Thomas G. Long Bücher

Addressing the struggles of a faltering congregation, this sermon from the early Christian church emphasizes the importance of perseverance in faith. Thomas Long explores how the themes and exhortations found in Hebrews remain pertinent for contemporary believers, urging them to confront challenges with resilience. This commentary serves as a guide for teaching, linking the historical context of Hebrews to modern-day issues faced by the church, making it a vital resource for understanding and applying its messages today.

Long's commentary on the Pastoral Epistles emphasizes their relevance to contemporary readers, highlighting shared challenges between modern believers and early New Testament churches. He explores themes such as the dangers of misguided spirituality, the essence of genuine worship, and the necessary qualities for effective leadership within the faith community. Through this examination, the work invites reflection on how these ancient texts can inform and guide current Christian practices and beliefs.

This is a newly revised edition of one of the standard introductory preaching textbooks on the market today. Beginning with a solid theological basis, veteran preacher and best-selling author Thomas G. Long offers a practical, step-by-step guide to writing a sermon. Long centers his approach around the biblical concept of witness. To be a preacher, Long posits, is to be a witness to God's work in the worldone who sees before speaking, one whose task is to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about what is seen." This updated edition freshens up language and anecdotes, contains an extensive new analysis of the use of multimedia and its impact on preaching, and adds a completely new chapter on plagiarism in preaching. Included for the first time are four complete sermons, with Long's commentary and analysis. The sermons were written and originally preached by Barbara Brown Taylor, Cleophus J. LaRue. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, and Edmund Steimle. With this third edition, The Witness of Preaching reaffirms itself as the essential resource for seminary students as well as new and experienced preachers.

Focused on the Book of Hebrews, this commentary by Thomas Long is part of the Interpretation series, designed for those engaged in teaching and preaching. It provides insights that enhance the understanding of Hebrews, making it a valuable resource for church leaders and educators who seek to deepen their biblical interpretation skills and effectively communicate the text's significance.

Addressing contemporary challenges in preaching, Thomas Long highlights four key issues: the decline of narrative preaching, the neglect of God's active presence, the resurgence of gnosticism in modern spirituality, and the lack of eschatological focus in sermons. Through his insights, Long calls for a revitalization of preaching that reconnects with these essential theological elements, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the message conveyed in the church today.

Almost every congregation is experiencing tension over worship. Many congregations have been participating in a renaissance of worship known as the "liturgical movement" and have reclaimed worship forms that have served the church for centuries. Yet because the church today is operating in a radically changed cultural environment, many people in our society do not understand liturgical worship and thus we must find language, music, themes, and images that speak to the unchurched, spiritually seeking person. In Beyond the Worship Wars, Thomas G. Long discusses the nine characteristics of vital and faithful worship practiced by a wide range of "third-way" congregations―all characteristics that make for vital and faithful worshi

Focusing on the theological significance of parables, Thomas G. Long shifts the discussion from viewing them merely as literary devices to understanding their role as reflections of the kingdom of God. This approach highlights their deeper meanings and implications for faith and practice, offering insights for both preachers and scholars. Long's work encourages readers to engage with parables as vital components of spiritual understanding and proclamation.

The exploration of six key themes in 1 and 2 Timothy provides readers with insights into leadership, faith, and the role of the church. These themes address the challenges of maintaining sound doctrine, the importance of mentorship, and the necessity of perseverance in faith. Through practical guidance and theological reflections, the texts encourage believers to navigate their spiritual journeys and uphold their convictions amidst adversity. This study serves as a valuable resource for understanding early Christian teachings and their relevance today.

Focusing on empowering preachers, this resource offers a comprehensive set of interpretive tools that enhance the connection between congregational life and Scripture. It includes insightful commentary and worship aids specifically tailored for the Revised Common Lectionary, making it an invaluable asset for effective sermon preparation and worship planning.