A Year of Grace, Volume 1: Collected Sermons of Advent through Pentecost

by Bo Giertz, Bror Erickson (Translator)

These sermons are taken from various stages in Bo Giertz pastoral career, from his time as a parish pastor, his time as a bishop, and his time in retirement. He adapted the homiletical style of Henric Schartau (whose homiletical style informs the novel “The Hammer of God”). Schartau would preach in a manner that expounded on the text before applying it to people who might find themselves in three different spiritual conditions, sometimes this is referred to as an Ordo Salutis. These three would be that of an unbeliever, a newly awakened Christian or young believer, and that of a mature believer. This has met with some controversy over the years as it was often identified with pietism, however Bo Giertz is aware of the pitfalls of this approach and turns the method in a matter that emphasizes the strengths. When it comes to the order of grace, Bo Giertz would say that it is not the order that matters but the grace.

252 pages, Paperback

Published May 8, 2020

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this book so unputdownable is not the dazzling beauty of its rhetoric, the orthodoxy of its message, or the practicality of its application to our lives. It indeed displays all those qualities, in spades. Its language sparkles with verbal charm. The scriptures saturate each sermon. Giertz consistently bridges the gap between the biblical world and ours. But what keeps me reading is this: I hear the voice of a true shepherd in these pages. Here is a pastor who is not out merely to impress me with his verbal skills, or his theological IQ, or to establish some sort of spiritual street cred. He truly cares about the souls of those entrusted to him. He will not wink at sin nor will he leave us under the burden of its weight. Over and over, he presses us into Christ, where grace and life abound. If you want to hear how a true shepherd of Christ preaches, then A Year of Grace is the book for you.

[Jeremiah Gumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable collection of sermons by Swedish Lutheran pastor and bishop, Bo Giertz. Bror Erickson provides an immensely readable translation of the original. This volume covers sermons from Advent to Pentecost--and serves as a rich devotional resource that allows the reader to savor the grace of God.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't read these sermons quickly. Enjoyed savoring his phrasology and his insights. Each sermon is delightful and I want to re-read them.

[Jim Hagemn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Giertz is fantastic; this book is no exception. Great wisdom found here. Also a great transition. Buy and read this book!

[Chris Hulshof · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of sermons by Bo Giertz that follows the liturgical calendar. Each one makes for good reading on a Sunday afternoon or evening. Giertz has the ability to be both pastoral and devotional in these sermons. In doing so, he clearly draws the reader back to the hope and encouragement found only in Jesus Christ crucified for you. An excellent companion volume if your church follows the liturgical calendar (or if you follow it in your own study of God’s Word).