Charles L. Campbell

Through its shocking incongruities and transgressive forms, the grotesque offers an intriguing lens for exploring the scandal of the gospel and the challenges of Christian preaching. Drawing on diverse sources—from Swedish crime fiction and contemporary poetry to James Cone, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Pussy Riot—this book will examine the theological, homiletical, and social implications of a grotesque gospel for contemporary preachers. The book focuses on three aspects of preaching and the grotesque: (1) the ways in which a grotesque gospel unsettles the preacher and challenges the "false patterns" that often shape Christian preaching; (2) the importance and challenges of resisting the weaponized grotesque, which dehumanizes people and furthers the power of dominant groups; (3) the incarnate Word as the carnivalesque, grotesque body of Jesus, which calls the church to become the porous and inclusive body of Christ. The Scandal of the Gospel is the written adaptation of Yale Divinity School's Beecher Lectures, given by Charles Campbell in 2018. The last chapter, "Preaching and the Environmental Grotesque," is a new addition.

Across national and cultural borders, the archetype of the fool has played a significant role in how communities interpret and ascribe identity. As Charles Campbell and Johan Cilliers remind us, the Christian preacher, tasked with delivering a paradoxical gospel, is a fool. In a delicate exploration with enlightening results, Preaching Fools uses a diverse representation of fools and foolish actions to show how modern preaching is inseparable from the folly of the cross. Campbell and Cilliers walk the fine line between the ugliness and beauty of the gospel and challenge readers toward a deeper engagement with its unsettling message.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TWO SEMINARY PROFESSORS LEAVE their classrooms and spend time among the homeless people and teach on city streets? In this unique collection of essays and sermons, Stanley P Saunders and Charles L. Campbell reflect on their encounters with the homeless folks in Atlanta and seek to discern the way of Jesus on the streets of the city. These passionate, often moving writings demonstrate the power of Scripture to shape the way we see the world, and they explore the significance of social location for exegesis, ethics, worship, and preaching. From the perspective of the street, central Christian practices such as baptism, Eucharist, and preaching come to life in new ways. Scripture takes on fresh meaning too, while ancient insights into the principalities and powers, the practice of scapegoating, and the organization of households become contemporary and immediate. Even theological themes--grace and discipleship, sin and forgiveness, crucifixion and resurrection--look different when take to the street. Accented by six powerful artworks from Christina Bray's exhibit Street Prayers/Spiritual Journeys, this book also sheds light on the problem of homelessness in America and calls the church to action. Through their reflection on personal experiences and their interpretation of biblical texts, Saunders and Campbell provide meaningful theological categories for addressing pressing social issues in the urban context, making The Word on the Street a helpful resource on the realities of poverty, race, and injustice. The Word on the Street? I'm not sure the Word can be proclaimed anywhere else. My response to this account is one of awe--and awe does not lend itself to our frail language. --Will D. Campbell This volume gives us theology that is both responsible and responsive. With inspiration and grace, Saunders and Campbell show us that when faith hits the streets, it takes on unjust systems and transforms human hearts. --Joyce Hollyday Stanley P. Saunders is Associate Professor of New Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary Charles L. Campbell is Peter Marshall Professor of Homiletics, Columbia Theological Seminary.

The post liberal, cultural-linguistic theology of the Yale School has been one of the most important theological developments in the United States during the latter twentieth century. In this unique book, which combines theological analysis and homiletical reflection, Charles Campbell examines post liberal theology as it is embodied in the work of Hans Frei and develops the implications of this theological position for the theory and practice of preaching. Arguing that the trouble with homiletics today is fundamentally theological, Campbell offers Frei's theological position as a means for enriching the Christian pulpit and renewing the church. Charles Campbell has given us a helpful book on preaching and the best study available of Hans Frei's theology. This is a book that anyone interested in Frei's thought needs to read, and it will lead many preachers who begin it with no interest in Frei to discover how much his way thinking about theology can help them in their task. --William C. Placher, Wabash College This book maps out an important intersection between the theology of the so-called Yale School and the life of mainstream Protestant churches. Campbell's book offers both an accessible guide to Hans Frei's theology and an approach to narrative preaching that has promise in addressing the challenge of building Christian community in contemporary Protestantism. --Amy Plantinga Pauw, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Finally A book that moves us beyond 'storytelling' in preaching. In Preaching Jesus Campbell takes the church's story seriously and discloses the revolutionary potential of preaching in a post liberal age. This is the most honest and helpful appraisal of narrative preaching that I know of. We have been waiting for this book and Campbell's exciting new proposals for many years. --Richard Lischer, Duke Divinity School In a crowded supermarket of junk food and homiletic 'lite' fare, Charles Campbell has brought us a nourishing gift--the solid meat of profound theological reflection on the task of preaching. . . . A rare and welcome book. --Thomas G. Long, Brandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology Charles L. Campbell is Peter Marshall Professor of Homiletics, Columbia Theological Seminary.

In this examination of the ethical significance of preaching, Charles Campbell provides both fresh insights into the relationship between preaching and ethics and a challenging moral vision for the contemporary church. Moving beyond a narrow focus on moral decision-making or social-issues sermons, Campbell argues that a particular ethic--nonviolent resistance--is inherent in the practice of preaching and shapes the moral life of the church. In the face of the powers, the fundamental ethical task of preaching involves building up the church as a community of resistance. Employing three dimensions of character ethics--vision, practices, and virtues--Campbell demonstrates the concrete ways in which preachers may undertake this task.

These twenty-two sermons from a master interpreter demonstrate how ancient texts can speak to the whole gamut of human experience even now. Included in Walter Brueggemann's preview are keen observations about the timeless issues of human life, both personal and social: the pain we face, often inflicted on each other; the use and abuse of power; the weakness and fragility of life; the redemptive power of faith; and much more.