In Unafraid, selections from nearly thirty years of timeless, straightforward sermons are grouped according to the church year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost) beginning with Christmas 1939. Reconstructed from Harald Ibsen's sermon notes by his daughter Joy, each sermon is followed by a listener's story (some autobiographical, some fictional) showing the relationship of the message to that person's life.
To experience "The Living Word" between pew and pulpit creates a heightened awareness of the critical dynamic between pastor and parishioner, teacher and student, author and reader.
The Ibsen sermons and the stories serve as a spiritual dialogue addressing questions such as: What is the truth about our lives? What is the main task of parenting? How does one respond to evil? Why do we continue to engage in warfare? Did God want Jesus (and now us) to suffer? How do we know when the Holy Spirit is present? What is the downfall of official religion?
Listeners' stories begin when the author, a "replacement child," is in her mother's womb, and extend to church members confronting huge personal issues: career choices, marriage difficulties, child-rearing problems, addiction, financial crises, war, terminal illness, grief, pride, jealousy, regret, loss of faith, etc. Thoughtful, honest interpretation of Scripture as it relates to everyday life is essential if we are to live in a community, "unafraid," enjoying "a simple life, a merry heart." What could be richer? At a time when church membership is dwindling and ethnic identity alternately wanes and flourishes, Unafraid increases awareness of the significance of the Church in the lives of its members.

Author - Harald Ibsen
Author - Joy M. Ibsen

"Harald is a Danish-American preacher of the last generation, fresh in his thought, puckish in his style, grounded in his faith. He offers here sermons that compel, even a generation later. Joy, his daughter, happily has rescued his sermons and offers them now as an effective witness with continuing contemporeneity. This intergenerational collusion of father and daughter makes available for us a testimony of faith that is light, knowing, hope-filled, and honest. Not often will old utterance continue with freshness. But it happens here! We may thank the daughter for letting us know her remarkable father. Harald was unafraid as an immigrant who lived in a venturesome way. He invites his listeners to be unafraid with him, even in a fear-producing society."
—Walter Brueggemann
Columbia Theological Seminary

"Unafraid is a powerful testimony to the richness of each individual's unique spiritual journey. I am mightily moved and impacted by the insightful sermons and the stories that follow. It is sure to elicit profound responses from everyone who reads it."
—Pastor Harry Andersen
Bishop Emeritus, Northern Great Lakes Synod, ELCA

"Reconstructing her father's sermons and imagining parishioners' responses, Joy Ibsen opens a window into worshippers' lives through the cycle of the church year . . . The dynamics of faith are illuminated by her combination of fact and fiction that underlay the intertwining of Scripture, proclamation, world events, and the stuff of daily life: illness and death, birth and hope, disappointments and satisfactions . . . Unafraid reminds readers-preachers and parishioners alike-that the gospel is rightly preached when it is heard and received: sometimes convicting, sometimes comforting, always bringing life.
—L. DeAne Lagerquist
St. Olaf College