A detailed historical study of preaching in the First Testament, the development of the synagogue sermon, the forms of preaching in Christian Scripture as kerygma and didache, preaching in the earliest church, Hellenistic rhetorical influences on preaching, patristic preaching in the East and West, the Alexandria and Antioch schools, monastic preaching, and preaching of the Middle Ages and High Middle Ages to Wycliffe.

An analytical study of primary preaching sources and contemporaneous homiletical theory from the Reformation to the present, an analysis of the sermonic contexts in political and intellectual history, the hermeneutical and exegetical approach to scripture, the rhetorical models, the theosymbolic impact, and the use of cultural references in sermons.

Based on the literature of the last 100 years, modern and early post-modern developments in preaching are examined against larger trends in church and society. The psychological, neo-orthodox, deductive, inductive, narrative, phenomenological, law/gospel, and postmodern schools of preaching will be considered as the major representatives of each homiletic approach.

A detailed examination of the role of delivery in the effectiveness of preaching through careful analysis of the practice of preaching through delivery. Attention is given to the place vocal dynamics (volume, pitch, pace, pause, etc.) and body language (facial expression, eye contact, posture, gestures, etc.) have in effective communication. Members of the seminar each preach a sermon for careful analysis.

A study of selected Old Testament texts. While considerable attention will be given to historical, literary, and theological issues, the course will also address hermeneutical matters related to proclamation. Course may be repeated when content differs for a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

A study of selected New Testament texts. While considerable attention is given to historical, literary, and theological issues, the course also addresses hermeneutical matters related to proclamation. Course may be repeated when content differs for a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

An examination of various topics in systematic or historical theology. Implications for proclamation will also be considered. Course may be repeated when content differs for a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

A detailed consideration of hermeneutical approaches to the biblical text and their impact on contemporary preaching. The seminar includes examination of biblical passages with a view to varied hermeneutical outcomes that stand with, in front of, behind, and beyond the text. The seminar will examine perspectives in minoritized, feminist, European, Global South, and non-Protestant hermeneutics.

This course enables doctoral students of homiletics to develop skills for teaching an entry-level course in preaching. The course provides students with a background in educational theory and curriculum design, pedagogical/andragogical tools, and practice in sharpening their skills as instructors of preaching.

This course examines research approaches and methodologies as related to preaching and writing. The course explores writing for research and other platforms and includes reading assignments, discussion, presentations, and writing assignments, preparing the student for academic article writing, dissertation writing, and other writing platforms.

Informed opinion considers the Victorian and Edwardian eras the zenith of English language preaching in the grand rhetorical style and tradition. The literary remains of these periods embrace preaching from the poetic, cultured sermons of F. W. Robertson to the rugged Anglo-Saxon speech of C.H. Spurgeon.

A detailed study of minoritized culture preaching traditions in the U.S. context. Participants engage with preaching theories and practices in minoritized homiletics, wrestle with the significance of context and location in reading and preaching biblical texts, increase their levels of intercultural competence as preachers and teachers of preaching, and enhance their homiletical capacity to serve an intercultural church.

This seminar examines how recent societal shifts have impacted homiletical engagement with culture in the North American context(s). After constructing a biblical-theological rationale for cultural engagement, participants will analyze three shifts in particular – secularization, technologization, and interculturation – and their broader impact on preaching, congregational life, and society.

Supervised research for the doctoral dissertation. A total of nine semester hours is required for the completion of the dissertation. Students register for dissertation hours during dissertation research and receive credit for them when the dissertation is approved.