Communications 2 Syllabus

Homiletics II (PT 522) Fall 2014 Richard (Dick) Belcher, Jr. ([email protected])

Course Description

This course seeks to continue the development of expository preaching by examining how to preach from Old Testament narrative texts. It is primarily a lecture course that lays a foundation for the preaching labs in the Spring semester where students will preach from narrative texts. This course builds on the material of Homiletics I and seeks to develop a methodology of how to preach narrative texts. There will also be an emphasis on the theology of the Word of God as the basis for preaching within God's redemptive program and on certain hermeneutical issues that arise in relationship to preaching narrative.

Course Objectives

1) To understand how narrative works in order to preach effective expository sermons from narrative texts 2) To develop a methodology of sermon preparation appropriate to Old Testament narrative texts. 3) To lay a foundation for the necessity of preaching in understanding the theology of preaching. 4) To introduce certain isssues related to the hermeneutics of preaching and its significance for understanding the task of preaching.

Textbooks

The student should read 975 pages. The books in Section A are the required books for this course. If a student has already read one of the books then the reading can be supplemented by the list in Section B. The books in Section B are not listed in any particular order and the student can decide which books to read. Some of the books have chapters written by different authors and the student can pick and choose based on the number of pages the student must read and the interest of the student.

Section A

The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative, Steven D. Matthewson (Parts 1 and 2 and Appendix A, 190 pages): this book discusses how to preach OT narrative and has an excellent Appendix on the function of the imperfect waw consecutive in Hebrew narrative

Christ-Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell (almost the whole book, 223 pages); if you have already read Chapell, then read as a substitute Haddon Robinson, Biblical Communications 2 Syllabus 2

Preaching (224 pages): these two books lay out the steps of how to put a sermon together and explains the components of the sermon. Chapell's book raises some hermeneutical issues that are discussed in the course

Preaching and Preachers, Lloyd Jones (chapters 1-9 [186 pages]); if you have already read Lloyd-Jones, then substitute the number of pages from the list below. This is a classic that lays out the necessity of preaching and discusses a variety of issues related to preaching.

Spirit Empowered Preaching, Arturo Azurdia III (the whole book, 183 pages): this book discusses the necessary role of the Holy Spirit in preaching.

Antinomianism, Mark Jones (130 pages): this book hits some of the hermeneutical issues that are raised in this course related to the necessity of sanctification, which will have implications for application in preaching.

"The Ebb and Flow of Lectio Continua Bible Reading in the English-Speaking Reformed Churches, 1539-2000," by Terry Johnson in The Hope Fulfilled, 290-316: this article discusses the history and importance of reading the Bible as part of worship.

"Redemptive-Historical Themes in the Westminster Larger Catechism," by Robert Cara in The Westminster Confession of Faith in the 21st Century (supplied to the student): this article lays out hermenutical categories that are important for understanding different approaches concerning how to preach

Section B

Jeffry D. Arthurs, Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture (Kregel, 2012)

Bryan Chapell, ed., The Hardest Sermons You Will Ever Have to Preach (Zondervan, 2011)

Zack Eswine, Preaching to a Post-Everything World (Baker, 2008)

Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching (Orlando: Reformation Trust, 2008)

Scott M. Gibson, ed., Preaching the Old Testament (Baker, 2006)

Jason Meyer, Preaching: A Biblical Theology (Crossway, 2013)

R. Albert Mohler, He is Not Silent, (Zondervan, 2008)

Mohler, Duncan, eds., Preaching the Cross, (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007) Communications 2 Syllabus 3

John Stott, Between Two Worlds, (Eerdmans, 1982) [chapters 1-3, 134 pages]

Cornelius Platinga, Jr., Reading for Preaching (Eerdmans, 2013)

Assignments

1) The reading must be completed

2) Each student will have the opportunity to read a narrative text in class in order to practice the public reading of Scripture; you must use the ESV so that the professor can follow the reading (see the Handout on the Public Reading of Scripture)

3) One sermon from an Old Testament narrative text must be written, which should include the following (these will be explained in class) a) a general plot analysis of the narrative which acts as the justification for the boundaries of the preaching text (in other words, the preaching text may not necessarily coincide with the chapter assigned the student) b) a Homiletical Outline c) state the audience to whom you are speaking d) the proposition and main points should be in bold type e) transitional statements should be in italic type f) placement of the text (reference to verses) should be underlined, for example, v 7

4) There will be some homework assignments that will either be turned in and/or discussed in class

5) Class attendances is important. Absences should be because of true emergencies and not because of the many interruptions common to our lives. This fosters the "discipline of regularity" needed in the pastorate, where the pastor experiences many interruptions and distractions that take time away from study and sermon preparation. A poor atttendance can lower the term grade.

6) There will not be an exam for this class of Homiletics II

Grades

1) Written Sermon 60% 2) Required Reading 20% 3) Homework and Attendance 10% 4) Public Reading of Narrative 10% Communications 2 Syllabus 4

Note: RTS affirms that local churches, denominational structures, parachurch organizations, educational institutions, and missions agencies present many strategic ministry and leadership opportunities where preparation through the M. Div. degree can be particularly helpful for women and other non-ministerial students. While RTS limits the MDiv preaching labs to male students, women in the MDiv degree program can either (a) take elective courses in the place of the two preaching labs, or (b) take a directed study in general communications, which may involve women or other non-ministerial students attending a section of the preaching lab with similar but alternative assignments. Communications 2 Syllabus 5

Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes Course: Introduction to Preaching (PT 506) Professor: Richard Belcher Campus: Charlotte Date: March 2009 MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes Rubric Mini-Justification In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined  Strong the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process.  Moderate Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the  Minimal contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.  None *As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. Articulation Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both a written sermons is required; the oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, (oral & historical, and cultural/global information, including Strong theological basis and the written) details, concepts, and frameworks. hermeneutics of preaching are covered Scripture Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Preaching focuses on the original Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research Strong meaning as a basis for modern further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. meaning; there is an emphasis on (Includes appropriate use of original languages and using the languages in hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, undertanding the original meaning and cultural/global perspectives.) for preaching purposes

Reformed Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and the theology and hermeneutics of Theology practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Minimal preaching touches on a few issues Standards.

Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the discussions of application of the student’s sanctification. Minimal text deals with sanctification issues

Desire for Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of the goal of preaching is to help Worldview God. Minimal people do this

Winsomely Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an respect for other methods of Reformed appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, Minimal preaching is encouraged especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Preach Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture this is the heart of the course to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. Strong

Worship Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian- worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to None lead a worship service. Shepherd Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in although the importance of spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; None shepherding to preaching is and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both in America and worldwide. commented on Church/World Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with Communications 2 Syllabus 6

significant public issues. None