The Persuasive Power of the Biblical Metanarrative of Fall and Condemnation in Protestant Sermons: Whoever Believes in Him Is Not Condemned
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| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | Protestant sermons typically rely on the foundational biblical metanarrative (i.e., the doctrinal quartet of Creation – Fall – Redemption – Consummation) to convey moral and spiritual messages. Previous studies have explored the persuasive techniques within religious discourse and the impact of biblical narratives on audience persuasion. However, it seems that there may be a gap in our current understanding of how the ‘grand narrative’ of Fall (and Condemnation), as one component of the metanarrative, is strategically employed in Protestant sermons and its alignment with classical rhetorical appeals and fear-induction. This paper seeks to explore the rhetorical strategies employed by Protestant preachers in using this metanarrative as a persuasive tool in their sermons. By examining the interplay of Aristotelian appeals—logos, ethos, and pathos—this paper aims to shed light on how the theological narrative shapes and potentially enhances the effectiveness of persuasive communication in Protestant preaching. The study employs a qualitative approach, analysing a corpus of scripted Protestant sermons where the metanarrative of Fall and Condemnation is prominently featured. |