Winter 2006/Pasadena
PR525
Nason

PR525: FOUNDATIONS FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING. Douglas Nason.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give a general introduction to the theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery. The person of the preacher, the nature of preaching, and the principles of sermon construction will be discussed. This course is specifically designed for MA students. It does not require the specific coursework in biblical languages and exegetical method which are prerequisites for the PR500 Homiletics class.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  1. Students will grow in their knowledge of the biblical understanding of Christian communication.

  2. Students will grow in their ability to understand the biblical text.

  3. Students will grow in their ability to express biblical truth relevantly and clearly to a contemporary audience.

  4. Students will grow in their ability to deliver spoken biblical messages with confidence, clarity, and power.

  5. Students will grow in their ability to assess both their own preaching and that of others.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The spoken witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has always been a primary means of communicating the faith. It continues to be a powerful tool for planting, teaching, and nurturing faith in Christ. Biblical preaching is the principal public form of this witness, and skill in biblical interpretation, sermon preparation, and proclamation is expected of those who are called to serve as ministers of the Gospel.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. The course has both lecture and practicum components. Students will preach two sermons (both videotaped) on which they will receive feedback from group members and the professor or a teaching assistant. There will be assigned readings and an independent study project.

REQUIRED READING:
Robinson, Haddon and Craig Brian Larson, eds. The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005 [selected pages].

Willimon, William H. Proclamation and Theology. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005.

There may be additional short readings assigned primarily as a basis for class discussion.

ASSIGNMENTS: Students will prepare and deliver two sermons, submitting a sermon brief or outline for each. Students will submit a self-assessment for each of the sermons. Students will complete all assigned readings and submit brief reports on their reading. Students will submit an independent study project exploring their understanding of preaching in relation to their unique ministry context and/or tradition. On-time attendance is very important at the lectures and the preaching sessions. Grading will be based on the second sermon as graded by the professor (20%), self-assessments for both sermons (20% each), reading reports (20%), and the independent study project (20%). The overall grade may be reduced unless absences are excused and made up.

PREREQUISITES: At least one course in biblical studies; two or more would be preferable.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: This course will meet the requirements for CO500 and CO503 in the MA in Theology-Biblical Studies and Theology format and in any MA program requiring CO500 and CO503. This course will not meet the MIN2 requirement in the MDiv.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.