willimon And The Craft Of Preaching (Paperback)

I found this book to be a good tool for learning to preach. It is helpful to read solid preaching by a seasoned pastor such as Willimon and then have it analyzed by other great minds. If you are excited about preaching then this is a book worth checking out. I must admit that I was a little bit worried about this being nothing more than an ego stroke by former students of Willimon but it turned out to be quiet insightful. I encourage you to give it a try! Willimon is one of the best preachers you will encounter today.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Look Into Post Liberal Preaching, October 5, 2010

By 

Matthew Morine (Castle Rock, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Peculiar Prophet: William H. Willimon And The Craft Of Preaching (Paperback)

This is kind of the third book in a series of titles on post liberal preaching. William Willimon published two books talking about his style of preaching, but this book is from the perspective of some of his students as well as some of the most accomplished preachers in Christianity. The book talks about what makes Willimon's preaching unique and powerful. The dynamics of the elements are helpful for other preachers to use in their sermons as well. Probably, the best part of the book is the sermon's from Willimon himself. There are some great material in these lessons that is worth the price of the book itself. There are still a lot of people out there that have questions about this style of preaching, and it cannot be done well without an understanding of the narrative sermon. Post Liberal builds on the narrative approach. Really, the post liberal sermon is more of a philosophy of preaching. The view that one has of the Word, of the power of God, and the ability of the word to speak to people. The book will talk about some of these elements, like being theological, being bold, being confident in the call of God to preach his word. This is a great deeper read on preaching. It is not some much, step one, step two, but a model or paradigm for preaching the word of God to this style of church culture. It is well worth your time if you are looking for some fresh wind for your sermons.

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended Read, September 14, 2006

By 

D. Presley - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Peculiar Prophet: William H. Willimon And The Craft Of Preaching (Paperback)

I found this book very insightful. Reading sermons by a pastor who clearly takes the issue of discipleship seriously enough to produce sensible, accurate, and biblical discourse is very refreshing. Reading these sermons will unveil many long-accepted, church-constructed, social norms that have been rather insidious.

The editors have done a worthy task to select sermons topics that are cross-sectional representations as well phenomenological at the same time. In addition to this type of biblical discourse, this book offers serious critique on each sermon. Each critique deconstructs the sermon text to highlight the author's rationale in a way that is both flattering and helpful.

How I wish all pastors submitted themselves to such critique. I was discipled as a result of reading this book, and I submit that most others would be as well.