Summer 2020/Fuller Online

PR540

O'Lynn

PR540: PREACHING WISDOM LITERATURE (4 Units: 160 hours). Rob O’Lynn.

DESCRIPTION: PR540 is designed as a 4-unit elective in preaching that follows PR500 in the sequence of required preaching courses. This course focuses upon preaching and biblical Wisdom Literature. The course provides students with an opportunity to work the “Developing” and “Mastery” levels of competence by preparing, preaching, listening to, responding to, and assessing sermons on biblical Wisdom Literature as a class. Instructors lead students through the following steps: assessing one’s prior preaching experience; setting personal goals for the class; preparing and preaching sermons; receiving feedback on sermons and engaging in self - assessment; making specific plans for continued growth and improvement; reflecting on one’s experience during the class; setting goals for continued learning and growth in preaching after completion of the class.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course students will have demonstrated (1) competence in preaching from biblical Wisdom Literature; (2) capacities for engaging listeners in preaching as a formative activity in the context of worship; (3) be able to reflect liturgically, historically and theologically on biblical Wisdom Literature; and (4) competence in preaching as a theologically reflective practice that serves the Church’s vocation of proclaiming the gospel in the whole of life.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will address the content and interpretation of the OT/NT in its historical and contemporary context, which is consistent with MDiv PLO 1: “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” and MDiv PLO 3: “Students will have demonstrated capacities for being theologically reflective practitioners for Christian ministries.”

COURSE FORMAT: The class is conducted online for the equivalent of 40 instructional hours (160 total hours of course work) and includes posts and video presentations by the professor, class discussion, individual and collaborative learning activities, required reading and written responses, and the preparation and preaching of three (3) sermons to listening groups comprising a minimum of 5 members. Sermons address the particular contexts of listening groups and are videoed and posted on the class Canvas site. Students receive feedback, evaluative comments, and guidance for continued learning and development from the listening group, class members, and the professor. Students engage in self - assessment and reflection after preaching each sermon. In addition to online discussions following each sermon, students have the opportunity to consult individually with the professor through a variety of venues.

REQUIRED READING: 677 pages required

Bland, Dave, and David Fleer, ed. Preaching Character: Reclaiming Wisdom's Paradigmatic Imagination for Transformation. Abilene Christian University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0891125440, $22.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [235 pp assigned].

Clifford, Richard J. The Wisdom Literature. Interpreting Biblical Texts. Abingdon Press, 1998. ISBN: 978-0687008469, $25.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [120 pp assigned].

McKenzie, Alyce. Preaching Biblical Wisdom in a Self-Help Society. Abingdon Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0687090501, $25.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [192 pp assigned].

O’Connor, Kathleen. The Wisdom Literature. Message of Biblical Spirituality 5. Liturgical Press, 1990. ISBN: 978-0814655719, $24.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [130 pp assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING: It is recommended that the student have access to good commentary resources relevant to the study of the Wisdom Literature, such as the following:

Bland, Dave L. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. College Press NIV Commentary. College Press Publishing Co., 2002.

Davis, Ellen F. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Westminster Bible Companion. Westminster John Knox Press, 2000.

Hartley, John E. The Book of Job. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1998.

Murphy, Roland E., and Elizabeth Huwiler. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Understanding the Bible Commentary, Old Testament Series 12. Baker Books, 2012.

Wharton, James A. Job. Westminster Bible Companion. Westminster John Knox Press, 1999.

Wilson, Gerald H. Job. Understanding the Bible Commentary, Old Testament Series 10. Baker Books, 2012.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

The student will complete 677 pages of required reading (10%). Comprehension and integration of the required reading will be assessed through weekly discussion boards where the student will respond to questions posed by the Instructor (see assignment # 4 below for more details). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].
The student will attend and participate in class, including the practicum component (17%). Comprehension and integration of the provided lecture material will be assessed through weekly discussion boards where the student will complete exercises andor sermon evaluations provided by the Instructor [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].
The student will craft a Preaching Autobiography (3%). Write a 900-word “preaching autobiography” at the beginning of the course describing: 1) the student’s experience and perceptions of preaching - as a preacher, listener, and participant in communities of faith; 2) the student’s hopes and goals for the class; 3) the student’s sense of calling to the ministry of the Word in service of God’s mission. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [4 hours].
The student will prepare and preach sermon #1 and 2 with exegetical notes and self-assessment (20% each, 40% total). Students are required to complete the following: (a) Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context (s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.]. Preaching will include sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Complete a homiletic self - assessment that sets specific goals for continuing improvement and growth in preparing and preaching sermons. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [36 hours]. Assignments 3 and 4 should total at least 60% of the final grade.

5.The student will complete the Signature Assignment — Preach sermon #3 (30%). Students are required to complete the following 2-part assignment: (a) Prepare and preach a sermon and write a reflective essay. Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context (s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.] Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Write a 900-word assessment that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s vocational plans for serving the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life. It should address what Is distinct about the student's particular voice and perspective and Identify moral, social, and cultural Injustices within the student's particular community that are addressed by the proclamation of the gospel. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 4] [40 hours].

PREREQUISITES: PR500. It is recommended that students take preaching courses towards the end of their program. Students must be able to gather a listening group of at least 5 people for each sermon that will be delivered.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the P1 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.