How is Christian preaching a theological endeavor? This course will focus upon a theology of preaching – how does Christian theology empower, authorize, and sustain Christian proclamation? There will also be consideration of the function of our theologies in preaching. How do our claims about God inform and give substance to our sermons? This course will identify the major theological claims of orthodox Christianity that makes preaching possible as well as allow the preacher to understand how their theology impacts the production and delivery of the sermon. 

What Others Have Thought:  

"Dr. Willimon challenged my denominational ideology with the thought that "preaching the Word of God is the Word of God." I am still processing the implications of this teaching."  

"This course has led me to re-center on preaching as central to my pastoral ministry. It has given me greater clarity about how to analyze theological presuppositions for sermons."    

Course Project:   

All students will do a theological analysis of sermons from contemporary preachers. They will examine the strengths and weaknesses of their sermons and the theology behind them. Students will also bring two copies of recent sermons that they preached and give them to their fellow students for examination.   

Sample Readings From This Course May Include:   

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, Westminster John Knox, 2005.  

Pasquarello, Michael. Christian Preaching: A Trinitarian Theology of Proclamation, Baker, 2006. 

Willimon, William H. Proclamation and Theology, Abingdon, 2005. 

Willimon, William H. Peculiar Speech: Preaching to the Baptized, Eerdmans, 1992.    

If you would like more information about this course please email the DMIN office at dmin@fuller.edu 

For a sample course description please click here.  NOTE: This is not to be used as a source for course preparation.