Preaching for spiritual growth: using Jesus' metaphors to shape sermon applications

Richard A Griffin

Etd

Preaching for spiritual growth: using Jesus' metaphors to shape sermon applications

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Richard A Griffin. Preaching for Spiritual Growth: Using Jesus' Metaphors to Shape Sermon Applications. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/4a040ab4-bded-4352-95e2-09beafeff1cc?q=2004.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

R. A. Griffin. Preaching for spiritual growth: using Jesus' metaphors to shape sermon applications. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/4a040ab4-bded-4352-95e2-09beafeff1cc?q=2004

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Richard A Griffin. Preaching for Spiritual Growth: Using Jesus' Metaphors to Shape Sermon Applications. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/4a040ab4-bded-4352-95e2-09beafeff1cc?q=2004.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Richard A Griffin

Keyword

Jesus Christ--Teachings

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Abstract

Whenever our listeners think about their interactions with God, they will think using the tools we give them. What we truly think shapes our decisions and our behavior. Over the last two decades, cognitive scientists have developed a strong body of research to argue that whenever we think about abstract concepts, such as Spiritual growth, we use metaphors to think with. And while metaphors enable us to think about abstractions; they also shape our thinking about those abstractions. Evangelical preachers, by and large, give their listeners performance-based metaphors for thinking about their interactions with God. Sermon applications typically emphasize 'steps to attain X'--where 'X' is the goal for that particular sermon. This activates a ladder or staircase metaphor in their listeners' thinking--a metaphor that emphasizes effort. By understanding how metaphors work, how metaphors shape our thinking, and Jesus' metaphors, Evangelical preachers can develop sermon applications that will assist, rather than hinder, their listener's Spiritual growth.

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