Graduate Theological Union
Homiletics
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Purpose
Homiletics is an academic discipline that evolved as a way to describe and improve the practice of preaching in the context of a faith community. The Homiletics area at the Graduate Theological Union engages theoretical, practical, and spiritual components, all of which depend upon dialogue with other disciplines. The treasure of offerings available through the many areas of study available at the GTU, combined with the diversity of faith and culture in the San Francisco Bay Area, provides an unparalleled experience for the study of preaching and its practice.
Our program is distinguished by:
- An interdisciplinary approach that integrates the historical, theological, and linguistic study of Christian preaching in an interfaith context
- Concentrations in contemporary homiletical theories, history of preaching, imagination in preaching, performance, and preaching across cultures
- Course work in related disciplines to explore the richness and complexity of homiletics with diverse socio-cultural contexts that have shaped historical and contemporary preaching
- A pedigogical component that gives students hands-on experience in preparing them for the role of classroom teacher
Student Work |
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Faculty
Core Doctoral Faculty
JANA CHILDERS • SFTS (Homiletics and Speech Communication) • Textual preaching; the Preacher’s creative process; the Preacher’s spiritual life; pneumatology and preaching.
LINDA CLADER • CDSP (Homiletics) • Prophetic preaching; imagination; metaphor.
SANGYIL SAM PARK • ABSW (Preaching) • Prophetic preaching; crosscultural preaching; preaching and rhetoric; narrative preaching; homiletical theories; theology of preaching.
THOMAS G. ROGERS • PLTS (Homiletics) • Homiletics; Leadership; Stewardship.
MARY DONOVAN TURNER • PSR (Homiletics) • Hebrew Bible and preaching; women, voice, and preaching.
Consortial Faculty
PAUL JANOWIAK, S.J. • JST
J. ALFRED SMITH • ABSW (Preaching and Church Ministries) • Preaching and hermeneutics; social ethics; African-American religious history; theological values in literature.
Degrees
M.A.
Offered at ABSW, CDSP, PLTS, PSR, SFTS
Overview
In this area, one studies the practice of preaching in the context of a faith community, focusing on theoretical, practical, and spiritual components. The program involves dialogue with areas of study outside homiletics in order to situate preaching in the context of its broader theological and pastoral landscape.
Ph.D.
The Homiletics area is not accepting new doctoral students at this time. However, faculty in this Area offer courses, contribute to the interdisciplinary aspects of doctoral programs in other areas, and are available for membership on student's examination and dissertation committees.
