What is homiletics?

Homiletics is the study of the art of preaching; in other words, the rhetoric of the sermon. It is defined as the discipline that deals with the homily. In turn, the homily is the way to expose and preach religious issues. Homiletics is based on an epidictic variant of classical rhetoric, and having begun its practice at the end of the Middle Ages, it has extended to the present day.

the homiletics

The word homily, from which homiletic derives, comes from the Greek and means conversation. Another word related to the same idea is sermon, which comes from the Latin word sermo , and has the same meaning: conversation, talk, exchange ideas.

The homily is mainly associated with the various forms of Christian worship. The first reference to a sermon that Christianity recognizes is the Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus Christ. The origin of the Christian sermon lies in the homily that was pronounced in the synagogues (Jewish temples) in the time of Jesus Christ.

It is interesting to note that the early Christians did not call the way in which they spread their teachings oratory, a term used by Demosthenes and Cicero, but rather they called it conversation and family conversation. With the influence of the teachings of rhetoric and the popularization of Christian worship, the conversation of Christian sermons soon became more formal discourse. In this sense, homiletics is the study of a particular type of discourse; however, being religiously motivated, preaching is itself different from secular discourse.

The Catholic cult establishes exhaustively that the homily must be carried out by a religious authority, be it a bishop, a priest or a deacon; never a layman. This is due to the fact that the homily is based on the interpretation of the message of the Bible, so it must be carried out by an expert theologian. On the other hand, in the Protestant cult the homily is based on the reading of the Bible; For this reason, religious discourse can take many different forms depending on the evangelical cult.

The homily in the African-American Christian cult has particular characteristics. Unlike the structured sermons of homiletics of European origin, it is a form of oral and gestural preaching. In the African-American preaching tradition, the language of the black church and the movement of the limbs contribute to the meaning of the preaching, thus creating a dialogue between the delivery of the sermon and the listener. This is a fundamental element that differentiates African-American preaching and helps make the most relevant theological and hermeneutical aspects more attractive to its believers.

The homily from the Middle Ages to the present day

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, manuals were produced to structure sermons; however, none of them was relevant enough to become a reference on the subject.

In these manuals it was assumed that preaching on religious issues was not intended to convert the audience. Since the majority of the population of medieval Europe was Christian, it was assumed that the congregation was already a believer. For the same reason, the preacher’s job was to instruct on the meaning of the Bible, emphasizing the moral precepts.

Medieval preaching was a judgment that combined elements of rhetoric, social status, and the precepts that were perceived to be entrenched in the written letter. Therefore, the preaching manuals were based on a variety of disciplines that outlined a new technique, such as:

• Homiletics: The Study and Art of Preaching
  Homiletics is the study of the art of preaching, often described as the rhetoric of the sermon. It’s defined as the discipline that delves into the homily, which is a method to discuss and preach religious topics. Rooted in an epidictic variant of classical rhetoric, the practice of homiletics began towards the end of the Middle Ages and continues to this day.Origins and Terminology
  The term “homily,” from which “homiletic” is derived, originates from the Greek word meaning “conversation.” Similarly, “sermon” comes from the Latin “sermo,” signifying “conversation” or “exchange of ideas.” The homily is primarily associated with Christian worship. Christianity’s first recognized sermon is the Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Jesus Christ. This tradition has its roots in the homilies pronounced in synagogues during Jesus’s era.

  Notably, early Christians preferred the term “conversation” or “family conversation” over “oratory,” which was popularized by figures like Demosthenes and Cicero. However, as Christian worship expanded and absorbed teachings of classical rhetoric, these informal conversations transitioned into more structured discourses.

  Homiletics Across Christian Traditions
  In Catholicism, the homily is an exclusive act, reserved for religious authorities—bishops, priests, or deacons. This exclusivity stems from the homily’s role in interpreting the Bible’s message, necessitating the insights of an expert theologian. In contrast, Protestant sermons, centered on Bible readings, can vary significantly across different evangelical denominations.

  The African-American Christian tradition offers a distinct approach to the homily. Unlike the structured European-origin homiletics, African-American sermons emphasize oral and gestural preaching. The language and physical movements in this tradition foster a dynamic dialogue between the preacher and the congregation, making theological and hermeneutical aspects more engaging.

  Evolution of Homiletics
  During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, various manuals were developed to guide sermon structures. These guides presumed their primarily Christian European audience sought biblical instruction rather than conversion. Medieval sermons, therefore, were a blend of rhetoric, societal standing, and perceived biblical precepts. They drew inspiration from:

  • Biblical Exegesis: The interpretation of the Bible.
  • Scholastic Logic: A methodical approach to discussing religious topics.
  • Classical Rhetoric: Emphasizing form and style, inspired by figures like Cicero and Boethius.
  • Liberal Arts: Including grammar, which subtly influenced medieval homiletics.

  By the 18th and 19th centuries, homiletics and rhetoric became more intertwined, with sermons evolving into moral orations. The 20th century introduced a shift as homiletics began incorporating narrative strategies from biblical models and theories of mass communication.

Sources

• Dictionary of the Spanish language | Tercentennial Edition | RAE-ASALE , 2021.
• Encyclopedia of Rhetoric and Composition . Edited by Theresa Enos, Taylor and Francis Group, New York, 1996. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203854884
• George A Kennedy. Classical Rhetoric & Its Christian & Secular Tradition. University of North Carolina Press, USA, 1999.
• Gregory Kneidel. Homiletics. Encyclopedia of Rhetoric. Edited by T.O. Sloane . Oxford University Press, USA, 2001.
• James H. Harris. The Word Made Plain: The Power and Promise of Preaching . Augsburg Fortress, 2004
• Xavier Leon-Dufour. Biblical Theology Vocabulary (18th Edition). Herder Library, Barcelona, ​​2001.