The Voice of the Bridegroom
Preaching as an Expression of Spousal Love
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
Preaching is a relational act. This book explores the relationship between the preacher and the assembly as a spousal relationship. Written by a parish pastor with a doctorate in preaching and rooted in the Roman Catholic notion of the priest as bridegroom of the church, this work examines characteristics of the spousal relationship between husband and wife and then provides an analysis of the ministerial priesthood through this nuptial lens. This nuptial reflection on the ministerial priesthood is then applied to preaching. This book presents a nuptial hermeneutic or vision for preaching and the implications of this vision for the assembly, the preacher, the homily, and the homiletical method. The appendices include a one-page strategy for preaching summarizing the homiletical method, a rubric for homily evaluation by members of the assembly, and two sample homilies.
Benjamin A. Roberts is a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, holds a doctorate in preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology, and serves as an adjunct professor of theology for Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.
“Pastors who thrive in the priesthood often remark that they do so in the context of healthy, generative relationships with their parishioners. But when the pastoral honeymoon has passed, pastors can crash into depression and burnout. To keep priesthood alive, pastor-scholar Fr. Benjamin Roberts invites pastors to embrace their ecclesial espousal to the people. Over the long term of a lifegiving and generative pastorate, preaching can model Christ’s love incarnate in both priest and people.”
—Gregory Heille, OP, professor of preaching and theology, Aquinas Institute of Theology
“Fr. Roberts has provided a much-needed resource in the field of homiletics, presenting the discipline as a theological exercise flowing from the relationship between the preacher and the people. The Voice of the Bridegroom is not a ‘how to,’ but rather a ‘for whom’ approach to preaching, with the self-gift of the preacher at the center. It is sure to become a standard seminary text.”
—Carmina Chapp, program director, Online Theology Programs, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
“Fr. Roberts is a skilled homiletician and experienced pastor whose passion is inspiring and supporting other pastors as they preach within a community of faith. He places the theology of marriage and the theology of preaching into a rich and fruitful conversation, inviting communities to see the act of preaching as a long-term, loving, and faithful partnership.”
—Susan Fleming McGurgan, director, Lay Ecclesial Formation, Mount St. Mary’s School of Theology