homeletics
Definition
- Noun (plural in form but singular or plural in construction):
- The art or practice of composing and delivering sermons: "homiletics" refers to the branch of theology or rhetoric that deals with the preparation and presentation of sermons, especially within Christian religious contexts.
Usage Examples
- (The art of sermon construction and delivery.)
- (The academic study of sermon writing and preaching.)
Advanced Usage
- "Homiletics as a discipline": The systematic study of homiletics often includes analysis of biblical texts, rhetorical strategies, and audience engagement.
- Modern homiletics emphasizes narrative and contextual preaching rather than purely doctrinal exposition. (Contemporary approaches to sermon delivery focus on storytelling and relevance.)
Variants and Related Words
Homiletic (adj): relating to or characteristic of homiletics or sermons.
- The pastor gave a homiletic lecture on forgiveness. (A lecture in the style of a sermon.)
Homilist (n): a person who writes or delivers homilies (short sermons).
- The homilist spoke with clarity and compassion. (The sermon giver.)
Homily (n): a short, often moralizing sermon or lecture.
- The priest delivered a homily on charity. (A brief sermon.)
Synonyms
- Preaching: the act of delivering a religious discourse.
- Sermonology: the study of sermons (less common).
- Rhetoric of preaching: the art of persuasive speech in a religious context.
Phrasal Verbs
- (None directly applicable to "homiletics," as it is a specialized noun.)
Related Idioms
"To preach to the choir": to try to convince people who already agree with you (not a direct synonym, but related to preaching contexts).
- His homiletics lecture felt like preaching to the choir. (The audience already agreed with his points.)
"To practice what you preach": to act according to the principles you advocate (relevant to the ethical dimension of homiletics).
- A good homiletician must practice what they preach. (The sermon writer should live by the sermon's message.)