LE3 .A278 2022

2022

Blythe, Stuart

Acadia University

Doctor of Ministry

D.Min.

Ministry

Acadia Divinity College

This thesis argues that rhetoric has legitimate value and use in the preaching of the resurrection. It begins by advancing the biblical and theological case for the homiletical validity of rhetoric and then moves from the general claim about the legitimate value of rhetoric in preaching the resurrection to a particular focus on the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in such preaching. This discussion is then followed by an analysis of ten Easter sermons by one contemporary, prominent Canadian preacher, The Reverend Dr. Andrew Stirling. The findings demonstrate the way in which ethos, pathos, and logos, and indeed reverse-ēthos, can be used in practice as a servant of divine truth. The thesis concludes that there is legitimate value and use of rhetoric in preaching, and therefore, that it is appropriate for preachers to use persuasive speech in proclaiming the truth of the resurrection. Some implications of this research for the reading and interpretation of Scripture, preaching the resurrection, the teaching and learning of preaching, and the practice of preaching are discussed, along with areas for possible future research, in the final chapter.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3724