Homiletical Theology in Action: The Unfinished Theological Task of Preaching

Homiletics is taking a theological turn. But what does the preaching task look like if we think of it not so much as a mastery of technique, but an exercise in theological method? Homiletical Theology in Action: The Unfinished Theological Task of Preaching tries to envision the work of homiletics as theological in root and branch. By placing theological questions at the center of the process, the authors, some of the leading lights of the field of homiletics, try to show how their work as preachers and homileticians is a thoroughgoing theological activity. By beginning with troublesome texts and problematic doctrines, they seek to show how preachers and homileticians engage in theology, not as consumers, but as producers--and in the thick of the kinds of questions that preachers have to ask. Practitioners and theological educators alike will catch a glimpse of how they too are residential theologians in their own preaching praxis. ""Scholars and preachers alike will want this new contribution to homiletical theology. The homiletical theology movement explores how preaching is itself a form of doing theology, and not just a consumer of the work of systematic theologians. The preacher can be a creative theologian and not just one who applies the theologies of academic theologians. In this fast-moving volume, seven eminent scholars of preaching--all of whom are gifted in theology--think in exciting and critical ways about homiletical theology in three modes: description, confessional, and analytical."" --Ronald J. Allen, Professor of Preaching and Gospels and Letters, Christian Theological Seminary ""Preachers describe, confess, and analyze a multitude of theologies. Like Jacob, we wrestle with a vast and powerful presence until we receive a word that may be painful, provisional and unfinished, but also a deep blessing. Homiletical Theology in Action graciously urges us to name God again and again into our cultures and communities. This book is an invitation to join a theological conversation that will shape the future of homiletics."" --Sarah Travis, Minister-in-Residence, Knox College ""After decades of emphasis on rhetorical methodologies, the scholarly pendulum is now swinging back toward more directly theological considerations. This provocative, diverse, and rewarding collection of essays contributes significantly to a new definition of preaching as an intrinsically theological activity."" --Michael Knowles, G. F. Hurlburt Chair of Preaching, McMaster Divinity College ""Homiletic Theology in Action: The Unfinished Task of Preaching is the second in a series of books that seeks to rekindle an appreciation for homiletics as an inherently theological act and to expand that perspective in response to new questions raised within a changing context. In this volume, scholars do the work of describing the process of theological reflection that results in proclamation, examining how the theological 'confessions' of certain faith traditions give shape to that process of theological reflection in preaching, and questioning long-held assumptions about the interplay of scripture, tradition, rhetoric, and human situation in a move toward homiletical theology in the contemporary context. These scholars bring years of experience in practicing theology through preaching. As preachers wrestling with issues of context, tradition and text, each one walks us down her or his own homiletic pathway to demonstrate theology in action. This book moves the discussion of homiletical theology to a more practical level, giving students and practitioners new ways of thinking about what happens each time a preacher takes on the task of proclaiming gospel to the world through preaching. This text is for anyone who wants to join the ongoing conversation about homiletic theology or who hopes to deepen their awareness of how the act of preaching remains a complex theological task."" --Mary Lin Hudson, Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics, Memphis The