Vigen Guroian, University of Virginia
"What makes these sermons so intellectually rich and religiously moving is that Ralph Wood is both an accomplished scholar and an inspired interpreter of Scripture. His Preaching and Professing is a veritable feast of wisdom for our spiritually starved times."
Kyle Childress, Austin Heights Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, Texas
"Flannery O'Connor, speaking of Karl Barth, once said, 'I like old Karl because he throws the furniture around.' In these sermons Ralph Wood throws the furniture around. But he does so beautifully, with candor, humor, and even tenderness. More than anything these sermons are theologically and biblically grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Kenneth H. Carter Jr., Providence United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina
"The voice of a master teacher comes through clearly in these pages. . . Those who have known Ralph Wood primarily as an interpreter of the Christian classics will discover the voice of a preacher as well. Wood has learned from a particular congregation of literary pilgrims over the last century — Flannery O'Connor, Walker Percy, P. D. James, C. S. Lewis — that there is always something 'at stake,' and his collection of sermons displays this same profession of faith: the Lord of life is always with us and for us, even in the midst of death."
R. Leigh Spruill, St. George's Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee
"As with any good preacher, Wood unfailingly directs his hearers to the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout this diverse collection of sermons. . . Behind his critique of the human condition are Wood's wry humor, deep immersion in Holy Scripture, and poignant reflections on the incredible love of a God who would die to save the likes of us."
Thomas W. Currie, Union PSCE at Charlotte
"In this book Ralph Wood, a layman and teacher of literature, preaches and, by professing the faith in such a lively and life-giving way, reminds us what preaching can be and why this task is so crucial for the church's life and mission in the world. . . Those who preach or who care about preaching will feast on the words and the Word found in this volume."
