Chronotopic contextualization : a method for explicating the analogy of action between scripture writing and contemporary proclamation.

Traditional evangelical homiletics emphasizes what the biblical author says with what he writes, while de-emphasizing what he does with what he writes. Such an approach complexifies the process of contextualization for preaching. This dissertation proposes chronotopic contextualization as a corrective to this feature of traditional evangelical homiletics. I argue that chronotopic contextualization increases accuracy in contextualization by explicating the analogy of action between Scripture writing and contemporary proclamation. Further, it describes how the exegetical and homiletical cross-sections function to guide the preacher in the process of contextualization. Chapter one introduces the thesis of this dissertation, and chapter two describes the challenge of traditional evangelical homiletics, surveys mainline and evangelical responses to that challenge and identifies chronotopic contextualization as a solution. Chapter three describes the theory behind chronotopic contextualization. I claim that paying attention to the analogy of action between Scripture writing and contemporary proclamation enables the preacher to contextualize the text’s meaning and significance for her listeners with increased accuracy. Chapter four demonstrates the utility of chronotopic analysis for exegesis by analyzing Psalm 39:1-14, Philippians 2:6-11, and Revelation 12:1-17a on the various levels of the exegetical cross-section: the textual, Sitz im Leben, and ideological chronotopes. Chapter five provides an example of chronotopic contextualization in preaching by demonstrating how the preacher can contextualize Psalm 39:1-14, Philippians 2:6-11, and Revelation 12:1-17a for different congregations facing specific exigencies. It describes how the preacher can navigate the homiletical cross-section via analogical reasoning to trace the analogy of action between the biblical author’s action in writing and the preacher’s performance in proclamation. Chapter six considers the significance of chronotopic contextualization for homiletics. This chapter argues for the usefulness of the analogy of action for preaching, since it enables the preacher to contextualize the text with increased accuracy. Chapter seven invites the preacher to pay attention to the analogy of action when moving from text to sermon, and it commends chronotopic contextualization as an interpretive method that increases accuracy in contextualization. Moreover, it provides suggestions for further research.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Gregory, Dan J. (Daniel J.), 1982-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alcántara, Jared E., 1979-

• Homiletics.
• Preaching.
• Chronotope.
• Contextualization.
• Mikhail Bakhtin.
• Speech act theory.
• Analogical reasoning.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13788

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13788