Spring 2008/Pasadena
PR500
Schmit
PR500: HOMILETICS. Clayton J. Schmit.
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 principles of sermon
construction will be discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course seeks the following goals for each student:
Cognitive: theoretical knowledge relating to theology of preaching, sermon
design, and delivery; Affective: deepened appreciation for the
dialogical quality of preaching and the needs of the listener in the preaching
process; Skills: capacity to craft a sermon that engages the biblical
text, the context of the audience, theological issues, and the hearts and minds
of listeners; and to deliver it meaningfully.
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: The course has both lecture and practicum components. The
practica are small groups of students led by teaching assistants under the
direction of the professor. In these groups students will preach two sermons
(both recorded), on which they will receive feedback from group members and the
teaching assistant. Each student will receive personal feedback by the
professor on one of the two preached sermons.
REQUIRED READING:
- Allen, Ronald, ed. Patterns of Preaching. Chalice, 1998.
(selected portions.)
- Barth, Karl. Homiletic. Westminster/John Knox, 1991. OR
- Lischer, Richard. A Theology of Preaching.
Parthenon/Labyrinth, 1992.
- Taylor, Barbara Brown. Bread of Angels. Cowley, 1997.
(Selected portions.)
- Wilson, Paul Scott. The Practice of Preaching. Rev. ed. Abingdon,
2007.
- Course Reader: Multicultural Preaching.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Black, Kathy. A Healing Homiletic. Abingdon, 1996.
- Buttrick, David. Homiletic. Fortress, 1987.
- Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon, 1985.
- LaRue, Cleophas J., ed. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most
Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster/John Knox,
2003.
- Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox,
1989.
- Long, Thomas and Cornelius Plantinga. A Chorus of Witnesses.
Eerdmans, 1994. (Selected portions.)
- Norén, Carol. The Woman in the Pulpit. Abingdon, 1992.
- Rutledge, Fleming. The Bible and the New York Times. Eerdmans,
1999.
- Spurgeon, Charles. Lectures to My Students. 2nd ed. Zondervan,
1979.
ASSIGNMENTS: Preparation and preaching of two sermons, including submission of
exegetical notes and manuscript for each. Attention to all assigned text and
listening to online materials. Several brief written exercises, including
evaluations of written and live sermons. Grade will be based on written
assignments and exegetical notes. Because the sermons in this class are
presumed to be among the student's first sermons, they will simply be graded
pass/fail. Though not graded as to form, content, or presentation, they will be
carefully evaluated and discussed in class and with the professor. Attendance
at the practicum groups is mandatory, and grade may be reduced for absences not
excused.
PREREQUISITES: NE502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and
Communication (MIN2) and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA
programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)