Too Deep for Words? Preaching in the Language of the Spirit Calvin Symposium of Worship January 29-31, 2009 Luke A. Powery B16
“The preaching event itself . . . is a living, breathing, flesh-and-blood expression of the theology of the Holy Spirit.” (James Forbes, The Holy Spirit and Preaching)
Traces of Sermonic Lament Names human reality of pain concretely Lament language is not usually indicative but imperative and direct Entails self-inclusion (I/We, etc.) Explicitly notes faith in God/Christ in the midst of naming the pain Often moves towards celebration and praise of God Heightened passionate rhetoric
Traces of Sermonic Celebration Amplification of God’s action in the world through Jesus Christ Accentuation of the nature and identity of God/Christ Indicates hope for the future Empowerment for mission Use of personal testimony. Heightened sense of rhetoric and poetics