The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the worship of the Christian Church: Volume 2 The Patristic Age

Reading & Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church #2

by Hughes Oliphant Old

The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church is a multivolume study by Hughes Oliphant Old that canvasses the history of preaching from the words of Moses at Mount Sinai through modern times. Volume 2, The Patristic Age, continues Old's historical survey by focusing on preaching as it was developed and practiced by the Greek schools of Alexandria and Antioch. Old then goes on to consider preaching in the Syriac church and the flourishing of Latin preaching in the Christian Empire; concluding with the ministries of Leo the Great, Peter Chrysologos and Gregory the Great.

Genres: History, Church History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old was the John H. Leith Professor of Reformed Theology and Worship at Erskine Theological Seminary and Dean of the Institute for Reformed Worship. He was a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and studied at the University of Tübingen, the Protestant Theological Faculty of Paris, the Institute Catholique of Paris, and the University of Basel. He completed a D. théol. at the University of Neuchâtel and was appointed a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey. His 18 years of pastoral ministry in two churches, combined with meticulous research, has informed his prolific publishing.

Reviews

[Ryan Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was helpful, but I wish preachers who write on the patristics would engage with more patristic scholarship. He repeats some conclusions that are wrong, and he shows a strong preference for Antiochene preachers over Alexandrian, but it’s still worth the read.

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a fascinating read. I continue to enjoy the Author's approach, which is quite positive, even when he points out areas in which the person (or practice) in question seems quite strange (even wrong) to our 21st Century ears. The Author does point out the weaknesses in the various Preachers that are covered, however I think he treats them quite fairly and does emphasise their strengths with far more effort.

My understanding of the 5th to 6th Centuries is far less than that of the time up until the mid 4th Century. So whilst this did have the renewal of "friendships" with Augustine, Jerome, Chrysostom and Basil - it included the beginning on new "friendships" with Cyril of Jerusalem, the Gregories (of Nyssa and Nazianzen) - and an appreciation of Leo the Great and Gregory the Great.

Whilst very much covering the topic of reading and preaching of Scripture, the Author takes the time to also delve into the development of Christian Liturgy, which makes sense as the reading and preaching of Scripture are very much a part of that - but also what we learn about emphasis within the Christian Calendar.

The Author also makes quite clear how much info we don't have - how many sermons from other references are missing - and not to mention how many fine Preachers are, for now at least, lost to history.

The book ends, with the Church adapting to the loss of Hebrew and Greek skills, and to the loss of Rhetoric and other speaking skills, and the desire to collect Sermons from those who had these skills so that such preaching would continue - even if it was only as read preaching.

Also quite well referenced for further study!

Looking forward to seeing where the Author goes in the next Volume! Highly recommended - but worth reading Volume 1 first :)

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd volume in the series continues this great work that is unmatched by any other resource. A scripture index would be helpful in future editions. Reading through this history helps one grasp the blossom of preaching styles, tactics, and traditions over the years. Surprisingly applicable to the 21st century pulpit...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It isn't super-scholarly, but it provides a good jumping-off point for further research and is very readable.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite helpful and formative to me in shaping my perspective on the task and method of preaching.

[Kevin Maples · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old gives a much needed detailed history of preaching in this series. His work fills in details that more succinct one-volume works were unable to include.