1 PR942-HA Preaching on Controversial Topics Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Spring 2017 Friday 9:10am-12:10pm Matthew D. Kim Office: Library #124 Office Hours: Mon. 12:15-2:15pm; Tue. 9:00-11:00am; Wed. 9:00-11:00am Phone: 978.646.4077 Email: mkim@gcts.edu I. Course Description This course is designed as an advanced seminar and practicum on preaching on controversial topics. Students will explore the biblical/exegetical, theological, hermeneutical, cultural, and homiletical opportunities and challenges in communicating God s Word on various topics that typically divide the church. Students will preach one sermon on a controversial topic and receive feedback from the instructor. II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum Building on PR 601, this course is an elective that helps students sharpen their understanding of pastoral and homiletical issues facing today s congregations and how to respond to them biblically through the proclamation of the Word. The course also aims to equip students in developing pastoral skills as they instruct their congregations to think and live biblically with respect to difficult topics. III. Course Objectives To increase awareness of the plethora of cultural and theological issues that have divided Christians. To integrate biblical, hermeneutical, theological, and homiletical knowledge to effectively communicate God s truth. To develop winsome approaches to addressing controversial topics in the local church context. To learn how to acknowledge both/various sides of the divisive topic. To develop pastoral skills in handling sensitive topics. To preach clear and relevant sermons on two controversial issues that have divided Christians and congregations.
2 IV. Course Textbooks Required Reading: John Jefferson Davis, Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today, 4 th ed. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2015). ISBN: 978-1-62995-218-5 Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., What Does the Lord Require: A Guide for Preaching and Teaching Biblical Ethics (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009). ISBN: 978-0801036361 Larry Overstreet, Persuasive Preaching: A Biblical and Practical Guide to the Effective Use of Persuasion (Wooster, OH: Weaver, 2014). ISBN: 978-1941337004 Karen Mason, Preventing Suicide: A Handbook for Pastors, Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014). ISBN: 978-0830841172 [Required for Th.M. students only] Other readings will be available on Sakai. Recommended Reading: Ronald J. Allen, Preaching the Topical Sermon (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1992). ISBN: 978-0664253066 John H. Armstrong, ed., Understanding Four Views on Baptism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007). ISBN: 978-0310262671 [Portions are required.] James R. Beck, ed., Two Views on Women in Ministry, 2 nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005). ISBN: 978-0310254379 [Portions are required.] Mae Elise Canon, Lisa Sharon Harper, Troy Jackson, and Soong-Chan Rah, Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith (Zondervan, 2015). ISBN: 978-0310515968 Adam Hamilton, Confronting the Controversies: A Christian Looks at the Tough Issues, rev. ed. (Nashville: Abingdon, 2001). ISBN: 978-0687346004 Erwin Lutzer, The Doctrines that Divide: A Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That Separate Christians (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1998). ISBN: 978-0-8254-3165-4
3 V. Course Requirements and Grading 1. Attendance. Attendance at all class sessions is required. Students are expected to be on time. If you cannot attend a session, or if you will miss one because of an emergency, please let me know. 2. Discussion. Since this course is a seminar, students are expected to participate in class. Class participation will entail a significant portion of your final course grade. 3. Reading. Read the books and sermons on each of the controversial topics. 4. Sermon Notes. Students will turn in their sermon notes for the sermons. These notes will include a discussion of the challenges and opportunities in preaching on each controversial issue. The sermon notes must comment on the 1) biblical/exegetical, 2) theological, 3) hermeneutical, 4) cultural, and 5) homiletical issues they faced in preparing and preaching this message. Sermon notes should be 3-4 pages singled spaced. Due in class at 12PM noon on the day you preach (paper copy only) 5. Sermon. Students will preach on a controversial topic. The sermon will be 20- minutes maximum. 6. Th.M. students. Students taking the course at a 900-level will read Dr. Mason s book Preventing Suicide and write a 2-page single-spaced reflection paper on how he/she might approach preaching a sermon on the topic. The focus of the paper should be on the following: 1) What must a preacher consider when preaching on this issue? 2) Which Scripture text would you use and why? 3) Discuss any other pastoral/preaching considerations related to this sermon. VI. Course Schedule (The schedule, topics, and sermon length may change based on enrollment) Class Dates Controversial Topics Assignments Feb. 3 Introductions Biblical Ethics and Morality Read: Davis, 1-16 Kaiser, 9-18
4 Feb. 10 Legalism and Sanctification Tattoos and Piercings, Yoga Human Vices (Gambling, Media, Entertainment, Drinking, Substance Use and Abuse) Read: Kaiser, 43-66; 163-172 Feb. 17 Sexuality, Gender, and Sexual Sins LGBTQ (Focus on Homosexuality) Fornication and Cohabitation Read: Davis, 106-130 Kaiser, 79-90 Feb. 24 Reading Week No Class Mar. 3 The Art of Persuasion Read: Guinness, whole book Mar. 10 The Sanctity of Human Life Abortion, Capital Punishment Euthanasia, Suicide Read: Davis, 131-214 Kaiser, 105-116; 127-150 Mar. 17 The Covenant of Marriage Marriage Divorce and Remarriage Read: Davis, 90-105 Kaiser, 91-104 Mar. 24 Reading Week No Class Mar. 31 Theological Issues Predestination, Baptism Read: Lutzer, 153-224 Read: Armstrong, 25-90 Apr. 7 Ministry Issues Women in Ministry Racial Reconciliation Read: Beck, one egalitarian position, one complementarian position Davis, 291-324 Kaiser, 31-42
5 Apr. 14 Student Sermons (20 Minutes) Due: Sermon Notes (bring to class) Apr. 21 Student Sermons (20 Minutes) Due: Sermon Notes (bring to class) Apr. 28 Student Sermons (20 Minutes) Due: Sermon Notes (bring to class) Due: Reflection on Suicide Paper (Bring paper copy to class) Due: Final page of syllabus bring to class (Graduating students due on Friday, April 21 st in class)
6 PR942-HA Preaching on Controversial Topics Spring 2017 Kim Name Box Reading 10% (Give yourself a letter grade or quantity and quality of reading) Attendance 5% (How many classes did you miss?) Do not fill in below --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class Participation 15% Reflection Paper on Suicide 20% Sermon Notes 20% Sermon 30% Final Grade