Learning from the History of Preaching

This course is designed to expose students to a wide range of preachers who have made a significant contribution to preaching. Developments in preaching over time will be explored particualrly with regard to changing ideas of "biblical text," hermeneutics, rhetoric, sermon forms, language theory, and homiletical "schools," and changes in emphasis on key doctrines, personal versus social, preachig for conversion versus preaching to the saved, the rise of social consciousness and its effects on preaching, and law and gospel. Presentations will include brief biographical material; homiletical setting; short sermon extracts that demonstrate some homiletical/hermeneutical principle, identification of homiletical learnings for today; and portions of sermons written for today that demonstrate a historical principle. The course will consist of lectures and presentations focusing on key homiletical features of the ages. Evaluation: class presentations, 50%; major essay, 50%.