A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry - Paperback

by Abraham Kuruvilla (Author)

Preaching Today 2016 Book Award (Editor's Choice)

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.

Back Jacket

Kuruvilla offers a systematic and readable vision for the preparation of sermons and especially the preparation of preachers as they wrestle with the biblical text. Rightly arguing that the key to authoritative preaching is grasping the originally intended theological meanings of biblical texts, the author challenges us to take the Scriptures seriously and to read the Bible forward rather than backward.
--Daniel Block, Wheaton College; author of For the Glory of God

"Kuruvilla is one of the best homiletical thinkers today. In this book he argues that preachers must discern a biblical author's theological intent in order to make valid and specific applications that will help conform listeners to Christ and bring glory to God. Kuruvilla has given us a vision for preaching that is insightful, comprehensive, and compelling."
--Donald R. Sunukjian, Talbot School of Theology

"Homiletics scholar Abraham Kuruvilla offers a compelling vision of what preaching is and can be, unpacking that vision through a series of chapters that explore what it means to be a biblical preacher. As he analyzes preaching through various lenses, he offers those who proclaim God's Word a useful and encouraging vision through which to interpret their own calling and task."
--Michael Duduit, executive editor, Preaching magazine; College of Christian Studies and Clamp Divinity School, Anderson University

"Kuruvilla sees the big picture. His vision is broad enough to embrace a spectrum of preaching objectives while remaining focused on the inspired words of Scripture. No book presents a better balance of heart and head, Spirit and truth, and orthodoxy and orthopraxy than A Vision for Preaching."
--Hershael W. York, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"It is common for pastors to articulate vision statements for their churches, but it might also be helpful for pastors to describe a vision for their preaching. Kuruvilla, a leading homiletician, has thought through how he sees the task. A Vision for Preaching is well researched, thoughtful, and sometimes controversial, but fully worth consideration."
--Kenton C. Anderson, ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University and Northwest Baptist Seminary

"Kuruvilla provides a compelling vision that challenges preachers to lift their sights higher in the preaching task--a challenge worth considering!"
--Scott M. Gibson, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Author Biography

Abraham Kuruvilla (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is research professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and is a practicing dermatologist. He is the author of several books, including Privilege the Text!: A Theological Hermeneutic for Preaching, and has written a number of preaching commentaries. A past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society, he blogs regularly at homiletix.com.