Preaching and Paganism

This scholarly work offers a measured meditation on how Christian preaching confronts a world where ancient pagan ideas and modern secular thought increasingly intersect. Written by a seasoned professor of the history of religion, the volume situates its inquiry within a historic lecture series, aiming to revive forgotten spiritual emphases that have slipped from contemporary consciousness. Tracing the evolution of ministry—from medieval robed hierarchs to the ethical idealists of the Enlightenment—the author shows how each era reshapes the preacher’s role to meet the shifting needs of society.

The opening chapter frames the minister as learner, doer, and seer, questioning which figure is most vital in today’s cultural landscape. Drawing on thinkers such as Irving Babbitt and the debates surrounding naturalism, the book examines the rise of individualism, subjectivism, and the lingering allure of pagan symbolism. By linking historical patterns to present challenges, it invites both scholars and practicing believers to reconsider how preaching might speak meaningfully to a changing civilization.