Expository Preaching in a World of Spiritual Nominalism

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Abbreviations

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Rationale

1.3 Statement of Purpose

1.4 Objectives

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

1.7 Statement of the Problem

1.8 Research Questions

1.9 Definition of Key Terms

1.10 Structure of the Study

1.11 Research Design for the Study

1.12 Selected Strategy of Inquiry

1.13 Philosophical Worldview of Phenomenological Approaches: Social Constructivist Worldview

1.14 Research Methods

1.15 An Analysis of Various Research Models

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

2.2 The Effect of Preaching

2.3 Nominalism

2.4 Nominalism and Preaching

2.5 Working Definition of Nominalism

Chapter 3: Christianity in Manipur: Arrival, Growth, and the Early Preaching Movement

3.1 A General Background of Manipur and Imphal City

3.2 Religious Background

3.3. Arrival of Christianity in Manipur

3.4 The Early Preaching Movements in North East India (CBCNEI)

3.5 Christian Mission and Preaching in Manipur through the American Mission Society (AMS)

3.6 Effect of Christian Preaching in Manipur: The First Half of the Twentieth Century

3.7 Health of the Baptist Church and Preaching in Manipur: The Second Half of the Twentieth Century

3.8 Conclusion

Chapter 4: Description of the Data

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Data Coding and Analysis

4.3 Description of the Data

4.4 Conclusion

Chapter 5: Interpretation of the Data

5.1 Introduction

5.2 The Task of Interpretation

5.3 Theories and Literature Review vis- -vis the Interpretative Task

5.4 Interpreting the Impact of Preaching in the Church

5.5 Interpreting the Impact of Preaching on Society

5.6 An Engagement between Research Findings and Literature Review

5.7 Interpreting the Believers' Poor Understanding of the Word of God

5.8 Goals and Themes in Preaching

5.9 Methods of Sermons Preached in the Baptist Churches

5.10 An Analysis of the Methods of Sermons

5.11 Conclusion

Chapter 6: Normative Task

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Spiritual Lethargy in the Bible and a Homiletical Response

6.3 The Role of Charisma in Topical and Expository Preaching: An Evaluation

6.4 The Theology and Method of Expository Preaching

6.5 Critique against Expository Preaching

6.6 Rebuttal against the Criticisms of the New Homiletic on Expository Preaching

6.7 Evaluation of Stott and Keller and a Response to the Critique against Expository Preaching

6.8 Recommendation of Expository Preaching for the Baptist Churches of Imphal

6.9 Conclusion

Chapter 7: Pragmatic Task

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Discussions and Recommendations to Revitalise the Preaching Ministry in Order to Combat Nominalism

7.3 Conclusion

Chapter 8: Conclusion

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Summary

8.3 A Critical Self-Evaluation and Critique

8.4 Contribution to the Field of Practical Theology

8.5 Further Recommendations for Future Research

8.6 Summary and Conclusion

Appendix 1: The Spectrum of Preaching

Appendix 2: Open-Ended Research Questionnaire

Appendix 3: Some Other Ways to Address Nominalism

Appendix 4: List of Some Theologically Trained MBC Leaders

Appendix 5: Political Map of Manipur in the Context of Global Map

Appendix 6: A Political Map of India

Appendix 7: Manipur Map

Appendix 8: Imphal Map

Appendix 9: Semi-Structured Interview Questions

Appendix 10: Pilot Survey Questionnaire

Appendix 11: Pilot Survey Interview Questions

Appendix 12: General Challenges to the Spirituality of the Members

Bibliography