Sermons: Biblical Wisdom For Daily Living

by Peter J. Gomes, Henry L Gates

The man Time magazine hailed as one of America's finest preachers presents a collection of forty timeless addresses to guide us through the year. With his characteristic eloquence and compassion, quoting from scripture as well as from T.S. Eliot and Woody Allen, Gomes offers us the tools we need to understand the wisdom of the Bible and the joy and inspiration it can bring to everyday life.

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Born May 22, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts from Cape Verdean parents, Gomes graduated from Bates College in 1965 and Harvard Divinity School in 1968. He also spent time at the University of Cambridge and is now an Honorary Fellow of Emmanuel College, where The Gomes Lectureship is established in his name. Gomes was ordained as an American Baptist minister by the First Baptist Church of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1968. Gomes remains a member of First Baptist and occasionally preaches there. Since 1970, he has served in the Memorial Church of Harvard University; and since 1974 as Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church. Also at Harvard, he serves as faculty adviser of The Harvard Ichthus. Gomes is a leading expert on early American religion. He has been a visiting professor at Duke University as well as UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2008 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Westfield State College.

Widely regarded as one of America’s most distinguished preachers, Professor Gomes has fulfilled preaching and lecturing engagements throughout the United States and Great Britain. He was named Clergy of the Year in 1998 by Religion and American Life. His New York Times and national best-selling books, The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart and Sermons, the Book of Wisdom for Daily Living, were published by William Morrow & Company. He has published in total ten volumes of sermons, as well as numerous articles and papers.

His most recent work, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, includes extensive commentary and observation on the interrelations of Church and State throughout history and particularly in recent US history. On September 15, 2008 he appeared on The Colbert Report to promote his book. During this interview, he also states that he was baptized Catholic and claims gospels are "a dime a dozen."

Gomes surprised many when he revealed in 1991 that he is gay, and has since become an advocate for wider acceptance of homosexuality in American society. However, he has stated that he has remained celibate.

A lifelong Republican, Gomes offered prayers at the inaugurals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. However, in August 2006 he moved his registration to Democrat, supporting the gubernatorial candidacy of Deval Patrick, who would later become the first African-American elected governor of Massachusetts. (Gomes, 2006) In 2008 Henry Louis Gates featured Gomes and his family on the PBS documentary African American Lives 2. A DNA test showed that Gomes is related to the Fulani, Tikar, and Hausa peoples of West Africa. Gomes is also descended from Portuguese Jews through his paternal grandfather who was born in the Cape Verde Islands

Reviews

[Kerith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way this guy talks. He says things and I think, why yes, that's the way I feel too! We certainly do read to know we are not alone, thank you, Mr. Lewis.
The part of the book followed the church year from Advent to Trinity Sunday. It would be fun to read along that way, though Ordinary Time leaves quite a gap. The best part, though, were the themed sermons in the second half.
The one on friendship was especially my favorite. It quoted from Ecclesiasticus on how a man who fears the Lord keeps his friendships in good repair. I got choked up remembering friends who I feel I've lost and wishing I could repair the friendship. He kind of answered that question in me of why I feel I can't let go of some people as friends - because I wanted to keep that friendship in good repair even if they didn't. And it takes two, and it is hard. So I feel lost but comforted.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this collection of sermons. They were refreshing and uplifting.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy this kind of book.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sermons that first consider seasons and then themes.
Each of this invites you to consider ideas and reflect on possibilities. I am particularly fond of Riches and Get Out of the Way.

[Michael Nitsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Especially good:

Riches -- A reading of the rich young man from Matthew. He is good, very good, not the easily scorned yuppie we tend to make him.

Life on the other side -- Fishing resurrection story from John. Post-resurrection life can be experienced here on earth, before death; it is a remaking of our life, effected by casting our net on the other side, the side untried, the side directed by and found in Christ

Redeeming the Time

Wisdom and the Wise

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. Each little four or five page sermon contains gems such as "God continues to inject himself into this world where he is both needed and not wanted". Or "God saves us in spite of ourselves because of himself". Reading these sermons is a great way to begin or to end a day.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This contains the first good explanation of the parable of the talents for me.