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Text to Praxis: Hermeneutics and Homiletics in Dialogue (The Library of New Testament Studies) Hardcover – May 26, 2009
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A fundamental issue for preachers of the Bible has always been achieving an approach that is both faithful to the textual intention as well as fitting for the listening audience. What is historical and distant (the text) is, in preaching, made contemporary and near (praxis). Particularly pertinent is how this transaction may be conducted with respect to the self-contained and well-defined quantum of the scriptural text that is regularly employed in liturgical contexts-the pericope. This book answers the question: In a sermon intending to proclaim application from a pericope, what is the hermeneutical basis for moving validly from text to praxis, i.e., with authority and relevance?
The concept of theology as a bridge between text and praxis has not been specifically researched or rigorously substantiated. Kuruvilla seeks to do both, utilizing as entrées language philosophy, literary criticism, and a thorough understanding of "ordinary" language. Drawing from a variety of hermeneutical resources, he establishes "pericopal theology" as the intermediary between text and praxis. How this theology is discerned from the text and how application may be determined therefrom form the crux of this book. This novel approach lends validity to the movement from text to praxis and promises to be useful for any approach to the biblical text intended to culminate in application. Kuruvilla's approach provides a substantial technical basis for such an operation.
Thus the preacher must be a "theologian-homiletician." It is the working out of this nomenclature, especially the "theologian" half of the appellation, that is the essence of this work, uniting as it does in one portfolio the responsibility of negotiating the demands of both hermeneutics and homiletics.
- Print length240 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherT&T Clark
- Publication dateMay 26, 2009
- Dimensions6.14 x 0.56 x 9.21 inches
- ISBN-100567538540
- ISBN-13978-0567538543
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Editorial Reviews
Review
'Since the time of the Enlightenment there has been a major split between hermeneutics and homiletics. This book makes a valiant effort to bring these two worlds together. It is an effort that is both timely and sophisticated, done by a gifted scholar.' (Biblical Studies and Scripture )
From the Inside Flap
"All too often those who prepare for a teaching and preaching ministry learn the skills of exegesis but never learn how to transfer their knowledge of the text in such a way as to clearly and succinctly present it to a listening audience. As a result, there is confusion on just how the preached text has practical relevance. The preacher has failed to bridge the gap between the text and the present-day audience. Dr. Kuruvilla's work does a masterful job in explaining how to go from Scripture to the sermon. His work would not only be helpful to a few interested individuals, rather, in my opinion, should be a required text in seminaries. Many scholars from the two disciplines, namely, the exegete and the homiletician, note that there is a need to bridge the aforementioned gap and have not found any work that fully accomplishes this goal. This work achieves that objective. I most highly recommend it."Harold W. Hoehner (deceased)Distinguished Professor, New TestamentDallas Theological Seminary
"Dr. Kuruvilla's thesis is concerned with the movement from scriptural text to sermon, which he seeks to analyze using a range of hermeneutical resources. This fusion of homiletics and hermeneutics is highly innovative, and represents an important and welcome alternative to the more usual ad hoc accounts of the passage from text to sermon, via an "application" which often appears to be merely arbitrary. It is argued persuasively that a set of rules about interpretative practice is entailed in the canonical genre of the scriptural text, as established and understood within its primary communal context. To "preach on a text" is to actualize those rules and so to fulfil the purpose for which the canonical text exists." Francis B. WatsonKirby Laing Chair of New Testament Exegesis University of Aberdeen
"I am writing to commend to you the ideas and writing of Dr. Abraham Kuruvilla, especially his contribution: Text to Praxis: Hermeneutics and Homiletics in Dialogue. Abe has addressed a serious gap in theological training and practice that has existed for decades. Only as the preacher abstracts the trans-cultural message out the text can he expect to relate its truth principle to a contemporary audience with the confidence that he is preaching the faithful meaning of that text. Few preachers have received the kind of training that enables them to so interpret the Scriptures. Abe Kuruvilla's dissertation helps fill in the gap that continues to exist in theological education. He has demonstrated how the preacher can bridge between text and sermon."Timothy S. WarrenProfessor, Pastoral MinistriesDallas Theological Seminary
"The movement from interpretation of a text to the formulation of a sermon on that text is without a doubt a perennial problem, and a seemingly inexhaustible topic, especially for publications designed for the clergy or professors of preaching. Kuruvilla's volume, however, stands out, I believe, within the collections of such books as an especially commendable resource for preachers, teachers of preaching, and anyone interested in the question of how to link biblical content with current issues. I find this volume to be one the best current treatments of a complicated but inescapable subject, and I strongly recommend it as a valuable addition to our discussion of the relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics." Robert KysarBandy Professor of Preaching and New Testament Emeritus Candler School of TheologyEmory University(From Review of Biblical Literature)
"Always keeping his eye on the world-in-front-of the text, [Kuruvilla] leans towards narrative criticism and canonical criticism, thus going a step further than the classic expositors, Sidney Greidanus and Haddon Robinson, both of whom acknowledged narrative and canonical elements in sermon preparation. Yet Kuruvilla, still the expository preacher, has integrated these elements, with philosophical and linguistic disciplines, among the most cited theorists being, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Paul Ricouer, Mikhail Bakhtin, Richard Burridge and Georg Gadamer. It will be interesting to observe what reception this work will have by preachers and theorists--many of whom are either still clinging to a strictly grammato-historical based expository preaching ro moved into dialogic and non-propositional preaching in all its variatioins. It must be added that Kuruvilla, being a late starter in the field of theology, defines himself as a "dermatologist by trade and a theologian by passion." Not only is he a meticulour scholar, whose Text to Praxis is highly recommended, but also a blogger of exceptional creative and communicative finesse, whose site homiletix.org is worth visiting."Margaret MollettSt. Augustin CollegeSouth Africa(From Neotestamentica)
"Has the thought ever occurred to you, toiling away in your study feverishly preparing a sermon for Sunday's service: "I think I understand what's going on in this portion of Scripture, but I have absolutely no idea how I should preach this to my parishioners"?Thankfully, Abraham Kuruvilla has made it his task to explicate this oftentimes mysterious process for any of us who may have just nodded our heads in knowing assent. The book is concerned with explaining the correct way to come upon this pericopal theology. [Kuruvilla] patiently walks his readers through the steps of determining a pericope's genre--both as a single unit and as a part of the larger canon. He furnishes rules, along with plenty of examples, so readers have numerous opportunities to grasp what he is suggesting. Doing so, the vicar must become a 'theologian-homiletician,' and it is 'the working out of this nomenclature, especially the "theologian" half of the appellation, that is the essence of this work.' Here we have a scholar who goes to great lengths to share his practical wisdom with the rest of us--and he does a wonderful job of it. Unfortunately for many of us, the cost of the book is more than that of many small microwaves listed on amazon.co.uk! Should you be the type of person who would get more use out of this book than such a handy little kitchen appliance (or if you already have one and your spouse won't mind!), by all means go buy the book. Otherwise just find it at a library close by."Daniel LoweryTrinity College, University of Bristol(From Anvil)
About the Author
Abraham Kuruvilla is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary, TX, USA.
Chris Keith is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway. He is the author of The Pericope Adulterae, the Gospel of John and the Literacy of Jesus, a winner of the 2010 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and Jesus' Literacy: Scribal Culture and the Teacher from Galilee. He is also the co-editor of Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, and was recently named a 2012 Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar.
Product details
- Publisher : T&T Clark (May 26, 2009)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0567538540
- ISBN-13 : 978-0567538543
- Item Weight : 1.15 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.14 x 0.56 x 9.21 inches
About the author
Kuwait, India, USA
I am ethnically Indian (from the country Columbus missed, way east of the GMT), but I was born in Kuwait where my father was working. Lived there for about a decade and then we moved to India when he retired. Another decade or so later, I landed on the shores of the US as an international student and have remained here ever since.
Immunology, Pediatrics, Dermatology
My initial training was in medicine and that trail took me to Houston for a PhD in immunology and an internship in pediatrics, transplanted me to Boston for my residency in dermatology, and drew me back to Texas—I finally came to my senses!—to satisfy my morbid fascination with the care and cure of diseases of the skin, hair, and nails in private practice, in Dallas, as a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Medicine, Pastoring, Theology
There in Houston, I was “serendipitously” involved in a church plant even before I had any formal pastoral training. I preached frequently, and thoroughly loved every moment. It was thrilling to see God working in the lives of his people, and humbling to be used by God for his purpose. The communication of God’s truth, I realized, was something I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life. Those halcyon days settled my lifelong ministry goals to explore preaching (furthering the field), to explain preaching (training the teachers), and exemplifying preaching (strengthening the saints). Finally, at the end of the winding journey that medicine took me, I ended up at DTS for my master’s degree (ThM) in the Pastoral Leadership Track. I began teaching preaching classes as an adjunct professor in Pastoral Ministries during my final semester as a student and continued teaching there after graduation.
Researching, Teaching, Preaching
Interactions with sharp students and astute colleagues stoked the fires for more education in homiletics, so one fine day I sold house, stored car, abandoned practice, and set off for bonnie Scotland, to work on another PhD, this time researching the hermeneutics of preaching at the University of Aberdeen. I returned to Dallas Seminary in 2007 where I’ve been since, teaching preaching and spiritual life courses. “Pulpiteering” at every opportunity, I have served as interim preacher in a variety of churches, and, for a few weeks every year, I fill in for the pastor at my home church, as well as speak at Bible conferences all over. “Have pulpit? Will preach!”
Cricket, Celibacy, Christ
And when I’m not exploring, explaining, and exemplifying preaching, I’m listening to Bach (anything and everything by this unparalleled genius), following the (mis)fortunes of the Indian cricket team and its shining star Sachin Tendulkar, and, from time to time, putting my motorcycle license to good use. And I love bowties (yes, gentlemen always tie their own ties!). And old dermatology and preaching textbooks. And Harry Potter. And a capella music, especially as performed by Chanticleer or the Hilliard Ensemble. And 1960s jazz and most things by Keith Jarrett.
Researching, Teaching, Preaching
Somewhere along this journey I also came to the realization that celibacy was God’s gift to me. I call it “ecclesiological singleness”—single by choice, for life, unto Christ, in community. That is an integral part of who I am, and it has significantly shaped my life and solidified my faith. And so I’m also keenly interested in the theology of Christ-centered singleness, a sole passion for the Lord who gave his life a ransom for me.
“Young lions may suffer lack and feel hunger.
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.”
Psalm 34:10
www.homiletix.com
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