Holding up Paul as a model for contemporary pastors and seminarians, Knowles sheds light on the apostle's theology of preaching in this careful examination of 2 Corinthians 1:1--6:13. Paul's hallmark themes of Christ crucified and resurrected reflected his own cross-centered vision; informed and shaped his message; and led to the spiritual transformation of his hearers.

Michael P. Knowles (Th.D., Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) is the G. F. Hurlburt Chair of Preaching at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario. He previously served as a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada and is the author of numerous articles in scholarly publications.

"Michael Knowles has brought together homiletics and New Testament interpretation in a stimulating and delightful way. It is refreshing to read the work of one who is well trained in exegesis and criticism on the one hand, and well practiced in preaching and communication on the other. We Preach Not Ourselves makes several original and insightful observations and will be read with appreciation by New Testament interpreters and clergy alike. It is highly recommended."--Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College

"Today 'successful' preachers are often those whose broad smiles and upbeat personalities radiate the optimistic belief that the faithful can expect lives stuffed with goodness and happiness. The Apostle Paul viewed preachers and preaching quite differently, and in this compelling book Michael Knowles reminds us why. The faithful preacher proclaims a crucified Savior from the context of a life and ministry touched by sorrows and acquainted with grief. The cruciform preacher may not embody happiness as society defines it, but like Paul himself, such a preacher is transparent to the Savior by whose wounds we are healed."--Scott Hoezee, The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Calvin Theological Seminary

"We Preach Not Ourselves is really two books seamlessly woven into one rich tapestry: a theological-spiritual commentary on the first half of 2 Corinthians and a spirituality of preaching for the twenty-first century. Michael Knowles insightfully demonstrates how Paul the preacher creatively embodies, describes, and applies the life-giving cruciform pattern of Christ the Lord. Paul's counterintuitive spirituality is a needed corrective today as much as it was in first-century Corinth; every preacher should wrestle with this bold and provocative book."--Michael J. Gorman, The Ecumenical Institute of Theology, St. Mary's Seminary & University

"Michael Knowles's incisive recovery of Paul's theology of ministry is an important, even risky, reminder of our cruciform--'Christoform'--identity in the midst of a consumer culture that constantly threatens to deform our mission and message according to its own standards for success. This is a thoroughly humiliating read for preachers, in the most transformative sense of the word."--Andre Resner, professor of homiletics and church worship, Hood Theological Seminary

The Apostle Paul was an effective and faithful preacher, one to whom pastors and seminarians can look as a model. Paul preached Christ crucified and Christ resurrected. But these two key themes provided more than just the content for Paul's preaching; they also provided the shape for how Paul viewed and went about the task of preaching. That is to say, Paul's proclamation arose out of and indeed modeled a cruciform spirituality. This cruciform posture in preaching led to the spiritual transformation of both Paul and his hearers. It is this vision of spirituality, rather than a particular rhetorical strategy, that lies at the heart of effective, faithful, gospel-centered preaching that transforms lives.

We Preach Not Ourselves employs a close study of 2 Corinthians 1:1-6:13 to shed light on Paul's theology of preaching. Further, it demonstrates that Paul indeed practiced what he preached. The reflections are based in solid exegesis and are informed by the struggles and concerns of one who has occupied the pulpit. An excellent text for homiletics courses, it will prove helpful in courses on 2 Corinthians and will also be of interest to Pauline scholars and students.

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