Homiletics (Gr. homiletikos, from homilos, to assemble together), in theology the application of the general principles of rhetoric to the specific department of public preaching. Greek (Greek Ελληνικά, IPA – Hellenic) is an Indo-European language with a documented history of 3,500 years. ... Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, word or reason). It can also refer to the study of other religious topics. ... Rhetoric (from Greek ρήτωρ, rhêtôr, orator) is one of the three original liberal arts or trivium (the other members are dialectic and grammar) in Western culture. ... Preaching is the most important element in the protestant churches. ...

It may be further defined as the science that treats of the analysis, classification, preparation, composition and delivery of sermons. The formation of such lectureships as the Lyman Beecher course at Yale University resulted in increased attention being given to homiletics, and the published volumes of this series are the best contribution to the subject. A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. ... Lyman Beecher (October 12, 1775 - January 10, 1865) was a Presbyterian clergyman, abolitionist, and father of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Ward Beecher, and Catherine Beecher. ... Yale University is a private university in New Haven, Connecticut. ...

The older literature is cited exhaustively in WG Blaikie, For the Work of the Ministry (1873); and DP Kidder, Treatise on homiletics (1864). William Garden Blaikie, Scottish divine, writer, biographer, and temperance reformer, was born on February 5, 1820, in Aberdeen and died on June 11, 1899. ...

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a critique of homiletics