Today’s reading marks the beginning of the Medieval period of rhetoric. At this time in world history, at least in the western world, the Church was really coming into being and was starting to really –ahem- show its power over the people. There was a big push for all to stop doing as the pagans do, and this included certain types of rhetoric.
In its place, hermeneutics and homiletics came into play, both pertaining to the interpretation and teaching –respectively – of the Bible. Both fall into rhetoric, arguably somewhere between didactic and ceremonial types.
Hermeneutics in the context of homiletics, that is, interpreting something scriptural so that is can be taught is much different than interpreting for your own understanding.
When you are teaching, you must always keep your audience in mind; their beliefs, values, and expectations, all go into consideration not only when you’re delivering your sermon, but also when you’re writing it.
This was seen in the movie Chocolat where the pastor, young and new to the trade, had to face the conflict between his love for Elvis and other things not so acceptable and what the Count and the rest of the town expected from him. As it was Lent and some woman had just opened a chocolate shop, one of the biggest temptations in a time for severe moderation and sacrifice, his sermons needed to shame the loveliness, severely advising against partaking or they’d all go to Hell. He didn’t preach how he personally interpreted the text, but rather how he interpreted the text in terms of his audiences expectations.
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