Spring 2019/Fuller Online

PR500

Tweitmann

PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Chris Tweitmann.

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DESCRIPTION: This course PR500 introduces students to the theology and practice of preaching as an integrating focus that draws from and informs the whole Master of Divinity curriculum. Preaching is taught and learned within an extended conversation between students and the professor which is shaped by the calling of the church to proclaim the Word of God in service of God’s mission. Preaching is addressed as an act of congregational worship, and as a means by which the diverse gifts and ministries of God’s people bear witness to God’s reign in and for the world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students willhave demonstrated (1) competence in biblical interpretation through faithful use of the whole canon of Scripture in proclaiming the gospel;(2) capacities for engaging listeners through preaching as a formative activity within the context of worship;(3) an understanding of how the theology of the Church and its historical developments, including the practice of preaching, inform the proclamation of the gospel in the present; and (4) competence in preaching as a theologically reflective practice that serves the Church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in the whole of life.

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 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, peer review groups consisting of 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: 848 pp. of required reading.

Brown, Sally, and Luke Powery. Ways of the Word. Fortress Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0800699222, Pub. Price $34.00 Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [250 pp.].

Kim, Matthew D. Preaching with Cultural Intelligence: Understanding the People Who Hear Our Sermons. Baker Academic, 2017. ISBN: 978-0801049620, Pub. Price $22.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [218 pp. assigned].

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, 3rd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664261429, Pub. Price $30.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [240 pp.].

Lowry, Eugene. The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form (Expanded Edition). Westminster John Knox, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664222642, Pub. Price $22.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [140 pp. assigned]

RECOMMENDED READING:

Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Harper and Row, 1977. ISBN: 978-0060611569, Pub. Price $17.99 [112 pp.].

Childers, Jana, ed.Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process.Chalice, 2001. ISBN: 978-0827202306, Pub. Price $28.99 [224 pp.]. The essays in this book, from Jana and eleven other distinguished women, focus on the creative process itself instead of formulas when it comes to preaching.

Gonzalez, J. L., and P. A. Jimenez.Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching.Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $22.99 [152 pp.]. Addresses the distinctive issues and unique character of preaching in the Hispanic congregation as well as the important historical, theoretical, and methodological issues in Hispanic homiletics.

Keller, Timothy. Preaching: Communicating Faith In An Age Of Skepticism. Penguin Books, 2016. ISBN: 978-0143108719, Pub. Price $16.00 [320 pp.]. Explores the call and the task of preaching by considering how preaching serves the Word of God, actually reaches people, and becomes a demonstration of the authority and power of the Holy Spirit.

Kim, Eunjoo Mary.Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian American Perspective.Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817013035, Pub. Price $14.99 [160 pp.]. Considers how preaching is constructed, understood, and interpreted from an Asian American perspective – both as a listener and a preacher. Emphasis is on stresses a dialogical and dialectical approach between the preacher and the congregation.

LaRue, Cleophus J.I Believe I’ll Testify: The Art of African American Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664236779, Pub. Price $20.00 [144 pp.]. Celebrates and offers several homiletic insights and tools borne out of the African American preaching tradition.

Long, Thomas G.Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible. Fortress Press, 1989. ISBN:978-0800623135, Pub. Price $23.00 [148 pp.]. Examines the diverse literary genres of biblical literature (narrative; psalm, wisdom, epistle) and demonstrates how the literary forms and dynamics of both the genre and the text should guide and influence the crafting of the sermon.

Massey, James Earl. Stewards of the Story: The Task of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2006. ISBN: 978-0664229818, Pub. Price $20.00 [126 pp.]. Considers the four factors that ought to influence the preparation and delivery of the sermon: the recital of the biblical narratives; the rhetorical demand for recasting the biblical message for our own time; the ritual setting in which preaching takes place, and the realities that inform us for preaching.

Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr. Not The Way It's Supposed To Be: A Breviary of Sin. Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 978-0802842183, Pub. Price $22.00 [216 pp.]. Communicating the fullness and depth of the answer of the Gospel is contingent upon a robust and thorough diagnosis of the problem of sin. Plantinga explores with detail and nuance the nature of sin as well as the dynamics of sin in the context of grace and shalom and in so doing offers a resource for holistic sermon preparation and delivery.

Tisdale, Lenora Tubbs. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Fortress, 1997. ISBN: 978-0800627737, Pub. Price $24.00 [176 pp.]. Stresses and models the importance of faithfully exegeting the congregation to whom the sermon will be delivered as well as exegeting the biblical text.

Wilson, Paul Scott. The Four Pages of the Sermon: a Guide to Biblical Preaching. Abingdon, 1999. ISBN: 978-0687023950, Pub. Price $28.99 [278 pp.]. Offers a helpful method of sermon design imagining four distinct moves organized in a chiastic structure (a, b, b', a'): a) the world (problem), b) the text (problem), b') the text (solution) and a')the world (solution).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Approximately 750-850 pages of required reading and instructional videos (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4]. [50 hours].
2. By Thursday of Week 1, record via video and upload to Canvas a 5 – 10 minute presentation – a “preaching autobiography”: 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 (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [5 hours].
3. Participate in all online course activities, including but not limited to a weekly community discussion question, and the peer review groups for sermon feedback. (15%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [30 hours].
4. Prepare and preach sermon #1 and 2 with exegetical notes and self-assessment (2 parts). (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 (15% each, 30% total). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [30 hours].
5. Preach sermon #3 (2 parts): Part I: Prepare and preach a sermon and write a final reflective essay: (a) 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. (b) Preach the sermon as assigned. Part II: Record via video and upload to Canvas a 10 minute presentation that reflects theologically on 1) the student’s overall work and improvement in the course and continued areas of growth and focus, 2) the student’s learning about his or her strengths and growth edges as a preacher as well as what is distinct about the student’s particular voice and perspective in preaching, 3) how has the student’s understanding of the Gospel been changed, widened, or reinforced, particularly in terms of the moral, social, and cultural issues or injustices within the student’s particular community 4) where does the student sense the Spirit leading you to develop, pursue, and share the gift of preaching – in what particular theological, social, economic, or cultural setting. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [35 hours].
6. Interview two ordained and active preachers (one from within your church home or background and one outside of your church background). Prepare, record via video and upload to Canvas, a critical summary comparing, contrasting and reflecting upon their answers to the following questions: 1) Describe your weekly schedule and basic steps for sermon preparation. 2) What is your theology and style of preaching? 3) How does the cultural context of your community and local neighborhood as well as national and international issues inform your preaching? 4) What is the greatest frustration/burden for you in preaching? 5) What are the most important lessons you have learned from your years of preaching? 6) What advice would you give me so that I can become an effective preacher? (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3 & 4] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502. 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: Meets Homiletics requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the Worship, Preaching, and Communication requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). Meets the core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) in the 144 MDiv Program and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA Programs

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.