Christian communication in Korea : a homiletical assessment

Date
2009-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is intended to assess Christian communication in the light of the conundrum of sermonic language originating from Korean pulpits. In Korea, preaching is valued highly: almost everyone is aware that preaching is a crucial issue in Christian communication. In the light of communicative preaching, a sermon is composed of three “languages,” namely the language of God, the preacher, and the congregation. The language of the sermon is an important locus of effective communication through preaching. In spite of this point, many Korean preachers preach their sermons regardless of what influence the sermonic language exercises on communicative preaching, without recognizing the change of the context of preaching. In this thesis, the contention is that we should reconsider the relevance of the sermonic language conveyed from the pulpit. It should be reiterated that revisiting and appropriating the language of the sermon is a corollary of its revival and renewal. In order to ensure the relevant usage of sermonic language, it is necessary that we scrutinize communication theories within the framework of homiletical reflection. In Chapter 2 some principles of communication with regard to preaching are outlined. The influence of communicative noise which takes place in the preaching process is illustrated. This chapter also highlights the importance of the relationship between communication and preacher, and between preacher and congregation. This analysis offers a compendium of relevant sermonic language in communicative preaching. The third chapter elaborates on three major causes that have evoked the noises which may affect the conveying of sermonic language: the preacher, the congregation, and the environment. Disclosing these causes of irrelevant sermonic language will help us explore and develop theories, models, and applications. Theologically, preachers should consider three major aspects in view of the language of the sermon when they prepare, deliver, and end their sermons: Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. In Chapter 4 these three perspectives on sermonic language are studied and elucidated. Christology, pneumatology, and ecclesiology are cornerstones in the language of the sermon. In this chapter, it has been concluded that, for the language of the sermon to be aptly used, these theological approaches should be actively applied to the reality of preaching. In the fifth chapter I suggest several proposals for a more effective usage of sermonic language in the Korean church. In view of rampant irrelevant elements in Korean sermonic language, this chapter examines the importance and necessity of biblical role models for recovering the identity and the reality of sermonic language: prophets, Jesus Christ and Paul.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bedoeling van hierdie tesis is om Christelike kommunikasie vanaf Koreaanse kansels te evalueer in die lig van die krisis waarin preektaal tans is. In Korea word prediking hoog aangeslaan: feitlik almal is bewus daarvan dat prediking 'n wesenlike onderdeel vorm van Christelike kommunikasie. Gesien as kommunikatiewe prediking, word „n preek saamgestel deur drie “tale”, naamlik die taal van God, die prediker en die gemeente. Die taal van die preek is 'n belangrike lokus van effektiewe kommunikasie tydens prediking. Desnieteenstaande lewer baie Koreaanse predikers hulle preke sonder om die invloed van taal op hulle preke in berekening te bring. In hierdie tesis is die uitgangspunt dat ons die relevansie van taal vir die prediking in heroorweging moet neem. Dit word benadruk dat 'n herwaardering van taal noodsaaklik is vir die vernuwing van prediking. Met die oog daarop word sekere kommunikatiewe teorieë binne die raamwerk van homiletiese refleksie ondersoek. In Hoofstuk 2 word sekere beginsels van kommunikasie met die oog op prediking bespreek. Die invloed van kommunikatiewe “geraas” tydens die preekproses word geïllustreer. Hierdie hoofstuk lig ook die belang van die relasie tussen kommunikasie en prediker, asook tussen prediker en gemeente uit. Hierdie analise bied 'n samestelling van voorbeelde van relevante preektaal in kommunikatiewe prediking. Die derde hoofstuk brei uit op drie primêre oorsake van geraas wat die taal van prediking mag beïnvloed: die prediker, die gemeente, en die konteks. Openbaarmaking van hierdie oorsake van irrelevante preektaal stel ons in staat om teorieë, modelle en toepassings te ondersoek en ontwikkel. Teologies gesproke behoort predikers drie primêre faktore in ag te neem met die oog op die voorbereiding en lewering van hulle preke: Christus, die Gees, en die Kerk. In Hoofstuk 4 word hierdie drie perspektiewe op preektaal aan die orde gestel. Christologie, pneumatologie, en ekklesiologie vorm hoekpilare van preektaal. In hierdie hoofstuk word die konklusie bereik dat daar 'n daadwerklike toepassing van hierdie beginsels in terme van preektaal noodsaaklik is vir Christelike kommunikasie in prediking. In die vyfde hoofstuk word 'n aantal voorstelle vir meer effektiewe gebruikmaking van taal in prediking in die Koreaanse Kerk gemaak. In die lig van sekere wangestaltes in Koreaanse preektaal, ondersoek hierdie hoofstuk die belang en noodsaaklikheid van Bybelse rolmodelle vir die herontdekking van die wese van preektaal: die profete, Jesus Christus en Paulus.
Description
Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--Stellenbosch University, 2009.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Practical theology and missiology, Theses -- Practical theology and missiology, Christian communication, Preaching -- Korea
Citation