HOMI 697/897 Course Syllabus
HOMI 897
Hermeneutics and Homiletics: Balancing Exegesis and Application
Dr. R. Scott Pace
Course Description
This course is designed to further students’ understanding of the principles and method of biblical preaching, specifically within the context of pastoral ministry.Students will be challenged to develop and utilize proper hermeneutical and homiletical tools related to various New Testament genres, doctrines, and passages with special attention given to the application and contemporary relevance.
Rationale
The purpose of this course is to equip students to develop and maintain an effective and faithful preaching ministry within the context of the local church. Specific emphasis will focus on providing the necessary tools for developing and preaching sermons from various New Testament genres by considering the related homiletical and hermeneutical nuances. Additional attention will be given to preparing sermons for doctrinally challenging texts, developing textual application for relevance, and the unique considerations required by a pastor.
I. Prerequisite
HOMI 605
II. Required Resource Purchases
Doriani, Daniel M. Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application. Phillipsburg: P & R, 2001. ISBN: 0875521703.
Gibson, Scott, Editor. Preaching to a Shifting Culture. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004. ISBN: 080109162.
Greidanus, Sidney. The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989. ISBN: 0802803601.
Johnson, Elliott E. Expository Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990. ISBN: 0310230799.
Klein, William, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert Hubbard, Jr. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004. ISBN: 0785252258.
McQuilkin, Robertson. Understanding and Applying the Bible. Chicago: Moody, 2009. ISBN: 0802490921.
Poythress, Vern. God-Centered Biblical Interpretation. Phillipsburg: P & R, 1999. ISBN: 0875523765.
Strauss, Mark L. How to Read the Bible in Changing Times: Understanding and Applying God’s Word Today. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011. ISBN: 0875522386.
Webb, William J. Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001. ISBN: 0830815619.
Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.
III. Additional Materials for Learning
A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B. Internet access (broadband recommended)
C. Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
IV. Measurable Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A. Determine timeless principles from culturally specific biblical texts.
B. Justify interpretations of doctrinally difficult biblical passages.
C. Develop and deliver persuasive sermons on controversial biblical texts.
D. Explain the significance of hermeneutical and homiletical contextualization.
E. Identify textually-faithful application for contemporary listeners.
V. Course Requirements and Assignments
** Please note: As a J-Term class the assignment Schedule includes work prior to the meeting dates of January 5th-9th, 2015. The Course Schedule begins on 12/13/14 and concludes on 1/11/15. Students are expected to begin and/or complete certain assignments prior to the course meeting dates.
A. Textbook readings and lecture presentations
B. Book Reviews (4)
Each student will submit a book review on the Doriani text, Gibson text, Greidanus text, and the Webb text. These reviews should be written at a doctoral level in 3–4-pages.
C. Book Digest
Students will also submit a book digest that compares and contrasts the Johnson, Klein, and Poythress texts. This should be 6-8 pages in length.
D. Sermon Manuscripts (2)
Each student will develop two full sermon manuscripts for approximately 30-35 minutes sermons. Complete manuscripts will include all aspects of the sermon from the introduction to the invitation and will utilize the appropriate formatting to demonstrate the various elements of the sermon. Both sermons will be based on assigned passages, one doctrinally difficult text and one controversial biblical passage.
E. Sermon Presentation(s)
Each student will preach at least one sermon in class based on one of their submitted manuscripts.
E. Research Paper/Project
Each student will submit a 20-25 page research paper/project on the necessity and nature of application in the hermeneutical process and homiletical development. This should include a formulated methodology for determining textual application for four major biblical genres along with two test case examples of exegetical/homiletical application for each genre using the constructed process.
VI. Course Grading and Policies
A. Points
Book Reviews (50 pts each) 200
Book Digest 100
Sermon Manuscripts (150 pts each) 300
Sermon Presentation 100
Research Paper 300
Total 1000
B. Scale
A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859
C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 D+ = 740–759 D = 700–739
D- = 680–699 F = 0–679
C. Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:
1. Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will receive a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the class will not be accepted.
4. Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D. Style Guidelines
All assignments for this course are to be formatted in accordance with the LBTS Writing Guide and the latest edition of the Turabian style manual (A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations). Discussion assignments and essay examinations may use the parenthetical citation style. All other written assignments should use the footnote citation style. Supplemental writing aids are available via the Online Writing Center.
E. Extra Credit
No additional “for credit” assignments will be permitted beyond those given in the course requirements stated above.
F. Course Changes
Course requirements are subject to change by the administration of the University at any time with appropriate notice.
G. Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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