To keep the Christian message relevant in our rapidly changing times, it's vital that churches come to terms with how modern technology and scientific knowledge have changed the way we understand the world. And because preaching is the church's primary mode of communication (especially with adults), it offers a significant opportunity to shape how we think about the larger questions of our existence.
One innovative way for preachers to address these concerns is through popular science fiction. Because many of the genre's stories deal with the impact of science and technology on individuals and cultures, they often have implicit religious implications. Pulpit Science Fiction is a fascinating collection of creative story sermons that shows how you can use elements drawn from science fiction to boldly proclaim the Christian faith. In addition to 14 imaginative "science fiction parables," a pair of essays are also included that illustrate how references to science fiction films and stories can be utilized in preaching.
George Murphy has extended Christian parable telling into the 21st century with a series of preachable stories. These engaging, sometimes poignant, and often provocative tales spotlight particular theological themes from scripture. Comments following each pulpit-tested story help to contextualize it in relation to literary sources and the liturgical year. This book is a remarkable gift to those charged with proclaiming the Word to that spacefaring species, Homo sapiens.
Jim Miller, Senior Program Associate
Program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion
American Association for the Advancement of Science
George L. Murphy is a graduate of Ohio University, Johns Hopkins University (where he earned a Ph.D. in physics), and Wartburg Theological Seminary. An adjunct faculty member at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Murphy is also a Lutheran pastor who now serves on the staff of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio. He has been widely published in both scientific and religious periodicals, and has received two awards from the Templeton Foundation for his papers on science and religion. Murphy is the author of Toward A Christian View Of A Scientific World and Cosmic Witness (CSS), The Trademark of God (Morehouse-Barlow), and The Cosmos in the Light of the Cross (Trinity Press International). He is also a member of the writing team for the online preaching resource The Immediate Word (www.csspub.com).
