This thesis proposes that a dialogue between hermeneutics and homiletics, fields of inquiry that have functioned in relative isolation from each other, will provide a theological basis for navigating the formidable passage from Scripture to sermon. Given that the biblical canon is endowed with critical significance for the life of the church, the burden of this work is to aid the homiletician in making such a move from text to praxis with validity. Chapter 1 established that texts are language, games, of which two species are germane to the Bible: primary literary genre and secondary genre (that of the canonical classic, superimposed upon and enfolding the primary components therein). In the performance of these linguistic sports, a world in front of the text is projected-a second, order referent, and an element of the pragmatics of discourse-bearing future,directed transhistorical intentions which when actualized constitute exemplifications (valid applications). Chapters 2 and 3 proposed the Rules of Primary and Secondary Genre; these rules enable the homiletician to elucidate that world in front of the text. Chapter 4 further developed this concept of the projected world as it focused on pericopes, fundamental units of the biblical text utilized for sermons in liturgical settings. The world projected by pericopes-pericopal theology-forms the bridge between Scripture and sermon in a homiletical endeavour. This mediating entity grounds the sermon in the authority of Scripture and, while constraining application within the bounds of its transhistorical intention, it launches the sermon with relevance, facilitating covenant renewal in the community as lives are aligned to the will of God. The paradigm represented herein thus facilitates the preacher becoming a theologian,homiletician who, employing pericopal theology to bridge the gap between inscription and interpretation, successfully executes the manoeuvre from text to praxis. Hermeneutics has thus made a fruitful rendezvous with homiletics.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1996. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 267-275).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2001. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-162).