Wondrous Depth: Preaching the Old Testament

“In this extraordinarily well-written book Ellen Davis calls for much more preaching on the Old Testament as Christian Scripture, and she “shows” rather than “tells” how to engage effectively in the practice of exegetical preaching. Along the way she also develops important theological insights about theoretical problems raised by the practice of preaching on the Old Testament: problems about the relevance to preaching of historical-critical study of the Bible, controversies over whether critical and pre-critical ways of reading Scripture can work together, and sensitive issues raised by Christians adopting as their own texts that are Judaism s Scriptures. The passionate heart of this book is its persuasive advocacy of the critical importance to Christian faith and life of preaching on those astonishing, inexhaustibly rich, wondrously deep Old Testament texts.” –David H. Kelsey, Yale Divinity School, author of Imagining Redemption

This is a deeply exciting book. Not only for preachers, but for any reader of scripture, Ellen Davis opens up extraordinary biblical riches. She shows why it is worth spending time lovingly attending to every word, what we can learn from the moderns and the premoderns, and how superabundant the meaning of the Bible is. Then she demonstrates what she talks about in some superb sermons by past masters and by herself. –David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge

“Ellen Davis moves to wondrous depths in presenting a powerful premodern exegetical alternative to the scandal of shallow reading of the Scriptures. She invites preachers to rediscover the joy of the Old Testament as a source of wonder, astonishment and imaginative precision and in so doing she helps to restore theological reading of the Bible to its rightful place.” –Paul Scott Wilson, Professor of Homiletics, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto

“Ellen Davis writes with such beauty and precision, she would be an inspirationto the pulpit regardless of her subject. But when someone of her sensibilities,wisdom, and literary gifts takes on the topic of Old Testament preaching,preachers are doubly blessed. Reading this superb book is a commandperformance.” –Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

“Wondrous Depth is a brilliant synthesis of exegetical preaching, Old Testament preaching, and Anglican preaching at its best. It retrieves neglected forms of homiletical practice deeper than many that currently reach parishioners. It will expand the repertoire of contemporary preachers who seek to engage the intellect as well as the emotions of their hearers.” –Ellen Charry, Associate Professor of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary

Ellen F. Davis is Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. She is the author of Who Are You, My Daughter? Reading Ruth Through Image and Text; Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and Getting Involved with God; and Imagination Shaped.