An examination of narrative approach in homiletics training in theological institutions in the Pietermaritzburg area (KwaZulu- Natal)
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A narrative approach in homiletics courses has been more or less neglected in five theological training institutions in the Pietermaritzburg area of KwaZulu-Natal. That this approach would be beneficial in the training of preachers in this province is supported by the research of scholars concerning inter alia the workings in general of the human brain, the general suitability of "inductive" preaching for church-goers and the acceptability of narrative preaching for religious and secular society. Attention is paid to different approaches to the interpretation of Scripture, seeing that this impinges upon narrative preaching. The literary criticism of the Bible is singled out as being distinct from historical criticism and is examined as the best basis for narrative homiletics. In investigating the contribution of interpretation to meaning, attention is paid to the rote of language and the various elements of narrative i.e. closure, order, plot, characters and setting.
The narrative portions of the Bible, both OT and NT, are then considered. In the OT the primary story takes place from Genesis to 2Kings and is followed by the secondary story which culminates in Malachi. Various elements in OT narrative are examined which render it distinctive. The same is done with respect to the NT with special reference to the parables of our Lord. Various practical aspects of the preaching of sermons are then considered.
An important aspect is the "fieldwork" i.e. the meeting and interviewing of a selection of the various role-players on the homiletical stage. These include past and present lecturers and past and present students of the five institutions. A purpose in the interviews was to ascertain the status of narrative in the homiletics instruction at the institutions.
The study concludes with the provision of a proposed series of lectures in narrative sermon preparation which I commend for use in institutions such as those which I have named in this dissertation.
Description
Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Theology in the field of Practical Theology at the University of Zululand, 2005.
Keywords
Homiletics training, Theological insitutions