Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted

A classic theology and a contemporary school of preaching come together in this new work. Glenn Monson, an active Lutheran preacher, has taken the substantial concerns of Law and Gospel theologians and combined them with the insights of the New Homiletic School to come up with a guide to sermon development that helps any preacher deliver Law and Gospel sermons in a contemporary way. The author leads the reader through a step-by-step process in thinking about Law and Gospel preaching from exegesis through sermon design to manuscript writing. Multiple examples from assigned lectionary texts are included, and several sermons are analyzed in detail. This book will be an invaluable friend of any lectionary preacher for whom Sunday is always coming and who longs to preach classic Law and Gospel sermons in a new and fresh way.

""A prominent teacher of preaching once remarked, 'Only two things are needed to become a good preacher. First, understand law and gospel. Second, have just a little imagination.' Glenn Monson embodies both of those capacities. His book is a fine introduction to law and gospel preaching. A working preacher, Monson explores the continuing vitality of the tried and tested, evangelical law and gospel approach to proclaiming the crucified and risen Christ.""
--Rolf Jacobson, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN

""Law and Gospel . . . a focus of serious discussion during seminary yet too often neglected in the ongoing preparation of preaching. This work not only engages us again in that discussion but offers practical advice for its place in preaching. In addition, we are offered helpful commentary on a number of lectionary texts along with insight from a number of preaching sources. This all from a pastor who preaches what he practices.""
--Harold Usgaard, Bishop emeritus, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA, Rochester, MN

""The legacy of Gerhard Forde lives on in Glenn Monson's passionate affirmation of the classical Lutheran law/gospel hermeneutic applicable in sermon preparation and preaching. Today's preachers and congregations would benefit greatly from the insight and practices advocated in this book.""
--Carl E. Braaten, Professor of Systematic Theology emeritus, Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, IL

""One of the apostle Paul's secondary benefits after his Damascus Christ-encounter was his new 'Aha!' about the Hebrew Scriptures. What was new? Two very different covenants: one law and one promise. Today's Crossings Community, standing in this tradition, also celebrates this 'Aha!' about the Bible. The mantra: Read the Bible with law/promise lenses. Glenn Monson shows us how it's done--and, even more important--the payoff that follows for Christian proclamation. Yes, finally it is life or death.""
--Edward H. Schroeder, cofounder, The Crossings Community, Inc., Chesterfield, MO


Glenn Monson is an active pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, having served in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. Ordained in 1991 from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN, he completed his DMin degree at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2003. His thesis, ""A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Through the Sermon,"" was published in Dialog in 2004.