# homiletics

> application of rhetoric to public preaching

**Wikidata**: [Q1038158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1038158)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homiletics)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/homiletics

## Summary
Homiletics is the application of rhetoric to public preaching, serving as a specialized subfield within the broader discipline of rhetoric. It functions as an academic discipline under practical theology, focusing on the techniques and strategies used to deliver religious sermons effectively. This field bridges the art of persuasion with religious practice, encompassing the study of homilies and the works of historical preachers.

## Key Facts
- **Definition**: Homiletics is defined as the application of rhetoric to public preaching.
- **Parent Discipline**: It is a subfield of rhetoric, which is one of the three ancient arts of discourse alongside grammar and logic.
- **Theological Context**: It falls under the academic discipline of practical theology, which examines and reflects on religious practices.
- **Classification**: It is an instance of Q11862829 and a subclass of Q81009 and Q1383443.
- **Related Concept**: It is closely associated with the "postil," which is a cycle of Christian homilies.
- **Notable Practitioners**: Key figures include Girolamo Savonarola (1452–1498), Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968), Charles Borromeo (1538–1584), and Leonard of Port Maurice.
- **Historical Figures**: The field includes contributions from Štefan Pilárik (1615–1693), György Buchholtz (1688–1737), and Piotr Skarga (1536–1612).
- **Identifiers**:
  - P227: 4122202-7
  - P244: sh85106171
  - P646: /m/03tb6x
  - P691: ph120791
  - P1036: 251
  - P1051: 7929
  - P1368: 000137827
  - P1617: 2f32607b-e5d6-42e2-a16b-52e678e34c2e
  - P2347: 18084
  - P2924: 2368725
  - P3241: 07443a
  - P3417: Homiletics
  - P4342: homiletikk
  - P5002: 166109
  - P5748: 11.75
  - P6366: 2780005682
  - P6385: kultura_i_obrazovanie/religiya/GOMILETIKA.html
  - P8189: 987007533815805171
  - P8313: homiletik
  - P8408: Homiletics
  - P8590: 7842
  - P8814: 06193234-n
  - P13204: xrqvhfph
- **Aliases**: The term is also known as "preaching."
- **Sitelink Count**: The entity has 31 sitelinks across various language editions.

## FAQs
**What is the relationship between homiletics and rhetoric?**
Homiletics is a specific subfield of rhetoric that applies the general art of persuasion to the context of public preaching. While rhetoric covers all forms of persuasive communication, homiletics narrows this focus to religious sermons and homilies.

**How does homiletics fit into the study of theology?**
It operates as a component of practical theology, an academic discipline dedicated to examining and reflecting on religious practices. This connection ensures that the art of preaching is grounded in theological reflection and religious tradition.

**Who are some of the most influential figures in the history of homiletics?**
Prominent figures include Martin Luther King Jr., known for his civil rights sermons, and Charles Borromeo, a cardinal and archbishop of Milan. Other significant contributors include Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican friar, and Piotr Skarga, a Polish writer and preacher.

**What is a "postil" in the context of homiletics?**
A postil refers to a cycle of Christian homilies, representing a structured collection of sermons used in religious instruction. It is a key textual form associated with the practice and study of homiletics.

**Are there specific identifiers used to catalog homiletics in academic databases?**
Yes, homiletics is cataloged with numerous identifiers, including the Library of Congress Control Number (sh85106171) and the German National Library ID (4122202-7). It also has specific codes in Wikidata (/m/03tb6x) and other classification systems like P1036 (251) and P1051 (7929).

## Why It Matters
Homiletics is essential for understanding the mechanics of religious communication and the historical development of public preaching. As the application of rhetoric to the pulpit, it provides the theoretical and practical framework for how religious leaders influence congregations and shape public opinion. Its significance extends to the preservation of religious heritage, as it encompasses the works of centuries of preachers from Girolamo Savonarola to Martin Luther King Jr. By studying homiletics, scholars and practitioners can analyze the evolution of persuasive techniques within a spiritual context, ensuring that the art of the sermon remains effective and relevant. Furthermore, as a branch of practical theology, it bridges the gap between abstract theological concepts and their lived expression in worship services.

## Notable For
- Being the specific application of rhetoric to the act of public preaching.
- Serving as a critical subfield within the academic discipline of practical theology.
- Encompassing the study of the "postil," a cycle of Christian homilies.
- Including a diverse roster of historical practitioners ranging from medieval friars to modern civil rights leaders.
- Holding a distinct place in the trivium of classical education through its parent field, rhetoric.
- Possessing a rich array of standardized identifiers across global library and knowledge systems.
- Acting as a primary vehicle for religious reflection and the examination of religious practices.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
Homiletics is fundamentally defined as the application of rhetoric to public preaching. It is an instance of the entity Q11862829 and functions as a subclass of broader categories Q81009 and Q1383443. The field is inextricably linked to rhetoric, which is one of the three ancient arts of discourse, alongside grammar and logic. Within the academic hierarchy, homiletics is a subfield of practical theology, a discipline that examines and reflects on religious practices. It is also related to the general concept of an academic discipline, which encompasses fields of study or professions. The term "preaching" serves as a direct alias for homiletics.

### Historical Practitioners and Figures
The history of homiletics is populated by numerous notable figures who have shaped the art of preaching. Girolamo Savonarola, an Italian Dominican friar and preacher, lived from 1452 to 1498 and held occupations including preacher and theologian. Martin Luther King Jr., an American Baptist minister and civil rights leader (1929–1968), is a prominent figure with a sitelink count of 245. Charles Borromeo, a Catholic saint and cardinal, served as the archbishop of Milan from 1564 to 1584. Leonard of Port Maurice was an Italian Franciscan preacher and ascetic writer.

Other significant contributors include:
- **Piotr Skarga**: A Polish writer (1536–1612) and Jesuit preacher.
- **Štefan Pilárik**: A Slovak writer and theologian (1615–1693).
- **György Buchholtz**: A Slovak naturalist and poet (1688–1737).
- **Christoph Christian Sturm**: An author with citizenship in Germany.
- **Wilhelm Gumppenberg**: A German religious servant and theologian.
- **Eliáš Láni**: A Hungarian poet.
- **Jean Taffin**: A Dutch theologian.
- **Alois Schwarz**: An Austrian bishop and theologian.
- **Franz Neumayr**: A German Jesuit preacher.
- **Anastassi Bratanowski**: A Russian writer (1761–1806).
- **Smaragdus of Saint-Mihiel**: An Irish writer.
- **Ján Abrahamffy**: A Slovak philosopher and writer.
- **Stanislav Vydra**: A Czech mathematician and Roman Catholic priest.
- **Irinarkh**: A Russian bishop (1790–1877).
- **Antonín Koniáš**: A Czech baroque writer and Roman Catholic priest.
- **Alexander Rudnay**: A Slovak cardinal and Roman Catholic archbishop (1760–1831).
- **Caspar Neumann**: A Silesian pastor (1648–1715).
- **Markus Brann**: A Jewish historian and scholar.
- **Andrzej Leszczyński**: A Roman Catholic archbishop.
- **Jeremias Drexel**: A German Jesuit (1581–1638).
- **Wenceslaus Hajek**: A Czech humanistic chronicler and writer.
- **Nicolas Caussin**: A French Jesuit (1583–1651).
- **Jan Bartoszewski**: A priest (1852–1920).
- **Juraj Ambrozi**: A Slovak writer.
- **Jacob of Mies**: A Czech religion writer and theologian.

### Related Concepts and Texts
A central concept in homiletics is the "postil," which is defined as a cycle of Christian homilies. This textual form represents the structured output of homiletic practice. The field is also connected to the broader category of academic disciplines, which includes the study of religion and theology. The relationship between homiletics and rhetoric is foundational, as homiletics utilizes rhetorical devices and strategies to achieve persuasive objectives in a religious setting.

### Identifiers and Metadata
Homiletics is extensively cataloged with specific identifiers across various knowledge systems.
- **Standard Numbers**: P227 (4122202-7), P244 (sh85106171), P646 (/m/03tb6x), P691 (ph120791).
- **Classification Codes**: P1036 (251), P1051 (7929), P1368 (000137827), P1617 (2f32607b-e5d6-42e2-a16b-52e678e34c2e).
- **Library and Database IDs**: P2347 (18084), P2924 (2368725), P3241 (07443a), P3417 (Homiletics), P4342 (homiletikk), P5002 (166109), P5748 (11.75), P6366 (2780005682), P6385 (kultura_i_obrazovanie/religiya/GOMILETIKA.html), P8189 (987007533815805171), P8313 (homiletik), P8408 (Homiletics), P8590 (7842), P8814 (06193234-n), P13204 (xrqvhfph).
- **Wikipedia and Wikidata**: The Wikipedia title is "Homiletics," and the Wikidata description is "application of rhetoric to public preaching." The entity has a sitelink count of 31.

### Academic and Practical Context
As a subfield of practical theology, homiletics is concerned with the reflection on religious practices. It is distinct from general rhetoric by its specific focus on the pulpit and religious discourse. The field includes the study of figures of speech and persuasive techniques adapted for spiritual instruction. The presence of figures from diverse backgrounds, including Jesuits, Franciscans, and civil rights leaders, highlights the field's broad historical and cultural reach. The connection to the "postil" underscores the importance of cyclical and structured sermon delivery in the history of the discipline.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BBC Things
4. Quora
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
6. KBpedia
7. GF WordNet