The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures, Vol. 2: Patristic Age

“Ecumenical in breadth, magisterial in authority, and pastoral in intentionality, Hughes Oliphant Old's multivolume history of preaching is a landmark in American intellectual history. Old views preaching as an act of worship, and his own prodigious scholarship likewise stands in service to God. Old has bequeathed to the church of the twenty-first century the definitive history of preaching, a spiritual feast for scholars and preachers alike for years and years to come.”

“I consider the work of Hughes Oliphant Old to be most timely. The current unfortunate trend to dumb down worship with less Scripture and with popular topical sermons needs the corrective offered in this comprehensive and readable work.”

“Studying these volumes is like walking around a great cathedral. Every section, however distinctive, unites in a grand design whose aim is to restore preaching to its rightful place. This is easily the best history of preaching ever written, one that will serve generations of those whose faith comes by hearing. But far more, this work is the best defense of preaching available: it proves that in every era, though with astonishing variety, the ministry of the Word is central to the worship of God.”