Vulnerable Good News: Distance & Patience In Gospel Performance
Abstract
The performative implications of the gospel have been the focus of intense homiletical reflection. These reflections explore avenues through which the “what” of the gospel shapes the “how” of its proclamation. Yet one feature of the gospel that has received little attention is the connection between the gospel’s inherent vulnerability and how that vulnerability should shape sermonic performance. This paper considers what possible impact the vulnerability intrinsic to the gospel, as good news, should have on one’s preaching performance and the potential implications of this connection. Drawing on speech-act theory and a theological understanding of the gospel as “good news,” this paper argues sermonic performance that mirrors the gospel’s nonviolent epistemology is a necessary condition for gospel speech. It suggests performative distance as one strategy for meeting this condition and that such a strategy reveals the potential significance of patience as a homiletically significant virtue.For articles: All articles published in Homiletic are the exclusive property of the Journal. All copyright rights to the article shall be owned by and be in the name of the Academy of Homiletics. The Academy of Homiletics in turn grants all authors the right to reprint their articles in any format that they choose, without the payment of royalties, subject to giving proper credit to the original publication with Homiletic. The Academy of Homiletics also permits articles to be copied for non-profit educational use provided proper credit is given to Homiletic. Authors may self-archive their articles in an institutional repository or other online location, provided proper credit is given to Homiletic.
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