Book Description
The book of Hebrews often gets caught in a kind of biblical black hole—it isn’t preached on much because pastors don’t hear it preached on very much. Yet Hebrews contains one of the most sophisticated discussions of the meaning of Jesus for the life of faith. In this collection of sermons, preached jointly, Anne Scalfaro and Andrew Daugherty deeply engage with this complex text to make Hebrews relatable, guiding us to hear the voice through whom God spoke in the first century, and who also speaks to us in the twenty-first.
Each volume of the Preaching the Word series consists of a collection of sermons preached through a book or books of the Bible. As in other commentaries, the author analyzes and seeks to interpret each passage. But Preaching the Word also exists as a testament to the Word preached, a homiletical commentary unfolding within a community of faith. Thus, this series allows us to approach the letters and histories of the New Testament as the first recipients did: as hearers of God’s Word.
Book Reviews
The word “creative” is something of an understatement in describing this collection of dialogue sermons preached jointly through the book of Hebrews by Anne Scalfaro and Andrew Daugherty. But so would words like “insightful,” “inspirational,” “prophetic” and oh yes, “gospel.” Read the sermons closely; and read them all.
—Bill J. Leonard
Professor of Divinity Emeritus, Wake Forest University
Like the Book of Hebrews itself that proclaims Jesus as the fullest revelation of God’s sympathy for and saving of a sinful and suffering humanity, Anne Scalfaro and Andrew Daugherty re-present the good news with a freshness and fleshiness that heals and helps. For the biblical scholar and the spiritual starter alike, whether in the pulpit or the pew, these words ring true.
—Rev. Dr. George A. Mason
Senior Pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, TX
Might there be a better theme for our world, let alone for a contemporary commentary volume? A study of the Letter to the Hebrews entitled “Raising Hope” provides an onramp to exactly the virtue the body of Christ needs. In a time when hope seems to be in short supply, Anne Scalfaro and Andrew Daughtery add fresh insight into the whereabouts of hope and how their readers might avail themselves of this essential quality. Students of this commentary are encouraged to find hope in “God’s never-ending and never-changing love” and correction for a faith that flags “when hope is lost.” If you are looking for a new way to cast hope in your preaching and in your life, you have found a timely resource, one filled with treasure and hope.
—Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque
Pastor Community Church of Barrington, IL
Anne Scalfaro and Andrew Daugherty have gifted us as readers with a commentary that makes an ancient, enigmatic epistle preach-able and applicable to life and faith today. With prophetic and pastoral skill they invite readers to explore the theology and hope of this first century congregation and how with such theology and hope we can live into God’s kin-dom in better and stronger ways today.
—Rev. Dr. Brian J. Henderson
Senior Minister, First Baptist Church of Denver, Denver, CO