A Manual for Preaching: The Journey from Text to Sermon
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Abraham Kuruvilla’s A Vision for Preaching offered an integrated biblical and theological vision for preaching. A Manual for Preaching addresses the practical (and perennial) issue of how to move from the biblical text to an effective sermon. The author, a well-respected teacher of preachers, shows how to discern the text’s theological meaning and let that meaning shape the development of the sermon. Clearly written and illustrated with Old Testament and New Testament examples, the book helps preachers negotiate larger swaths of Scripture and includes two annotated sermon manuscripts from Kuruvilla.
- Getting Ready
- Discerning Theology
- Deriving Application
- Creating Maps
- Fleshing Moves
- Illustrating Ideas
- Crafting Introductions and Conclusions
- Producing Manuscripts
- Delivering Sermons
- Conclusion
- Appendix A: Big Idea versus Theological Focus
- Appendix B: Preaching--Argumentation versus Demonstration
- Appendix C: Annotated Sermon Manuscript--Ephesians 1:1-14
- Appendix D: Annotated Sermon Manuscript--Genesis 26:1-33
Top Highlights
“As preachers, our primary task is to lay out what the biblical author is doing with what he is saying in each pericope—the theology of the pericope.” (Page 6)
“But I want you to be ruthless about abandoning semantic pursuits that do not lead to the goal of figuring out pericopal theology. Do not do word studies just for the sake of doing word studies. Do not track histories and geographies just for the delight of doing so. Do not translate every verse from the Hebrew or the Greek just to give your linguistic muscles a workout. If a verse is reasonably clear as to its saying, leave it alone; you’ve gotten it.17 Do not be compelled to slice, dice, dissect, and atomize. Save yourself precious time and energy.” (Page 35)
“Preaching is for those already in relationship with God.6” (Page 2)
“But for us who are children of God, the form of communication we call preaching is located in an even more unique dimension and is different from every other kind of public speech, formal or informal: it is the parade event wherein the word of God is exposited by a shepherd of God for the people of God to conform them into the image of the Son of God by the power of the Spirit of God for the glory of God.” (Page 1)
“Preaching is not only the explanation of God’s word but also its application to life” (Page 58)
Homileticians and expositors are getting accustomed to expecting solid work from Dr. Abe Kuruvilla, and this new manuscript will not disappoint them in the least. Therefore, I am happy to recommend this new title—A Manual for Preaching: The Journey from Text to Sermon. Ever since I read Dr. Kuruvilla’s book Privilege the Text, I have been one of his fans. This volume fits right in line with that previous volume. I think pastors, students, and laypersons will enjoy this new work just as well. I give it my highest commendation.
—Walter C. Kaiser Jr., president emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
This introduction to the science and the art of preaching represents Kuruvilla at his best. Writing with passion, with clarity, with plenty of illustrations and examples, and from a wealth of experience, he offers a practical and engaging guide to the highest calling on earth—the proclamation of the word of God. Few will agree with him, or me, at every point, but then, effective preachers tend to be idiosyncratic creatures. Our differences aside, whether readers are old hands at the enterprise or novices entering this sacred vocation, anyone who preaches and any church leader who listens to preaching needs to read this book. It will encourage the former to improve their homiletical skills, but more importantly, it will inspire them to proclaim the message of God’s grace with greater authority and fire. And it should inspire the latter to pray for those who preach.
—Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Wheaton College
In the multitude of books on preaching, Abraham Kuruvilla’s book will prove to be of more value than most, whether for novice or experienced preachers. The book does exactly what it claims, helping a preacher to move step-by-step from text to sermon. It rightly emphasizes the importance of preaching units of Scripture to the church in continuity, rather than picking away at unrelated texts, and of doing so through a theological lens. The book is full of seasoned wisdom, making use of Kuruvilla’s own experience—both his successes and, occasionally, his failures. He helpfully applies his wisdom throughout the book by using the story of Jacob and the Letter to the Ephesians. I recommend it not only for personal enrichment but also as a textbook for any class in homiletics.
—Derek Tidball, former principal, London School of Theology
Abraham Kuruvilla (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is research professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He authored A Vision for Preaching (a Preaching Today Book Award winner) and Privilege the Text! A Theological Hermeneutic for Preaching. A past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society, he blogs regularly at homiletix.com.