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beckyswanson's review against another edition
5.0
In conjunction with Feasting on the Word this is a marvelous and valuable resource for preparing to proclaim the Word in worship.
drbobcornwall's review against another edition
5.0
I first want to commend Westminster John Knox Press for continuing to produce resources for those of us who are lectionary preachers. I regularly make use of the [b:Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B, Vol. 1|3277823|Feasting on the Word Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B, Vol. 1|David L. Bartlett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388263062s/3277823.jpg|3314118] commentaries. The same is true of their three volume series [b:Preaching God's Transforming Justice, Three-Volume Set: A Lectionary Commentary|17917692|Preaching God's Transforming Justice, Three-Volume Set A Lectionary Commentary|Ronald J. Allen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1380495730s/17917692.jpg|25111800]. Now comes the Connections series, which is just getting underway. This initial volume was recently named the Academy of Parish Clergy Reference Book of the Year (I'm the committee chair for this). If this first volume is any indication, this should be an excellent series to own.
You might be wondering. I already have "Feasting on the Word," do I need this set? I will admit, I had that same thought until I started using it. They are enough different that i think it is a worthwhile addition to the lectionary preacher's library. While "Feasting on the Word" features four commentaries, each with a different focus (theology, pastoral, exegetical, and homiletical), Connections has two commentaries for each reading (the Psalms has only one commentary). The first commentary (Commentary One) focuses on the way in which that particular text functions within the broader biblical context. The second commentary (Commentary Two) is designed to connect the ancient text to our contemporary world, without being so specific that its reach is limited to the present moment.
The editors, which include for this first volume Tom Long, Luke Powery, Cynthia Rigby, and Joel Green, believe that lectionary preaching is still valuable, but they also believe we who preach from the lectionary can take the message deeper. They write: "Connections is not a substitute for traditional scriptural commentaries, concordances, Bible dictionaries, and other interpretive tools. Rather, Connections begins with solid biblical scholarship and then goes on to focus on the act of preaching and on the ultimate goal of allowing the biblical text to come alive in the sermon." (p. xi).
Speaking of the editors, one is a biblical scholar (Green), two are homileticians (Long and Powery), and one is a theologian (Rigby). The writers of the commentaries include pastors, biblical scholars, theologians. For those who do not know much about the Revised Common Lectionary, Jennifer Lord, one of the members of the editorial board, offers a brief account of the RCL.
Although I received this book as a nomination for the Reference Book of the Year, and had to judge it rather quickly, I also made use of it throughout the seasons of Advent through Epiphany. Since I write a weekly lectionary reflection for my blog, I was able to use the text for that work. I also preached most weeks, and looked at those commentaries as well. It is in the context of actually using it for writing and preaching that I found it helpful. Not every commentary spoke to me, but overall, I found them insightful. The editors and the editorial board did a good job of keeping their writers on task. Cynthia Rigby, who came to the APC meeting to accept the award shared that getting writers to communicate a clear message in 1200 words is not easy, especially when preachers who are tasked with writing commentary want to share a story. There is simply not enough space. Getting them to understand that fact may not have been easy, but I think they succeeded.
So, preachers, pick up a copy! (I downloaded volume 2 on Kindle, and it works quite nicely).
You might be wondering. I already have "Feasting on the Word," do I need this set? I will admit, I had that same thought until I started using it. They are enough different that i think it is a worthwhile addition to the lectionary preacher's library. While "Feasting on the Word" features four commentaries, each with a different focus (theology, pastoral, exegetical, and homiletical), Connections has two commentaries for each reading (the Psalms has only one commentary). The first commentary (Commentary One) focuses on the way in which that particular text functions within the broader biblical context. The second commentary (Commentary Two) is designed to connect the ancient text to our contemporary world, without being so specific that its reach is limited to the present moment.
The editors, which include for this first volume Tom Long, Luke Powery, Cynthia Rigby, and Joel Green, believe that lectionary preaching is still valuable, but they also believe we who preach from the lectionary can take the message deeper. They write: "Connections is not a substitute for traditional scriptural commentaries, concordances, Bible dictionaries, and other interpretive tools. Rather, Connections begins with solid biblical scholarship and then goes on to focus on the act of preaching and on the ultimate goal of allowing the biblical text to come alive in the sermon." (p. xi).
Speaking of the editors, one is a biblical scholar (Green), two are homileticians (Long and Powery), and one is a theologian (Rigby). The writers of the commentaries include pastors, biblical scholars, theologians. For those who do not know much about the Revised Common Lectionary, Jennifer Lord, one of the members of the editorial board, offers a brief account of the RCL.
Although I received this book as a nomination for the Reference Book of the Year, and had to judge it rather quickly, I also made use of it throughout the seasons of Advent through Epiphany. Since I write a weekly lectionary reflection for my blog, I was able to use the text for that work. I also preached most weeks, and looked at those commentaries as well. It is in the context of actually using it for writing and preaching that I found it helpful. Not every commentary spoke to me, but overall, I found them insightful. The editors and the editorial board did a good job of keeping their writers on task. Cynthia Rigby, who came to the APC meeting to accept the award shared that getting writers to communicate a clear message in 1200 words is not easy, especially when preachers who are tasked with writing commentary want to share a story. There is simply not enough space. Getting them to understand that fact may not have been easy, but I think they succeeded.
So, preachers, pick up a copy! (I downloaded volume 2 on Kindle, and it works quite nicely).
drbobcornwall's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second volume in the Connections series from WJK Press. As a preacher, I have found this to be an excellent addition to a growing number of lectionary resources. The lectionary commentary provides two essays for each lectionary text. One essay focuses on the original context of a passage and its connection with other texts. The second essay seeks to connect the passage with the current situation, making the practical turn. This pattern is set for all passages, except the Psalm. Here there is only one essay, focusing on its relationship to worship. Personally, I wish they would have continued the same pattern for the Psalm, but I understand the rationale. We don't normally preach from the Psalms (though I've been doing that more of late).
Again, this is a most useful, up-to-date resource that will benefit preachers and teachers who engage the lectionary. I highly recommend it.
Again, this is a most useful, up-to-date resource that will benefit preachers and teachers who engage the lectionary. I highly recommend it.
drbobcornwall's review
4.0
You can see my reviews of previous volumes. Strong and useful for lectionary preaching. Worth having in your collection.