Winter 2020/Pasadena

PR500

Lamb

PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Lisa Washington Lamb.

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.

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: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion. The course combines instruction, reading and critical reflection, discussion, practicum, and directed learning activities. Students preach three sermons in class for which they receive feedback, evaluative comments, and guidance for continued reflection, learning, and development. Students also engage in self-assessment and reflection after preaching each sermon. In addition to class discussions following sermons, students are able to consult individually with the professor.

REQUIRED READING: 900 pp. of required reading

Gilbert, Kenyatta. The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching. Fortress Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800696276, Pub. Price $20.00 [160 pp.]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, 3rd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664261429, Pub. Price $35.00 [240 pp.]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Lowry, Eugene. The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form (Expanded Edition). Westminster John Knox, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664222642, Pub. Price $25.00 [140 pp. assigned]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Taylor, Barbara Brown. The Preaching Life. Cowley Publications, 1993. ISBN: 978-1561010745, Pub. Price $17.95. [100 pp.]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Troeger, Thomas and Leonora Tubbs Tisdale, A Sermon Workbook: Exercises in the Art and Craft of Preaching. Abingdon Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-1426757785, Pub. Price: $25.99 [100 pp. assigned]. Available as an e-book via Google Play.

Course Reader. Readings by Barth and Bonhoeffer, and others will be required and available on Canvas through eReserves. [60 pp.].

Select Required Reading: Students will chooseONEof the four texts below and read 100 pages:

Childers, Jana, ed.Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process.Chalice, 2001. ISBN: 978-0827202306, Pub. Price $29.99 [224 pp.]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Gonzalez, J. L., and P. A. Jimenez.Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching.Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $22.99 [152 pp.]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

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.]. Not currently available as an e-book.

Thompson, Lisa. Ingenuity: Preaching as an Outsider. Abingdon, 2018. ISBN: 978-1501832598, Pub. Price $29.99 [210 pp.]. This book is available as an e-book on Amazon.com.

(In addition to this required reading, students should read at least 35 pp. of commentary and scholarly articles on each chosen Scripture text from which they preach. Bibliographies of exegetical papers should reflect this.)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barnes, M. Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802829627, Pub. Price $22.00.

Brown, Teresa L. Fry. Delivering the Sermon: Voice, Body, and Animation in Proclamation. Fortress, 2008. ISBN: 978-0800604479, Pub. Price $15.00.

Brown, Theresa Fry. Weary Throats and New Songs: Black Women Proclaiming God's Word. Nashville: Abingdon, 2003. Not currently available as an e-book. ISBN-13: 978-0687030132, Pub. Price $29.99.

Bush, Michael D., editor. This Incomplete One: Words Occasioned by the Death of a Young Person. Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN: 978-0802822277, Pub. Price $16.00.

Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon Press, 1985. ISBN: 978-0687659944, Pub. Price $25.99.

Lischer, Richard. The Company of Preachers. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802846099, Pub. Price $38.00.

Lose, David. Preaching at the Crossroads: How the World—and Our Preaching—Is Changing. Fortress, 2013. ISBN: 978-0800699734, Pub. Price $19.00.

Massey, James Earl. Stewards of the Story: The Task of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2006. ISBN: 978-0664229818, Pub. Price $20.00.

Nieman, James R. and Thomas G. Rogers. Preaching to Every Pew: Cross Cultural Strategies. Fortress Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800632434, Pub. Price $18.00.

Powell, Mark Allan. What Do They Hear? Bridging the Gap between Pulpit and Pew. Abingdon Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687642052, Pub. Price $17.99.

Wilson, Paul Scott. The Four Pages of the Sermon: a Guide to Biblical Preaching. Abingdon, 1999. ISBN: 978-0687023950, Pub. Price $28.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 900 pages of required reading (22%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4]. [48 hours]. These points will be accrued via 2 Canvas Posts (12% total), one paper comparing Thomas Long’s and Gilbert Kenyatta's books (10%), and the bibliographies of the exegetical papers accompanying each sermon.
  2. Preaching Autobiography: Write and present in class a 900 word (4 minute) “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 (2%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [2 hours].
  3. Attend every class session. [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours]. (No point value but significant penalties for unexcused absences)
  4. Prepare and preach sermon #1 and 2 with self-assessment:
  1. Submit exegetical notes that support the sermon. Preach the sermon as assigned, uploading a written manuscript of the sermon with the notes. (20% per sermon, 40% total). [40 hours]
  2. Complete self-evaluations for the first two sermons that set specific goals for continuing improvement. (4% each, 8% total). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [4 hours].

5. Preach sermon #3 (2 parts): Prepare and preach a sermon, with an emphasis on teaching theological truth with clarity, freshness, and relevance.

  1. Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon. Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. Submit manuscript. (20%). [20 hours].
  2. Write a 1200-word assessment that first reflects theologically on the third sermon in light of the course objectives, then reflects more broadly on the student’s emerging theology of preaching, including his or her vocational plans for serving the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life. The essay will then describe what is distinct about the student’s particular voice and perspective, identifying moral, social, and cultural injustices within the student’s particular community that are addressed by the proclamation of the gospel, and describing a specific cultural issue in the student’s particular context that is illuminated and addressed by the gospel. The essay will cite and integrate readings and lecture content throughout. (8%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [6 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 (who will offer feedback for at least half an hour) of at least 5 people for the third sermon.

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.