Preaching through the Hard Texts
A Pastor's Guide to Faithful Proclamation of Scripture's Most Difficult Passages
Dear Fellow Pastors,
We are excited to introduce you to one of the most dynamic books on preaching that has been published in decades — PREACHING THROUGH THE HARD TEXTS: A Pastor’s Guide to Faithful Proclamation of Scripture’s Most Difficult Passages.
"This enlightening volume should be placed in the hands of every Bible College and Seminary Homiletics student!"
Every pastor eventually encounters passages they would rather avoid—texts that are difficult to interpret, uncomfortable to explain, or controversial to address.
But faithful preaching does not skip what God has spoken.
Preaching Through the Hard Texts equips pastors to approach Scripture’s most challenging passages with clarity, conviction, and pastoral wisdom. Drawing on more than three decades of ministry experience, Barry L. Davis provides a practical framework for understanding why certain texts are difficult—and how to preach them without compromise or confusion.
This book will help you:
Diagnose the real challenge behind difficult passages
Preach truth without softening or sidestepping
Navigate cultural tension with biblical clarity
Shepherd your congregation through hard truths with grace
If you are committed to proclaiming the whole counsel of God, this resource will strengthen both your study and your pulpit.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION: THE COST OF AVOIDANCE
PART ONE: KNOW YOUR TEXT BEFORE YOU PREACH YOUR TEXT
CHAPTER ONE: NOT ALL HARD TEXTS ARE HARD FOR THE SAME REASON
CHAPTER TWO: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HARD TEXT AND A MISREAD TEXT
CHAPTER THREE: WHO IS IN THE ROOM?
PART TWO: THE PRINCIPLES
CHAPTER FOUR: THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD
CHAPTER FIVE: LET THE TEXT SET THE AGENDA
CHAPTER SIX: SAY IT’S HARD
CHAPTER SEVEN: DISTINGUISH THE TEXT’S OFFENSE FROM YOUR DISCOMFORT
CHAPTER EIGHT: PREACH TOWARD TRUST, NOT JUST UNDERSTANDING
PART THREE: PREACHING THE CATEGORIES
CHAPTER NINE: PREACHING EXEGETICALLY DIFFICULT TEXTS
CHAPTER TEN: PREACHING THEOLOGICALLY UNCOMFORTABLE TEXTS
CHAPTER ELEVEN: PREACHING CULTURALLY CONTROVERSIAL TEXTS
CHAPTER TWELVE: PREACHING HISTORICALLY TROUBLING TEXTS
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: PREACHING PERSONALLY PAINFUL TEXTS
PART FOUR: THE CRAFT OF HARD PREACHING
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: WRITING THE HARD SERMON
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: DELIVERING THE HARD SERMON
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: AFTER THE HARD SERMON
EPILOGUE: A WORD BEFORE YOU GO BACK TO THE STUDY
APPENDIX A: THIRTY HARD TEXTS: A QUICK-REFERENCE GUIDE
APPENDIX B: THE HARD SERMON PREPARATION CHECKLIST
APPENDIX C: A CURATED BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR FURTHER STUDY