From Text to Sermon

Instructor: Eric C. Smith, PhD

E-mail: ecsmith@iliff.edu
Course Synopsis

Taking as its material the gospel of Matthew, this course will cover strategies and methods for biblical exegesis in the task of composing sermons. Students will employ a variety of critical tools and readings to develop sermon ideas and full sermons, providing valuable skills and experience for those interested in entering parish ministry, or those simply interested in biblical exegesis.

Books for the Course

Harper Collins Study Bible (NRSV) or another good, modern NRSV study Bible (contact your professor if you aren’t certain whether yours qualifies).

Hayes, John H. and Carl R. Holladay. Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook . Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.

McKenzie, Steven L. and Stephen R. Haynes. To Each Its Own Meaning, Revised and Expanded: An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and Their Application. Westminster John Knox Press, 1999.

Duran, Nicole Wilkinson and James P. Grimshaw, eds. Matthew: Texts @ Contexts. Fortress Press, 2013.

Senior, Donald. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Matthew. Abingdon, 2011.

Powell, Mark Allan. Methods for Matthew. Cambridge, 2009.

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second week of class.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community. 

DateDayDetails
Jan 10, 2017TueWeek One: Introduction to Matthew and to Exegesisdue by 06:59AM
Jan 12, 2017ThuWeek One: Secondary Sourcesdue by 06:59AM
Jan 14, 2017SatWeek One: Marginaliadue by 06:59AM
Jan 17, 2017TueWeek Two: Historical and Text Criticismdue by 06:59AM
Jan 19, 2017ThuWeek Two: Secondary Sourcesdue by 06:59AM
Jan 21, 2017SatWeek Two: Marginaliadue by 06:59AM
Jan 23, 2017MonWeek Two: Sermon Abstractdue by 06:59AM
Jan 24, 2017TueWeek Three: Literary (Source) Criticismdue by 06:59AM
Jan 26, 2017ThuWeek Three: Secondary Sourcesdue by 06:59AM
Jan 28, 2017SatWeek Three: Marginaliadue by 06:59AM