Abingdon Theological Companion to the Lectionary

Preaching Year C

The point of the Revised Common Lectionary is to allow God’s people to encounter the meaning of Scripture through the Word read and proclaimed. Yet too many lectionary resources fail to help in that task. In fact, they often confront the preacher with a choice between poor options: in-depth commentary focused too heavily on the historical world of the text; or shallow suggestions for “life applications” that have too little to do with the real world. Christians are called to an engagement with the deep meaning of Scripture; preachers are called to help them do that. But where can they turn for resources that will make this possible?

The Abingdon Theological Companion to the Lectionary begins with the conviction that Scripture speaks first and foremost to Christians now. Its message engages Christian belief and action in the present day. While informed by the best in current biblical studies, its commentary on the Scripture passages of the Revised Common Lectionary focuses on the questions of Christian life in the world that church members bring with them to worship. Each entry is co-written by a Theologian and a Homiletician and seeks to answer the essential questions, “what does this passage say about the Gospel? How does it speak to my encounter with God in Christ, and my calling as a Christian in the world?”

This volume is conceived as a companion to biblical and lectionary resources that preachers regularly employ. It showcases theological matters that arise out of both the biblical texts in the lectionary and the church seasons and special days. This important resource will draw upon recent scholarship in various disciplines with a view to enriching the theological contribution of sermons in the years to come. The result will be a volume that has broad ecumenical appeal and that preachers will want at their fingertips.

This volume is for The Revised Common Lectionary Year C.