Testimony Talking Ourselves into Being Christian [Paperback]

In this groundbreaking book, Thomas G. Long—a theologian and respected authority on preaching—explores how Christians talk when they are not in church. Testimony breaks the stained-glass image of religious language to show how ordinary talking in our everyday lives— talk across the backyard fence, talk with our kids, talk about politics and the events of the day—can be sacred speech. In a world of spin, slick marketing, mindless chatter, and easy deceptions, Testimony shows that the hunger for truthful, meaningful, and compassionate speech is ultimately grounded in truth about God.

Editor's Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xv

PART ONE: THE HUNGER FOR AUTHENTIC GOD TALK 1

Chapter 1 Talking Ourselves into Being Christian 3

Chapter 2 Can I Get a Witness? 21

Chapter 3 Sunday Words 39

PART TWO: TALKING THROUGH THE DAY 67

Chapter 4 First Light 69

Chapter 5 Walking the Walk, Talking the Talk 89

Chapter 6 Conversation over Lunch 109

Chapter 7 The Six O'Clock News 129

Chapter 8 Whispered Secrets and Bedtime Prayers 143

Epilogue A Last Word 157

Notes 159

The Author 167

Index 169

Thomas G. Long is Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He is a former pastor and associate editor of the Journal for Preachers. Long is the author of fourteen books.The Power of Speech as a Practice of Faith

This beautifully written book, which is full of graceful words for all the homely and holy moments of everyday Christian life, is not just for preachers. Every believer can deepen and exl!