Abraham Kuruvilla

Privilege the Text! spans the conceptual gap between biblical text and life application by providing a rigorous theological hermeneutic for preaching. Kuruvilla describes the theological entity that is the intermediary between ancient text and modern audience, and defines its crucial function in determining valid application. Based on this hermeneutic, he submits a new mode of reading Scripture for preaching: a Christiconic interpretation of the biblical text, a hermeneutically robust way to understand the depiction of the Second Person of the Trinity in Scripture. In addition, Kuruvilla’s work provides a substantive theology of spiritual formation through preaching: what it means to obey God, the Christian’s responsibility to undertake “faith-full” obedience to divine demand, and the incentives for such obedience—all integral to understanding the sermonic movement from text to application. Privilege the Text! promises to be useful not only for preachers, and students and teachers of homiletics, but for all who are interested in the exposition of Scripture that culminates in application for the glory of God.

A Theological Hermeneutic for Preaching

Privilege the Text!

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.

Hermeneutics and Homiletics in Dialogue

Text to Praxis

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.

The Journey from Text to Sermon

A Manual for Preaching

Judges: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the units of the letter to craft effective sermons. This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text (i.e., what the author is doing with what he is saying). Judges is divided into fourteen preaching units and the theological focus of each is delineated. The overall theological trajectory or theme of the book deals with the failure of leadership in the community of God's people. Since God's people are all called to be leaders in some arena, to some degree, in some fashion, the lessons of Judges are applicable to all Christians. The specific theological thrust of each unit is captured in this commentary, making possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of Judges. While the primary goal of the commentary is to take the preacher from text to theology, it also provides two sermon outlines for each of the twelve preaching units of Judges. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through Judges with an emphasis on application.

A Theological Commentary for Preachers

Judges

Privilege the Text! spans the conceptual gap between biblical text and life application by providing a rigorous theological hermeneutic for preaching. Kuruvilla describes the theological entity that is the intermediary between ancient text and modern audience, and defines its crucial function in determining valid application. Based on this hermeneutic, he submits a new mode of reading Scripture for preaching: a Christiconic interpretation of the biblical text, a hermeneutically robust way to understand the depiction of the Second Person of the Trinity in Scripture. In addition, Kuruvilla's work provides a substantive theology of spiritual formation through preaching: what it means to obey God, the Christian's responsibility to undertake "faith-full" obedience to divine demand, and the incentives for such obedience-all integral to understanding the sermonic movement from text to application. Privilege the Text! promises to be useful not only for preachers, and students and teachers of homiletics, but for all who are interested in the exposition of Scripture that culminates in application for the glory of God.

This book looks into the liturgy of the Mar Thoma Church. The Mar Thoma Church claims to be Eastern and Reformed. An enquiry is made into the liturgy of the Eucharist to look into the the prayer for illumination. The measuring rod to determine the Eastern and the Reformed nature is the Eastern fathers such as Gregory Nazianzen, Athanasius, St. Basil, etc., and the Reformer John Calvin. The prayer for illumination as laid out in the Eucharistic liturgy of the Mar Thoma Church is compared to the prayer for illumination in the Syrian liturgy and the Genevan psalter. Some observations are made and, accordingly, conclusions are drawn. Based on the conclusions, some implications are given for the Mar Thoma Church.

A Comparative Analysis into the Eastern and Reformed Nature of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church

The Prayer of Illumination

The book looks into the liturgy of the Mar Thoma Church. The Mar Thoma Church claims to be eastern and reformed. An enquiry is made into the liturgy of the passion week and the Eucharist to look into the theology of Atonement (work of Christ) and the nature of the Holy Spirit respectively. The measuring rod to determine the Eastern and the Reformed nature is the Eastern Fathers such as Gregory Nazianzen, Athanasius, St. Basil, etc., and the Reformer John Calvin. The theology of atonement (work of Christ) and the nature of the Holy Spirit as laid out in the liturgy of the Mar Thoma Church are compared to the teachings of the Eastern Fathers and Reformer John Calvin. Some observations are made and accordingly conclusions are drawn. Based on the conclusions some implications are made for the Mar Thoma Church.

A Theological Enquiry into the Doctrine of Atonement and the Holy Spirit of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church

Eastern and Reformed

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the units of these epistles to craft effective sermons. This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text (pericope). The three letters--collectively, the Pastoral Epistles--are divided into eighteen pericopes, and what the author is doing with what he is saying in each is explored. The overall theological trajectory of the Pastoral Epistles concerns the promotion of God's economy by the community of God's people. The specific theological thrust of individual preaching units is captured in this commentary, making possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of the three epistles. While the primary goal of the commentary is to take the preacher from text to theology, it also provides two sermon outlines for each of the eighteen preaching units of the Pastoral Epistles. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus with an emphasis on application.

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus

A fundamental issue for preachers of the Bible has always beenÂ achieving an approach that is bothÂ 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. ThisÂ 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 entrées 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.Â 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.

Judges: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the units of the letter to craft effective sermons. This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text (i.e., what the author is doing with what he is saying). Judges is divided into fourteen preaching units and the theological focus of each is delineated. The overall theological trajectory or theme of the book deals with the failure of leadership in the community of God's people. Since God's people are all called to be leaders in some arena, to some degree, in some fashion, the lessons of Judges are applicable to all Christians. The specific theological thrust of each unit is captured in this commentary, making possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of Judges. While the primary goal of the commentary is to take the preacher from text to theology, it also provides two sermon outlines for each of the twelve preaching units of Judges. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through Judges with an emphasis on application. ""Preachers shy away from the book of Judges. After all, it is smeared with blood and littered with dead bodies, making one wonder: What relevance does this book have for modern readers? Abraham Kuruvilla takes on the challenge of answering that question . . . I heartily recommend this commentary."" --Robert B. Chisholm Jr., Dallas Theological Seminary ""With astute observations about the text that readily lend themselves to homiletical applications, and broad suggested preaching outlines that closely reflect the theology of the text, Kuruvilla's commentary will prove to be a valuable resource for the expository teacher/preacher."" --Gregory T. K. Wong, Evangel Seminary, Hong Kong ""With Abraham Kuruvilla's sensitive literary and theological reading of Judges . . . he shows preachers how to relate its message to the world in which we live and the alternative world Christians are called to represent. Given his clear focus on helping preachers, this is probably the first book anyone expounding the book of Judges for a class or a congregation should get."" --Dan Block, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois ""Based on solid exegesis of the original text, this commentary makes the literary form and message of the book of Judges accessible, and demonstrates in clear fashion how to preach the different sections of the book faithfully and effectively."" --K. Lawson Younger Jr., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois Abraham Kuruvilla is Research 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), Privilege the Text! A Theological Hermeneutic for Preaching (2013), and A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry (2015), in addition to theological commentaries for preachers on Mark (2012), Genesis (2014), and Ephesians (2015). He blogs regularly at www.homiletix.com.

Genesis: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the narrative units of the book to craft effective sermons. This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text, i.e., what the author is doing with what he is saying. Genesis is thus divided into thirty-five narrative units and the theological focus of each is delineated. The overall theological trajectory/theme of the book--divine blessing: creating for blessing (Gen 1-11), moving towards blessing (Gen 12-24), experiencing the blessing (Gen 25-36), and being a blessing (Gen 37-50)--is thus progressively developed. The specificity of these theological ideas for their respective texts makes possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of the book, 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 provides two sermon outlines for each of the thirty-five units of Genesis. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through Genesis with an emphasis on application.

Genesis

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.

Mark

Ephesians: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the units of the Letter to craft effective sermons. This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text, that is, what the author is doing with what he is saying. Ephesians is divided into twelve preaching units and the theological focus of each is delineated. The overall theological trajectory or theme of the book deals with God's consummation of all things in the cosmos in Christ, and the role of the church in this grand and glorious divine operation. This theme is progressively developed in Ephesians, in each of the twelve passages. The specific theological thrust of each unit is captured in this commentary, making possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of Ephesians. While the primary goal of the commentary is to take the preacher from text to theology, it also provides two sermon outlines for each of the twelve preaching units of Ephesians. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through Ephesians with an emphasis on application.

Ephesians

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.

Abraham Kuruvilla

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