The Word Is Near You

Beginning with the desires of our hearts and ending with the priesthood of all believers, this series of meditations traces a path through some central concerns of the Reformation. Along this path, the authors, all faculty at Wycliffe College, engage with biblical passages which were important at that time and remain just as vital today in working out what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be the people of God. It seems appropriate, given the central place Scripture had for the reformers, that we should follow their lead in looking to the Bible in the context of the life of the church. While some church communities enthusiastically proclaim their Reformation roots, others look askance at particular reformers and seek to distance themselves from the whole of the Reformation. Yet the Reformation is not an era we in the West can simply ignore; it is bred in our bones, runs through our veins, and shapes our life together in myriad ways. These meditations are not simply historical explorations or an exercise in documenting past events. Rather, the authors grapple with questions which we continue to struggle with today--questions of faith and grace, sin and salvation, work and worship. These meditations will provoke discussion and broaden our theological understanding while guiding us into a deeper understanding of the faith. ""This anthology of sermons draws us into the heart of the Reformation. The reader can hear the voices of the Wycliffe Faculty as they eloquently and elegantly address the salient thoughts of the Reformers. Ranging from diverse themes, such as the Law/Gospel dichotomy, idolatry, grace, the priesthood of believers, the primacy of Scripture, and the absence of God, they bring the Word itself nearer to us all. A faithful compendium and an engaging read."" --Andrew Stirling, Senior Minister, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Toronto ""The Word Is Near You brings the Protestant Reformation's unique emphasis on Scripture out of history's archives and close to home. By rediscovering the Reformation with all its strengths and weaknesses, we who are its children will better understand ourselves and what God is saying now. This fresh, insightful, multifaceted read will assist us in listening with greater discernment to God's voice and in speaking God's word with increased clarity in the church and society today."" --Paul Louis Metzger, Professor of Theology & Culture, Multnomah University & Seminary Peter M.B. Robinson is the Professor of Proclamation, Worship, and Ministry at Wycliffe College.