Preaching

One of the core elective requirements in Proclamation can be met by coursework in the range, PR610-649.

PR 610 THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING (3)

Kalas, Minger, Pasquarello, Ruth
This course nurtures a vision of Christian preaching as a theological and pastoral activity of the church in service to the gospel. The core objectives of this course have been established to facilitate critical understanding of and competence in view of (1) preaching as witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ revealed in the Christian Scriptures and (2) preaching as both a gift of the Holy Spirit and a human vocation which serves the creation of a community called to worship the Triune God as revealed through the narrative of the whole biblical canon. This course approaches preaching as a theological practice and from a perspective shaped by the Wesleyan tradition; it is informed by a conscious integration of doctrinal and biblical exegesis and the practice of theological hermeneutics. Emphasis is placed on the lifelong task of acquiring practical habits appropriate for cultivating judgment required for faithful communication of the biblical witness in service of the Word of God, as an act of Christian worship and within the context of personal, social, and cultural challenge and change. Prerequisites: SP501; Inductive Bible Studies-2.

PR620 THE COMPANY OF PREACHERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING (3)

Pasquarello
The purpose of this course is to introduce student to the theology and practice of preaching in service to the Word of God. The core objectives of this course have been established to facilitate a critical understanding of and competence in view of 1) preaching as a witness to the Gospel of Christ as revealed in the whole of Christian Scripture; and 2) preaching as both a gift of the Holy Spirit and pastoral vocation which serves the creation of a community called to worship the Triune God. This course approaches preaching as a historical practice of the church, and from within a particular perspective shaped by the Wesleyan tradition. In addition, it is informed by conscious integration of doctrinal and biblical exegesis, the practice of reading Scripture in a theological manner as demonstrated in the Christian tradition. Sermons will be preached and evaluated in order to provide an opportunity to cultivate a habit of integrating theological reflection and pastoral practice. Prerequisites: SP501, Inductive Bible Studies-2.

PR621 PREACHING THE CANON AS CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING (3)

Pasquarello
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the theology and practice of preaching that will nurture a vision for reading Scripture theologically and crafting homiletic discourse in service to the Word of God. The core objectives of this course have been established to facilitate a critical understanding of and competence in view of 1) preaching as a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the whole of Christian Scripture, and 2) preaching as both a gift of the Holy Spirit and pastoral vocation which serves the creation of a community called to worship the Triune God revealed through canonical narrative. This course will approach preaching as a theological and exegetical practice from a perspective shaped by the Wesleyan tradition. It will pay particular attention to the integration of doctrine and exegesis in the theological reading of Scripture for the life of the church. Sermons will be preached and evaluated in order to guide students in cultivating a habit of theological reflection on pastoral practice. Prerequisites: SP501, Inductive Bible Studies-2.

PR622 TRINITY AND PROCLAMATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING (3)

Pasquarello
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the theology and practice of preaching as situated with the life and activity of the Triune God, the economy of creation and redemption as confessed in the faith of the church. A primary aim is to facilitate a better understanding of the practice of preaching as theological in nature, of God from beginning to end, an activity in which we participate through the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit by means of the Scripture within the liturgical life of the church. The core objectives of this course have been established to encourage a critical understanding of and competence in view of 1) preaching as a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the whole of Christian Scripture; and 2) preaching as both a gift of the Holy Spirit and pastoral vocation which serves the formation of a community called to worship the Triune God. This course will approach this task from the perspective provided by the Trinitarian faith of the church, and its particular expression in the Wesleyan tradition. Sermons will be preached and evaluated in order to assist students in cultivating a habit of integrating theology and practice. Prerequisites: SP501, Inductive Bible Studies-2.

PR630 PREACHING FROM THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: INTRODUCTION TO THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING (3)

Minger
The purpose of Preaching from the Historical Books is to approach the study and practice of Christian proclamation through hermeneutical and theological engagement with the Historical Books of the Old Testament. This course encourages students to wed their skills in biblical interpretation with pastorally responsive and theologically reflective proclamation from a perspective shaped by the Wesleyan tradition. Sermons will be preached and evaluated in order to guide students in cultivating a habit of theological reflection on pastoral practice and to assist students in identifying and developing skill in the practice of preaching. Prerequisites: SP501 and Inductive Bible Study-2.

PR631 PREACHING FROM THE PSALMS: INTRODUCTION TO THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING (3)

Minger, Pasquarello
The purpose of this course is to approach the study and practice of Christian proclamation through hermeneutical and theological engagement with the Psalms. Attention will be given to preaching that reflects the dialogic character of the Psalms as well as the major themes of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, the wonders of God's activity, covenant identity, lament and praise, concern for justice, trust in and abandonment to God. This course encourages students to wed their skills in biblical interpretation with pastorally responsive and theologically reflective proclamation from a perspective shaped by the Wesleyan tradition. Sermons will be preached and evaluated in order to guide students in cultivating a habit of theological reflection on pastoral practice and to assist students in identifying and developing skill in the practice of preaching. Prerequisites: SP501 and Inductive Bible Study-2.

PR632 PREACHING FROM THE GOSPELS: INTRODUCTION THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING (3)

Minger, Pasquarello
The purpose of Preaching from the Gospels is to approach the study and practice of Christian proclamation through hermeneutical and theological engagement with the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Attention will be given to preaching from the teachings of Jesus, Jesus' parables and miracles, as well as Jesus' life (birth & infancy, baptism, temptation, transfiguration, passion, death and resurrection). This course encourages students to wed their skills in biblical interpretation with pastorally responsive and theologically reflective proclamation from a perspective shaped by the Wesleyan tradition. Sermons will be preached and evaluated in order to guide students in cultivating a habit of theological reflection on pastoral practice and to assist students in identifying and developing skill in the practice of preaching. Prerequisites: SP501 and Inductive Bible Study-2.

PR650 TUTORIAL IN PREACHING (1-3)

Kalas, Minger, Pasquarello, Ruth
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of intermediate study in Preaching. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

PR651/OT655 PREACHING THE OLD TESTAMENT (3)

Staff
This course is devoted to the hermeneutical and homiletical problem of preaching from the Old Testament. In this course, this broader issue will be engaged via a focused treatment of a selected text-base. Various texts from that corpus will be covered in an attempt to lay bare their exegetical and theological resources that are well-suited for the homiletical and rhetorical task. Moreover, the problem of how to move from text to sermon, particularly from an Old Testament text to a sermon from the Old Testament (i.e., the question of developing a homiletical-hermeneutic for preaching the Old Testament) will be addressed. Prerequisite: PR610-649; OT520.

PR652 PREACHING FROM THE PARABLES (3)

Staff
Designed to develop an understanding and appreciation of the parables of Jesus for sermon material, and to preach them in a vivid, modern, and challenging manner. Practicum experience included. Prerequisite: PR610-649.

PR653 HOMILETICAL STUDY OF HOLINESS (3)

Staff
Principles of doctrinal preaching through lectures, class discussion, and guided readings on the nature and theology of holiness. Sermon development will move through exposition of life, exegesis of Scripture and theology of the church, to delivery and evaluation by each member of the class. Prerequisite: PR610-649.

PR/WO655 GETTING PREMODERN TO GO POSTMODERN: WISDOM FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FOR PREACHING AND WORSHIP TODAY (3)

Pasquarello, Ruth
This course seeks to facilitate a conversation between a Patristic vision of reality and the Postmodern world so as to provoke reflection and discussion about current possible practices of preaching and worship. It will seek to explore a third way for preaching and worship beyond the confines of so-called "contemporary" and "traditional" worship. Prerequisites: WO510, PR610-649.

PR660 COMMUNICATION: DEATH AND DYING (3)

Staff
Examines resources available in literature, film, drama, and clinical settings pertaining to the theological and philosophical understandings of death. Through case studies, assigned readings, on-site experiences, and funeral sermon preparation, the student will learn to minister in the grief process. Prerequisite: PR610-649.

PR665 SENIOR PREACHING PRACTICUM (1)

Staff
Students preach with evaluation by instructor and class. Sermons videotaped; each student preacher is required to review his/her playback. Credit only. Prerequisite: PR610-649; WO510.

PR/CH670 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF PREACHING (3)

Pasquarello
A study of preachers and preaching from the biblical period through the sixteenth-century Reformation. Preachers and sermons will be discussed in light of their primary role as pastors called by God to the practical tasks of forming and building up a Christian people, of nurturing and reinforcing Christian identity through the constant preaching of the Word of God to enable the church to discern and obey its scriptural pattern of faith and life.

PR699 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN PREACHING (1-3)

Kalas, Minger, Pasquarello, Ruth
Guided, independent, intermediate research in Preaching. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

PR/WO700 CREATIVE PREACHING ON THE SACRAMENTS (3)

Ruth
The focus of this course is on a specialized form of preaching on the sacraments known as mystagogy (that is, preaching that leads into the mystery of the church). This type of preaching will be explored in its liturgical context in the early church and in modern attempts to reclaim it. The goal will be to assist students in using historical models to develop a theoretical basis to support their practice of connecting Word and Sacrament. Student preaching will be included. This course will thus include these dimensions: historical, theoretical, and practical. Prerequisites: PR610-649 and a course in the range of WO510-549.

PR702 EXPOSITORY PREACHING (3)

Staff
Techniques of expositional preaching. Variety of approaches within the expository pattern. Development of sermons on assigned passages. The aim is to let the Bible speak to contemporary needs. Practicum included. Prerequisite: PR610-649.

PR703 STORYTELLING (3)

Staff
This course explores the basics of storytelling. It acquaints the student with the storytelling tradition and attempts to discover the gospel as story. There will be an emphasis on oral narrative as creative exegesis. Students will discover, write, and tell stories from Scripture and literature. Storytelling will be viewed from the standpoint of helping the pastor in preaching, worship, and personal growth. Prerequisite: PR610-649.

PR750 TUTORIAL IN PREACHING (1-3)

Kalas, Minger, Pasquarello, Ruth
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of advanced study in Preaching. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

PR799 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN PREACHING (1-3)

Kalas, Minger, Pasquarello, Ruth
Guided, independent, advanced research in Preaching. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

Asbury Theological Seminary

Academic Catalog