Lutheran theologian and scholar Dr. Dean Nadasdy advocates for the artfulness of preaching in The Beautiful Sermon: Image and the Aesthetics of Preaching, the first title in The Conversations in Preaching Series from Concordia Seminary Press, the publishing arm of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

“Each book in the series will take up one topic relevant to the preaching task and begin a conversation. At the heart of the conversation will be a Lutheran sensibility of preaching,” said Dr. David Schmitt, the editor of the series and the Seminary’s Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Professor of Homiletics and Literature. “Preaching is the authoritative public proclamation of the faith, normed and guided by the Scriptures, centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ for forgiveness, life and salvation, for the benefit of the hearers in their relationship to God and to others.”

In The Beautiful Sermon, Nadasdy sets preaching in the context of aesthetic theology. He highlights preachers who have contributed significantly to aesthetic theology such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther and Jonathan Edwards. Nadasdy explores seven elements that contribute to the beautiful sermon and the various approaches to using images in preaching. He includes three sermons, with commentary, to illustrate the power of imagery in sermons to carry truth and provide beauty. Throughout the book, beautiful works of art are included to display their powerful impact on preaching.

“It’s exciting to see the first book in The Conversations in Preaching Series come to fruition,” said Dr. Erik Herrmann, dean of Theological Research and Publication. “It’s our prayer that this series will be another helpful resource for busy pastors and will aid their growth in preaching.”

The Conversations in Preaching Series was introduced during Concordia Seminary’s 31st Annual Theological Symposium in September 2021, and is made possible by The J. Ernest and Elsie Schneider Endowment for Excellence in Relevant Preaching at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

The Beautiful Sermon is available in paperback for $19.95 at the Seminary’s online Campus Store, cph.org and on Amazon.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.