The Specific Content of Preaching the Word of God in a Secularized Environment (original) (raw)
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Preaching the word of God in a secularised community
2017
Effectiveness of preaching the word of God depends largely on the preacher, his competence, zeal and knowledge. The effectiveness in question is affected by the preacher‘s testimony of faith, knowledge of the preached message and problems experienced by his listeners as well as ability to use words. The paper discusses the issue of a ministry of the preacher of the word of God in a secularised community. Consecutive parts of the reflection is devoted to reception of the preacher in a secularised community, spirituality, faith and testimony of the preacher of the word of God. Also, attitudes required of the preacher of the word of God as a leader of God‘s people and people‘s friend in a secularised community will be discussed. The last part concerns tasks of the preacher of the word of God and the impact of secularisation on formation of preachers of the word of God
EFFECTIVE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD: CONCRETE CONSIDERATIONS
Acts 2,5-6 talks of the crowd that gathered in Jerusalem for the annual Pentecost feast. It describes them as 'devout men from nations under heaven'. This description could be an exaggeration, but it is a literary way of telling the readers that uncountable number of people went for the feast. The presentation posits species from every continent as present. They did not visit Jerusalem to listen to Peter's preaching about the resurrected Christ. Their visit was an annual pilgrimage for Jewish agricultural feast called 'Pentecost'. Undoubtedly, they were not interested in stories about Christ who as at the period was regarded as an insurrectionist, a brigand and a robber who died infamously. Truly, perception of an unusual sound necessitated their gathering together but staying on to listen to Peter talk about an infamous man and the historical conversion of about three thousand (3000) men (Acts 2,41) invites a sober reflection on the method used by Peter to pass on his message. If the early Christians were able to move the world at a time when Information Technology and pedagogical methods were not so much in vogue, then the method they adopted is worth being studied. The contemporary era is witnessing the decadence of mainline Churches-Catholicism, Anglicanism, Methodist, Presbyterianism, Lutheranism etc. On the other hand, Pentecostalism and Easter Transcendental Meditation have attractions on a geometrical increase. Evidently therefore, the problem is not with man's incredulity or nonacceptance of Christocentric method. The submission of this paper is that the problem lies with our method of presentation. Therefore, this work confines itself in the main to an examination of what used to be the case, a look into the present and a suggestion on the way forward. EXORDIUM This paper begins her taunting and thought-provoking investigations into effective preaching with Overman's (1992) description of the method adopted by our primogenitors in the preaching ministry right at the inception of Christianity. According to him, Christianity engaged and
Evangelising Ministry in a Secular Context
Klaus Krämer – Klaus Vellguth (eds.), The Universal Church in Germany, (One World Theology – 6), Claretian Publications: Quezon City, Philippines, 2015
Can the Christian faith still be lived out in public? The article shows how Christian faith can contribute to a plral and secular society and enrich all its members. Important is the openness to relate and dialoge with all of them.
Enganging Secularization with Expository Preaching
Journal DIDASKALIA
This research trying to see the phenomenon of secularization that is dominating the world. Some people argue that secularization is dangerous for the Christian faith while some say that it is just the opposite that secularization is necessary. What is developing now is that secularization becomes a movement in personal thought. Some experts distinguish between secularization and secularism. Secularism is a kind of ideology that remove everything supernatural defining ones life. Secularism refers to the fact that religion has lost influence on the societal, the institutional and the individual levels. Preaching is a main part of church to educate the congregation about God, what His will and also supernatural being. Expository preaching is the method of teaching scripture. There are many other ways to preach a sermon that are beneficial to a congregation. However, that these other forms of preaching should never replace expository preaching in the life of the church. Solid ...
Communication as Sacred and Missionary Act. A Contemporary Ethical Necessity
International Journal of Theology, Philosophy and Science, 2019
This study deepens the sacramental meaning of the 'word' as a means of communion and perfection for man. The incarnation of the Word of God and Christianity, by and large, led to the change of our paradigm of civilization. The Church uses today the word to promote its pastoral mission, as fundamental means of inculturation and as tool for deepening human communion and solidarity. The word has a sacramental perspective and always implies dignity and responsibility. The Christian civilization is one founded on the word, which is the reason it best expresses the dignity and the divine greatness of the word. The Church cannot stand apart in front of the social effects of technological progress of media, as it strongly affects people's lives, for better or worse, as used, with or without discernment.
A Comparative Analysis of Traditional and Modern Modes of Religious Preaching
Asian Journal of Social Science, 2009
Religious preaching is a means for the transfer of religious messages and to create and modify the attitudes and trends of followers. Transferring a message is achieved either on a macro level or on a micro level. The latter can be conveyed face-to-face while media often present the former directly or indirectly. Traditional preaching has been functional in traditional societies and in that it has been able to affect emotions and minds and through forming a social and communication network, has directed the religious society. In this method, speech holds the religious message; but the preacher also conveys religious emotions and feelings and because there is mostly face-to-face communication, human relations are formed among the audience. However, the modern media preaching, although more widespread, is less profound, usually causing no direct feedback while communicating with the audience who may not know each other. Thus, in spite of enjoying a larger audience and a variety of att...
Evangelism in Christian Societies
International Review of Mission, 2014
In this article the burning issue of re-evangelism in historically Christian societies is discussed focused on the contemporary preaching in multicultural societies, the factors of communication, the modern channels of communication, the missionary, catechetic and moral preaching and the liturgy after the Divine Liturgy.
Benignitas pastoralis in the Proclamation of the Word of God
Roczniki Teologiczne
Pope Francis addresses to the whole Church the appeal for pastoral conversion, involving the proclamation of the Gospel to all people yearning for the kindness and sensitivity of the Saviour. In the teaching of the Bishop of Rome, benignitas pastoralis plays an important role as a spirit of mercy and gentleness accompanying pastoral concern for sinners-the weak, the suffering and despairing. Pastoral gentleness should also shape the ministry of the word which continued to play a significant function in the saving mission of the Church. Because benignitas pastoralis was most fully expressed in the Incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ and His earthly activity, it is why the task of preachers of the word of God is to prolong the mission of the Saviour, showing people the gentle and merciful face of God, bending solicitously over human weakness and proclaiming the message of salvation in a simple and comprehensible language. The presence of benignitas pastoralis in preaching makes it possible to reach the audience with the Gospel, discovering the true face of a merciful God, and find in His word a source of strength needed for their spiritual growth. So executed, the ministry of the word is opposed to Pelagianism, rigorism and permissiveness, because it points to the "primacy" of God's love which thus enables man to achieve the ideal of holiness according to the ideal of the Gospel.
2013
This thesis explores the essential role of proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ in Blessed Pope John Paul II's New Evangelization. The process of evangelization is defined in terms of proclamation, followed by the acceptance of faith and conversion of the one being evangelized. Following the innovation of the Second Vatican Council, John Paul II reiterates that it is the responsibility of all Catholics to participate in evangelization. Another of the key themes of the Council, inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue is compared and contrasted with evangelization in general, and proclamation in particular, to further clarify the appropriate roles of each. Two landmark Encyclicals written by John Paul II, Fides et Ratio and Veritatis Splendor are reviewed for their insights. Both Encyclicals are seen as correctives of societal trends like rationalism and relativism that will undermine efforts to implement the New Evangelization if they are not addressed.