Privilege the Text!: A Theological Hermeneutic for Preaching

424 Pages·2016·3.08 MB·English

by  Abraham Kuruvilla

Praise for Privilege the Text!

I commend Abe Kuruvilla’s book to you for its intriguing proposal on how
better to relate hermeneutics and homiletics. I have read, and benefited from, his
earlier book, but this one goes further. In identifying this new ugly ditch, he also
makes an original contribution to the theological interpretation of Scripture.
Kuruvilla’s homiletics rightly emphasizes the theology of the text and the
importance of the congregation’s response. His focus is squarely on edifying the
church. This is a book on preaching rooted in theology rather than
communication skills, and for this I am very grateful!
Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor
Biblical and Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School,
Deerfield, Illinois

From Origen to Karl Barth by way of Augustine and Martin Luther, classic
Christian interpreters have placed the sermon or homily at the heart of their
practice of scriptural interpretation, yet the move from text to preaching is not a
straightforward one that can simply be left to individual inspiration and the Holy
Spirit. It requires a theologically and hermeneutically informed reflection,
lacking in much of the more recent literature in the fields both of homiletics and
the theological interpretation of Scripture. It is this lack that Abe Kuruvilla
addresses in this thought-provoking and highly original book, which takes as its
starting-point the “pericope”—the section of Scripture, read to the congregation,
on which preaching is based—as the primary form in which the biblical Word is
encountered.
Francis B. Watson, Chair of Biblical Interpretation
Department of Theology and Religion, University of Durham, Durham,
U.K.

A theological hermeneutics for preachers has been long overdue, and I am glad
to see that this book provides an accessible entry-point into this vital topic. The
move from the Bible—with all of its particularity and groundedness—to
theological truth requires a depth of hermeneutical sophistication that can only
be gained through serious study and attention—and mastering a book such as
this. For too long, I have been frustrated by those who present the mechanics of
preaching but neglect to provide the theological and hermeneutical
understanding to make God’s word come alive in the pulpit. I think Abe
Kuruvilla has provided an intelligible approach to this perplexing and recurring
problem.
Stanley E. Porter, President and Dean, Professor of New Testament
McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

In this sophisticated and lucid study Abraham Kuruvilla draws on recent work in
hermeneutics and biblical interpretation to shed fresh light on the nature of
biblical preaching. He gives careful attention to the specific issues posed by the
use of Scripture in the context of preaching. Kuruvilla offers a constructive
account of a biblical hermeneutic, which takes seriously the challenges posed by
the Old Testament, and which over all offers a valuable resource for all those
concerned with faithful biblical preaching.
R. Walter Moberly, Professor
Department of Theology and Religion, University of Durham, Durham,
U.K.

Finally, a book on the hermeneutics of preaching from the Old Testament that
takes the biblical texts seriously. Responding to many approaches that pay lip
service to authorial intent in Old Testament texts but then quickly impose
typological and christocentric meanings on them, Kuruvilla asks seriously what
biblical authors were doing with their words. With patience and great skill he
guides us in how we may first interpret biblical texts to discover their intended
meaning, and then he explains how the message of those texts is authoritative for
Christian readers. This is the best book on preaching on the Old Testament to
come out in a long time.
Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler, Professor of Old Testament
Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
This is a magnificent work, showing us how to move from the then of the text to
the now of the audience. … Kuruvilla repeatedly demonstrates how paying
attention to the details of the text leads to the underlying truth that spans all
generations. His discussion of how all parts of the law—civil, moral, and
ceremonial—are applicable today is worth the price of the book. You will
understand your task as a preacher as never before and find yourself with a
renewed excitement for it.
Donald R. Sunukjian, Professor of Preaching
Chair, Department of Christian Ministry and Leadership, Talbot School
of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, California

It is one thing to talk theoretically about the necessity of biblical theology in
developing one’s hermeneutic, and quite another actually to do it on a passage
by passage basis as preachers must do in their ecclesial settings. Kuruvilla
addresses this omission in current discussion and fills the void by showing how
biblical theology, interpretation, and preaching fit together to serve the
edification of the local parish. This volume makes a significant contribution to
the ongoing conversation between the disciplines of hermeneutics and
homiletics.
Kenneth A. Mathews, Professor of Divinity
Department of Old Testament, Beeson Divinity School, Samford
University, Birmingham, Alabama

Rarely does one find such a clear, careful, and comprehensive description of the
goals and methods of biblical theological hermeneutics as we have in this
volume by Abe Kuruvilla. The fact that the discussion never loses touch with the
urgent task of preaching makes this volume not only provocative but virtually
unique in the field.
Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching
Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Too often practical preachers skip over theology and hermeneutics in sermon
preparation, arguing that they have little time for theory. However, this well-
researched book challenges preachers to develop a theological hermeneutic that
is not only essential for the preaching task but proves immensely practical.
Focusing on pericopes as segments of the biblical canon, this new approach
invites preachers to see projections of God’s future world that make vital claims
on Christian obedience. A challenging book for any preacher who wants to go
deeper, and that should include all of us.
Michael Quicke, C. W. Koller Professor of Preaching
Northern Seminary, Lombard, Illinois

© 2013 by
ABRAHAM KURUVILLA

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without
permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations
embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture translations are by the author.

Edited by Philip E. Rawley
Cover design: Thinkpen
Cover image: Shutterstock #57903223 / #62554042
Interior design: Smartt Guys design
Author photo: Dan Regier, DTS

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available

ISBN: 978-0-8024-0713-9

We hope you enjoy this book from Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide
high-quality, thought-provoking books and products that connect truth to your
real needs and challenges. For more information on other books and products
written and produced from a biblical perspective, go to
www.moodypublishers.com or write to:
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60610

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
Systematization and Atomization
Theological Hermeneutic(s)
Précis of Chapters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

CHAPTER 1: General and Special Hermeneutics

Preview: General and Special Hermeneutics

General Hermeneutics
Textuality and Its Consequences
Text and Author
Text and Hearer
Text and Referent
The World in Front of the Text
Futurity and Meaning of Texts
Pragmatics: What Authors Do with What They Say
The Classic and Its Characteristics
Perenniality
Plurality
Prescriptivity
Excursus: On Significance
Section Summary: General Hermeneutics
Special Hermeneutics
Role of Rules
Rules of Reading
Rule of Exclusivity
Rule of Singularity
Rule of Finality
Rule of Applicability
Rule of Ecclesiality
Rule of Centrality
Section Summary: Special Hermeneutics

Summary: General and Special Hermeneutics

CHAPTER 2: Pericopes, Theology, and Application

Preview: Pericopes, Theology, and Application

Pericopes
Liturgical Use of Pericopes
Theological Function of Pericopes
Covenant Renewal in Nehemiah 7:73b–8:12
Pericopes as Literary Instruments of Covenant Renewal
Section Summary: Pericopes

Theology of Pericopes
Authors Are Doing Something
Authors’ Freedom and Their Agendas
Categories of Interpretive Approaches
Pericopes and Their Projected Worlds
Pericopal Theology
Pericopal Theology Defined
Pericopal Theology Distinguished
Summary: Pericopal Theology
Text to Theology—a Case Study: 2 Samuel 11–12
The Send Motif
The Hittite Model
The Ophthalmic Malady
The Punishment Merited
Principlization, Generalization, and Levels of Theology
Problems of Principlization
Necessity of Generalization
Level of Theology
Section Summary: Theology of Pericopes

Application
Two-Step Preaching
The Second Step: Pericopal Theology to Application
Exemplification in Legal Hermeneutics
Exemplification in Theological Hermeneutics
Exemplification for 2 Samuel 11–12
Section Summary: Application

Summary: Pericopes, Theology, and Application

CHAPTER 3: Divine Demand and Faithful Obedience

Preview: Divine Demand and Faithful Obedience

Divine Demand
Approaches to the Law
Traditional: Lutheran Approach
Traditional: Reformed Approach
Traditional: Dispensational Approach
New Perspective on Paul
Law Continues to Operate