A critical evaluation of the audience-oriented preaching theories of Fred Craddock and Eugene Lowry

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This dissertation aims to evaluate the Audience Oriented Preaching (AOP) methods ofFred Craddock and Eugene Lowry. Though no one can deny that AOP provides a newand creative method for participation of the audience in the whole sermon process, inmy view, it has many theological and homiletic problems. But before asking how wecan use their method skillfully in our preaching ministry, it is necessary to scrutinizetheir theories with theological reflection.Chapter 2 explores the relation between the text and the listener (context) in the lightof contextualization and rhetoric, in which we can find the present place of AOP, asdeveloped by Craddock and Lowry. This chapter functions as a guide map for thedirection and argument of subsequent chapters.In Chapter 3 we review the inductive preaching theories of Craddock, and thenarrative preaching theories of Lowry. Here our concern is first to find thetheological, historical and cultural background of AOP. Following this, we examineAOP theories themselves, which propose preaching methods that differ radically fromthe more traditional ones.In Chapters 4 and 5 this dissertation considers and evaluates both positive andnegative aspects of AOP. AOP provides several benefits that have so far been ignoredin traditional preaching methods. Primarily, it is closely related to active participationof the audience in the sermonic process. A less favourable view of AOP is that it failsto proclaim the identity of Jesus Christ and as a result of this, to build up thecommunity of Jesus in the church. Campbell's Christological-ecclesiologicalapproach, based on post-liberal theology, has been one of the most importanttheological critiques of AOP theories and their roots in western individualism.Although Campbell argues persuasively in his criticism of AOP, his arguments arenot wholly adequate in addressing the issue of congregation-oriented preaching.Chapter 6 is mainly focused on an alternative congregation oriented preaching method. I argue that this can be accomplished in a vision of collaborative preaching,which incorporates the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This dissertation suggestsBohren's pneumatological-ecclesiological approach as the most effective method forcongregation oriented preaching beyond the individualistic trend of AOP. WhereCampbell's critique, though articulate, overlooks the pneumatological perspective,Bohren's is significantly more comprehensive than Campbell's.Therefore, the approach that I develop in this thesis acknowledges the contributions ofboth Campbell and Bohren in shaping a truly congregation-oriented preaching. If weare to overcome the limitation of AOP, my argumentation is that AOP must beinterrogated and complemented by both the Christological-ecclesiological approach ofCampbell and the pneumatological-ecclesiological approach of Bohren.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University