Homiletics

Homiletics (Gr. homiletikos, from homilos, to assemble together), in theology, is the application of the general principles of rhetoric to the specific department of public preaching. The one who practices or studies homiletics may be called a homilist, or more colloquially a preacher.

Explanation

Homiletics comprises the study of the composition and delivery of a sermon or other religious discourse. It includes all forms of preaching, viz., the sermon, homily and catechetical instruction.

It may be further defined as the study of the analysis, classification, preparation, composition and delivery of sermons.

The formation of such lectureships as the Lyman Beecher course at Yale University resulted in increased emphasis on homiletics, and the published volumes of this series are a useful source of information regarding the history and practice of the discipline.

Branch of pastoral theology

The "Standard Dictionary" defines Homiletics as "that branch of rhetoric that treats of the composition and delivery of sermons or homilies". This definition was particularly influential in the 19th century among such thinkers as John Broadus. Thinkers such as Karl Barth have resisted this definition, maintaining that homiletics should retain a critical distance from rhetoric. The homiletics/rhetoric relationship has been a major issue in homiletic theory since the mid-20th century.