Homiletical Plagiarism Is Nothing New

Much has been written in recent years about the issue of plagiarism in preaching. So it’s helpful to recognize this is hardly a new issue. About 1330, the Franciscan monk John of Werden offered a compilation of sermons called Dormi Secure. The full title means, “Sleep soundly, and don’t worry about your sermon tomorrow; there are plenty to choose from in this book.” There must have been a lot of sound sleepers among the clergy of that day, because the collection grew into 25 printed editions before the year 1500. (Charles Smyth, The Art of Preaching 747-1939)