Michael in CM100 Basic History of Preaching

6 years ago

Michael Wolfe                                                                               Lesson 1 – Greek Rhetoric CM100 – Class Essay   Comparison of Rhetorical Styles   Introduction:      The classic Greek style of oral discourse using rhetoric as a way to convince and move an audience is easily transferable to sermons written today.  My essay will be centered on this topic.   Cicero’s development of the three styles and further expansion utilizing the five cannons deepens my understanding of the correct sermon structure. This will help me to successfully lead my congregation to a decision for change.   The Power of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos in Sermon Building Ethos:       The utilization of Ethos in the beginning of a sermon  establishes my credibility as well as the topic of the sermon. I first introduce my topic and then follow up with the scriptures that verify it. What I have found useful is to continue to use this pattern of Ethos throughout the entire sermon.  Utilizing Ethos as a continual flow throughout my sermon establishes the credibility of myself, my topic, and the scriptures themselves.  Logos:        Using Logos I fully expand on and bring to life the topic by developing each thought. Intriguing the listener with the details of the thought is my chief goal. The scripture must draw in and explain in such detail that the hearer is persuaded to consider how this topic is relevant to their own lives. Through their intellect I am appealing to their understanding of each point of fact. This allows a deeper level of sermon development. Pathos:         As I integrate the third aspect of rhetorical preaching, Pathos, which is my personal favorite, I am speaking to appeal to them emotionally.  In this I want them to be drawn to the importance of personal application of the sermon topic( or their need of salvation), pressing in with pleading and an emotionally charged proclamation of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.       Throughout this course study I have seen the many famous preachers using all three rhetorical methods. The simplicity of using ethos to introduce, logos to expound in the main body, and pathos drawing the sermon to a close with emotionally charged persuasion is applicable to all people throughout the ages.   The Styles of Cicero        The way Cicero developed the three styles by building upon its foundation is a crucial feature of the text and the future of preaching. These were the Plain Style, Middle Style, and Grand Style from the Greek aspects of rhetoric (Ethos, Logos, and Pathos).  I am comparing the original Greek Rhetoric style directly against Ciscero’s three styles and how he built upon them with the five canons. Plain Style         This style was used to establish proof and the genuineness of the speech, argument or text. Much like Ethos its purpose was to convince the audience of the trustworthiness and the character of the speaker and the text or argument. By this, the legitimacy of the topic is established. Middle Style          This was used in the argument or preaching of a text for the pleasure and entertainment of the audience. The middle style is closely related but not precisely the same as Logos (in which is the actual development of patterns of thought) to was to used to convince, persuade, and appeal to the audience.  Logos was not entertainment, yet it was still a way to sway the audience by proofs and reasoning as opposed to the entertainment Cicero utilized in the Middle Style. Grand Style        Moving the audience to a point of decision was the purpose of the Grand Style. It was not to entertain or to humor the audience but to bring them to point of decision in favor of his opinion. It was not flowery and flamboyant but convincing and laden with proof and thus aimed at this moving the hearers to the point of decision as the orator called them to do. Pathos has the identical purpose except this is a call to an emotionally charged decision instead of a logical one.         Looking beyond these foundational styles I see Cicero laying down rhetorical principles as guidelines and disciples to keep the speaker following the rhetorical outline. The Five Canonical Disciplines         Invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery were all guidelines which kept the ebb and flow of the rhetorical argument flowing with continuity and an easily followed logic to convince others of strongly held beliefs.          As I see the great preachers throughout history I recognize all the elements of rhetorical style within their sermons from their various preaching styles. I am thankful for the contributions of the early church fathers, as they have enhanced my own personal convictions and style.