Where All Hope Lies: Sermons for the Liturgical Year [Paperback]

James R. Van Tholen (Author), Susan Dykstra-Poel (Editor), Eileen Borduin Vanderzwan (Series Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Where All Hope Lies presents fifty-six select sermons by James Van Tholen, a gifted young pastor who lost his battle with cancer in January 2001 at the age of thirty-six. Though Jim's untimely death gives a certain poignancy to this volume, these sermons are far from dark or despairing. Van Tholen's conversational style, thought-provoking insights into Scripture, and frequent interaction with such writers as Flannery O'Connor, Frederick Buechner, Kathleen Norris, and others make these sermons truly enjoyable as well as profitable to read. Through them all there runs a sense of concentrating on what really matters? trusting in God no matter what suffering or difficulties might come our way. Indeed, as demonstrated by the book's title sermon? first published in "Christianity Today" as "Surprised by Death" more than anything, Van Tholen preached the grace and goodness of God. Including a foreword by Neal Plantinga and a closing reflection on "the man behind the sermons" by Jim's wife, Rachel, "Where All Hope Lies" offers gracious, powerful, uplifting words for believers throughout the church year.

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802809707
• ISBN-13: 978-0802809704
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,106,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great!, September 24, 2005

By 

Amy Smith (South Bend, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Where All Hope Lies: Sermons for the Liturgical Year (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book! I originally bought this book because Jim was my pastor in my pre-teen years at Sacramento Christian Reformed Church. It is a great to have the opportunity now to read and re-read his sermons. Jim was a gripping and nuanced preacher and the sermons in his book provide hope without ignoring the problem of pain in the world. Jim uses the Bible, theology, history, literature and stories from his own life to illuminate Biblical truths and provide challenges for his congregation, and now, his readers.