Homiletics and Hermeneutics: Four Views on Preaching Today
Overview
Scott Gibson and Matthew Kim, both experienced preachers and teachers, have brought together four preaching experts—Bryan Chapell, Kenneth Langley, Abraham Kuruvilla, and Paul Scott Wilson—to present and defend their approaches to homiletics. Reflecting current streams of thought in homiletics, the book offers a robust discussion of theological and hermeneutical approaches to preaching and encourages pastors and ministry students to learn about preaching from other theological traditions. It also includes discussion questions for direct application to one's preaching.
Key Features
- Examines multiple articulated or unarticulated perspectives of preachers today
- Explores the theoretical and philsophical sides of preaching
- Encourages conversation among preachers who advocate different points of view
Contents
- Response by Abraham Kuruvilla
- Response by Kenneth Langley
- Response by Paul Scott Wilson
- Response by Bryan Chapell
- Response by Kenneth Langley
- Response by Paul Scott Wilson
- Response by Bryan Chapell
- Response by Abraham Kuruvilla
- Response by Paul Scott Wilson
- Response by Bryan Chapell
- Response by Abraham Kuruvilla
- Response by Kenneth Langley
- Conclusion
Redemptive-Historic View, by Bryan Chapell
Christiconic View, by Abraham Kuruvilla
Theocentric View, by Kenneth Langley
Law-Gospel View, by Paul Scott Wilson
Top Highlights
“There are two common errors regarding biblical motivation: the first is when preachers do not acknowledge a plurality of motivations in Scripture; the second is when preachers do not recognize there is a priority of motivations.” (Page 23)
“It is best to privilege the text and its immediate context to figure out what the author was doing with what he was saying in this text.” (Page 50)
“Christ-centered preaching, rightly understood, does not seek to discover where Christ is mentioned in every biblical text but to disclose where every text stands in relation to Christ’s ministry.8 The goal of the preacher is not to find novel ways of making Jesus appear in every text (we should not need a magic wand or a decoder ring to interpret Scripture), but to show how each text manifests God’s grace in order to prepare and enable his people to embrace the hope provided by Christ.” (Pages 7–8)
“So, the gospel should be presented—somewhere in the worship service (not necessarily in the sermon), by someone (not necessarily by the preacher), somehow (not necessarily in any particular format).” (Page 31)
“That, I submit, is the primary function of God’s Word and, therefore, the primary purpose of preaching, for the Bible is God’s means to conform his people into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ (by the power of his Spirit—see below).” (Page 60)
Contributors
- Bryan Chapell
- Kenneth Langley
- Abraham Kuruvilla
- Paul Scott Wilson
Praise for the Print Edition
I don’t know why this book hasn’t been written already—it is such a vital topic for preachers—but it is certainly welcome now. Many preachers may not be able to articulate their grand hermeneutical approach to preaching Scripture, but they almost certainly employ an implicit approach that has a major impact on their sermons. Are they always christocentric or is the Trinity the key? Or is some other theological framework, such as law and grace, the lens to use? If their hermeneutic is implicit, this conversation between four respected and seasoned homileticians will help readers think more deeply about what they are doing and why. If their view is already explicit, they will profit from the challenge of the other perspectives and may even need to rethink! The book is a model of clarity and courteous debate among those who long to preach the word of God in a faithful, lively fashion today. It is worth reading and pondering slowly.
—Derek Tidball, former principal, London School of Theology
This book surfaces what is unconscious, and sharpens what is fuzzy, in our approach to preaching--namely, the theological and hermeneutical underpinnings that subtly shape our sermons. Four authors cogently argue for their approach and graciously interact with others. Nuggets of wisdom, insights, and felicitous expressions abound. A stimulating and profitable book!
—Donald R. Sunukjian, professor of preaching, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
If the focus of effective preaching is Scripture, then the task of correctly interpreting the biblical text is essential to the authentic proclamation of God’s Word. In Homiletics and Hermeneutics, a team of outstanding preachers and teachers of preaching demonstrate four approaches to the task of hermeneutics in service of preaching. Since interpreting the text is a necessary step in the preaching process, this useful volume will help preachers approach that step with greater understanding and effectiveness.
—Michael Duduit, executive editor, Preaching magazine; dean, Clamp Divinity School, Anderson University
Product Details
- Title: Homiletics and Hermeneutics: Four Views on Preaching Today
- Editors: Scott M. Gibson and Matthew D. Kim
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2018
- Pages: 192
- Resource Type: Collected Essays
- Topic: Homiletic Theory
About the Editors
Scott M. Gibson (DPhil, University of Oxford) is the David E. Garland Chair of Preaching and director of the PhD program in preaching at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas. He previously served as the Haddon W. Robinson Professor of Preaching and Ministry and director of the Center for Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is past president and cofounder of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and has served as a pastor or interim pastor in churches in Pennsylvania and New York. Gibson has written or edited numerous books on preaching, including The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching and Preaching with a Plan.
Matthew D. Kim (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is associate professor of preaching and ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and is a past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. He has over fifteen years of preaching and teaching experience and is the author of several books, including 7 Lessons for New Pastors: Your First Year in Ministry.