Chrysostom: and "The Problem with Evangelical Theologies"

In the links to the homilies in the Propers (collect, eptistle, and Gospel) sent out each holy day and Sunday for the past several months, I've placed an homily by John "Golden Throat" Chrysostom [ca 400AD] Bishop of Constantinople, whenever available.  Chrysostom is probably the most respected preacher of the Church. 

 

 

 

I came across this article where the author of a new book speaks highly of returning to Chrysostom's style today: The Problem with Evangelical Theologies by Ben Witherington II

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/011/23.66.html

 

Here is his bottom line recommendation about returning to ancient form of exegesis and approach to the scriptures and preaching.

 

Christianity Today Q: Naturally, you argue that this requires a fresh approach to reading and interpreting the Bible. Who are some pre-Enlightenment interpreters of the Bible who are models of good exegesis for us today?
Witherington A: Some of the Antiochian fathers would be good—Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory Nazianzus, for example. But if there's one person who seems to be in touch with the original Greek and rhetorical ethos of the New Testament and especially Paul, that would be John Chrysostom. I'm thankful that we've got some wonderful new studies on Chrysostom as an exegete and a theologian (like Margaret Mitchell's The Heavenly Trumpet, which helps us appreciate his numerous homilies on the New Testament). In contrast to the Latin Fathers, like Augustine, he is very much in touch with the living language of the Greek text. He is able to resonate with it, to pick up the rhetorical signals, the cultural signals, and understand the trajectory of the theology and ethics being taught.

 

If any would like to go back and read the homilies, you can find them listed the Order's Sermon page here http://www.orderofcenturions.org/sermons.html,  Holy days not in the table are listed below it. We began the Chrysostom series on Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

 

Mark