This title identifies 'pericopal theology' as the bridge between ancient text and modern application and shows how it may be derived and how it functions in the exercise of preaching. A fundamental issue for preachers of the Bible has always been achieving an approach that is both faithful to the textual intention as well as fitting for the listening audience. What is historical and distant (the text) is, in preaching, made contemporary and near (praxis). Particularly pertinent is how this transaction may be conducted with respect to the self-contained and well-defined quantum of the scriptural text that is regularly employed in liturgical contexts - the pericope. This book answers the question: in a sermon intending to proclaim application from a pericope, what is the hermeneutical basis for moving validly from text to praxis, i.e., with authority and relevance?The concept of theology as a bridge between text and praxis has not been specifically researched or rigorously substantiated. Kuruvilla seeks to do both, utilizing as entrees language philosophy, literary criticism, and a thorough understanding of 'ordinary' language. Drawing from a variety of hermeneutical resources, he establishes 'pericopal theology' as the intermediary between text and praxis. How this theology is discerned from the text and how application may be determined therefrom form the crux of this book. This novel approach lends validity to the movement from text to praxis and promises to be useful for any approach to the biblical text intended to culminate in application. Kuruvilla's approach provides a substantial technical basis for such an operation.Thus the preacher must be a 'theologian-homiletician'. It is the working out of this nomenclature, especially the 'theologian' half of the appellation, that is the essence of this work, uniting as it does in one portfolio the responsibility of negotiating the demands of both hermeneutics and homiletics. Formerly the "Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement", a book series that explores the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches. "The Early Christianity in Context" series, a part of JSNTS, examines the birth and development of early Christianity up to the end of the third century CE. The series places Christianity in its social, cultural, political and economic context. "European Seminar on Christian Origins" and "Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Supplement" are also part of JSNTS.

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.

Preaching Today 2016 Book Award (Editor's Choice) This book by a well-respected teacher of preachers develops an integrated biblical and theological vision for preaching that addresses the essentials of this most important activity in the church. Drawing on influential voices from church history, Abraham Kuruvilla reclaims what has been lost through the centuries and offers fresh insights, showing preachers what they can aim for as an ideal in their preaching. He helps preachers have a better conception of what it means to preach, a fuller understanding of the divinely granted privilege of preaching, and a greater excitement for the preaching ministry. Concluding biblical reflections reinforce the teaching of each chapter.

About the Contributor(s): Abraham Kuruvilla is Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary, and a dermatologist in private practice. He is the author of Text to Praxis: Hermeneutics and Homiletics in Dialogue (2009), Mark: A Theological Commentary for Preachers (2012), and Privilege the Text A Theological Hermeneutic for Preaching (2013). He blogs regularly at www.homiletix.com.

Synopsis: Mark: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the narrative units of Mark to craft effective sermons. This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text. The Gospel of Mark is therefore divided into twenty-five narrative units, with the theological focus of each clearly delineated. The specificity of these theological ideas for their respective texts makes possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of the book, progressively developing the theological trajectory of Mark's theme of discipleship, and enabling the expositor to discover valid application for sermons. While the primary goal of the commentary is to take the preacher from text to theology, it also aids in the advance from theology to sermon by providing tips for preaching and two possible sermon outlines for each of the twenty-five units of the Gospel. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through Mark's Gospel with an emphasis on application. Endorsements: "Dr. Abraham Kuruvilla's commentary is up to date, relevant, in touch with recent literature, suggestive, and well written. This preacher's commentary on Mark introduces the pastor to the key issues of the gospel and points the preacher in a solid direction in terms of application emerging from the text. One of the keys is the excellent selection of materials made to get into the meat of the passage, which means pastors can utilize their limited time well in getting familiar with the gospel and where they might go with it. This work is well done and should serve pastors well." --Darrell L. Bock Research Professor of NT Studies Dallas Theological Seminary "Abraham Kuruvilla has produced a book that theologians, pastors, and laypersons will all appreciate at one and the same time, for he has laid out the Gospel of Mark in twenty-five narrative units simultaneously developing two possible sermon outlines on each of the twenty-five units along with the central theological focus of each unit. More than that, he has also developed a homiletical teaching tool as he progresses through the Gospel stressing the core idea of discipleship while emphasizing the work of the expositor in ending up with discovering valid applications and contemporary responses for living the content of each teaching unit in this Gospel. This emphasis on application of the text continues to be desperately needed in today's pulpits, as the need for truly expository preaching still exists; one that uses the text of Scripture as the exclusive basis for powerful preaching of the word of God in our day." --Walter C. Kaiser Jr. President Emeritus Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Author Biography: Abraham Kuruvilla is Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas, and a dermatologist in private practice. He is the author of Text to Praxis: Hermeneutics and Homiletics in Dialogue (2009) and blogs at www.homiletix.org.

A fundamental issue for preachers of the Bible has always been achieving an approach that is both faithful to the textual intention as well as fitting for the listening audience. What is historical and distant (the text) is, in preaching, made contemporary and near (praxis). Particularly pertinent is how this transaction may be conducted with respect to the self-contained and well-defined quantum of the scriptural text that is regularly employed in liturgical contexts-the pericope. This book answers the question: In a sermon intending to proclaim application from a pericope, what is the hermeneutical basis for moving validly from text to praxis, i.e., with authority and relevance? The concept of theology as a bridge between text and praxis has not been specifically researched or rigorously substantiated. Kuruvilla seeks to do both, utilizing as entrees language philosophy, literary criticism, and a thorough understanding of "ordinary" language. Drawing from a variety of hermeneutical resources, he establishes "pericopal theology" as the intermediary between text and praxis. How this theology is discerned from the text and how application may be determined therefrom form the crux of this book. This novel approach lends validity to the movement from text to praxis and promises to be useful for any approach to the biblical text intended to culminate in application. Kuruvilla's approach provides a substantial technical basis for such an operation. Thus the preacher must be a "theologian-homiletician." It is the working out of this nomenclature, especially the "theologian" half of the appellation, that is the essence of this work, uniting as it does in one portfolio the responsibility of negotiating the demands of both hermeneutics and homiletics.