Reviews of Unafraid (Original 1st Edition)
 Walter Brueggemann
"Harald is a Danish-American preacher of the last generation, fresh in his thought, puckish in his style, grounded in his faith. He offers here sermons that compel, even a generation later. Joy, his daughter, happily has rescued his sermons and offers them now as an effective witness with continuing contemporeneity. This intergenerational collusion of father and daughter makes available for us a testimony of faith that is light, knowing, hope-filled and honest. Not often will old utterance continue with freshness. But it happens here! We may thank the daughter for letting us know her remarkable father. Harald was unafraid as an immigrant who lived in a venturesome way. He invites his listeners to be unafraid with him, even in a fear-producing society."
Walter Brueggemann Columbia Theological Seminary March 31, 2009  Marcus Borg
"A pleasure to read, insightful, and often moving, Ibsen's father's sermons and her own wonderfully written thoughts have become part of my daily devotional reading."
Marcus Borg |
 L. DeAne Lagerquist
"Reconstructing her father’s sermons and imagining parishioners’ responses Joy Ibsen opens a window into worshippers’ lives through the cycle of the church year and in several decades. The dynamics of faith are illuminated by her combination of fact and fiction that under lays the intertwining of scripture, proclamation, world events, and the stuff of daily life: illness and death, birth and hope, disappointments and satisfactions. Pastor Harald Ibsen’s sermons demonstrate that Grundtvigian happiness was not blind to sorrow or suffering or social ills, but neither was it defeated by such trials. Reflections from his hearers bring the gospel into the realities of farm life, child rearing, marriage, and disease. Unafraid reminds readers - preachers and parishioners alike - that the gospel is rightly preached when it is heard and received: sometimes convicting, sometimes comforting, always bringing life."
L. DeAne Lagerquist St. Olaf College April 13, 2009  Harry Andersen
" Unafraid is a powerful testimony to the richness of each individual’s unique spiritual journey. I am mightily moved and impacted by the insightful sermons and the stories that follow. It is sure to elicit profound responses from everyone who reads it.”.
Pastor Harry Andersen Bishop Emeritus Northern Great Lakes Synod, ELCA |