Towards a Theology of Interactive Homiletics: An Investigation of Theological Validity

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Traditionally when evangelical homiletic works have developed theory on the medium, or form, of homilies they have focused primarily on the giving of speeches; that is that homiletics is produced in the form of a monologue. However in recent time’s verbal interaction has been put forward as an option for homiletic medium within church practice. The agenda of this thesis is to question to what extent a homily that has interaction as the medium is theologically validated. This question invokes elements of theological method and this thesis uses the sources of theological method as put forward by Stanley J Grenz and John R Franke (2001). Namely that in order for an evangelical teaching to be theologically valid it needs to be established in the three sources of the Scriptures, the Culture and the Tradition, with the Scriptures acting as the authoritative source.This thesis aims to investigate the teaching methods of Jesus and the early disciples (by surveying the gospel of Mark and the book of Acts). It will then correlate the homiletic practice to its cultural equivalent in the secular setting (that of educational theory). And finally it will look back at the tradition focusing most of the attention on the early years of the churches development and the church since the Reformation. After these sources have been examined the thesis will conclude and answer the question as to what extent interactive homiletics is theologically valid.

ABSTRACT: Traditionally when evangelical homiletic works have developed theory on the medium, or form, of homilies they have focused primarily on the giving of speeches; that is that homiletics is produced in the form of a monologue. However in recent time’s verbal interaction has been put forward as an option for homiletic medium within church practice. The agenda of this thesis is to question to what extent a homily that has interaction as the medium is theologically validated. This question invokes elements of theological method and this thesis uses the sources of theological method as put forward by Stanley J Grenz and John R Franke (2001). Namely that in order for an evangelical teaching to be theologically valid it needs to be established in the three sources of the Scriptures, the Culture and the Tradition, with the Scriptures acting as the authoritative source.This thesis aims to investigate the teaching methods of Jesus and the early disciples (by surveying the gospel of Mark and the book of Acts). It will then correlate the homiletic practice to its cultural equivalent in the secular setting (that of educational theory). And finally it will look back at the tradition focusing most of the attention on the early years of the churches development and the church since the Reformation. After these sources have been examined the thesis will conclude and answer the question as to what extent interactive homiletics is theologically valid.