Books

Sermons of Frederick Buechner

Secrets in the Dark

Frederick Buechner’s new book will rightfully win a spot on any Buechner-phile’s bookshelf. But a true Buechner-phile will already have the contents of this book, since it is a consolidation of sermons and writings he’s already published. We forgive him. We have to. He’s running out of dreams and regrets.

SECRETS IN THE DARK:A Life in Sermonsby Frederick BuechnerHarperSanFrancisco320 pp.; $24.95

The reader in any case will benefit from this collection, as it lends words and illustrations as only Buechner can express them. A personal favorite arises from his sermon titled “A Sprig of Hope.” Referring to Noah and the building of the ark, Buechner writes, “His thoughts, one imagines, were of water.” The chaos of the moment, he adds, “was no greater than it has ever been. Only wetter.”

He concludes: “We must build our arks with love and ride out the storm with courage and know that the little sprig of green in the dove’s mouth betokens a reality beyond the storm.”

Here is my sprig: Mr. Buechner, what we really want is that defining, yet unwritten book that sleeps silently within you. Write it with courage. Be Noah. Save us from the flood. You might save yourself, too.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Secrets in the Dark is available from Christianbook.com and other book retailers.

CT profiled Frederick Buechner in 2003. Other articles on Buechner include:

Frederick Buechner’s Sacred Journey | How one writer and minister has made a career of telling others about moments of holy insight. (March 7, 2003)

Speak What We Feel | Frederick Buechner’s latest book is one of his best. (July 29, 2002)

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

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Inside C.S. Lewis's Toolbox

Embrace Your Inner Pentecostal

China's New Legal Eagles

Spiritual Classics

Class Warfare

What Happened to Religion in Canada?

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The Call of Samuel

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The Whole Word for the Whole World

Jeffrey Dahmer's Story of Faith

For Shame?

Christ's Story

Postcard from Africa

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God's Will in the Public Square

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Theology for an Age of Terror

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The New Missions Generation

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Nicholas Kristof on Evangelicals, China, and Human Rights

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We're Not Spectators

Bygone Protests

Two Degrees of Separation

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Thinking Straight

Echoes and Voices from Beyond

How to Create Cynics

Estranged Bedfellows

The Problem with Prophets

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Pluralist Impotence

Dr. Willard's Diagnosis

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