Birmingham Theological Seminary 2200 Briarwood Way

Birmingham, Alabama 35243205-776-5650

Spring 2018 Work Phone: 205-426-5771PT5524 Ministry of the Word II Cell Phone: 205-215-3209Professor: Michael E. Reese, M.Min., D.Min. Fax: 205-678-4512Class Hours: 2 Email: address mereese@bellsouth.net

Course Purpose:

The purpose of this course is to examine the theology, typology, analogy, history and practice of the ministry of the Word II or expository preaching from the Old and New Testament. To enable and expose students to the study of Old and New Testament exposition as a whole; and to equip students with the necessary skills to do effective expository preaching based on solid understanding of the characters, themes, and theology of each book of the bible.

To encourage each student to evaluate and critique various approaches to expository preaching that are based on the Christological Interpretation. To challenge students against forced interpretation and the temptation of human-Centered preaching.

To enable graduate students to use their knowledge of the characters, themes and theology of each book of the bible and to do competent expository preaching; and to sharpen their ability to analyze and assess character studies, historical development, narrative and solid interpretation of the text as the foundation for sound, solid, strong and scriptural presentation.

Course Objectives:

It is intended that students who successfully completes this course will:

1. Be advanced in their use of developing and proclaiming effective expository messages.2. Be enhanced in their ability to exegete scripture systematically.3. Be efficient in critically evaluating the text and context of the Old and New Testament.

4. Be equipped in integrating the foundational disciplines of theology, the Old Testament and the New Testament as they relate to the exposition of the text.5. Be able to do narratives presentation, to summarize, formulate, and evaluate expository principles related to expository preaching.

Required Texts:

Certificate student will be assigned approximately half the required number of pages to read.

Greidanus, Sidney. “Preaching Christ From The Old Testament” A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method ISBN: 0-8028-0360-1Massey, James Earl. The Burdensome Joy of Preaching. Nashville, TN:Abingdon Press, 1998.

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Robinson, Haddon W. “Making A Difference In Preaching”. Baker Book House. ISBN: 0-8010-9092-XSmith Robert Jr. Doctrine That Dances. B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, Tennessee 2008.Holy Bible

Collateral Texts:

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations University of Chicago Press ISBN: 0-226-81627-3Logos Bible Software

Course Requirement:

1. Class attendance: more than (2) unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade.2. Completion of reading assignment on time.

3. Write a three page paper on any two below. Be concise and precise. BTS is interested in content not memorization. Papers are due by March 20. {Certificate Students will only be required to do one of these short papers}.

Paper 1: Summarize your understanding of the formation of Old Testament preaching.[Fulfills objective 1]Paper 2: Explain Robinson’s case for preaching with a limp in chapter 4.[Fulfills objective 2]Paper 3: Give an analysis and appraisal of Luther’s Christological Interpretation of the

Old Testament in chapter 4 of preaching Christ from the Old Testament.[Fulfills objective 3]Paper 4: Explain the difference between typology, analogy and exegesis and the role each plays within the formation of the sermon.[Fulfills objective 4]

4. Write an 8-10 page summary paper on Robert Smith “Doctrine that Dances.” Tell what the book says, what you have learned and how it can help you in your ministry. (The 8-10 pages begin with introduction and ends with conclusion). Introduction and bibliography do not count in page count. Paper is due April 23.

Grading

1. Class attendance: more than two unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade.

2. In class sermons, completion of reading assignments and ability to participate in discussion is 40% of grade. Certificate students will only be required to present 2 sermons in class.

3. short papers are worth 10% each for a total of 20% of grade

4. Reaction paper 20%

5. Final grade 20%

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BTS Format and Style Standards

Note:  All papers must be formatted in accordance with Turabian Chicago standards including the title page.  Any paper not conforming to these standards will automatically be dropped one letter grade. 

Reading Assignment

Date Chapters Work Assignment

1/16 Genesis 3 ½ page paper on meaningof verse 7,15, 21 the fig leaves and coats of skin(Read chapter 1-2 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)

1/23 Psalm 27 Discuss in class(Read chapter 1-2 Making A Difference In Preaching)

1/30 Exodus 33 ½ page paper on text(Read chapter 3-4 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)

2/6 Malachi 3:8-12 Discuss in class(Read chapter 3 Making A Difference In Preaching)

2/13 Isaiah 9:1-7 interpret the meaning of text(Read chapter 5 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)

2/20 Proverbs 3:1-10 do outline on verses

2/27 Romans 1:1-7 Discuss in class

(Read chapter 4-5 Making A Difference In Preaching)

3/5-9..............................................Spring Break....................................................................

3/13 Job 1 discuss here God’s sovereignty (Read chapter 1 Doctrine that Dances)

3/20 Joshua 1:1-8 Discuss in class(Read chapter 6 Preaching Christ From The Old Testament)

3/27 Ruth 2 ½ page on interpretation(Read chapter 1-2 The Burdensome Joy of Preaching)

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4/3 Deuteronomy 6 Outline the chapter(Read chapter 3-4 The Burdensome Joy of Preaching)

4/10 Psalm 3:1-8 Exposition on Text(Read chapter 7-11 Making A Difference In Preaching)

4/17 Genesis 18 Discuss in Class(Read chapter 2 Doctrine that Dances)

4/24 2Corinthians 12:7-10 Exposition on Verses(Read chapter 3-4 Doctrine that Dances)

The Analysis of a Bible BookDr. Mark Labberton, President of Fuller Seminary wrote: Sermon-making is a kind of

ecclesiastical industry. Sermon-craft has an important place no doubt. It would be naïve,

inadequate, and inexperienced to argue otherwise. But the most visible and inescapable

communication of God’s Word that occurs through preaching is the preacher. Who are

the preachers? What really matters to them? Why? What resonance do their lives and

voices have in relation to the Living Word, to the biblical text, to the congregation, or to

the wider culture? How do they embody their messages? Or do they? How do their lives

become channels by which to encounter God’s grace, to know God’s truth, to seek God’s

justice?

I. Preaching Christ and Preaching the Old Testament

A. The Necessity of Preaching Christ

1. To Guide in Exegeting the Book

2. The Meaning of Preaching Christ

II. The Necessity of Preaching from the Old Testament

A. Sequential Books

B. Reasons for the Lack of Preaching from the Old Testament

1. The temptation of human-centered preaching

1. The concern about forced interpretation

III. Procedures for Making an Analysis

A. Reading the Book Again and Again

1. Examining the Book’s Literary Characteristics

2. Dividing the Book into Parts

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The Exegesis of a Bible Book

I. The Old Testament Witness To Christ

A. Various Options in Preaching Christ From the Old Testament

1. New Testament insights into Preaching Christ from the Old Testament

2. Benefits of Preaching Christ from the Old Testament

3. Providing a Fuller Understanding of Christ

B. Allegorical Interpretation

3. Multiple Texts

4. The Apostolic Fathers

5. The School of Alexandria

II. Exegesis and Interpretation

A. Exegesis

1. Typological Interpretation

2. Interpretation: The Interaction and evaluation of typology

3. The Four senses of Scripture

4. Typology and Exegesis

III. Initial Contacts with the Text

A. Selecting the Text

1. Establishing Boundaries of the Text

2. Translating or Paraphrasing the Text

IV. Christological Interpretation

A. Luther’s Hermeneutical Method

1. Luther’s Preaching of Christ

2. Evaluation of Luther’s Christological Interpretation

V. The Christocentric Method

A. Redemptive-Historical Christocentric Interpretation

B. Understanding the Passage in its own Historical Context

1. Parallel Contexts

2. Understand the Message in the contexts of Canon and Redemptive History

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VI. Word Study

VII. Syntactical Study

The Life Situation of a Bible Book

I. The Book within Bible History

A. Periods of Bible History

B. Fitting the Text into Bible History

II. The Book Setting

A. The Geographical Setting

1. The Political Setting

2. The Cultural Setting

B. The Theological Setting

III. The Book’s Special Features

B. The Author or Authors

1. The readers

2. The Date

C. The Occasion and Purpose

1. The Literary Character

IV. Techniques of Historical and Literary Study

A. Historical Criticism

B. Form Criticism

C. Redaction Criticism

The Interpretation of a Bible Book

I. A Perspective on Interpretation

A. The Origin of the Term

B. Values of the Process of Interpretation

II. Assumptions of Interpretation

A. The Reality of God

B. The Continuity of Human Nature and Experience

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C. The Bible as God’s Word

D. The Experience of God

III. Interactions in Interpretation

A. The Text Interprets the Preacher

B. The Text Interprets the People

IV. Principles of Interpretation

A. Observe the Obvious

B. Probe for the Purpose

C. Build the Bridge

D. Learn about the Language

E. Ask for the Analogy

F. Interpret by Illustration

Variation of Sermon Structures in a Bible Book

I. Didactic Design

A. Exegetical Paragraph Design

1. Dualism Design

2. Interrogative Design

3. Commentary Design

4. Syllogistic Design

5. Multitext Design

6. Classification Design

7. Sentence-Slicing Design

8. Subject Design

II. Explorative Designs

A. Unfolding Exploration

B. Hegelian Exploration

1. Problem-Solving Exploration

2. Inductive Investigation

3. Experience-Exposure Exploration

III. Narrative Design

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A. Narration-Implication Design

B. Story-Line Design

C. Shared-Story Design

D. Dominant-Metaphor Design

E. Explained-Narration Design

F. Multiple-Story Design

Selected Bibliography

Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Preaching from the Old Testament. Louisville, KY: Westminster,

1996.

_____. Preaching the Prophets with Honor. Kevin Miller, ed. Fall, 1997.

Allen, Ronald J. The Teaching Sermon. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1996.

Bailey, Raymond, ed. Hermeneutics for Preaching. Nashville. TN: Broadman, 1996.

Bryson, Harold T. Expository Preaching: The Art of Preaching Through a Bible Book.

Nashville, TN: Broadman, 1996

Knott, Harold E. How to Prepare an Expository Sermon. Cincinnati: OH: Standard

Publ.1930.

MacArthur, John Jr. Rediscovering Expository Preaching. Dallas, TX: Word Publishing.

1982.

Massey, James Earl. The Burdensome Joy of Preaching. Nashville TN: Abingdon Press,

1998.

Meyer, F.B. Expository Preaching: Plans and Methods. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1974.

Olford, Stephen F. Anointed Expository Preaching. Nashville, TN Broadman & Holman,

1998.

Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository

Messages. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1980.

Smith Robert Jr. Doctrine That Dances. B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, Tennessee 2008.Holy Bible

Thompson, William D. Preaching Biblically: Exegesis and Interpretation. Nashville, TN:

Abingdon, 1981.

Whitesell, Faris D. Power in Expository Preaching. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1963.

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Biblical Texts

Armerding, Carl E. The Old Testament and Criticism. Spring Arbor Distributors.

Dillard, Raymond B. and Tremper Longman, III. An Introduction to the Old Testament.

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006.

Ferguson, Duncan S. Biblical Hermeneutics, an Introduction. John Knox, 1986.

Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Toward an Exegetical Theology. Baker, 1981

Longman, Tremper III. How to Read the Psalms. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press,

1988.

Mickelson, A. Berkeley. Interpreting the Bible. Eerdmans, 1963

Silva, Moises and Karen Jobes. Invitation to the Septuagint. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker,

2005

Thomas, Robert L. Introduction to Exegesis. Author, 1987.

Vos, Geerhardus. The Eschatology of the Old Testament. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R

Publishing, 2001.

Waltke, Bruce K., and Charles Yu. An Old Testament Theology: A Canonical and

Thematic Approach. Zondervan, 2006.

W.E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White. An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words.

Nelson, 1984.

Young, E.J. “The Authority of the Old Testament.” In The Infallible Word, Edited by

Stonehouse, N.B., and Paul Wooley, 55-91. Phillipsburg, N. J.: Presbyterian and

Reformed Publishing Co, 2002.

Concordances

Anderson, Ken. The Contemporary Concordance of Bible Topics. Victor, 1984.

Strong, James. Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Abingdon, 1980.

Young, Robert., ed. Analytical Concordance to the Bible. Rev. ed. Nelson, 1980.

Theological Works

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Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1941.

Bruce, F.F. New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes. Eerdmans, 1968.

Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. 8 vols. Dallas Seminary, 1947.

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3 vols. Baker, 1983-85.

Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. InterVarsity, 1981.

Packer, J. I., ed. The Best in Theology. Vol. 1 of multi-volume series. Christianity Today,

1987-.

Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. Zondervan,

1958.

Ryrie, Charles C. Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Moody, 1959.

Shedd, William G. T. Dogmatic Theology. 3 vols. Zondervan, )reprint) n.d.

Vos, Gerhardus. Biblical Theology. Eerdmans, 1948. ISBN: 0-85151-458-8

Warfield, Benjamin B. Biblical and Theological Studies. Presbyterian and Reformed,

1968.

_______ Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield. 2 vols. Presbyterian and

Reformed, 1970.

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